These are
we
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The beginning
Grew up in Switzerland, more precisely on Lake Constance. The passion for water and ships was born.
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Silvan:
Ships have always fascinated me, it all started with my own Motorboat and when i met Manuela, she taught me to sail.
Besides the breathtaking feeling of sailing, i am very interested in Navigation. The conversion of your own Ship is an exciting Challenge. As a trained Carpenter, I am already familiar with some of the Work, but there is always a lot to learn.
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Manuela:
I learned to sail as a Teenager and have always dreamed of traveling the world. Water Sports have always fascinated me, and if the opportunity arises, i also like to stand on the surfboard. I have turned my Hobby into my Job and work for a Shipping-Company, for which i work on small Boats in the shipyard in the winter.
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Our Story began in mid-2019 when we met at Work, after a few Months we became a Couple.
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During our first Vacation together after a Boat tour in the Bahamas, we marveled at the Ships lying in the Harbor and wondered if we too could lead such a Life.
We realized that we have the same Dreams and Goals. Namely to explore the World on your own Keel.
This thought didn't let us go and when we got Home again, our research began. After a short time we agreed: ,, YES, such a Life could be possible!''
We immediately started to draw up a financial Plan and searched the Internet for a suitable Ship. Our ship should be seaworthy, safe and at least 10m long. The shortlist included manufacturers such as: Najad, Feltz, Jeanneau (old models), Feaurby, Moody and Hallberg-Rassy. As if by chance, a Ship in question was offered for sale by a nearby Shipyard. When we saw the Ship, we immediately fell in love with it. Although the offer was above our Budget, we had to see the Ship a second time. It just wouldn't let us rest. Shortly thereafter we were owners of a Hallberg Rassy 352, we just couldn't resist.
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Personal preparation
After we decided to go on this trip together,
we started to prepare intensively for it.
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Starting with the Swiss Offshore License, which is required to register and operate a Yacht under Swiss Flag.
This includes an extensive Theory test and practical Training.
The practical Training program includes several points in a specification sheet provided for this purpose, which must be completed under the supervision of an experienced skipper. These include, for example: Achieving 1000 nautical miles, 18 days at sea, sailing and anchor manoeuvres, daily log books and navigation tasks.
If you would like to learn more about the Swiss high-seas permit, you can find everything atCruising Club Switzerland.
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We gained all our sailing Experience offshore during the training Trips. Before that we were exclusively inland Sailors and had a small Sailing-Ship together on Lake Constance. Immediately below you will find our Timeline for acquiring the Offshore-License.
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March 2020 Booking of the theory course at: Upwind
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June 2020 Successfully passed the theory test
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September 2020 Cruise in the Ionian Sea: 315 SM
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May 2021 Cruise in Brittany: 254 SM
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September 2021 cruise on the Canary Islands: 520 SM
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January 2022 Maneuver in the Canary Islands: 18 SM
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February 2022 Obtaining the offshore license
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March 2022 maneuvering trip in the Solent: 107 nm
In addition to the cruises, we attended an offshore safety training course in Brunnen on Lake Lucerne.
This Course focused on handling safety Equipment on Board and practical testing.
The Highlight was the Afternoon in the indoor Pool and Testing different life rafts, which we can both highly recommend.
Here you will also find a link for further information.World Sailing safety training.
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Whenever time permitted, we were engrossed in various works. We read many books to expand our knowledge, others out of pure curiosity. Books that we can highly recommend are marked with a star.
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List of books and who read them:
S = Sylvan
M = Manuela
N = reference book
* = recommendation
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Rollo Gebhardt cast off, we sail around the world (S/M) *
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Blue water sailing compact (S/M) *
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Heavy Weather Sailing (S/M) *
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Sail trim (S/M) *
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40 feet for 14 feet (M) *
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Laura Decker, a girl a dream (M)*
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Bobby Schenk, blue water sailing (S/M)
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The Provisioning Bible (S/M) *
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Let's see how far we get (M) *
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Couple at sea (S/M)
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Medicine at Sea (N) *
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Weather from See (N) *
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The theory and practice of on-board electronics (N) *
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International Yacht Dictionary (N)*
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The Little Star Book (N) *
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seamanship (N) *
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Blue water routes (N) *
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Sailing routes of the world (N) *
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The sextant, technique and handling (N)
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Nautical Yearbook, Ephemeris and Plates (N)*
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The weather in pictures (N)
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Reed's Skippers Handbook (N)*
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12 month chart of the world, voyage planning for yachts (N)
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