From 14 to 18 September 2026, owners of the Liteboat XP – a modern sail-and-row boat built by the Liteboat shipyard – gathered in Germany, on lakes between Hamburg and Berlin, for the latest edition of XP-Days. On the programme: lovely sailing on the lakes of the Mecklenburgische Seenplatte region, some creative manoeuvres under bridges amidst small villages, unexpected incidents handled with ease… and, above all, plenty of fun sailing together.
A fleet of XPs on Lake Plauer See
On Monday 14 September, 18 sailors – both men and women – along with seven XP20s and two XP16s, gathered on the Plauer Werder peninsula to launch the Liteboats.
After settling in at the Ferienpark, which was to become our base camp for breakfasts and evening meals, everyone had a chance to get back into the swing of things on board. The afternoon was devoted to a first sail on Plauer See, just to get back into the swing of things and check the boats and crews.
A leisurely first outing, but above all an opportunity to reconnect with the sensations of sailing and to start making the most of this reunion.
Heading for Malchow: sailing, rowing and a bascule bridge
On Tuesday morning, the fleet set sail for Malchow. The crossing of Lake Plauer See took us to the point where we had to quickly dismantle the masts.
This marked the start of a rather unusual stretch: rowing across Petersdorf See, passing under two bridges and, high above our heads, a high-voltage power line. Once this section was behind us, the XPs had their masts and sails back in place.
We still had to cross the famous Malchow bascule bridge to reach the Malchowsee and finally make our way to the marina on the shores of the Fleesensee.
The boats were moored for the night whilst Alex efficiently and cheerfully organised the crews’ return to the Ferienpark at Plauer Werder. The logistics were perfectly managed – essential when nine boats and their crews are on the move at the same time!
The Fleesensee and… the search for a beach
Wednesday brought another day of sailing, this time on the Fleesensee. A tailwind made for pleasant sailing on the outward leg, before we had to consider tacking back.
However, the presence of numerous protected areas limited the options for going ashore. We therefore had our picnic on board, leaving the boats to drift whilst we had lunch.
A situation that inevitably prompted a few scathing remarks from certain Gauls who were clearly missing the beach!
The XPs spent another night at the Fleesensee marina.
‘Jean-Marc’s Beach’ saves the picnic
On Thursday, we had to rectify what was quickly dubbed ‘the fatal mistake’: failing to plan for a beach the day before!
The solution was obvious. A small stretch of sand, situated just before the high-voltage power line in the return channel, was officially christened ‘Jean-Marc’s beach’ for the occasion.
This time, the picnic went off without a hitch: on time, on the grass and with dry feet. With peace of mind restored, the derigging operations could resume.
By early afternoon, the boats had been re-masted on the quay set aside for this purpose, at the entrance to Plauer See. The wind, now blowing strongly, meant we had to take in a reef for the return journey to Plauer Werder.
The first Liteboats were then hauled out of the water, gradually marking the end of this wonderful sailing session.
Friday, for the most enthusiastic
The most daring, however, were not yet done with sailing. On Friday, some crews set sail again for a final outing on Plauer See.
Others made their way home, whilst some took advantage of this last day to explore the region on land, notably Rostock and Wismar.
A different way to prolong the enjoyment of a gathering that has allowed us to discover a region particularly well-suited to our Liteboats – lightweight, versatile and easily transportable.
A wonderful destination and a wonderful community
A big thank you to Alex and Christine for organising these XP-Days and for managing, with efficiency and good humour, the many minor hiccups inherent in a gathering of this scale.
This edition in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania offered us a particularly varied sailing experience on inland waters, whilst remaining close to the Baltic Sea. It also allowed us to discover a region where the remnants of the former GDR stand alongside the many buildings that have been renovated or converted since reunification.
But, as always, the true value of the XP-Days lies elsewhere: in the exchanges between owners and enthusiasts.
Once again, they shared experiences, tips, techniques and anecdotes over Danish or Savoyard canapés and drinks from Denmark, Great Britain, the Vendée… and elsewhere!
Whether on land or on the water, these exchanges enable everyone to improve, discover new ways of sailing and make better use of the potential of our XPs. The presence of the Liteboat shipyard also enriched the discussions and allowed users’ experiences to be compared directly with those of the manufacturer.
That is precisely what makes this community so strong: sailing together, learning from one another and, above all, sharing the joy of sailing.
And we’ll see you in 2027!
No sooner had the 2026 XP-Days come to an end than the first ideas for 2027 were already on the table.
The aim would be to organise the next XP-Days in late May 2027, to allow as many owners as possible to take part.
Brittany is under consideration, particularly in Finistère in the Pointe de Bretagne area, but nothing has been finalised yet: other sailing locations remain possible, provided they meet the criteria that make our gatherings such a success: accommodation, meals, berths for the XPs, parking for cars and trailers, all within a reasonable budget.
The dates from 24 to 28 May 2027, which coincide with a period of relatively low tidal coefficients, are already an interesting prospect, with Whit Monday falling on 24 May.
And why not extend the adventure?
Following the example of the two XP20s that sailed on Lake Garda, a second sailing trip could be considered to complement the XP-Days in Brittany, this time on Lake Maggiore in Italy.
Two projects, two atmospheres, two playgrounds… and always the same desire: to launch the XPs, cast off and share new adventures.
So, see you in 2027!
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