Miglitsch 42 "Fischkind": Metamorphosis of an old-fashioned IOR yacht into a timeless wooden cruiser

The 1970s heralded a new era in boatbuilding: Glass fibre reinforced plastic (GRP) increasingly replaced wood. After initial scepticism ("too heavy, too expensive, not suitable for series production, not durable"), the new revolutionary method gained acceptance because it was actually able to achieve the opposite. Plastic yachts became increasingly lighter, stronger, cheaper and, above all, one thing: compatible with the masses in terms of construction, price and maintenance.

In the shadow of this ongoing development of ever better techniques (vacuum, infusion and injection, tempering, prepregs, sandwich construction), new timber construction methods and materials were also developed.

Durable, heavy-duty glues improved the construction of wooden boats, hulls became increasingly lighter and stiffer and, in the case of moulded boats, even easier to maintain. With modern lines and low weight, the performance of wooden boats improved dramatically.

Miglitsch 42 is a high-quality IOR yacht made from the best woods

In this technical environment and with an understanding and need for traditional boat building, the designer Anton Miglitsch drew IOR yachts such as "Mareike III" in the early seventies. The then popular International Offshore Rule, a complicated equalisation formula for seagoing yachts, calculated the theoretical performance of yachts. It made it possible for yachts of different sizes and types to sail together in regattas.

The design of the boats is characterised by very wide hulls with narrow sterns and constricted waterlines. This helps them to have a shorter waterline. The rudder sits firmly on the skeg and the keel is planked up to the ballast without much deadwood. The rig is top-rigged as a slip and equipped with only one spreader, but a strong mast profile absorbs the forces.

This was also the case on "Mareike III". It was launched in 1976 and was constructed in the best possible way: Double carvel planked in mahogany, the frames are moulded from mahogany and oak slats. The gluing, made of resorcinol resin, the so-called "red glue", which was modern at the time, is very strong and resistant to ageing, in contrast to the ship's glue Kaurit, which was popular at the time. The keel and stem are made of Kambala, the deck is planked in teak. All bolts are forged in stainless steel and bronze, the ballast is made of lead.

"These Miglitsch 42 yachts are equipped with the best woods and built to a high standard," explains boat builder and specialist in classic wooden yachts Frithjof Pinck, 28, from Arnis an der Schlei. Even though the genetics of the IOR-Slup, which is over twelve metres long, are made of pure wood, it is not a classic yacht. So what is it about this type of boat that appeals to the classic professional? "I really wanted to sail a boat made of wood that is easier to maintain and doesn't require a thorough restoration." The wooden boat expert is certain that the high-quality material and modern design make this possible.

Miglitsch 42 comes from a small series, but each ship is highly individualised

Designer Anton Miglitsch from Bremen, also known for his cracks for various sea and KR cruisers as well as Neptun yachts, was awarded the contract. The customer got what he wanted to sail quickly and safely with family and friends: a swan made of wood, a one-off construction so to speak.

Ex-"Mareike III" is not a real only child. There are several sister ships that were built at different shipyards and in different versions. Shipyards such as Matthiesen & Paulsen, Henningsen & Steckmest and Yachtwerft Hatecke produced the hulls of the Miglitsch 42, but with very different superstructures and fittings in some cases: as a regatta-optimised version, a comfortable centre cockpit yacht or, as produced by Henningsen & Steckmest in the 1990s, with a superstructure in the style of a Scalar deck saloon yacht.

In harbour and at sea, the Miglitsch 42 can hardly be identified as a yacht from a small series. The individual wishes of the owners and the interpretations of the boat builders have given each ship a unique selling point, which qualifies these yachts as individual constructions.

Heinrich Hatecke in Freiburg an der Elbe, a traditional shipyard founded in 1861, was responsible for translating the drawings and figures into frames and planks for the newbuilding "Mareike III". The client's records, which are still available today, reveal a lot about the not always smooth course of the construction history, as is the case with many custom-built ships. A flood on the Elbe delayed the planking, problems with the procurement of materials and the owner's requests for changes threatened to delay the planned launch.

