"Rémy": Self-built retro-classic sports boat BM 31 is the first of its kind

This boat seems to be able to fly. At least that's what the first video studies of Contender ex-world champion Jan von der Banks' eagerly awaited retro-classic sports boat build suggest. What looks like an elongated, high-gloss lacquered wooden jewellery ruler virtually floats above the water, with a silver water pass and ornamental gullet stretching it visually enormously. At least the jewellery ruler obviously has hardly any connection to its element. Only a miniature bow wave and a slightly concave water level are evidence that Archimedes obviously had a say here. And there is also a tiller that deserves a closer look.

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This is generally worthwhile. "Rémy" dances, turns and accelerates beautifully and is light as a feather in the hand. The tiller itself has an elegant carbon look. It is, so to speak, the bow that elicits the sailing Stradivarius's abilities. You don't need a fat stick and a strong hand to go round in circles with this unique construction. The generous sail plan propels the sports boat surprisingly directly, quickly generating horsepower that only the fine adjustment can manage. Not to forget, the whole thing weighs just over two tonnes, has an efficient retractable bomb keel and fits on a trailer. And although there is not much in the way of high-tech, it is purposefully high-tech: Rudder bearings, lines, constrictor halyard stoppers, carbon components.

Small waves cannot harm the BM 31

Sailings are very fast on the plus side, and the older and heavier production boats of the past with their masts as thick as trees and heavy genoas nod more than they sail in the mini swell on the Kiel Fjord. However, "Rémy's" generous sail area, her low displacement and the sports boat-like lines with little keel jump make her sail rather flat - the small waves cannot harm her. Under gennaker, the wooden gem often matches the speed of the light wind. There is "no competition here, only victims", says her builder Jan von der Bank.

If the breeze picks up, "Rémy" could do with more crew. The rig height is determined by a previously broken Farr 30 mast that had "run into" the bank. It was patched up again by Contender champ and boat builder "Schappi" Harpprecht and, contrary to original plans, was not shortened after all. "The little bit of sail area that we now have more ... it wasn't worth the effort." However, a smaller main boom largely equalises the area and also makes the sail plan appear stretched.

But first things first. "Rémy" has only made four trips, she is actually brand new, but is already "known like a colourful dog on the fjord" (from the bank). The sails didn't even exist when she was christened, which sounds unusual. But "Rémy" is no ordinary yacht, but one that appeals to the heart.

And this emotionality is obviously shared. Because around 40,000 social media fans followed via blog how the prototype of a 31-foot design was created over five years in Jan von der Banks Hauswerkstatt-Garage in Eutin, East Holstein, mainly through the work of two hands. Who can seemingly transform a lump of plywood into a honey-mahogany-coloured object with an idea inside. There are also around 10,000 followers on the "normal" page of the boat builder, who in real life is the author of screenplays, maritime thrillers ("The Colour of the Sea") and children's books. YACHT has dedicated various articles to the project.

"The main thing is that the boat is pretty and sails well"

Speaking of longing. What does the name actually mean? Rémy is the famous film cooking rat from Paris and symbolises the longing for the impossible. "If rats can cook, I can also build a boat," thought the former world champion in the challenging one-man trapeze dinghy Contender von der Bank over five years ago. And got started in his own pimped-up home boatyard.

As a reminder: The original plan to modify an existing construction kit was turned into a customised design by Martin Menzner - i.e. Berckemeyer Yachten - using the "radius chine" method, which is suitable for beautiful self-build yachts. Translated, this means "concealed kink" and means that the area where the fairly straight flank and bottom surfaces meet is generously rounded and not kinked.

Martin Menzner, designer of the BM 31 "Rémy": "I had recommended a different construction method to Jan. Plywood is a beautiful, simple material for building boats. Also for hulls. I always advocate building with the right materials. In the case of plywood, that would be a buckling frame, which is less in keeping with the classic look." Radius Chine requires compromises in the lines of the hull, which the designer would rather not have in the shape. But ultimately, none of that matters. "The main thing is that the boat is pretty, sails well and everyone involved is happy," says Menzner.

Design theme "Pilot cutter"

Back on board: The handling of the fenders in the box already indicates that this will be a rather special sailing trip. You can't simply tie them off like on other boats. The fenders hang from mini hooks, the ends of which are inserted into the wood. Only a twist of the hook opens a bayonet catch on the boat side. How else would you hang fenders if there is nothing to tie them to?

The fender handling has already worked. The next thing that works is the pod drive part of the electric motor. During the day, it lives in an encapsulated shaft and is only brought into position shortly before use.

Visually, the much-cited "pilot cutter" design theme has not been consistently realised with "Rémy", but it has been consistently realised. Pilot cutters have always symbolised seaworthy and fast ships. There is ... nothing on the deck or superstructure of this modern pilot cutter lookalike. The superstructure is bright, white and sheer, extending slightly downwards in front of the mast and incorporating a flush-mounted forward hatch, also painted in high-gloss white. A carbon fibre gennaker pole rests in front of it. In the harbour at least. Then it lies there like the retractable jib boom of a pilot cutter. Underway, it is pushed out and a water stay then pulls the boom itself to tension. The side parts of the deckhouse are painted natural, as they should be. Three simple flat-oval portholes are built into it without any showy chrome gimmicks.

There is no railing, nor is there a handrail. Instead, a seemingly solid mahogany coaming - hand-width by hand-width - encloses the entire deck area: Foredeck, running decks, which meet a flashing veneered transom that covers the hull and cockpit aft. There is no less disruptive way to emphasise straight lines.

Or is it? After all, there is a lone winch on each side of the cockpit. As it turns out, they have a lot to do. Menzner and von der Bank have created a new layout. The reason: jib line, cunningham, gennaker, main and jib halyard - all lines that are
all lines that normally run over the superstructure - still exist.

