It was a special place for a special event: on the first weekend in September, around 50 classic GRP boats gathered on the northern shore of Kiel's Plüschowhafen harbour. The area on Prieser Strand was originally known as a base for the British armed forces and their yacht club. The British left the site in 2017 and the city of Kiel bought it from the Federal Real Estate Agency at the end of 2020.
Today, the historic site is run by the family business Yacht-Service Kiel, which operates the small marina "Bay Kiel" there. This was only opened this year and, according to the company, is intended to be a "generational harbour" that brings the history of boatbuilding to life. At this special location, the Club GFK Classics now the 20th edition of the GFK-Classics.
GFK-Classics: Summit meeting of the classic car scene
The meeting is regarded as the annual highlight for classic GRP yachts. Boats from the 1950s and 1960s are represented, as well as series yachts from the 1970s, such as Maxi, Albin and Dehler. According to the organisers the aim of the meeting is to bring together owners of such yachts "who are committed to the preservation of traditional GRP yachts and our maritime heritage out of joie de vivre, a passion for sailing, a sense of aesthetics and a touch of worldview."
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Successful association work
The organisers see this year's GFK Classics as proof of the association's successful efforts to secure and further improve the condition of the participating boats. A press release on the event states:
We have noticed that the condition of the boats has improved significantly in the 20 years of our existence. The majority of these are yachts owned by our members, who are encouraged by our impulses and information to maintain their boats in the best possible way. This shows once again that the GRP Classics are on the right track with their concern (...).
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Design engineer Peter Norlin honoured
In addition to sailing on the Kiel Fjord - despite weak wind conditions on a shortened course - the participants had to master two special tasks with their boats and solve a puzzle on the subject of Peter Norlin. This year's event was dedicated to him. The Swede was one of the most influential designers in the early phase of GRP boatbuilding. For this reason, an exhibition on Norlin's life's work was shown at this year's GRP Classics. The participants also included seven yachts designed by him.
Prominent guests
Another highlight of the meeting was the visit by Bobby Schenk, one of the most famous German long-distance sailors. On both days of the event, he was available to talk to visitors, talk about his sailing experience and sign books. His connection to the GRP classics is close: in the early 1970s, Schenk completed his first circumnavigation of the world on a Fähnrich 34, one of the classic GRP boats.
