Experience Report: 20 Yachtline – Berlin and Brandenburg

In 2018 we did the SBF on land and decided to buy a boat. During the extensive research that followed, we became aware of the company Öchsner-Boote. We were soon greeted in a friendly manner. Competent and clear advice was given and we received an offer on the same day.

I slept once and ordered.

Thanks to the absolutely punctual work of the Öchsner-Boote company, we received our boat on a Wednesday in April with detailed instruction, a test drive, many questions and many answers. Then on Friday we drove to Tjeukemeer in the Netherlands, where we rented a holiday home with a dock – that’s how it started.

When we got there, as complete beginners, we first took pictures of all the tension straps, etc., so that a week later we could secure the boat to the trailer again. We were happy to have the help of two Dutch boatmen when we were kayaking for the first time! We also realized our inexperience in assessing the wind and water. On the second trip the wind was very strong and we felt like we were on the high seas. But we still felt safe on the boat.

Now we had time to get to know the boat better. During the installation we were surprised by the really large storage space both above the cabin and in the cabin. We could take everything we needed with us. Later, on half-day trips with two other adults and two children, there was enough space.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

We did a few day trips and enjoyed being on the water. We went over the Wannsee quite a bit with the 80 HP engine. The swimming ladder was also used a few times after we cooled down somewhere in a small bay. The boat is really nice!

We spent a few days on the road and on the boat in August and slept great thanks to a coat we made. And it’s not bad to have a toilet on board. We went through the middle of Berlin, got many new impressions and gained experience in the locks. We continued to Köpenick and via the Müggelsee to Fürstenwalde for the children’s birthday party (it was really great that my grandparents came by boat) and to Brandenburg / Havel.

In the summer in Berlin we enjoyed some provisions and cold drinks in the fridge. The boat is great, we have a lot of fun with it.

After 70 hours of work the boat is now in winter storage and waiting for the next season. In the meantime we also did the SBF lake. Now let’s see where we are going. We are looking forward to more beautiful tours and hope that we won’t have to call Mr. Küffner so often because “we still have a question”. Thank you Mr. Küffner!

We feel well looked after by the whole Öchsner team. Thank you for that!

Elke and Martin