Copenhagen’s Svanemøllen Marina was the venue for a gathering of Great Dane 28s at the beginning of August. Apart from Danish boats, some made their way from England, Germany and Sweden.

The meeting was organised by the GD28 website owner’s club and hosted by the Øresunds Sejlklub Frem. Klaus Baess, who eventually put the boats into production, attended a dinner at which he described the boats conception and production.

The design, which was inspired by the Folkboat, was commissioned from Aage Utzon (his son Jørn was the architect of Sydney Opera House) who usually designed spidsgatter, a double-enders, but was persuaded by Baess to draw a cut-away transom.

The GD28 was launched onto the UK market in 1967 at the London Boat Show by the Carl Ziegler Agency. In 1969 she was the winner of the Yachting World One-of-a-kind Rally sailed by Baess himself who had been a Dragon bronze medallist at the 1948 Olympics. Around 250 Great Danes in all were built between 1966 and 1980.

Also present was Peter Haagen who gave a slide-show presentation of his dramatic voyage from Denmark to Brazil and back aboard his GD28 /Eir./
If wish to add your boat to the register contact John D Willimann: jd@thus.ch or see the website here