In 2020, our Sarabella 2.0 project began – and in 2027 it is due to come to an end. After many long discussions and much thought, we have decided to stop while we are still enjoying it most. Twenty years ago, in 2007, we bought our first Hanse 470, and in 2020 we started again with the 508. By now, there are around 50,000 nautical miles in the logbook, and many stories of interesting cruising grounds and wonderful experiences tell the story of our life at sea. But at the age of 72, we feel that perhaps it is enough. A different chapter is about to begin. We can still sail as ordinary charter guests – and we have never been short of new ideas.
What makes Sarabella special?
When, after 14 years of offshore sailing with both chartered and privately owned yachts, you start again from scratch, you know exactly what you need, what you have to add to a production yacht – and what you definitely do not need. You can read about all these ideas in detail here.
All these ideas followed one simple motto: “Simplicity is the key to success.”
There is no watermaker on Sarabella – instead, we have UV water treatment. There is no high-maintenance generator and certainly no power-hungry air-conditioning system (“only over my dead body!”). And you will look in vain for a washing machine, too.
Jimi Cornell, the famous circumnavigator, once said in one of his many books of advice: “If you want it like home – stay at home!”
After all, this is a sailing yacht. She is already sailing close-hauled at five knots in just seven knots of true wind. With the Reacher, she easily reaches eight knots on a beam or broad reach. And when the wind disappears altogether, the 80 hp turbodiesel drives Sarabella along at 7 to 7.5 knots.
Although the Hanse 508 is a miracle when it comes to storage space, we have added a number of clever and practical improvements. They are so useful that one fellow sailor, who was also planning to buy a 508, actually asked the seller of his chosen yacht to equip it to the same level of comfort as ours after visiting Sarabella! >Optionen und Extras
What do you get for your money?
In short: a lot! As we are giving up yacht ownership, the entire inventory will remain on board – or, as we say in sailing jargon, “with pots and pans”. Even the berth at Gouvia Marina in Corfu, paid through the end of June, is included in the price!
An extensive safety inventory, half a workshop and a huge collection of spare parts – things that are almost guaranteed to come in handy one day – complete the package.. >Inventorylist.
For anyone who takes good care of their boat, there is something else to be happy about. We have spared no effort to keep Sarabella in top condition at all times. Looking after her value was simply part of owning her for us.
We have never had to cancel or postpone a cruise because of a repair. From my racing days, I had got into the habit of replacing something before it broke. >Maintenance- and Refitlist.
The sales documentation, including all the details and a virtual tour, can be found here (Englisch).
A Note on VAT and EU customs
As a yacht owned by a Swiss resident does not have to be permanently VAT-paid under EU rules, it may be used within the EU customs territory for up to 18 months under the Temporary Admission procedure without import VAT being due. After that period, the yacht has to leave the EU customs territory, but it can be re-imported after just one day.
This procedure can be repeated without a time limit. From our home port in Corfu, this can be done with a straightforward day trip to Albania (Sarandë), together with the necessary paperwork – something we would recommend leaving to a Greek and Albanian agent.