The constructor of the boat; Csaba Pálinkás is well known of being the saviour of the old skerry boats of Lake Balaton. He came out a brand new sailboat which differs from the previous ones. Pille is a serious boat for children but for adults it can be a great entertainment. It’s easy to take it everywhere; it’s really light as it is in its name. It's a real pleasure to go for a trip on a Pille, because there's the possibility to sail where you haven't sailed yet both on interior and international waters.
Everyone I had already asked is spoken of these boats in high terms.
Picula; the designer tried his own creation when he had finished although he was more than 80 kg. Originally he built it for his son. Later Hagi (Hagemann László) the executive of the sailing school of Kenese Marina-Port told us how much the children had enjoyed practicing with this boat, and they had been complaining about who have to go on the Optimist.
I have to let it out: Hagi couldn't miss to try it. I saw in autumn as he and the harbour-masters made a private championship near the port. I have to mention that Hagi’s over a hundred kilograms.
Kenese Marina-Port started the season with 8 Pille-s in 2003 and in the next year this number increased to 12. This class is perfect for learning the basics of sailing. It’s so simple and its light weight makes it popular among children.
Of course Optimist will stay the main boat for learning the basics because that’s stability can’t be exceeded by a pretty little boat like this. Pille is perfect for advanced sailors because of its better performance. They can keel over with it and also can practice how to turn it back. Optimist is not really suitable for practising it.
The boat is rigged up as easy as it’s possible. It’s a handy, fast and easy to sail. It sailable in lighter breeze but children still can use it safely in 4-5 Beaufort strong wind. It stands wavy waters and big joy for children. Even keeling over is enjoyable because it’s easy to turn it back and they can sail ahead immediately.
Experiences show that event those who has never tried sailing before can easily sail with pille after two days practice on optimist.
I was wondering about sailing near Budapest. There are several possibilities just like Lake Omszki, Lupa Isand and Lake Csepeli but Soroksári-Duna River is also suitable for sailing (as it’s written on page 33).
It would be no difficulty with storing of the boat, but the river is usually that dirty that it’s not a pleasure to sail there. Quarry pounds are mostly clear but we have no possibility of storage the boat. In this case Pille can be the perfect solution. It’s easy to carry on the roof rack, it’s hardly heavier than a surf. It’s easy to take it to the coast and sail. There’s a huge difference between we do sailing or do not. It’s no matter what kind of boat we’re talking about. Pille is a really lovely and comfortable boat which surely causes a lot of pleasure for its owner.
Written by Farkas Litkey
Photos taken by: Péter Ákos