In 1995 we bought a Triss Norlin 570, which we sailed with in Denmark in Roskilde Fjord and Isefjord for 4 years. Then we had an approx. 10 year sailboat free period, where we instead invested in a caravan and sailing with a rubber boat. In 2011 we resumed sailing and purchased a Junker 26, which we sailed in the area of ​​Næstved and used for summerholiday trips to the sea south of Funen. The Junker was sold in 2015, as we decided that it was time to try a bigger sailboat in the size of 40-42 feet - and this boat should hopefully be our last - understood that it should suit our wishes best.

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We had a wish for a cruisesailer big enough to be able to use it as a "summerhouse" also when the weather was not suitable to go sailing. The boat should also be suitable for Oceancrossing if (the lottery ticket comes out)...... and it should be with a big owners cabin for us and at least one guest cabin.

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We looked for boat types in the pricerange up to 70000 Euro incl. VAT. There are a lot of boat types, but we preferred something that was decoratively not too classic and dark. After looking at different types of Bavaria, Beneteau, Harmony, Elan, Dufour (HR and Najad were discarded due to their very high prices) we chose the boat to be a Jeanneau and preferably from the mid-1990s.

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We looked at several Jeanneau boats and were on excursion to Germany, Sweden and Holland to inspect several boats. We inspected Voyage 11.20, Voyage 12.50, So 34, So 37, So 42.1. The Voyages were discarded because of their slightly older design, the So 34 and So 37 were discarded due to to shalow under decks, as well as a cumbersome decline from the cockpit. The So 42.1 was discarded because we could not agree on a price with the proffesional seller.

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Suddenly we found our S0 42CC, located in southern Italy. The owner had bought the boat at a dealer in France in 2011, after which he had got it transport sailed to the southern of Italy from where he sailed it the last leg to Crotone. He had not sailed a lot afterwards as his family did not like sailing. The boat was now on the hard in a slightly desolate state, the windows of the sprayhood were blown out, the sails were still mounted. The genoa's UV edge was torn apart, the boat was dirty outside, the fender list's rubber was broken, the rubber strip on the hedge was loose and broken. The boat was due to this priced lower than the other comperable models of the same age. We had not previously thought of a boat with center cockpit, as they normally were priced too high for us, but when we studied the floorplan of the boat, it quickly fellt to our taste and after several inspection tours, we bought the boat in June 2015.

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The Vision
What is the vision of our boat purchase? Well the vision is as simple as our attempt to give our lifes some experiences in the hope that in 20-30 years we will sit back with a lot of good memories and stories and not unresolved dreams.

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When we bought Azad in the summer of 2015, it was the dream that it should be sailed home to Denmark as soon as possible so we could get the most possible sailing time. However, it soon became clear that the plan was not well thought out.

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We knew before the purchase that we did not have the oceangoing experience and the courage, not to mention that we also did not have the time off to make such a trip alone. Due to the draft we have to take the long way outside (Biscay etc.). Before the buy we had established contact with Kai Dahl, a skilled Norwegian Yachtmaster / Offshoreskipper with whom we trust, and who arranges tranportsailing, and it was the plan that he should have made the tramsport together with us. Unfortunately he got into some unforeseen problems with his yachts at the Canary Islands, but as things are right now we are pleased to have the boat where it lies.

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The boat is on the hard at a fenced and video-monitored Boatyard in Crotone on the east coast of Italy facing Corfu. The boatyard is located in a restricted area in the city's inner harbor, where patrolboats from Guardia Financa and Guardia Costiera are also located. The Boatyard is located approximately 500m from the city's old town center, and from the beach promenade, and can accommodate approx. 100-120 boats. The owner Elio Balzano speaks English and his staff (who speaks Italian only) is skilled in doing all kinds of repairs and maintenance work on boats.

 

When the boat is on the hard we are allowed to stay in it. At the boatyard there is a washingmachine, free toilet and bath, free electricity and water, as well as free wifi.

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Crotone - a town with approx. 60,000 inhabitants have their own international airport - however, you can not fly directly from Denmark, but with a stopover Rome, the trip can be done approx. 6-8 hours and with a little timely planning and delayed days of departure, it can be made at a price of approx. 1300, - per person for a return ticket.

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The boat is insured in Pantaenius, and with a signed statement of faith and promise that the boat is not used in Danish waters, we will get of without the extra (danish)penalty tax, so the full insurance "only" costs app. 750 Euro,- / year with full cape.

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We pay 180 euros per lift. and 130 euros per month on the hard incl. cradles. In the harbour a berth costs 2100 euros / year. or 44 euros per day in high season.

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This arragement lets us sail when we want and when we are at home in Denamrk the boat is on the hard at the boatyard, safe and well under surveillance. Out of season, we have the opportunity to upgrade and maintain the boat and stay on it for free. In 2015 we stayed 3 weeks on the summervacation on the boat in July / August. It was perfectsuperl although the weather showed off from its dreary side with very hot temp. and very windy most of the time so we only got to do a little sailing instead we did much refurbishment work on the boat. In 2016 we expect to do a 3 weeks summertrip in August / September and the plan for the trip is to visit Corfu, so we hope for less wind.

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The mission is now that we are no longer busy getting Azad home to Denmark - even though it obviously would be great to have it here on the good days / evenings - The plan is now to spend a couple of more years gathering experience, upgrading and not least enjoying the wonderful life at sea in the amazing Ionian Sea with the Greek islands and the Mediterranean Sea - before the course is plotted for Denmark.

 

Best greetings Jesper