Sailing ships have always been an eye-catcher on the shallow Bodden waters off the Fischland-Darß-Zingst peninsula.
Zeesenboote, or in Low German „Zeesboote“, are robustly built sailing ships. Due to their shallow draught, fishermen used the traditional boats in shallow waters, such as the bays of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
The hallmark of the lagoon boats are their reddish-brown sails. To prevent the sails from fouling, the fishermen used to impregnate their sails with oak bark, ochre earth, linseed oil and beef tallow, which gave the sails their characteristic color. The name of the Zeesenboote refers to the special type of fishing net. The trawl net, the Zeese, is pulled sideways over the bottom of the water.
Today, the Zeese boats are no longer used for fishing, but as sport or leisure boats. They can be admired and experienced live at numerous regattas, such as the Althäger Fischerregatta, or when sailing along.
