Slowly, we are conquering our dream destination.

First, we had to get used to the heat, along with relatively high humidity. The paradise is also quite crowded, and nature is no longer untouched.

However, St. Lucia and Martinique surprised us with fantastic snorkeling and diving spots. When we reached Bequia, we finally felt like we had arrived in the “real” Caribbean. Taking the dinghy ashore, we were surrounded by a typical sweet scent, and the people were completely relaxed. Then on to Mustique, the island of the rich—Caribbean straight out of a picture book, very beautiful, but not quite authentic. The Tobago Cays had been highly recommended to us as the ultimate Caribbean experience. That may have been true 20 years ago; today it’s still a beautiful landscape, but far too crowded. Small boats (like ours), large ones, catamarans, small cruise ships, and large luxury motor yachts with their own helicopters all gather here.

We also met Tuulikki, a Saare 41—we had sailed together in a flotilla to Estonia back in 2022. We completely baffled a German catamaran skipper who, as a child, had sailed Saare boats with his parents and was a big fan—he couldn’t believe seeing two of them here. Well, great boats, great places. We spent a very pleasant afternoon on board and later enjoyed the legendary beach barbecue in the evening.

Then there are the “boat boys,” some of whom have probably been doing this for 50 years. They come speeding over, show you an anchorage or a buoy, take your trash—everything for a small fee, of course. In principle, it’s nice, especially as a newcomer. But some go too far, even to the point of fraud.

But we can feel ourselves truly arriving. We’re becoming more relaxed, more experienced, and we’re finding genuinely dreamlike spots—just like in the picture books, but real.

Havanna is a wonderful home for us. We appreciate the safety even in rougher conditions, because between the islands the constant trade winds often blow at force 5–6, and waves of 2.5 meters are not uncommon, including spray over the deck and superstructure. Just as reliably, however, our automatic “boat desalination system” comes into play several times a day in the form of squalls and short but heavy tropical downpours. In the heat, we also really value the dorade vents and all the opening windows. Below deck, it’s not damp or clammy—unless we forget to properly close a deck hatch during a passage.

By now, we’ve sailed from Grenada to Antigua—our dream has come true. Incredible colors, beautiful bays, and lush vegetation—we can’t get enough of it. Anchoring in 9 meters of water and seeing the chain crystal-clear on the seabed.

Swimming, snorkeling, diving without end—and we won’t hide the occasional rum punch, sometimes a Painkiller or a Piña Colada, in that order. But everything is topped by the wonderful sailing trips on our fantastic Havanna!

Antigua, March 21, 2026

Bärbel Oelert and Ralf Conrad

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Free Translation

Today I would like to share some impressions from the start of the sailing season aboard the SY ANANDA DVE, a SAARE 38.2 built in 2020, with you and all those interested in Saare yachts – both seasoned sailors and those aspiring to become one.

On May 26, 2025, we set off with the SAARE 38.2 from our winter berth in Großenbrode on a long-planned journey north to the Lofoten Islands off Norway’s west coast.

Two friends were originally scheduled to join me on board, but unfortunately, they had to cancel due to health issues and a new addition to the family – at least until early July 2025.

Now the SAARE 38.2 must prove that she is suitable for single-handed sailing. The owner and skipper has known this to be true since the maiden voyage from Kuressaare in August 2020, when the Covid pandemic made it nearly impossible to bring along a crew.

The first leg to Lyø went just as hoped. The yacht was in perfect condition after winter storage, and the sail to Lyø was a great joy after months on land. Fredericia and Samsø were the next stops, before we arrived at Anholt – our undisputed favorite island. Rest days spent swimming in 12°C water and basking in the sun beside turquoise waters promised many more memorable experiences ahead.

We weren’t able to make the full passage to Skagen in one go. A following wind of 5–6 Beaufort and increasingly high waves toward the end of the day forced us to cut the leg short, but Læsø offered us a good overnight stop. The next morning rewarded us with the opening of the fish market and a wonderful, abundant selection at fair prices.

Despite the difficult conditions for the autopilot – with following seas and wind – the SAARE 38.2 managed remarkably well under headsail and a reefed mainsail (50%), requiring manual intervention by the skipper only about 10% of the time. Just an occasional hand on the wheel was needed – mostly for the skipper’s own peace of mind.

Crossing the Skagerrak is always a thrill. Weather, wind, and especially wave forecasts are checked for days in advance and carefully weighed – but eventually, you have to go. Winds were forecast from 120° at 5–6 Beaufort, with wave heights up to 2.5 meters. We had to motor all the way to the eastern buoy, which lengthened the skipper’s face a bit – but then it began: an unforgettable passage for both of us, ANANDA DVE and myself. We quickly reached a steady 7–8 knots on the log. Thanks to the consistent wind and uniform wave pattern, we only had to reduce sail in gusts of up to 29 knots true wind. Otherwise, this sailor was amazed by what the SAARE 38.2 is capable of. Even the tallest wave crests and deepest troughs confirmed to this now 10,000-nautical-mile SAARE skipper and owner that choosing this shipyard was the right decision. This yacht embodies such solidity, modernity, sportiness, and safety – it is a true joy to sail.

We arrived in Arendal, Norway (80.8 NM from Skagen), where we found a floating outdoor pool right next to the yacht – with water temperatures of 26°C. There, we took a well-deserved rest and began planning the next stage of the journey, keeping a close eye on the low-pressure systems that frequently sweep in from the west along the southern coast of Norway.

The wind is always our friend – almost regardless of its strength – but in the Skagerrak, the skipper does not want to make any mistakes. He once experienced 5-meter-high waves off Lindesnes and hasn’t forgotten it.

If desired, a follow-up report will be shared in the same manner.

With kind regards,
Gerhard Reich
(Owner and skipper of SY ANANDA DVE)

— Free translation – Original published in German —