The special boatColin Archer, with a difference

Fridtjof Gunkel

 · 12.05.2014

The special boat: Colin Archer, with a differencePhoto: YACHT/M. Strauch
A characteristic feature of the ketch is the extra-long bowsprit
The master designer also drew the yacht for Erskine Childers, the author of "Riddle of the Sandbank". A Dane rebuilt it

Childers used the ship to smuggle weapons during the Irish War of Independence. The replica, designed purely as a pleasure yacht, a rather atypical Colin Archer, is travelling peacefully. Her owner, Michael Fryland, built his "Maheao" himself in the open air on the Kattegat island of Anholt from wood using traditional construction methods, but had to put up with setbacks such as storms and fires. Today, the gnarled and charming long keeler is travelling the world. We visited the ship and crew shortly before her departure.

The special boat in the new YACHT, issue 11 (on sale from 14 May)

Test runs in the home waters: the boat off Schleimünde
Photo: YACHT/N. Krauss
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Photo: M.-S. Kreplin
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Photo: YACHT / M.-S. Kreplin
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Photo: YACHT/C. Sorenti

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Fridtjof Gunkel

Fridtjof Gunkel

Deputy Chief Editor YACHT

Fridtjof Gunkel was born on Helgoland in 1962; he started his sailing career there in the Opti and quickly switched to keelboats. North Sea Week, Cowes Week and Kiel Week were early stops, followed by many years in the Admiral's Cup scene on the cuppers “Container” and “Rubin” World Championships and international regattas in the Starboat, with the mini-maxi “SiSiSi” and various tonner yachts as well as participation in the Whitbread Round the World Race were further formative stations, flanked by extensive cruising trips. Fridtjof Gunkel joined YACHT back in 1985 as part of a traineeship, where he later became Head of the Test & Technology department and then Deputy Editor-in-Chief around 25 years ago. He is also responsible for the regatta and sports section. Fridtjof Gunkel privately sails a performance/cruiser moored on the Baltic coast, his favorite areas are the eastern Swedish archipelago and Brittany.

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