Danish waters

[Luanda]

I am a new member. I have been resident in Denmark for 40 odd years, and have been sailing actively for the last 35. I havew detailed knowledge of all Danish waters covered by the Skagerak, the Kattegat and the Baltic, and would be only too pleased to help anyone who is interested in visaiting these waters, which are well worth a visit - if you prefer lazy sailing to bashing through the seas. This summer I intend to sail up the Baltic to the Swedish islan of Gotland. I have a 30 ft. Swedish Ballad, bought new in 1974, and still going strong - stronger than I am thank goodness, as I mainly sail single-handed.
Let me hear from you

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[stevebirch2002]

Hi

I have sailed many times in The Baltic and this summer I will be sailing to Marstrand for the Albin Vega Rally (IFR) which is the smaller sister of teh Ballad. I like the Ballad very much but I still prefer my Vega.

Kind Regards Steve birch

<hr width=100% size=1>Albin Vega "Southern Comfort" V1703

 

[Rowana]

Welcome !

Which part of Denmark are you living in, and where are you from originally??

I agree that your waters are very interesting and should be visited more by yachtsmen from the UK. There are some lovely spots there, and I believe also that the sailing mags should have more articles on the Baltic as a sailing destination.

Once again, welcome to the happy throng!



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[Luanda]

Re: Welcome !

I live in Copenhagen, and have my boat in Roskilde fjord, in Frederikssund, some 15 miles from the Kattegat. I begn sailing in Hong Kong in 1953, continued a bit in Sydney in 1958 and then sailed a dinghy in Angola 1965-1971. On returning to Denmark in 1971 I bought the Ballad

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[Luanda]

So you're a frequent visitor. Have you been further into Danish waters? I must say that I try to keep away from Marstrand, as in the season it is absolute chaos. June or August/September would be best I feel. Of course I know the Vega well, there was a national rally of them here in my home port of Frederikssund a few years ago. Let me know if you get down to Sjælland, or if I can help in any way.

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[Luanda]

Steve, I forgot to ask. Which route do you normally follow to get here, if you come so frequently? Through the Kiel canal, or over the top, the Skaw? And where is your home port?

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[whisper]

Hej, Luanda - welcome.
I love Scandinavia because I had wonderful times there as a teenager in the 1960s. I regularly used to pass through Denmark with its fantastic food and very friendly people. My holidays were spent with Swedish families in Falsterbo, Orrefors and on Oland - best times of my life. We even bought our motor boat in Denmark in 2002 and had great service from the dealer, who we never actually met.
I have been trying to get our yachting crew not to charter in the Mediterranean but to come to the Baltic instead. Hopefully we will do this soon.
Good Luck.

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[extravert]

I have never sailed in Danish waters (not yet anyway), but have owned a collection of Danish boats. What makes me wonder is why in the last 30 years, when the British sailing boat building industry has mostly gone from glory to a sticky end, two Danish manufacturers (X-Yachts and Dragonfly) have gone from zero to become major players in their sector in international boatbuilding. And this is despite high labour costs and mostly a strong currency. What is the secret? Why can't UK do this?

<hr width=100% size=1>One day, I hope to own a real boat.

 

[westhinder]

If you want to encourage us to come to Denmark and the Baltic, you might post a few favourable words about the climate in the summer. I've been trying to persuade Madame that Baltic summers are not rain and cold all the time.
This summer it's south coast of Bretagne for us, but I hope to be going north next year. My option would be through the Kiel Canal.

<hr width=100% size=1>Johan

 

[pandroid]

...then you might be interested in our website to see what we think of them!...

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.kissen.co.uk>http://www.kissen.co.uk</A>

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[stevebirch2002]

Hi Luanda

COntact me on steve@albinvega.com for further details.

Cheers Steve Birch

<hr width=100% size=1>Albin Vega "Southern Comfort" V1703

 

[Luanda]

You certainly had a good time and saw a lot. I hope to sail - single-handed - up past Øland and on to Gotland this summer. We seem to have been very close to each other last summer, as I was also in Gisløvslage and Ystad in June. Got held up there by a week of E. gales. I spent midsummereve (which the Swedes celebrate in a far more sober way that we do in Denmark) in Ystad, on Dag Hammerschøldts farm nearby. Over 2000 people danced and sang all afternoon.
You didn't see much of Denmark, which has quite different scenery to Sweden. Try returning.
Regards
Colin

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[Luanda]

I can assure you and your first mate that the climate is quite acceptable here. May can be coldish, but we also have warm spells. June is more stable, and July and August are fine. The only month when things are crowded is July, the school holidays, but if you wait until August the harbours are pretty empty. Don't worry, there will still be plenty of Germans and the ubiquitious Dutch, but you don'y have to rush into a harbout to get a berth. And there is always a good anchorage, whatever the wind direction. I find that I only have to wear oilies if it is actually raining, ehich is rarely. You won't get the concentrated heat of the Med or Biscay, but it is shorts weather all the time. Planty of sandy beaches, no tides and very few currents, no rocks - go to Sweden for them, only a days sail away, across the >kattegat, which even has islands in the middle to break your passage. There's a harbour aT LEAST EVERY 20 MILES or less, what more do you want? Beer's cheap, but bring your own spirits. Any more help needed? Where's your home port?

Regards

Luanda

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[janie]

We've had several sailing holidays in Skagerrak/Kattegut, including visiting Denmark and the Danish Islands. Not in our Ballad, which stays in England, but sailing with our Norwegian friends. The weather has always been good to fantastic, the boats and the people fantastic, the children love the swimming and the fishing - leaving the only negative the cost of the food and alcohol.

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[whisper]

What a useful and interesting website. Thanks & well done.

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[ponapay]

I have had the last

five summers in the Baltic and Kattegat. Motly the summers have been light on wind, heavy on sun, temps over 30 often and thoroughly enjoyable.

The season tends to be short, but we have sailed from may through to September and only had one or two gales (and one tornado - in Estonia).

We have overwintered our boat in Sweden, Denmark and Finland and not had any problems. Everyone has been very helpful, welcoming and we have made good friends all over.

We have also saved thousands of pounds compared with S coast marina prices.

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[westhinder]

Thank you and the others for the info. It rather confirms my ideas about the Baltic. I sailed to Copenhague with a friend a few years ago, and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Our home port is Nieuwpoort, Belgium. If you come this way, let me know, I'll be pleased to help you with any information you might need.

<hr width=100% size=1>Johan