Uwe Röttgering has sailed around the world. Alone. For nearly 800 days. About his trip with his aluminum yacht "Fanfan!" he reported regularly in the YACHT. The sympathetic, unconventional North German even wrote a book. That was all three years ago. So it's high time for a new adventure.
Röttgering's challenge this time: with his wife and two small children on a summer cruise through the Baltic Sea. The longtime soloist at sea had to have the same experiences as some sailing parents. He wrote them down. Ruthless.
For example, the little ones happily thread the traps out of the mast. Decisions suddenly have to be made along the way, such as reefing or changing diapers - which is more important? The youngsters in the port host a deafening roaring concert.
So there is plenty of potential for conflict. Especially since the wife has no sailing experience and is suddenly exposed to bad weather, raging children and sometimes a bad-tempered skipper.
But don't worry. It's not all bad. Röttgering also writes with pleasure about the beautiful sides of family sailing. You can read his report in the new YACHT (issue 13/07, available in well-stocked newsagents everywhere).