Hey Dave!
As a keen motorcyclist, cool trips are no problem for me! 😍😍😍
In June and July, my wife usually joins me on my camper van tours . . .
But exceptions prove the rule . .
We'll see how everything goes with your tour.
Michel-C.

Michel,
Yes, that would be great. It looks like you are 1+ hours from Basel.
As I mentioned to Ian, at this point I don't know how much time we will have in Basel.
However, We will be in Lucerne June 28 & 29 of 2027!
That may be an easier meet-up for you?
Dave B

Hei Ian,
Melde es mir, komme auch hoch zum Treffen!!
Michel-C.

Hey Dave!
It would be amazing to meet two Swiss model boat builders.
I could test my school English right away...
Michel-C.

We'll see, Dave.

Ian,
I'm not sure how much time we will have in Basel. It looks like we get in and fly out the same day.
As I know more about the schedule, I'll keep you in the loop.
Maybe have time for a coffee (or beer) anyway!
Dave B

Dave,
damn . . . you caught me off guard. I'm afraid I'll have to go back to Chat GPT to find out when the replacement took place.
By the way, I should be in Basel around Oct. 20. If you require a guide or advance-info, don't hesitate.
Ian G.
pic: riverboat arrival in Basel

Ian,
Choose your American insults carefully ...
I will be getting off a riverboat in Basel October 20th.
I'd hate to have to debate you on American ignorance ... 🤣
All kidding aside, when did Bern replace Sweden as capital??
Dave B
PS No insults taken personally ... 😁

Great stuff Ian!!!
Thank you for this information!!!
👍😊

I had a little chat with Chat GPT this morning. Their answer seems to make everything clear regarding SVEA:

"In the context of boat names, **“Svea” isn’t an acronym or technical term — it’s a name with cultural and historical meaning that many owners choose.

🇸🇪 Meaning of Svea

Svea is a Swedish female name that literally comes from the old term for the people and land of Sweden — the Svear or Swedes.

As a given name, it basically means “Swede” or “Swedish woman.”

Historically, Moder Svea (“Mother Svea”) is the personification of Sweden, similar to “Uncle Sam” for the USA.

🌊 Why it’s used for boats

Maritime traditions often give boats strong, symbolic, or national-identity names. Svea is popular especially for Swedish vessels because:

It evokes national pride and heritage (“Mother Sweden”).

It’s a feminine, memorable name, fitting the tradition of naming ships with female names.

It connects a vessel to Swedish culture or origin, even if the boat itself is internationally owned or built.

So, when you see Svea in several boat types (e.g., research ships, classic yachts, motor yachts), it’s usually chosen as a name meaning Sweden or the Swedish spirit, not because of a special nautical abbreviation or code."
Ian

SVEA probably simply stands for "swedish". The country calls itself Sverige and the adjective is svenska. Colin Archer, on whose design this model most probably goes back to, was a Norwegian. But in the end its all scandinavian. Ian
PS: for our friends from the ever greater United States of A. :Sweden is not the capital of Switzerland or the other way round. And Swaziland is something quite other again . . . no insult intended!