Laying up in Denmark

http://www.soeholmmarine.dk/en

Why?

Having returned from the Caribbean to Europe, we had unfinished business in that we had not explored the Baltic Sea, but had sailed on three separate occasions on the west coast of Sweden in other yachts, and found it a really enjoyable experience.

We originally planned to haul out near Goteborg, but our experiences as far as email contact goes was very disappointing. Even on phoning a boatyard we were more put off the plan by what we were told: strong winds; lack of security; and staff not speaking any English.

Consequently, we contacted Danish sailing friends who had done a lot of research, and they recommended Soholm Marine Yacht Services.

Location of the Boatyard

The coordinates are 54:54.61N 09:39.35E

The advantages of the location [BROKEN LINK] are:

• It is southern Denmark, and the winters are not as harsh as further north.
• The yard is in a protected location and is secure at night.
• The staff speak fluent English, German and of course Danish.
• They work throughout the winter, and so keep an eye on the boats.
• Guardianage can be arranged.
• Storage in heated and unheated halls is available.

It is also easy to sail east through the Danish Islands to the Baltic Sea and visit the Swedish and Finnish archipelagos, the German coast, as well as the west coast of Sweden and Norway.

Soholm Marine Yacht Services

This boatyard is located in southern Denmark, and since 2002 has been lifting, providing winter storage, launching, and also offers a complete winterization and service of engines. It is a family run business and is located on an inland sea lake called the Nybol Nor, just to the west of Sonderborg, with Grasten being the nearest town.  It is also fairly close to Flensburg and the German border.  Provisioning facilities and accommodation are all close by.

It is well protected and the nearest marina is Minde Marina, just to the south of the lifting bridge which opens every hour from 08.30 until 22.15.  Once in the “lake”, there is a buoyed channel to deeper water, and Soholm Marine is on the south-east side. On arrival at the boatyard moor alongside the long jetty.

The static lift is capable of handling boats up to 73 feet, and catamarans are lifted with a mobile crane.  Many yachts are stored in 13,000 sqm of heated or unheated halls, and the masts and rigging are expertly removed whilst alongside by their own mobile crane, and then safely stored inside hoisted under the ceilings.

Cradles are allocated to every boat, and from the lift, the boat is lowered into the cradle, and then a radio-controlled trolley is used to move the cradle and boat to its allocated position.

Shoreside there is free wifi, clean and modern facilities including an excellent shower, and a kitchen and lounge area, as well as car parking.

Mads and Flemming Soholm run and own the business, ably assisted by Festus and Susanne.  We have been incredibly impressed by the service they offer.

Contact details are kontakt@soeholm-yacht.dk, or +45 24 44 72 83, or see www.soeholm-yacht.dk

Bob Hazell

Sv Pipistrelle