The sailing yacht Luopan, a name which has a story to tell
She is an eye-catcher in every harbour and is often admired by walkers and other sailors. The classic two-mast sail schooner, with her pearly white hull, which is decorated in the middle with a wooden strip with playful end pieces. Both front sails are anchored at the bowsprit, which reminds of the famous pose of Rose & Jack from the movie Titanic. A huge area of comfortable soft posters on the foredeck invites you to sunbathe. Wooden round tensioners with hemp ropes lead up to the top of the masts for stabilization. A beautifully crafted and maintained Iroko deck, the cabin and storage areas, the helmstand and wheelhouse are made of mahogany and finished with high-gloss lacquer. A great large dining table with upholstered bench and chairs are perfect for “al fresco” dining. The ship’s bell, ventilation dorades, portholes and the window frames of the salon are made of brass, so shiny polished that it almost blinds you. A curved wooden shield, framed in golden color, where brass letters are placed is on the mirror of the Turkish beauty LUOPAN.
From this moment on, the question marks appear in the eyes of some people. Luopan? What kind of name is that or what does it mean? This question is asked regularly every week by our guests during the cruise. Our captain is always happy to tell you this heart-warming story about it.
Some of you may have heard of the legendary Luo Pan compass. It is the most important tool of a Feng-Shui analysis. Measurements with the Chinese Luo Pan give information about the energetic quality of a building, an apartment or a place. Around the compass, which is located in the center, several rotating rings (at least 8 up to 64 for professional versions) with various symbols are attached. By combining this with the date of birth, Feng Shui consultants can calculate the most favorable and challenging cardinal points for clients.
But what does the compass have to do with the name of the ship?
Michael and his father had a common dream a long time ago: to own their own, self-built sailing ship and just have a good time with it. Again and again this vision came up and with the one or other good drop of red wine, plans were drawn and the ideas were put down on paper out of their heads. These were developed further and further, refined and detailed. It became more and more clear to them over the past years. “It is time to finally bring this project to life”. So they decided that as soon as the father retired, the plans would be put into action. Shortly before his pension, the father had to undergo a heart operation, which he sadly did not survive. What a stroke of fate for the whole family.
In 2005 Michael travelled to Bodrum, where the luminaries of traditional Gulet building are at home. There he found the shipyard of his trust to build the ship he and his father had dreamed of. In 2006 the long awaited moment came true, the yacht was ready and could plunge into the ink-blue Aegean Sea. For the name Michael didn’t have to think long: “LUOPAN This compass reminds me of my awesome Dad, he was an architect and always aligned all the houses he had built with it”.
