HANSA Yachts 01-2021

International 

Maritime 

Journal 

YACHTS 

ISSUE 01 | 2021 

HANSA YACHTS | 2021 

FIRST EDITION 

1

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® SKF is a registered trademark of the SKF Group. | © SKF Group 2021

Hamburgs 

maritimesmes Herz 

Welcome to 

HANSA YACHTS ! 

The time has come … After much planning, developing, 

polishing and publishing, we are pleased to present this first 

issue of HANSA YACHTS. Requests from various corners of 

the yachting sector urged us to use HANSA YACHTS to 

provide unique operational and technological perspectives 

beyond just glossy magazine motifs. Therefore, we offer you a 

new – never before seen – magazine. 

HANSA YACHTS addresses many important questions and 

concerns … 

Which boats are new on the market? How are modern 

propulsion and navigation technologies delivering greater 

efficiency? Which suppliers are offering innovative 

applications and products? What are the new yacht concepts 

and ideas available? Who is offering exciting new luxuries 

and accessories? What are the upcoming hottest new designs 

concepts? Which shipyards, brokers and service providers 

are leading this intriguing market? 

We will continue to address these topics – and more – in every 

upcoming issue. 

With a peerless international distribution, HANSA YACHTS 

brings together yacht owners and charterers with shipyards 

and the supply and service industries. 

While there was much hard work, we had great fun 

producing this first edition for you. We look forward to your 

feedback so HANSA YACHTS can address your needs and 

interests forthcoming issues. The editorial team encourages 

you to share your assessments and interests with us! 

Until then, we hope you enjoy reading HANSA YACHTS … 

The HANSA YACHTS Editors 

redaktion@hansa-online.de 

... you won’t 

find more! 

Experience the history of seafaring 

through the artefacts of the biggest 

private maritime collection worldwide 

at Hamburg’s oldest warehouse in the 

heart of the HafenCity. 


KAISPEICHER B | KOREASTRASSE 1 

20457 HAMBURG | PHONE: +49 (0)40 300 92 30-0 

WWW.IMM-HAMBURG.DE 3 

OPENING TIMES: DAILY FROM 10 AM TO 6 PM

CONTENTS | IMPRINT 

3 EDITORIAL: WELCOME TO HANSA YACHTS 

6 NEWS & PRODUCTS 

10 TECHNOLOGY AND EQUIPMENT 

10–Upcycling on a Huge Scale 

12–Fear No Lightning 

14–Basketball on the Foredeck 

16–Designing a Yacht Bridge 

International 

Maritime 

Journal 

YACHTS 

18 EXPLORER DESIGNS 

30 OWNERSHIP – YES OR NO? 

32 GERMAN YARDS: EXPERTISE FOR COMPLEXITY 

36 NICHE ON THE UPSWING? 

38 »ENVY IS NOT MY ISSUE« 

© Cruse +Erdmann 

HANSA YACHTS 

Responsible in the sense of the German »Pressegesetz«: Chief Editor Krischan Förster | redaktion@hansa-online.de 

Editorial consultancy: Krall Media GmbH 

Sales | Marketing | Advertising: Florian Visser | f_visser@hansa-online.de 

Layout: Sylke Hasse 

Schiffahrts-Verlag »Hansa« GmbH & Co. KG | Stadthausbrücke 4 | 20355 Hamburg | Germany 

www.hansa-online.de | Phone +49 (0)40–70 70 80–0 

4 HANSA YACHTS | 2021

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NEWS & PRODUCTS 

Four new members for SYBAss 

The Superyacht Builders Association 

(SYBAss) is committed to protecting 

the industry in the areas of technology 

and regulation. Thanks to a 

change in regulations, it has gained 

four new members: Gulf Craft, The 

Italian Sea Group, Cantiere delle 

Marche and Nautor‘s Swan. 

