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A Windfall Yacht is a sailing yacht that was confiscated from German government agencies such as the Navy, Air Force, Army and other official bodies as a reparation payment after the Second World War. The name windfall means that these yachts fell to the occupiers like overripe fruit. In total, it was a fleet of around 100 mostly wooden boats, which had been built as sea cruisers between 1928 and 1940 according to a very high quality standard.
History
editThe windfall yachts were mainly sailed by British officers in the British Kiel Yacht Club in Kiel and most of the yachts were later transferred to Great Britain. There they were handed over to the Navy, Army and Air Force for training the next generation of officers to sail. After the Second World War they formed the backbone of sailing training in the British armed forces for around 15 to 20 years. Windfalls also reached Malta, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand, Gibraltar and Bermuda.
After many property disputes between previous owners and also between the Navy, Army and Air Force, many sea cruisers (windfalls) returned to Germany after being bought back by private individuals.