By Johannes Malinowski
With a soft rattle, the “Mara” drives across the Tiefen See at nine kilometers an hour. The boat pulls small stern waves behind it. Owner Marcus Zur (41) feels nowhere as free as here on the Havel waters.
Since June, Zur has owned his nine-metre-long motorboat. Together with his partner Ria Grützner (32), he enjoys every free minute on the water. Always according to the motto: When I see the lake, I don’t need the sea anymore…
“The boat used to belong to my best friend, who bought another one,” says Zur. After five theory and a few practical lessons, he had his sports boat license in the bag.
Marcus Zur and Ria Grützner have been together for three years. The boat “Mara” is their joint project Photo: Stefanie Herbst
But before the couple could take over the boat, they needed a berth. “It was really hard to find it,” says Zur. “We looked for it for six months.” When the jetty at the deep lake was found, nothing stood in the way of maritime pleasure.
“A boat like that is like a gazebo,” says the new ship owner. “There’s always something to do!” Marcus Zur grew up in Kreuzberg. After a few years in Thuringia and his time as a soldier, he moved to Potsdam eight years ago. Here he met his Ria. “Today I would always prefer Potsdam to Berlin.” His two children Amy (10) and Adrian (7) also love being on the water.
Off into the cool water! If the anchor is dropped outside the fairway, Zur and his girlfriend can go swimming from the boat Photo: Stefanie Herbst
Life among water sports enthusiasts is very communal, the couple quickly realized. “People examine the boats and say hello,” says Zur. Envy is rare. “We always help each other.”
The two recently went on a two-day trip to Brandenburg/Havel. It took them six hours to cover the approximately 40-kilometer route.
Ria Grützner in the galley. The boat kitchen is fully equipped: sink, two-burner gas stove and plenty of storage space Photo: Stefanie Herbst
“On the way there, another boat got stuck in the middle of the fairway. We then towed it to the side.” As soon as the engine fails, a boat is unable to manoeuvre. “There’s no need for a paddle either,” says Ria Grützner.
The idea of naming the boat “Mara” came from her. “The name stands for the first four letters of our names. Marcus, Amy, Ria and Adrian.”
Marcus Zur has a sports boat license and is therefore a captain Photo: Stefanie Herbst
The ship (built in 1989) is in good condition. The paint is new, the wood is polished. In the bow there is a cabin with a sitting area that can be converted into a double bed, in the stern cabin there are two beds for the children. “It’s a fantastic place to sleep here,” says Ria. “In the Havel bays, there is hardly any rocking at all.”
One hour, two, three… the time on the water flies by. Ria and Marcus have found their summer happiness. “The nature, the beautiful sunsets. We can do whatever we want. This is paradise.”
“We can do whatever we want. It’s paradise”
►The paradise historically: The “Mara” was built in 1989 by its first owner as a motor glider. The sail mast has now been dismantled and the boat is only driven by the 75 hp VW engine.
►So we arrived at our paradise: “The boat used to belong to my best friend, who bought another one,” says Marcus Zur.
►How much space is on the boat? The “Mara” is 9 meters long and 2.50 meters wide. In the bow cabin is a kitchen with a seating area that can be converted into a double bed. In the stern cabin there are two more sleeping places.
The solar panel produces enough electricity to fully charge the two boat batteries when the sun shines Photo: Stefanie Herbst
►How much does pleasure cost? Cabin boats are used from 5000 euros. The berth in Potsdam starts at 300 euros per month. The boat consumes about three liters of diesel per hour.
►What is the greatest happiness here? “Nature and the beautiful sunsets,” says Marcus Zug. “We can do whatever we want. This is paradise.”
►And in the winter? Then the boat owner takes the “Mara” out of the water. This year the boat should get a new structure so that you can stand better.
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