Previously, SYBAss had 24 

members, including some of the biggest 

names in the industry such as 

Lürssen, Benetti, Amels, Damen 

Yachting and Feadship, which together 

account for about 60 % of 

yachts over 40 m. Recently, the organization 

expanded its parameters, 

which for the first time allowed yards 

producing yachts of 30+ meters such 

as Nautor‘s »Swan« to join. The impetus 

for this change was the goal of 

stronger positioning in the sailing 

yacht industry, as the previous regulations, 

which required a minimum 

of 40-m yachts, precluded membership 

for many top yards. 

With the addition of Gulf Craft, SY- 

BAss was not only able to strengthen 

its international position, but also to 

tap into the Middle East as an important 

market in the industry. »The addition 

of Gulf Craft is a great move for 

us,« explains Theo Hooning of SY- 

BAss. »It underscores that we represent 

the industry as a whole and reinforces 

our commitment to being a 

truly global organization.« 

As representative body for superyacht 

yards, SYBAss sees to it that 

the needs and issues of the world‘s 

leading yacht builders are addressed 

and resolved on an international 

level. 

 

Parasols for superyachts 

© Reckmann Yacht Equipment 

Rellingen-based Reckmann Yacht 

Equipment is expanding its portfolio 

to include parasols of the highest 

quality. 

For providing shade for large aft 

decks, sun sail systems with individual 

supports are usually used. These 

systems are often supplemented with 

additional parasols, for practical or 

design reasons. However, most parasols 

are »off the shelf« systems designed 

for land, which do not harmonize 

with the quality of the systems 

made especially for big 

yachts. Reckmann took this as an 

opportunity to launch its own parasol 

line after numerous observations 

and several inquiries. The ParaSOL 

models are the perfect complement 

to Reckmann‘s SunFLIP sun sails. »It 

was time to launch a yacht-standard 

parasol,« says Marcus Schuldt, Reckmann‘s 

managing partner. »This 

allows us to offer owners a uniform 

image on their decks and, above all, 

guarantee extremely long product 

durability.« 

The portfolio of the family-owned 

company, which is more than 125 

years old, includes parasols in a wide 

variety of sizes and shapes, with center 

or side support, made of carbon or 

seawater-resistant aluminum. The 

coverings of the ParaSOLs are made of 

PVC or acrylic fabrics from the current 

fabric collections. The umbrellas 

are designed, engineered and manufactured 

at Reckmann‘s northern German 

site in Rellingen, in the immediate 

vicinity of Hamburg. 

 

Taxi with 50 kn 

Monaco‘s two ports Port Hercules 

and Port de Fontvieille are among 

the busiest moorings in the world. 

To simplify logistics and transfers 

between the two ports and the new 

harbour Cala de Forte which started 

accepting its first superyachts in October 

2020, a high-speed shuttle has 

now gone into operation – a twelvemetre-long 

motor catamaran called 

»Monaco One«, designed and built 

by Advanced Aerodynamic Vessels 

in La Rochelle. The futuristic vehicle 

has room for twelve passengers and 

two Yanmar engines, each with 

250 kW of power, propel the 

3.85-m-wide and 7.5-tonne »Monaco 

One« to a cruising speed of just 

under 50 kn. 

 

© Advanced Aerodynamic Vessels 



MYS: Only owners 

on Wednesday 

When this year‘s »Monaco Yacht 

Show« takes place from 22 to 25 

September, it is said that the 

focus will be much more on the 

end customer. The core of this 

initiative is the division of visitors 

into three groups. 

Buyers and charterers will get 

a so-called »Discover« ticket, 

their advisors and representatives 

the »Advise« ticket and 

all other B2B visitors the »Connect« 

ticket. „Discover« guests 

are defined and invited by the 

exhibitors through their existing 

contacts and customers as well 

as through other partners of the 

show. 

This premium clientele plus 

their advisors may then already 

cross the docks on Wednesday, 

22 September; »Connect« visitors 

only from Thursday. Yacht 

owners and those who would 

like to become yacht owners are 

also promised a VIP programme, 

more flexible access to 

the grounds, a stronger focus on 

innovations and an entertainment 

programme that illustrates 

»everyday life« on a superyacht. 