But where are they? They end up almost invisibly under the traveller, which in turn also lives almost invisibly hidden in the bridge deck. All you can see is a narrow slot for the blocks, otherwise only a transverse slit in the teak indicates its existence. The end of the mainsheet that does not move towards the cleat also disappears below deck through a recessed thimble, where the fine adjustment is waiting.

BM 31 "Rémy" not a typical ship for sailing schools

Consistent use of constrictor clamps makes it possible to dispense with bulky lever clamps and thus the drop-hiding game. After all, levers take up a lot of vertical space because you have to be able to open them. Constrictors, on the other hand, only require a mini-clamp for the thin back-melting lines of the mantles, which lie horizontally below deck. And von der Bank is a master at making mini mahogany mouldings. Halyards and stretchers therefore run below deck, so to speak. Trick: halyards don't care whether they branch off at the foot or collar of the mast or somewhere in between - the angle always remains the same. In theory, you could also bolt stoppers and winches to the saloon table and operate everything below deck. However, this would not be an aesthetically pleasing solution.

Then it's better to chase the halyards and the stretcher through the bilge, let them reappear in the duty and turn the aft end of the bridge deck into a kind of halyard locker. Then you do have to deflect twice more, but flat, and it hardly rubs. "You only get a 60-degree angle," says the trained architect.

The Pitwin's are therefore actually unusually positioned in front of the stoppers; the open deflectors at the end of the coaming are therefore of central importance. But you shouldn't think in classic patterns here. It is merely the case that the free windward genoa winch sometimes has to be used for halyard work and the halyard then has to be redirected aft. A foresighted, distinctive solution. And the angles are exactly right.

The wide, thigh-deep cockpit aft of the "baby" or "sun deck" provides a crawling control centre from which you have everything under control near the main bulkhead: Halyards, outhaul, sheets, tiller. A pleasant central workplace.

You need to know all that. So "Rémy" is a bit of a boat for specialists. Jan von der Bank knows this: she is probably "not a typical boat for sailing schools". The owner still seems to have too much slack in the constrictors for the halyards. And the boat builder is already pondering possible solutions.

Under motor comes "Rémy" close to the trimaran effect

The Eckernförde Bay opens up to port, and a lunch stop in front of the Giftbude in Schleimünde seems only slightly theoretical. The wide, all-round coaming warms up nicely in the sun. Like a hand flatterer. However, as the wind starts to weaken, we turn round and pass lots of boats that have left the fjord at the same time as us, heading in the opposite direction. They all wave.

In single-handed mode, "Rémy" does not fall over immediately because it is too lean and lacks weight on the edge. But the cross sheeting now occupies both winches - improvisation is required. Fortunately, the tacks are quick and easy: thanks to the non-overlapping headsail (Thimble-proven, spliced genoa slides!), the sheet paths remain short. The autopilot helps to keep your hands free. It is also the only one before it gets good: This is because the drive installed below deck pulls on a thin Dyneema line, to which the tiller is connected using another mini line and a clamp. The pull line disappears into the deck like the cruising mimic.

The electric motor, which we put back in the water outside the harbour, doesn't provide a huge boost. But we're not at a funfair here and we're not racing, so hours of counter-bolting are not on the agenda for this boat. At least it's nice and quiet. And what's more, "Rémy" is a very effective sailing boat that comes close to the trimaran effect under motor: sailing is faster and more comfortable than motors in no time at all, and you don't need much wind.

Back at the Schilksee Olympic Centre, jetty 5, berth 232, it's actually time for the Banks "oil lamp atmosphere below deck". But the flag parade is still a little way off and the sun is high, so it's only time for a quick visit below deck. Sunlight is now flooding through the bulleyes and the classic deck lemon in the forecastle is doing its job. A blue sky arches over the forward hatch. Light grey custom-made cushions lie on the bunks. And above the "special seats": moulded shells under fold-up bunk covers. The seating is extremely comfortable and offers plenty of headroom.

There are neither oil lamps nor recessed seats in the cockpit. But the atmosphere is just right. Surrounded by warm-looking wood, we stretch out our legs comfortably in the flat cockpit, fortunately there are no benches in the way. Jan from the bench uses the flashing transom as a backrest. The philosophy of "anyone can cook" is once again evident here. This means that everyone can not only realise their own comfort zone quite easily, but has even earned it. Just like the mahogany veneer here: creating an idea is what counts. For von der Bank, "Rémy" is such a feel-good zone, an inspiration.

Cooking to celebrate the day would be a good idea. But we leave "Rémy's" galley with its two-burner gas cooker in peace and prefer to talk about our favourite dishes on board. Pasta with tuna and pepperoni, the owner reveals, is his absolute favourite. "It kind of spices each other up. Delicious, simple and quick." A mini dish that goes perfectly with "Rémy's" oil lamp luxury approach and cries out for fine wine. Everyone's mouth is watering. And that's because the boat is also a real treat.

Technical data of the BM 31 Classic "Rémy"

• Design engineer: Martin Menzner
• Torso length: 9,50 m
• Waterline length: 8,60 m
• Width: 2,75 m
• Draught (lifting keel): 1,40-2,20 m
• Weight: 2,3 t
• Mainsail: 32,0 m2
• Fock: 20,0 m2
• Gennaker: 90,0 m2
• Code Zero: 50,0 m2
• Sail carrying capacity: 5,46

Berckemeyer's classic line

Martin Menzner's design studio has six finely graduated designs in its Classic series, some of which are built by the Wilhelm Wagner boatyard on Lake Constance. "Rémy" is the first BM 31 Classic and is specially designed for self-build.

• More from the designer: berckemeyer-yacht.com