Colin ArcherA ship like a fortress

Fridtjof Gunkel

 · 17.06.2012

Colin Archer: A ship like a fortressPhoto: K. Dittmann
30 tonnes of sheer force with pointed battleship: Colin Archer's rescue cruiser
The sailing rescue cruiser "Colin Archer RS 1" has rescued 236 people and 67 boats in 40 years of operation. The YACHT was on board

Norway's maritime icon is an unparalleled sailing force: the wooden ship, which is only 14 metres long, displaces 30 tonnes, as much as two modern production boats of the same size. The high weight is partly due to the double planking with inner and outer shells or the 800-kilogram main mast.

The ship, which, due to its seaworthiness, was still in service when the motor tug had to remain in the harbour, was the prototype of a 35-boat fleet of "Redningskoiten". Today, the ship is operated by the Colin Archer Club on the Oslofjord. YACHT was on board and was able to experience a piece of maritime history and craftsmanship.

  Cutter rig and parallel deck planks - just like a workboatPhoto: K. Dittmann Cutter rig and parallel deck planks - just like a workboat

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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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