Incidentally, anyone who 

wants to experience this quasi 

spontaneously and is not invited 

by an exhibitor will pay 500 

euros for admission, 200 € more 

(!) than in 2019. This, according 

to an internal paper, would contribute 

to more quality than 

quantity. At the time of going to 

press, such illustrious yachts as 

»Path« by Baltic, »Tatiana« by 

Bilgin, »Artefact« by Nobiskrug 

or the Majesty 175 had already 

registered. 

 

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7


The autonomous disinfection robot HERO21 can be used on the high seas 

© Loewe Biosecurity 

High-Tech against Germs 

For ship owners, the fight against viruses and pathogens 

is tedious, lengthy, and often enough very 

expensive when several service providers have to be 

engaged for the various hygiene measures – such as 

the disinfection of surfaces and entire rooms – the individual 

crew training or acquiring high-tech solutions 

for the best possible hygiene. 

Hamburg-based Loewe Biosecurity eliminates 

much of these expenses. As one of the world‘s first 

companies to be awarded Rina Biosafety Trust Certification, 

Loewe Biosecurity, a subsidiary of Loewe Marine, 

now offers all-round solutions for the hygiene area 

on ships. 

With its state-certified disinfectors and hygiene 

consultants, Loewe Biosecurity is readily available to 

provide its clientele with professional support in all aspects 

of hygiene safety. Its technical innovation is best 

demonstrated by its latest reference project: the V8 

Hotel at Motorworld Region Stuttgart. 

As the German television station ARD recently reported, 

the first autonomous UV-C disinfection robot 

HERO21 from Loewe Biosecurity was instrumental 

in achieving a significant hygiene standard for the 

hotel. 

HERO21 was developed and engineered in Germany 

as a reliable weapon in the fight against countless common 

viruses and uncommon pathogens in sensitive 

clinical areas. Loewe Biosecurity successfully adapted 

this transformative device for ships, making HERO21 

the first of its kind for hygiene safety at sea. 

 



Meyer Werft takes 

over project »Njord« 

A project unveiled last year by Ocean Residences Development 

(ORD), the 289 m private residential 

yacht »Njord« from Meyer Werft (Germany) is 

scheduled for delivery in 2025. 

»Njord« will follow the strictest environmental 

regulations and feature state-of-the-art dual-fuel engines, 

batteries for hybrid propulsion, as well as heat 

recovery systems and advanced energy management 

systems. The engines and fuel tanks will be able to 

accommodate and utilise future fuels. Named after 

the Norse god of seas and winds, »Njord« is also 

known as the »largest private residential yacht in the 

world.« In addition to 117 private residences spread 

across a total of 12 decks, the ship will have 16 guest 

and butler suites. The gigaproject will measure 

33.5 m in width and have a huge interior capacity of 

around 81,000 gt; there will also be a 500 m 2 inflatable 

marina at the stern. 

An entire team of engineers, naval architects, and 

interior and exterior designers is responsible for the 

Njord‘s interior and exterior design. Among those 

involved are superyacht designer Espen Øino – who 

designed the exterior of the ship – and naval architects 

Foreship OY. Jean Stutzman, ORD‘s chief designer, 

is overseeing the interior design, which is a 

collaboration between Malaysian design studio Denniston 

and Italian design studio FM Architettura. As 

Kristian Stensby, CEO of ORD attested: »We are fortunate 

to have the opportunity to work with Meyer 

Werft, a company that has kept shipbuilding on track 

for 226 years and is a world leader in building innovative 

and complex passenger ships.« 

 

Trusted lawyers 

dedicated to 

the superyacht 

industry 

Basis Hamburg 

– 

Unterstützung 

weltweit 

© Meyer Werft / Espen Øino 

Dr. Tim Schommer 

tim.schommer@clydeco.com 

Dr. Volker Lücke 

volker.luecke@clydeco.com 

Clyde & Co Europe LLP 

Esplanade 40, 

20354 Hamburg 

+49 40 8090 30200 

@ClydeCo_SYLaw 


thesuperyachtlawfirm.com 

9

Upcycling on a Huge Scale 

Turning old into new: This is exactly what is happening with »Vega«, a former 

lighthouse supply ship and the MaK 8 M 20 diesel engine installed there 17 

years ago. Both the ship and the engine are relics from the past: outdated and 

no longer useful 

The 46 m and more than 50 yearold 

»Vega« became a historic footnote, 

parked in the picturesque harbour 

of Penzance in Cornwall until 

Bremen-based yacht developer Dörries 

Yachts was commissioned in 2020 

to convert the old supply ship into an 

Explorer yacht. 

