The energy revolution is in full swing. Along German motorways, more and more agricultural land is giving way to huge fields of solar panels, flat photovoltaic modules on balconies and house roofs generate electricity for personal use, and solar cells are now also a common sight on board yachts.
But in addition to the cost-effective and CO2-neutral conversion of solar energy into electrical energy, the smart systems can do much more: they offer us self-sufficiency - on land and at sea!
More freedom and independence!
Since the almost forgotten coronavirus pandemic, our freedom and independence are more important to us than ever. The longer we can sail, the better. The number of power consumers on board has steadily increased in recent decades. Most of us don't leave harbour without a smartphone or tablet, in addition to the usual on-board instruments, LED lights and compressor fridges as well as cameras and notebooks that need to be charged.
Solar panels are ideal for continuously charging the on-board batteries without starting the engine. They are relatively inexpensive, take up hardly any space and harvest energy silently. Our Test & Technik team led by Fridtjof Gunkel and Hauke Schmidt has accompanied the installation of a customised module step by step and explains what you need to look out for when purchasing and wiring.
Endurance test over a summer season
We will reveal the energy yield of the bonded unit at the end of the summer when we have collected enough test data.
Owner-occupier communities make sense both economically and ecologically. In this booklet, you will learn from personal examples how the shared joy actually becomes double the joy, what variants there are - and what pitfalls lurk.
I hope you enjoy reading this issue
Martin Hager, YACHT Editor-in-Chief
All topics of the new YACHT at a glance:
PANORAMA
Horizons
Upwind course on the Adriatic: yachts in the Jabuka Race
Current
Marie Tabarly wins the Ocean Globe Race;
EU sailing licence under discussion;
DWD weather report
Journey
Opening hours of German and Danish Baltic Sea bridges
New boats
X-Racing 41;
Hanse 590 with hardtop;
Sirius 40 DS;
foiling cruiser from Berco Design
Sport
Olympic qualification: who made it and who didn't
Greece
The south-east of the Peloponnese is rich in evidence of antiquity. Discover them under sail. Cruise report
Youth America's Cup
A German team wants to get involved in the prestigious regatta for young international sailors. Training in the simulator
Reader photo competition
Send us your best sailing photos - there are great prizes to be won!
Denmark
The twelve most beautiful destinations on the islands in the Småland fairway. Area report
German inland waterways
From Bavaria to Berlin, from the Eifel to Lusatia: what has changed for sailors on the most popular lakes and rivers for the new season
Kevin Escoffier
Steep rise, deep fall: how the French sailing pro got caught up in the maelstrom of a me-too scandal
Law
Ban on leaving the harbour! When authorities may prevent a skipper from casting off - and when not
Community of owners
Buying a yacht on your own is sometimes not worthwhile. The solution: take action together with others. An example from practice
Gloss
Steffi von Wolff on the risks and side effects of leaving the boat in someone else's hands
Portrait
They still exist, the small, fine ship chandlers. One of them is Günter Klingbeil from Glückstadt. We visited his shop
Report
The bankruptcy of the Sweden Yachts Group has caused a stir. Some buyers have lost a fortune. How this could have happened. Facts and background
TEST & TECHNOLOGY
Sun Odyssey 350
Jeanneau wants to build on old successes with its new ten-metre model.
The test reveals whether this is realistic
SKIPPERS MAGAZINE
Photovoltaics
Which solar systems are suitable for yachts, how much electricity they generate and how you can install them yourself. Big technology guide
Equipment
Laminate sails from Quantum.
Also: sail bag; boom kicker; claw gripper
DIY
Clever tips from YACHT readers about navigation equipment
YACHT MARKET
Germany's most up-to-date water sports exchange
On nine pages the complete offer for sailors: used boats, purchase requests, broker and insurance offers, school and charter advertisements
The special boat
"Kelpie" is a masterpiece by Alfred Mylne. It is still causing a furore today
Wake
Why Claude Bernard opened Europe's first museum for toy ships
Martin Hager
Editor in Chief YACHT
