Segler-Vereinigung Mannheim e.V.
Segler-Vereinigung Mannheim e.V. (SVM) is a traditional sailing club founded in 1931 with more than 400 members in the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region. Club life spans three sailing areas on Rhine backwaters: Mannheim on the Sandhofer Altrhein with the club ship Dordrecht, Otterstadt on the Otterstädter Altrhein, and Reffenthal on the Angelhofer Altrhein. All sites offer water and shore berths; Otterstadt has a clubhouse with lounge, while the historic Dordrecht serves as the club centre in Mannheim. The programme includes a sailing school with pleasure craft licences, youth training at Lake Kollersee, club and Varianta regattas, cruising, and model sailing. Many members sail the Varianta class; the youth section trains in Optimist, Teeny, 420 and ILCA. A unique feature is the Rhine paddle steamer Dordrecht, rescued in 1957 and converted into the club’s landmark facility.
History
Segler-Vereinigung Mannheim e.V. has existed since 1931 and looks back on more than 90 years as a leading sailing institution in the metropolitan region. The club centre in Mannheim is the former Rhine paddle steamer Dordrecht, built in 1922 in Mannheim. After being taken out of service, the club saved the vessel from scrapping in 1957 and converted it into a sailing facility. In 1998 and 1999 the hull and interior underwent a major overhaul. Ahead of the centenary celebrations the Dordrecht was stripped of old paint, repainted by members and thoroughly modernised. Today club life spans three bases: Dordrecht on the Sandhofer Altrhein in Mannheim, Otterstadt on the Otterstädter Altrhein near Speyer (home of the youth section, repeatedly awarded the Blue Flag for the environment) and Reffenthal on the Angelhofer Altrhein in a nature reserve near Speyer with a floating wooden clubhouse. The sailing school has trained members and non-members for about 50 years. SVM is a member of the German Sailing Federation and the Varianta class association Southwest. Members compete in regional and national regattas including Varianta fleet championships, club championships and international events in classes such as ILCA and OK Dinghy. Alongside inland sailing the club maintains active cruising on the Baltic, Mediterranean and other waters as well as international RG 65 model sailing in front of the Dordrecht.
Information
Facilities
Three bases with water and shore berths; club ship Dordrecht in Mannheim (Diffenestraße 12A); clubhouse with lounge and sanitary facilities in Otterstadt; floating wooden house in Reffenthal; dinghy jetties and club boats bookable by app; model sailing in front of the Dordrecht.
Activities
Sailing school (inland/sea licence, SKS, radio licence), youth sailing with junior certificate, club and Varianta regattas, cruising and trips, RG 65 model sailing, club evenings, summer festival and Dinghy Day.
Youth section
Active youth section with about 20 children and teenagers (ages 8–18); training every two weeks on Sundays at Lake Kollersee (Otterstadt base); junior certificate in Optimist, progressing to Teeny, 420 and ILCA; club boats for beginners; May camping trip; regional regatta participation.
Guest berths
Yes, berths in Otterstadt for guests
Boating license training
Available: 1
Andreas Lemp
Thomas Lang
SBF inland and SBF sea & SKS courses 2025/26