Fly, Hike & Travel.

More about the yacht: Puffin® Classic 42′ Read More

We spent the night at the small port of Kullavik and enjoyed a nice sunset and a quiet evening, despite blasting music and other festivities on the traditional Midsommardagen, the longest day of the year. Read More

Day 8: Kerteminde – Grenå, 11 hours, 61 nm, departure: 9:10am

Our two stops in Denmark were probably not completely legal. Denmark has just opened its borders and a limited number of ports in a few areas of northern Germany only. We decided to take the risk and see what happens. Nothing happened. Except for a surprised Danish lady on a sailing boat, there was no questioning, neither from port authorities nor from the coast guard. They could have seen us on the automated identification system which sends Maraneas’ identity and its location in real-time.

But then we stayed just a few hours overnight anyway, took a shower and sailed on. Read More

Day 7: Kiel – Kerteminde, 14.5 hours, 82 nm, departure: 7:30am

Today’s sailing was phenomenal – absolutely beautiful and tranquil.  Such a day gives me the sheer joy of being on the water.

Except for about an hour of sailing, we had to use the motor to sail up to Denmark. That, in return, allowed us to just sit and enjoy the incomparable beauty of nature and one of those wonders of human engineering. Read More

Day 4: Heligoland – Brunsbüttel, 9.5 hours, 55 nm, departure: 9:40am
Day 5: Brunsbüttel – Giselau Kanal, 4.5 hours, 40 nm, departure: 9:45am
Day 6: Giselau Kanal – Kiel, 8 hours, 60 nm, departure: 9:30am

Leaving Germany’s only offshore island Heligoland, we head for Kiel. Given the roughly 100 km landmass in-between, boats have two choices. Either making a detour of about 240 nm (440 km) passing the northern tip of Denmark, or crossing the NOK (Nord- Ostkanal or Kiel Kanal). Rather strong winds made us go for the latter. Read More

Day 3, 12 hours, 54 nm, departure: 5am

We left the mildly interesting island of Norderney at 5 am, so we would have a better chance to get to Cuxhaven by the end of the day. We soon figured out that our plan was not realistic due to the lack of wind or unfavorable direction. So we quickly regrouped and changed the destination to Heligoland, a small island closer than Cuxhaven.

In sailing one has to always work with elements, such as wind, its strength and direction, to stay flexible and go with the flow. In fact, every day, we make a plan and then end up changing it. That’s a part of the fun! Read More

Day 1 & 2, 22 hours, 116 nm, Departure: 9am

Sailing is driven by wind strength and direction,  the state of the sea (i.e. waves, currents), the characteristics of the sailing boat and the crew. Shortly after my arrival, Marius and I sat down to discuss the options for the first day. We decided then to sail as much eastwards as possible because the forecast indicated rather strong winds, actually close to gale force, which often results in rough seas.

Our first intended destination was Borkum. But after only a couple of hours of efficient sailing under motor, we covered more miles and arrived in Norderney. It took a bit longer but brought us closer to the North Baltic Sea canal.

It’s been 4 years since I had the pleasure to sail the Mediterranean with Martin. After a surprisingly full flight to Amsterdam to a rather empty Amsterdam airport, a train, and a bus ride, I arrived at the final destination Makkum, in the north of Amsterdam, where Marius’ Maranea is docked and waiting to be sailed up north to Sweden. Read More