Boat Stories: 2025 Year in Review

Best Wishes for 2026!

The difficult beginning: Breskens and the bacteria. The year began with patience, a great deal of patience. Zina spent six weeks ashore rebuilding the helm and steering. When she finally hit the water in Breskens at the end of May, we thought: "Now we're off!" But a boat is a boat... The diesel bacteria struck. Tanks cleaned, treated, and more waiting. Fortunately, Erna made sure we didn't starve amidst the piles of provisions, but nerves were on edge. Would we ever actually leave?

The breakthrough: A 5-year dream And then, in early June, it finally happened. The first miles to Veere and St. Annaland. The engine ran like a charm, and the new Furlex system was tested immediately. It was an indescribable feeling. After 5 years of preparation, setbacks, and doubts, everything fell into place. Our steel lady showed her mettle, even with a stiff southwesterly wind on the Oosterschelde. We were truly on our way.

The Dance with the North Sea. Summer was all about the rhythm of nature. Scheveningen, IJmuiden, Den Helder... We got to know the North Sea as a capricious friend that can transform from a mirror into a lapping mass within an hour. It was a matter of navigating crowded harbors and finding the right sailing position. Zina held her ground; she didn't let a single gust of wind deter her. Losing herself in that rhythm, the wind and the sea that define your day, that's what we do it for.

The unexpected twist: Smoke on the Kiel Canal. The plan was to push on, but the Kiel Canal brought a whole new kind of excitement. As we sailed between the enormous ships, the engine suddenly started smoking. Your heart truly stops at a moment like that. With a hissing engine and a fair amount of stress, we managed to reach Laboe just in time. The relief was immense when we entered the harbor, but it also proved to be the end of the season.

The curtain falls: Wintering in Laboe Once in the port of Laboe, the next challenge arose: the technical side. Due to persistent problems with the delivery of parts and the necessary delays in the repairs, time was running out. Autumn arrived, and we had to face reality: it was no longer safe to begin the return journey with Zina.

And so it is that our Zina will not be in her familiar box this year, but will be wintering in Germany.

Well, if you'd told us a year ago that we'd end the year sailing in Germany, we would have laughed out loud. But that's precisely the charm (and frustration) of sailing life.

It was a year of extremes. We suffered, cursed the technique, but above all, enjoyed every mile we did complete. The dream has become reality, and Zina is now resting for what 2026 will bring.

Thank you for sailing with us this year through these blogs. Here's to more wind, fewer technical problems, and new horizons!

Safe travels for 2026!