Transfer of a yacht from Sweden to Latvia

By Valters PreimanisHealthy lifestyle
We are going on a yacht in Gotland - Ventspils

In this article, Yacht transfer by sea from Sweden to Latvia (275 Nm / 509 km), I will describe how Latvians buy yachts in Sweden and sail with them to Latvia. In our neighbors in Sweden, fiberglass yachts cost a fabulous season, they can be bought for 1500-3000 Eur, plus possible repairs and travel expenses. Notarization of the purchase agreement in Sweden is required. Yacht registration in Latvia will cost around 600 Eur.

  • We sailed to Sweden with Stenaline ferryStena Flavia”Ventspils - Stockholm (Sweden).
  • There we were met in Stockholm by John, who took us to the car, we went on with VW T4 to Frolund, Gothenburg. On the way 478 km.
  • We went on, Frölunda, Gothenburg - Ronnebyhamn. On the way 328 km.
  • Ronnebyhamn boarded the yacht Maxi 68 and sailed to Ventspils. On the way 275 Nm.
Yacht route from Sweden to Latvia
Hunted in Frölunda, Gothenburg
Hunted in Frölunda, Gothenburg

It should be noted that 90 Nm / nautical mile has to be traversed across the Baltic Sea, which has hundreds of ships - ferries, container carriers, and various other types of vessels. We started our departure from Gotland, Faro Marines in the dark, at 4.00 am, so that sailing on the busiest part of the Baltic Sea took place during the day, we were back in the dark at Ventspils yacht port. 11 pm

We are going on a yacht in Gotland - Ventspils
By yacht from Gotland to Latvia.

Access to the Gothic canal due to closed repairs

  • The yacht Maxi 77, with which we were planning to go to Latvia, remained in the yacht club in Frolund, because the canal to the Gota canal was unexpectedly blocked. (We read that the Swedish Maritime Administration will carry out an audit of the Trollhätte Canal from 27 August to 19 September 2021.)
Ronneby Marine

We sail from Sweden to Latvia

Route - Yacht Maxi 68, we boarded the yacht and crossed the Baltic Sea from Gotland to Ventspils in a small yacht less than 7 meters long.

  • Maxi 68 (6.80 meters), yacht weight 1,550 kg.
  • Overnight at yacht clubs in Kalmar, Visby and Faroe Islands.
With sails from Sweden to Latvia
With sails from Sweden to Latvia

Yacht repair and spare parts

  • When boarding the yacht it was necessary to buy a new yacht battery, 220v electric cable for yacht electricity and charging, engine holder (was lost or stolen), drill, 8mm drill, navigation led lights, gas cylinders for the stove. The shelves of Biltema stores came to the rescue.
  • Every captain should have insulating tape in his pocket. :)

Yacht engine holder from Biltem

Yacht safety equipment

  • Captain Jānis brought a life raft from Riga for 6 people.
  • When leaving the bridle, vests must be worn on board the yacht at all times, which could be taken off the yacht cabin.
  • The sea walkie-talkie on channel 16 was turned on by visible ships or entering ports.
  • Flashlight for navigation in the dark
  • Yacht course - lights, green, red, white
Yacht transfer Sweden Gotland, Baltic Sea vessels
Yacht transfer Sweden Gotland, Baltic Sea vessels

About the yacht Maxi 68

  • There are four berths on the yacht.
  • External outboard motor, two-stroke 6hp
  • No built-in facilities, only a tourist option.
  • You can cook on the gas hob.
  • A 12v car heater is useful - a blower that reduces the amount of moisture in the cabin, in cold weather, during the night when the yacht is ashore.

Electricity on the yacht

  • If the yacht's engine is an external standard, without a built-in electricity generator, its battery only has enough electricity to charge cell phones and tablets, perhaps a small led light.
  • You can put solar panels on your yacht. which recharges the batteries on long hikes.
  • Electricity is charged in yacht clubs (Marines) when connected with a 220v cable.

Yacht Club, Marines

  • It is not always possible to tie at the edge of the footbridge in parallel, often the tie is perpendicular to the footbridge, one end of the tie is at the buoy and the other at the shore viscosity.
  • Yacht clubs (200-300 SEK) include a shower and a visit to the facilities (usually a code door). You can pay for the yacht parking through the website or at the ticket machine.
  • Yacht clubs can fill the water tank of the yacht.

Technical navigational aids and metrology

  • Windy (works when there is mobile data)
  • MarineTraffic (works when there is mobile data)
  • Navionics
  • In the dark you need to turn on the navigation lights, you can use led lights

Fuel for sailing yachts

  • The sailing yacht also has a motor, and it must be switched on to propel the yacht in case of wind, or if you want to increase the speed of the yacht while sailing, "Gasoline grid".
  • For a two-stroke engine, oil must be added to the fuel, it is important to remember this. Fuel / oil ratio 1:50.

The helmsman's work on the yacht

  • Steering on the yacht is required at all times.
  • The largest, above 6kn wind, small yacht tends to wave on the wave.
  • The helmsman's work in shifts, the captain is divided into 2 hours. (10: 00-12: 00-14: 00-16: 00)
Yacht berth in Gotland before going to Ventspils across the Baltic Sea
Yacht berth in Gotland before going to Ventspils across the Baltic Sea

Excursion around the Faroe Islands by bicycle

  • The ferry between Gotland and Faro is free
  • The bike costs 15Eur per day, we drove 40km.
Before sailing the Baltic Sea, we go on a tour of the island of Faro
Before sailing the Baltic Sea, we go on a tour of the Faroe Islands

Contacts and questions: