In this publication10 photos
5–7 September 2025, the annual Hamburg Yachtfestival at Wedel marina. Nearby, so Grigory and I went to see this year’s offerings.
Flea market
The highlight: rows of extraordinary nautical things, brass compasses to ship’s tools. A couple of hours browsing and chatting.
I bought a Swiss drill for €7, aluminium radar reflector €8, and 3D mesh mattress underlay €10. Excellent condition, five or ten times dearer in shops. A real haul.
Festival grounds
Beyond, waterfront tents of clothing, equipment and accessories. We looked everywhere; prices were windblown, far above expectations. Food stalls smelled better. Shawarma by the stage beside the lecture tent.
Talks
Maritime lectures in a large tent, all German. I can follow the gist now. First, NMEA 2000, the onboard data standard.
Then a nineteen-year-old dreaming of the Mini Transat, a solo Atlantic race in a tiny yacht. No money, plenty of determination. Festival visits, sponsor hunting, ready to challenge an ocean. A chance to become known and enter professional racing. Inspiring: empty pockets, radiant smile, Atlantic ahead.
Finally, sail shape for wind and course, demonstrated on a miniature yacht.
Radio-controlled yachts
RC yachts raced round two paint tins by the pontoon. We waited, got controllers and tried. A minute later, as competitive as real sailing. Another toy for the wish list.
Workshops
Alongside lectures, workshops: gennaker handling, lifejacket inflation, recovering a person and deploying a liferaft. Clear and impressive.
Leak-control training
Most memorable: Well Sailing’s training yacht simulating emergencies. Instructor lets water in; participants stop it with whatever is available. Our turn, water pouring in, entirely real sensations. Perhaps the only time sinking a boat feels fun. Now I know: a ‘carrot’ works as well as a bung!
Overall
Plenty of ideas, useful finds and inspiration. A day well spent learning, meeting people, and remembering how thoroughly sailing becomes a way of life. Definitely back next year.
#notes
Flea market
The highlight: rows of extraordinary nautical things, brass compasses to ship’s tools. A couple of hours browsing and chatting.
I bought a Swiss drill for €7, aluminium radar reflector €8, and 3D mesh mattress underlay €10. Excellent condition, five or ten times dearer in shops. A real haul.
Festival grounds
Beyond, waterfront tents of clothing, equipment and accessories. We looked everywhere; prices were windblown, far above expectations. Food stalls smelled better. Shawarma by the stage beside the lecture tent.
Talks
Maritime lectures in a large tent, all German. I can follow the gist now. First, NMEA 2000, the onboard data standard.
Then a nineteen-year-old dreaming of the Mini Transat, a solo Atlantic race in a tiny yacht. No money, plenty of determination. Festival visits, sponsor hunting, ready to challenge an ocean. A chance to become known and enter professional racing. Inspiring: empty pockets, radiant smile, Atlantic ahead.
Finally, sail shape for wind and course, demonstrated on a miniature yacht.
Radio-controlled yachts
RC yachts raced round two paint tins by the pontoon. We waited, got controllers and tried. A minute later, as competitive as real sailing. Another toy for the wish list.
Workshops
Alongside lectures, workshops: gennaker handling, lifejacket inflation, recovering a person and deploying a liferaft. Clear and impressive.
Leak-control training
Most memorable: Well Sailing’s training yacht simulating emergencies. Instructor lets water in; participants stop it with whatever is available. Our turn, water pouring in, entirely real sensations. Perhaps the only time sinking a boat feels fun. Now I know: a ‘carrot’ works as well as a bung!
Overall
Plenty of ideas, useful finds and inspiration. A day well spent learning, meeting people, and remembering how thoroughly sailing becomes a way of life. Definitely back next year.
#notes
Original and discussionOpen post in Telegram ↗
