Emma in new splendour – an extensive refit of a 30s dinghy cruiser

If anyone has a knack for boats and their stories, it's Hendrik Baese. After his thoroughly positive experiences with Wendel & Rados on his Moody 54 DS, he decided to return to our workshop in Greifswald for the refit of his 30-foot dinghy cruiser. This time, the focus was on his lovingly restored boat: ‘Emma’, built in 2003 – ready for a complete, professional refit.
 

From DIY conversion to professional refit
 

Originally, the 30-foot dinghy cruiser was called Vento Navigat. But after many technical adjustments and the intensive care Hendrik had put into the boat, a new name was needed – and so Vento Navigat became today's ‘Emma’.

In 2020, Hendrik began to carry out the first modifications himself. Two years later, he handed over the technical overhaul to Yachttechnik Potsdam. At the same time, CUL-Masten created a new carbon mast – an important step that would have a decisive impact on the refit. When the mast was finally ready, all that was missing were high-quality sails and custom-fit covers. This is where our joint project began.

New sails made from high-tech materials
 

For ‘Emma’, Hendrik wanted particularly lightweight yet high-performance materials for his new sail wardrobe.

The new mainsail made of GPL Lite Skin Black from Dimension-Polyant, manufactured from ultra-light carbon fibres and equipped with continuous battens, not only gives the boat a striking appearance, but also ensures optimum sail stability. Our sailmakers have complemented this with a genoa made of GPL Graph, which has been perfectly matched to the rig. The high-performance laminate construction of the fabric is ideal for sporty sailing on inland waters and coastal waters.

This combination not only delivers speed, but also an extremely clean profile. Just the right setup for a 30-foot dinghy cruiser that wants to show what it's capable of again.

Rig optimisation
 

New sails only reach their full potential when combined with a coordinated and trimmed rig. That's why we optimised the entire setup: the jib track was adjusted, the backstay redesigned and the entire genoa trim fine-tuned. These measures taken by our rigging team ensured that the new high-tech sails function perfectly. During the first test run in August on the Greifswald Bodden, it quickly became apparent how harmoniously everything works together.

New boat covers for greater comfort and protection
 

In addition to technical performance, comfort on deck also played an important role. To this end, our sailmaker's workshop created a complete range of equipment for all areas of application:

• A customised sprayhood
   
• A main drop system for easy setting and stowing
   
• A matching roller tube for the headsail
   
• A canopy – for protection on deck
   
• A full cover
   
• A transport cover
   
• And a winter cover for reliable protection during the cold season

This means that Emma is equipped for all situations – from summer sailing to winter storage. 
 

Why only Wendel & Rados came into question
 

For Hendrik, the decision was clear: he had already experienced quality and reliability with his Moody 54 DS. A refit requires trust, precision and experience – which is why he didn't want to take any risks with his dinghy cruiser. It was particularly important to him to find a partner who could offer everything from a single source and comprehensively equip his boat.

Home port, sailing area and plans for the future
 

Emma is at home in Ketzin an der Havel – right in front of Hendrik's property. From there, she will be sailing on Brandenburg's inland waters in future. At the same time, she will be going on longer trips, for example to the Mecklenburg Lake District, the Greifswald Bodden or the Szczecin Lagoon.

She is usually sailed with the family: his wife, his ten-year-old son and often his father or close friends. Thanks to the extensive refit, however, Emma is also suitable for single-handed tours – a wish that was particularly important to Hendrik.
 

A refit is worthwhile
 

The conversion of ‘Emma’ impressively demonstrates how much potential a classic 1930s dinghy cruiser has. With modern sails, an optimised rig and comfortable canopy solutions, the boat has not only been given a new lease of life, but also improved performance and new uses. For Hendrik, this means more relaxed sailing and a boat that now perfectly suits his requirements.

If you are also planning a refit or would like to give your boat a new lease of life, we would be happy to assist you. Contact us and let's work together to realise your ideas.