#9: [16-Jul-17]

#7: [24-May-12]

#5: [31-Dec-10]

#4: [28-Aug-08]

#3: [23-Aug-02]

#2: [22-Jul-01]

#1: [31-Dec-95]

#8: [24-Jan-16] (incomplete)

#10: [16-Oct-10] (incomplete)

13-Aug-2011 -- After I managed the tough Confluence Point 54°N 013°E yesterday I wanted to get this point. Previous visitors used a variety of transport means to reach this point: by car on the ice, walk on the ice, a pleasure steamer and a motor boat.

For me an experienced sailor, there is only one choice of transport: sailing!

At home I searched for a boat rental and I found one in Loddin only 2.2 kilometres to the point and the web site says something about sailing boats. I reached the harbour of Loddin and asked at Kikis boat rental for a sailing boat, but unfortunately they only have paddle wheelers, rowing boats and motor boats. The friendly man recommended that I go to the sailing school in Ückeritz, because they took over his sailing boats. I thanked him, took a photo from a lookout tower at the coast towards the Confluence Point and went to Ückeritz.

The sailing school offered two choices of sailing boats: a Top Cat catamaran and a keel boat named “Flying Cruiser”. Normally the catamaran would be the boat of my choice, but for the purpose of visiting a Confluence Point keel boats, which are also used for the sailing lessons are more appropriate.

I dressed for the sailboat and carefully stored my electronic equipment: placed my GPS receiver (already set in goto-mode to the Confluence Point) in a transparent watertight plastic box. My camera and a GPS logger were stored in another box. I tied both boxes to the boat, for the unlikely event I'd capsize.

I set sail and pushed by gentle 2 Beaufort tailwind I sailed the 2.8 km distance to the Confluence Point. For me it was the very first time that I navigated using my GPS receiver to an imaginary point in the middle of open water, so I chose a landmark on the opposite shore of the lake, because the boat did not have a compass. From time to time I double checked my course and the distance to the Confluence Point.

Shortly before I reached the 100 metres limit I spotted a pleasure steamer, which passed quite close and likely passes the Confluence Point within the 100 metres limit. I recalled Mr. Czombik's visit to this point, perhaps the skipper of the ship always passes the Confluence Point after Mr. Czombik's visit.

When I was 100 metres off the point I simply turned the boat in the wind and drifted towards the point. Took my camera out of the box and shot the pictures of the surroundings including my GPS receiver (took it out of the box for this purpose). Did this a couple of times while drifting and finally managed to get as close as 0.01' to the point. I did not try to get a better reading. To hold GPS receiver, camera and operate sheet and the tiller with only two hands at once would be too difficult or dangerous.

Later at home when I analysed my tracklog I found out that the closest position was 8 metres. Not bad at all.

Now it is time to return and if you have had a tailwind before you must tack to reach the harbour. It would have been a gentle crosswind leg from and to my intended starting point at Loddin instead...the wind increased to 3 Beaufort and interestingly I increased my speed from about 6 km/h with tailwind to 7 km/h while tacking.

About 1:45 hours after I left the harbour in Ückeritz I returned with one more Confluence Point in my bag.

It is always great to enjoy two hobbies at once: sailing and confluence hunting!

In the waters of the Achterwasser, 1.2 km from the shore.