Maritime passion: Edvin and the wooden boat Epicurus

Boating has accompanied Askersund native Edvin throughout his upbringing. At 16, he sought to resume sailing after quitting dinghy sailing, and he and a friend began looking for another boat project.

A beautiful yet worn-out wooden boat at the boat club's yard caught their attention. The boat's previous owner, Adrianus Deems, took a liking to the boys and gifted them the boat.

The renovation process became a learning experience for Edvin and his friend. "We learned a lot from both our fathers, online forums, books, helpful people at the boat club, and especially Adrianus during the initial major renovation work.
"And sometimes it feels like the whole boat club has engaged and given us invaluable tips and advice," laughs Edvin.

A faint scent of tar lingers around the boat as Edvin sands the hull before applying the spring's new layer of varnish, and the tent walls protect to preserve moisture before launching. Maintaining a wooden boat is a true craft, and Edvin explains that it's about learning to collaborate with the wood's properties and the weather. "And finding little tricks, like placing wet rugs in the bilge a few weeks before launching," Edvin smiles cunningly.

"Launching Epicurus for the first time was an exhilarating experience," recalls Edvin. "The boat hung in the crane for weeks and took in a lot of water, so the pumps were working hard." A valuable tip turned out to be placing a jar of sawdust under the boat, so small wood chips filled the cracks and helped seal the boat.

Meanwhile, Edvin watched over the boat, recalling times when he sat in it and did his school math assignments remotely. Encountering problems, Edvin sees as a fun challenge and is for him part of the charm of boating. Every difficulty becomes an opportunity to learn something new.

Sailing into harbors with a beautiful wooden boat attracts attention and is enjoyed by many. It's easy to understand why the boat was named Epicurus, after the Greek philosopher who pondered what makes a person happy.

The boat can be seen as a cultural heritage of construction and sailing art. Built in 1961 in Holland by a prominent designer, Epicurus is one of only 30 Boomerang brand boats in the world. Crafted with carefully selected materials such as oak, mahogany, copper, and brass, the boat is not only a pleasure to sail but also a robust work of art in itself.

But boating isn't just about technical details and history; it's equally an experience of nature, community, and adventure. Edvin believes that it's not really summer unless he's out on the boat with friends. The second summer included a trip around Lake Vättern with stops in Vadstena, Hästholmen, Hjo, and Djäknesundet

"On a typical weekend, we often head out to the Vättern archipelago and like to moor at Grönön. Or we sail out to Storvättern and anchor at Lilla Röknen. Last year we sailed around the entire Lake Vättern without going ashore; it was a real adventure. It's lovely to share the joy of being out on the lake, exploring its changing landscapes and exciting places," Edvin smiles. "We usually barbecue on some island, but the favorite is probably potato salad with bacon sandwich. It's important to think carefully about provisions; the boat isn't equipped with a refrigerator."

For Edvin, boating isn't just a hobby; it's a lifestyle. He finds joy and satisfaction in caring for and enjoying the boat, and every sailing trip is an opportunity to explore new places and create lifelong memories. With Epicurus as his faithful companion, he looks forward to many more adventures on the waves of Lake Vättern, and this summer, the wind seems to be blowing towards a trip on the Göta Canal towards Forsvik and Lake Vänern.

We wish Edvin and his friends a wonderful summer on the lake and look forward to seeing this beautiful boat glide around our beloved Lake Vättern.