FAQ

A difficult question – perhaps delve a little further to understand it. We love to travel and actually our plan was to buy a motorhome and travel around the world. Unfortunately Corona came and many of the countries blocked entry and the political situation in some countries also became opaque.

We have sailed the IJsselmeer on a small Bavaria 32 before and always enjoyed our weekends there. Christian got his sailing license back in 1984 and we also sailed larger yachts a few times on vacation. At some point the idea was born that we would buy a ship and start our adventure from the ship. Only the IJsselmeer or the Mediterranean was far too boring for us, as we also love the exotic and so this idea manifested itself over a longer period of time

Our boat is a Hanse 540e. She is a monohull with a draft of 2.80 m, made in Germany and has a very luxurious equipment for this size. The special something is the epoxy resin hull, unlike most others which are made in polyester resin, epoxy resin is very resident for the dreaded osmosis. More details are available here our-yacht

The cost of owning a sailboat can vary widely depending on several factors. Here are some of the main cost considerations when it comes to owning a sailboat:

    Boat Purchase Price: The initial cost of buying a sailboat can vary significantly based on the size, age, make, and model of the boat.

    Boat Insurance: Boat insurance is essential to protect your investment and cover potential liabilities. It depends on sailing-area and coverage, and in the end – the price for the boat.

    Maintenance and Repairs: Regular maintenance is necessary to keep your sailboat in good condition. This includes cleaning, painting, hull maintenance, engine servicing, and replacing worn-out parts. The cost of maintenance and repairs can vary based on the boat’s size and complexity.

    Fuel and Other Supplies: While sailboats primarily rely on wind power, they often have auxiliary engines that require fuel. You’ll also need to budget for other supplies like ropes, sails, safety equipment, navigation tools, and provisions for your trips.

    Haul-out: Even if you live on a Boat, it sometimes needed to get out of the Water, for cleaning, renewing Antifouling, repairing and maintaining things.

    Taxes and Registration: Depending on your location, you may need to pay taxes on the purchase of the boat and register it with the relevant authorities, which can involve some additional costs.

    Upgrades and Customizations: Some owners choose to upgrade their sailboats with additional features or customizations, which can add to the overall cost of ownership. e.g. new lithium Batteries

Considering all these factors, the annual cost of owning a sailboat can range from to tens of thousands or more for larger, boats with high-end amenities and extensive usage needs more.

Complicated ? If you plan 10% of the Price for a new boat every year then you’re right.
If you spend one year only 5%, the next year you’ll have to spend 15%.
And – those 10% dosen’t depend on the age of your Boat.

The Crew is Sarah and Christian – see details : Crew

We put a lot of power into the pre-selection. A lot – and were torn between a catamaran (Chris) and a monohull (Sarah). For more than a year we got information in all forums and on websites, we went to trade fairs. We talked to some sailors and surveyors and then set off at some point to have a look at the ships on offer on the Mediterranean coast. At this time still both types ie catamarans and monohulls. We looked at all the big and well-known companies, from Lagoon to Jeanneau, Beneteau, X-Yacht and so on. A Hanse was not on our radar at all, but over time we fell in love with this ship.

I don’t know if we would buy something of this size again, because unfortunately we have some limitations due to our draft. But meanwhile, after a year of constant exchange with other sailors on the sea, we have found that the decision for Hanse and an epoxy hull was a very good one

It can happen. But we don’t know yet when we will stop sailing. When we find a nice place to stay, we may only sail occasionally and then use that place as a base.

We try to do as much as possible ourselves. Sometimes is it better to be a little less qualified and do a good job, but with love then to just do it, with less good detail work. Sarah is a qualified electronics technician and has worked in a caravan workshop for a long time, so there is a lot of knowledge there. Chris is very patient and helps, even when Sarah’s mood goes down – if something doesn’t work out the way you want it to.