Why traditional seafaring?

A 30 meter long vessel with two masts, a bowsprit, built of steel and wood — with a 50-year-old diesel engine — enables experiences and adventures that would elsewhere be impossible.

Nature
On Lovis you will allways find someone standing at the wheel. No autopilot takes over keeping the course. Whoever does not is at the helm, but remain on deck: Go to the watch at all times to be able to tackle the sailing and because it is outside nicer than below decks. Each wind shift, every change in the weather has influence on the ship and further events. Wind, raindrops, wavy swing can be expericened intensivley.

Culture
Traditional seafaring has a long influence to the culture on the coasts of the Baltic Region. By experiencing this locomotion and learning important skills and handles on a sailing ship, it is easy to get access to the history and culture of this region.

Engineering and Physics
The technique, which is applied to the ship (except for the supply and disposal facilities, navigation electronics and security technology), are based on simple mechanical laws, and without greater knowledge can easily be seen and understood.

Craft
“The own hands work”. Much of the work to be done on a sailing ship is manual work. A tack can only be achieved by the engagement of many hands. The traditional form of seamanship — that is to be passed on to our sailors — is an important goal of BÖE e.V. Almost nothing works by pressing a button, much needs to be done by manhandling.

Community
No one could sail the ship alone. Only through the interaction of all people, the ship moves in the right direction, approcahes the harbor in the evening and can leave in the morning. Although today our sails are no longer made of linen — instead they are of lighter plastic material — it needs many people and their hands to hoist up the heavy canvas. These circumstances conveys a special sense of community.

Slow Movement
A traditional sailing ship is slower than an airplane, a car, the train and even hardly faster than a bicycle. In addition, the route and destination are often only moderately well-predictable. Weather changes quickly and ruin plans that have been made. The special kind of travel ensures remoteness and slow movement.