Change of ownership after 45 years of family ownership

Finally built, delivered and sailed, the "Mareike III" becomes an important part of the owner's family. She raced in club regattas and proved herself as a capable cruising boat on the Baltic Sea between Kiel and Anholt. After 45 years in the family's service, the yacht was to be handed over to the next generation of grandchildren and given a suitable refit at a shipyard in Kiel. During the course of the work, however, there were disagreements between the client and the shipyard and the refit was cancelled. "Mareike III" was now to be sold in the half-finished state in which she was.

"I had heard about the yacht from a friend and was immediately impressed by the project," says current owner Frithjof Pinck. As an experienced boat builder, he quickly recognised the potential of the old IOR yacht, although the halt in construction had left a chaotic impression. "A lot of the boat looked like it had been left standing in the seventies," summarises the professional. "But the ship had passed through very few familiar hands, the original design had not been used, and despite the many years of service as a leisure boat, there were only a few signs of wear and tear."

He decides to buy it. Once the final differences of opinion between the previous owner and the shipyard had been resolved, he moved his new acquisition from the fjord to the Schlei in Kappeln-Grauhöft at the end of June 2022 to the local yacht and boatyard in Stapelfeld, the wooden yacht's new home port and the boatbuilder's workplace.

Frithjof Pinck and his current partner Carla Enchelmaier cross paths at around the same time. The trained carpenter and qualified industrial designer is attracted by the idea of turning the old boat into her own sailing home. She became co-owner - and "Mareike III" became the "fish child".

Summer cruise completes the to-do list for the refit

After taking stock of the situation with the combined expertise of colleagues and friends, it is clear what urgently needs to be done before the planned summer voyage. Some drying cracks in the outer skin - one of the main reasons for the disputes between the previous owner and the shipyard - are first provisionally sealed. On deck, the winches are put back in place, some windows are fitted and the wheel steering is converted from hydraulic to cable. A new plotter and autopilot are further investments.

"We were ready for sailing, and our summer cruise was also supposed to be a test run," explains Carla Enchelmaier. As a carpenter with a degree in design, she quickly had ideas for changes. "Before we racked our brains on land about what our dream boat should look like, we wanted to test in practice what worked and what needed to be improved." Said and done to Copenhagen, around Gotland and back via Bornholm. After a month and many miles back in the Schlei and at the home shipyard in Stapelfeld, the to-do list has grown into a considerable body of work: important structural work, improvements for boat handling, optimisations regarding life on board and visual refreshments.

Frithjof Pinck: "Basically, we were already very satisfied. The yacht has great sailing characteristics, so even longer trips are no problem. Thanks to the easy handling, we were able to sail the 120 square metre spinnaker with two people even in 15 to 20 knots of wind." The most frequently used headsail is a 150 per cent genoa with an area of around 55 square metres, which provides the most propulsion. In addition, there is a relatively small mainsail of 26 square metres. The Miglitsch 42 proves to be a good offshore cruiser: easy to steer on all courses, good-natured sea behaviour and plenty of space on and below deck.

Too young to be a true classic, too old to be considered a modern ship

The owners are working on a concept for redesigning the "Fischkind" into a yacht that fulfils their own needs and makes use of modern-day possibilities. "Too young to be a true classic, too old to be considered a modern ship," says Frithjof Pinck. But instead of recognising this as a dilemma, the two creative craftsmen took the opportunity to give the wooden IOR Lady a radical makeover. The steep companionway integrated into the superstructure, which led to the saloon, was moved a little further aft and replaced with a classic version, now integrated into the cockpit.

This intervention means changes to the entire interior layout. The cockpit now leads into the former aft cabin. The next decisive measure is the almost half-sided separation of the bulkhead to the aft ship.

"That was a magical moment," recalls the co-owner. "It created a completely new sense of space, just as we had hoped. The saloon opens aft, and from the cockpit you can see right into the saloon." The idea had worked, and now the next step was to realise it: one of the two doors to the bathroom was replaced by a wall, allowing the aft starboard berth to be extended into a double berth. This means that six adults can sleep on board, not counting the saloon benches. The engine box, previously part of the steep companionway steps and located under the former bulkhead, becomes a practical seat.

The interior of the Miglitsch 42 is reinvented

The young team of owners complements each other, the concentrated knowledge of boat building, materials, surfaces, design and colouring is bearing fruit. The galley remains in its original location, the work surfaces are sealed with furniture linoleum. The dark wood in the mahogany brown of the interior fittings is replaced or sprayed white. The old salon table is given a new lustre with an ash veneer. The gloomy IOR cave is transformed into a bright mini-loft. An enlarged skylight as a hatch and prisms in the running decks bring plenty of light below deck.

