In 2005, after sailing a smaller boat for several years, my father decided to build an ocean-capable yacht. He chose the Didi 34 design by South African designer Dudley Dix — a proven offshore cruiser-racer built for strength, simplicity, and comfort on long passages.
Over the next seven years, largely by hand with occasional help from friends, he built the boat near Kyiv. At the time, only two boats of this design existed worldwide. Estra was launched in 2012 and completed while living aboard in a marina. From 2015 onward, she has been sailed in southern Ukraine for charters and local racing, gaining practical offshore experience.
Name: Estra
Design: Didi 34
Designer: Dudley Dix
Length overall (LOA): 10.50 m
Beam: 3.40 m
Draft: 1.50 m
Displacement: 4,300 kg
Hull material: Plywood / epoxy
Construction: Radius chine plywood epoxy
Keel: Bulb keel
Rudder: Transom-hung
Rig: Fractional sloop
Self-steering: Windvane system with tiller pilot
Year launched: 2012
Service history: Offshore sailing, racing, and charter use
Short description:
Estra is a strong, simple, and reliable offshore yacht, designed for solo sailing and long-distance passages. Her construction and rig allow safe handling under a variety of conditions, and she has proven herself in both charter and racing environments.
Current Status:
Estra is currently located in Mykolaiv. The plan is to travel there in May to carry out necessary repairs to external damage and complete the installation of essential equipment.
After preparation, the boat will be transported by land to Romania, from where the sailing route toward southern Spain will begin.
Preparation & Planning
Here you can check the practical planning behind the expedition: equipment lists, preparation tasks, and an estimated budget for getting the boat and project ready.