This sailing season has had its teething troubles. At least in northern Germany. April was cold and rainy throughout, and work on the boats came to a standstill. When the weather turned consistently fine at the beginning of May, many owners were not even prepared. In an article, our weather expert Sebastian Wache takes a closer look at the phenomenon that even in summer, stable weather conditions are increasingly prevalent and alternate between strong winds and calm periods lasting for days on end.
After all, the season is here! And if you are holding the new issue in your hands, you may already be busy preparing for your summer cruise. In this issue, we want to give you some tips and help you make them a success.
Is there a threat of a luxury tax on sailing boats?
The weather is not the only thing that shows the thread by which this happiness often hangs. Hardly noticed by the public, European and German changes to the law came into force at the beginning of the year, on the basis of which sailing yachts can be subject to a luxury tax. Lawyer Benyamin Tanis from Kiel describes the process in detail.
The fact that so many external experts work on our magazine alongside a highly specialised team has a long tradition, as our colleague Morten Strauch found out when he visited former YACHT editor-in-chief Harald Schwarzlose. He was at the helm of the editorial team for 24 years from 1970 to 1994. Schwarzlose told Strauch about his long-time colleague Robbert Das from the Netherlands. The illustrator is now 95 years old, and an exhibition will soon be opening to provide an insight into the visionary's work.
A tribute to the inventor of the YACHT test
He also left his mark on our magazine. Robbert Das was one of the leading minds behind the invention of the YACHT test in 1965, when Schwarzlose was initially convinced that such a thing was impossible. Measuring such individual creatures as sailing yachts against objective criteria? Robbert Das and his crew proved the opposite and, according to Schwarzlose, the results soared to dizzying heights.
This pioneering feat was a long time ago, but testing is still going on. Many of the boats are even being tested for the second time after 20 to 30 years - as second-hand boats. And experts are still having their say today!
We hope you enjoy reading this issue.
Lasse Johannsen, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of YACHT
All topics of the new YACHT at a glance:
PANORAMA
Horizons
Classics on the Vele d'Epoca
Current
- "Shamrock V" back in the water;
- Police checks;
- Orca attack;
- Outboard motor thefts
Journey
- Danish harbours;
- Berth booking via app;
- Fire in Medulin;
- Ocean Cleanup
New boats
- Aluminium deck saloon yacht Ovni 430;
- hot racer JPK 1050
Sport
- Successful North Sea Week;
- "Whiteout" fastest yacht of the Brassfahrt;
- Kiters on Olympic course
Southern Sweden
From the Schlei to Hanö Bay: on a trip with a folkboat flotilla
Navigation series, part 2
Convert courses correctly and keep your bearings while travelling - we explain how it works
Regatta
Great sport and lots of fun at the Company Cup against an alpine backdrop. Impressions
Design
New boats are increasingly deviating from the usual yacht aesthetic. We show the most dazzling models
Weather
What will the summer be like? Sebastian Wache on influencing factors and prospects for sunny holiday weeks
Portrait
Robbert Das was a brilliant illustrator - and initiator of the YACHT tests. A tribute
Knowledge
What special flags reveal about the origin of a ship
Harbour portrait
Scheveningen attracts beach holidaymakers, partygoers and sailors: tips for sightseeing
On-board practice
Papers, cruising guides, provisions, spare parts and more: what can, what should and what must be taken on holiday?
Law
Is there a threat of a luxury tax on yachts? And if so, what would the consequences be? An assessment
Adventure
From zero to one hundred: Why a young teacher quit his job without further ado and went sailing around the world
TEST & TECHNOLOGY
Yacht design
So-called walkaround cockpits are the latest trend in series boat construction.
What's behind it and what advantages the concept should have
Hutting 46
After two decades of one-offs, the shipyard in Makkum has once again launched a series yacht. We have tested it
SKIPPERS MAGAZINE
On-board electrics
How the batteries can be charged more efficiently with the engine's alternator
Equipment
- Tried and tested: Drinking water disinfection;
- Tufnol blocks;
- induction hob;
- new midlayer jacket
Books
Exciting new publications that are worth reading
DIY
Clever aids to optimise line guidance
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 adverts
The special boat
Nomen est omen: With its 72-foot Grand Soleil enters the upper class.
We were on board
Wake
How Nikolaus Kraft brought Boris Herrmann's "Malizia" to Miniatur Wunderland
Lasse Johannsen
Deputy Editor in Chief YACHT
