True Yachting

Apart from sunny hours with a gentle breeze the baltic sea offers mixed days with more than enough wind. It would be disappointing then to stay in the port waiting for less.

A suitably chosen headsail in the right size and cloth strength generates a way better drive compared to those baggy, partly furled genoas as being common nowadays. The twin grooved headstay simplifies sailchanges to a matter of minutes. Usually the headsail for the day is prepared in the port.

The efficiently bound reef with three jiffy rows in the 452 square foot (42 sqm) mainsail covers a wide windspeed range up to tested nine Beaufort, a storm. Each reef is winched in standing conveniantly and safe left hand to the companionway.

The first reef helps to match unsteady conditions, avoiding headsail changes during brief squalls. The second reef is chosen at five beaufort going upwind. The rarely used third reef reduces the main to 195 square feet (18 sqm). Dependant on the sea state it is put in going upwind at force seven or eight. Complimented by the storm jib, which was tailored slightly smaller than recommended, the boat faces even tough upwind conditions well.

The main was made with extra large patches to carry the reefing loads. The customized reefing hooks are a result of steady improvements to make the maneuvre further practical. Carefully chosen new selftailing winches and thin diametre, low stretch reefing ropes contribute to quick adjustments of the sail size.

With less than 50 percent, low centred sail area the boat is well balanced. And there still is the option to take the jib or main away. As being occasionally proven the boat is beating upwind towards the sheltering shore in conditions, when few sailboats make miles against the wind at all.

Should it start blowing seriously while being offshore, conventional seamanship helps to keep going on. Classy sailing is a lot more fun than motoring. And it is a lot safer.

This style of yachting is based on decades of hazardfree practice, taking care of the crew and the boat. It is based on experience, works when sailing with foresight and the socalled seventh sense. The skipper is familiar with the sport since childhood. From the Optimist Dinghy, via Cuppers, classic yachts and large boats up to 130 feet, he made aquaintance with quite different vessels. With this 52 foot no nonsense boat you will enjoy even days with more than enough wind. It can be quite satisfying to manage challenging conditions with the right hardware used in a classy manner. True yachting.