Bådelauget Udsigten
Bådelauget Udsigten is a boat guild and club centre at the historic Udsigten boatyard in Viemose near Kalvehave on Denmark’s southern waters, overlooking the Bøgestrømmen. The association preserves the yard that has existed since 1929, restores historic coastal fishing boats and keeps the tradition of nearshore fishing craftsmanship in the Storstrøm region alive. Members can sail and fish with traditional boats; among recent acquisitions is the sail-capable fishing dinghy Grethe from 1962. The offer is aimed at boatbuilders, engine enthusiasts and anyone who wants to preserve and experience old working craft and the yard’s activities.
History
In 1929 boatbuilder Christian Petersen established a boatyard at the end of the road Udsigten in Viemose. The road runs from Viemosegade beside the former Proms chemical factory down to the beach, where a small fishing settlement already existed. Fishermen across the road paid an annual rent of 2 kroner to the Petersgård estate; at most seven fishermen were attached to the settlement. The yard plot was smaller than the fishermen’s, so rent was likely also about 2 kroner a year. Petersgård was then owned by Ida Marie Suhr, known for her social engagement in the area. The first yard was little more than a lean-to or shed; according to fisherman Erik Petersen, with slightly larger boats the entire bow stuck out. Later the story jumps ahead: at Kalvehave Harbour a group formed the Træskibslauget and acquired the boat Lodsen of Rågø for restoration. After internal disagreements, five people left and decided to form their own guild whose main purpose was to document nearshore fishing in Storstrøm County. At the founding meeting Jes Kroman proposed taking over the boatyard and continuing it as Bådelauget Udsigten. That way the guild’s purpose could be fulfilled while preserving a yard dating back to 1929. More recently the guild acquired the well-preserved roughly 18-foot fishing dinghy Grethe from 1962 from the beach at Tjørnemarke in Stege Bugt. The boat had been used for over 40 years in commercial fishing in the area, unchanged and well maintained, sail-capable and with a sound engine; the beach winch from Tjørnemarke was included. The dinghy is regarded as a historic treasure in the guild’s story and lets members sail with traditional sails.