A diesel-evaporating Refleks stove on the forward bulkhead in the saloon radiates warmth. Only the chart table remains as part of the saloon, a reminder of the old layout. "We made the changes with respect for the designer's idea, the high-quality materials and the craftsmanship of our predecessors," explains the boat builder. "Some useful and beautiful things have remained, many things have been improved and some things have been reinvented," says the owner with modest pride. The fact that he dared to take on such a complex construction site is also due to the experience he has already gained as a boat builder working on the conversion of the "Hamburg V". It underwent a radical makeover at the Stapelfeld shipyard a few years ago (see Yacht 11/2022).

There is no pardon for the on-board electrics. Pinck's father, an experienced electrical engineer, completely dismantled and replaced it, re-equipped the battery banks and relocated them to the rear. The main and sub-distribution boards and the switch panel were also redesigned, networks were added and most of the lighting was replaced. The onboard diffusers were outdated and all sea valves were replaced with bronze models.

1,700 hours of personal labour

For budget reasons and in line with the philosophy of sustainability, used materials and attachments are utilised wherever possible. The shipyard environment offers good finds. Other boat owners give away unused equipment, and there are sometimes bargains to be found on classified ad portals. "We utilised our resources and contacts and are very grateful that we were able to use the location of the Stapelfeld yacht and boatyard as the perfect place for our project," says Frithjof Pinck.

This was the only way to realise a project of this size with a craftsman's salary. After completion of the "Fischkind", at least 1,700 hours of labour were spent on the refit, including the purchase price of around 30,000 euros. The estimated value of the boat is now more than three times that amount. "For us, the real value lies in the creation of a shared sailing home that we have created for ourselves," explains Carla Enchelmaier.

There has also been a significant change to the deck and hull. Until now, the contour between the running deck and the superstructure roof was barely recognisable, which made the ship appear somewhat massive. For this reason, the already worn teak is planed off the superstructure roof, foam is vacuum-bonded and reinforced with glass fibre. The foundation for a relaunch has been laid, now it's time for the finishing touches. The colour pastel green is used for the superstructure roof and the waterline. "The lines of the yacht are emphasised differently, the red-brown mahogany is no longer so visually dominant." The colour is reminiscent of the classic colour of Danish fishing vessels and the green of fine classic yachts, a trademark of Abeking & Rasmussen.

Completion of the metamorphosis

Further modifications follow. Moving the traveller, fitting a new steering wheel from old stock, installing swing doors with windows on the companionway, making a breakwater on the superstructure as a mounting point for the sprayhood, installing an anchor windlass. The damage to the hull is no problem for the professionals. "We milled out the cracks in the outer skin and glued in mouldings and bungs, replaced the stern tube and installed a new shaft system," explains the boat builder.

The "fish child" and her owner successfully passed their first test in the summer of 2023 on a trip to southern Norway. "Pure pleasure!", summarise the two enthusiastic craftsmen, owners and sailors. "The large cockpit with beautiful benches, well protected with a surrounding coaming. We felt safe here in all conditions." The heavily modified interior also proves its function below deck and, above all, has become a pleasant and cosy place. The metamorphosis has been a lasting success - the old-fashioned IOR yacht has become a classic-looking, timelessly modern wooden cruiser.

Technical data of the Miglitsch 42 "Fischkind"

• Designer: Anton Miglitsch
• Torso length: 12,50 m
• Waterline length: 10,20 m
• Depth: 2,10 m
• Weight: 8,5 t
• Ballast/proportion: 4,0 t/47 %
• Mainsail: 30,0 m²
• Genoa I: 55,0 m²
• Spinnaker: 120,0 m²
• Sail carrying capacity: 4,5

Other special boats:

• "Lively Lady": British sea heroine in the shadow of the "Gipsy Moth IV"
• J/V 43: Class 40 orientated racer is also a cruiser
• "Polaris": Passage Maker designed for the far north
• "Betty Blue": Transformation of a dinghy cruiser into a piece of jewellery
• Whitbread racer "Maiden": Women on a circumnavigation with a mission