"A horrified murmur went through the hall filled with almost 500 guests at the Seamaster Award ceremony, which was won this year by the likeable exceptional sailor Kirsten Neuschäfer (see YACHT 4/24). A scene from the excitingly edited presentation video, which was accompanied by private film scenes of the Golden Globe Race winner, caused a scare: The camera pointed at the stern recorded Neuschäfer letting herself slide over the swim ladder into the stern water, holding on to the lowest rung and being pulled behind by her "Minnehaha". The boat makes a few knots of speed and the solo skipper clearly enjoys the refreshing swim in the middle of the Pacific.
However, there is no safety line attached to the boat and she has not taken any other worst-case measures. When asked why she was taking this risk, the South African replied with a smile: "I'm my own skipper with my own rules. And I can break them whenever I want. That's what freedom means to me!"
Life-saving waistcoats in the big practical test
Every sailor probably knows what Kirsten Neuschäfer is trying to say. How often do we move around on the boat without a lifejacket, even though we have one on board and know that it makes sense to wear it. We simply feel safe. Too safe?
Speaking of which: after several years, it was time for us to find out what the latest lifejacket models can do. We subjected 24 lifesavers to a detailed test and reveal which 150-N and 275-N class models you can use to wait for help in the water with confidence. Read about it in the new YACHT 7/2024, which is available from today at newsagents and newsagents, in the Delius Klasing App is available for download or can easily be ordered directly here.
Cheap chartering, despite rising prices
Also in the new issue of YACHT: Inflation has also left its mark on the charter market, with cruise prices having risen significantly in recent years. If you want to save money, you can either hire smaller or older yachts. YACHT editor Andreas Fritsch reports on which fleet operators also have somewhat older ships on offer and how well they are suited for a charter holiday.
I hope you enjoy reading this issue
Martin Hager, YACHT Editor-in-Chief
What else awaits you in the new YACHT:
PANORAMA
Current
Harbours fight against siltation;
Surprise winner of the round-the-world regattas;
Baltic Sea National Park
Journey
Repair of storm-damaged Baltic Sea harbours;
Raid in the Caribbean;
News from the Schleibrücken
New boats
Aluminium deckhouse yacht Pure 42;
Explorer Lynx 48;
Weekender Grand Soleil Blue
Sport
Joys and sorrows at the 470 Mixed World Championship;
SailGP;
RORC Caribbean 600
Photo essay
First clear the ship, then round off the day: when sailors call it a day
Charter guide
Prices for sailing holidays in the south have risen drastically in some cases.
Tips on how to keep your holiday affordable
Revierreport
Morocco's Atlantic harbours are notorious.
In return, visitors to the African coastal state can expect
a world almost like something out of 1,001 nights
Journey
The Göta Canal is ideal for travelling from the west to the east coast of Sweden.
Above all, the passage of the waterway itself is a unique experience.
We show you the most important stages
Portrait
Sidse Johannsen is a teacher. When she's not working, she sails - alone and
alone and usually for very long distances. What drives the passionate soloist
SECURITY SPECIAL
Survival at sea
How to prepare for emergencies on board: attend a safety training course
Life jackets
15 models in the 150-N and nine models in the 275-N class on the test bench
Epirb & Co.
Which MOB transmitters are available and how they work
Mountain systems
How crew are brought back on board from the water
TEST & TECHNOLOGY
Boat building
Adaptive Mould Technology is the name of a new manufacturing process.
Will it revolutionise series yacht construction?
Used boat Hanse 370
It is one of the bestsellers from the Greifswald shipyard.
The detailed test reveals whether this is justified
SKIPPERS MAGAZINE
Equipment
Folding propeller; furling system; anchor alarm app; carbon thimble; storage container for opened cartridges
Books
New novels, guidebooks, cruising guides: reading material for sailors
Law
What wording used boat sellers should avoid in the contract if at all possible
DIY
Optimise floorboards and create storage space in the bilge
YACHT MARKET
Germany's most up-to-date water sports exchange
On eleven pages the complete offer for sailors: used boats, purchase requests, broker and insurance offers, school and charter advertisements, contact adverts
Special boat
Something to rave about: the new, luxurious CNB 78 - why the northern Italian yacht is an eye-catcher
Wake
Why Germany's largest private sailing library is to go under the hammer
Martin Hager
Editor in Chief YACHT
