It's that time of year again: it's getting cold, grey and foggy outside. For most sailors, winter is a dreary, boatless time of year, characterised by the memories of a hopefully successful season.
I can't help but think of the children's book "Frederick" by Leo Lionni: Frederick, the little field mouse, has spent the whole summer carefully and devotedly collecting beautiful memories, sunbeams and bright colours to give her and her friends warmth and joy in the cold winter.
Great sailing tips in the charter special
Even better than looking into the past is looking ahead - to all the voyages that will sweeten our hours on board next year. In our charter special, we take you to five very different areas that can be explored even on a tight time budget.
But is it even worth hiring a boat for just one week? We can answer this question with a resounding yes. In addition to a wonderful report on "Mallorca's little sister" Menorca, we provide ideas for cruises in the Adriatic, Aegean, Caribbean and - of course - the Baltic Sea. The routes are between 70 and 204 nautical miles long and can be completed in just seven days. Let us inspire you!
As I write these lines, the sailing mecca of Les Sables-d'Olonne is buzzing. 350,000 visitors bid farewell to the 40 Vendée Globe skippers who set off on one of the toughest sporting tests in the world. Among them was Violette Dorange, the youngest athlete in the field at the age of 23. You can also find out what drives the courageous Frenchwoman, who switched from Opti to Imoca in just eight years, in the new issue.
What sailors look forward to at Christmas
It's hard to believe how quickly the year flies by. It's already time to start thinking about Christmas presents again. If you still need ideas for sailors, you'll find them here.
What's more, anyone taking a recreational boating licence learns what to do when thick fog obstructs visibility. In the simplest case, you drop anchor away from the fairway and wait. If you have a radar unit on board, you can continue sailing with confidence. We present 14 models and reveal what the latest technology can do.
Enjoy this issue of YACHT!
Martin Hager, YACHT Editor-in-Chief
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All topics of the new YACHT at a glance:
PANORAMA
Horizon
Hidden object picture of the start of the 56th Barcolana off Trieste
Current
Shipyard fire; ferry with wings;
Retro classic "Aquarius";
YACHT podcast;
Green energy generation under sail
New boats
Travelling spoiler: Skaw Model A;
Flagship: Southerly 580
Sport
World sailor of the year;
German talent for the mini-transat
CHARTER SPECIAL
Menorca
The most beautiful harbours and bays around the second largest Balearic island. Travel report
Initiative
A standard charter agreement is intended to strengthen the rights of boat hirers. The background
Cruising tips
Baltic Sea, Adriatic, Aegean, Caribbean: special route suggestions for one-week charter holidays
Vendée Globe
Violette Dorange is the youngest participant in the non-stop race around the world. A portrait of the exceptional sailor
Blue water
Caribbean and back, that's nothing special any more. Unless you choose an unusual route. Like Marcus Bulgrin. An interview with the 51-year-old
Contaminated sites
Vast quantities of World War II munitions are rotting at the bottom of the North and Baltic Seas - a ticking time bomb. Now it is finally to be recovered. Report
Christmas
Still looking for the perfect gift? We have put together two dozen gift ideas for sailors
TEST & TECHNOLOGY
Saare 47
Design, variety, workmanship, sailing performance: the new centre-cockpit yacht from Estonia aims to score points in all four categories. Will it succeed? The test
SKIPPERS MAGAZINE
Radar
Navigation with conventional radar systems was too complicated for most sailors. This has changed with today's modern devices. 14 current models in comparison
Equipment
Offshore oiler from Decathlon; multifunctional bag from Nemo; update for Raymarine's Alpha series; sander from Mirka
DIY
Tips on filter technology for cooling water and fuel
The special boat
With the Woy 26, Jan Brügge has designed a daysailer that is exceptional in many respects. We were there for the trial run
Wake
Why Claus Gökemeyer wants to say goodbye to his fleet of GRP classics
Martin Hager
Editor in Chief YACHT