This also meant a conversion of the 

engine, as the aging diesel-guzzler had 

long since ceased to meet current 

emissions guidelines. The conversion 

to the IMO III standard was carried 

out by Zeppelin Power Systems, official 

partner for Cat and MaK engines. 

The Zeppelin worked with specialist 

departments and partners to develop 

an individual solution for the engine 

and SCR system. The MaK 8 M 20 was 

disassembled, tested, cleaned, evaluated, 

and given a downstream exhaust 

system. In addition the measuring 

points were extended to provide data 

for more efficient operations as 

required. 

Innovation and lateral-thinking 

transformed this old, almost forgotten 

piece of mechanics – the heart of a 

ship – into an efficient engine that 

complies with the new and perhaps 

even future environmental guidelines. 

Soon, it will be back at sea, powering a 

freshly overhauled superyacht. 


© Caterpillar 


11

Fear No Lightning 

Lightning might not ever strike twice in the same 

place, but a single lightning strike to a yacht can 

have devastating consequences 


Although material damage is covered by insurance, 

it cannot restore loss of life, correct 

life-changing injuries, and replace lost time 

on holiday or charter income caused by a single 

lighting strike. 

Elna GmbH introduces device to Europe’s 

yacht owners and builders that reliably protects 

against lightning strikes and gives yacht owners 

the feeling of safety during the worst of storms. 

Spanish manufacturer Dinnteco provides 

Elna with an Electromagnetic Charge Compensation 

Device (DDCE) that absorbs excess 

negative charges from the air and discharges it 

through the ship’s grounding, which prevents 

lightning occurring within a certain protected 

area. 

This action eliminates positively charged upward 

currents and prevents the formation of a 

lightning channel within the protection radius 

of the unit to reliably prevent direct lightning 

strikes to the yacht. 

Elna recommends additional protection 

against indirect lightning strikes because lightning 

strikes to water outside a protected arearelease 

an electromagnetic pulse that can cause 

excessive damage to a yacht’s electronic equipment. 

However, a DINFIL grounding filter 

screens out high-frequency impulses and eliminates 

remaining low frequencies impulses in 

the water, optimally protecting a yacht in this 

situation. 

 

© Baltic Yachts / Dan-Erik Olsen 


13

Basketball on the Foredeck 

The sports program on board a yacht is usually limited 

to the gym on the lower deck and yoga exercises 

on the sun deck. If you want to do other sports, 

such as basketball, volleyball or badminton, you have to 

go ashore. Even if there is enough space, the danger of 

the ball or, in the case of more intensive games, a teammate 

going overboard is omnipresent on a yacht and 

should never be underestimated. 

Now the Bremen-based multiplex GmbH creates a 

solution to this problem with its sports court concept. 

A basketball match or a small table tennis tournament 

among friends in the fresh air directly on the foredeck 

of a yacht – the mobile sports court of the North German 

yacht equipment expert makes it possible. The 

bow area of large yachts is ideal for this, as there is 

often a lot of space that is usually only used as a touchand-go 

platform for helicopters. The system consists of 

telescopic carbon supports that are inserted into the 

deck by bayonet, and a fine-mesh net that can be 

stretched to a height of 4.30 m. Provided there is 

enough space on the foredeck, the sports court can 

cover an area of up to 170 m 2 . Any sport for which 

there is enough space can then be played on the fenced 

area. For the classic basketball, multiplex even supplies 

the matching basket. 

Special attention was also paid to the simplest possible 

assembly and disassembly. The carbon supports weigh 

just eight kilograms, the net is divided with zippers at 

precisely defined intervals and all individual parts are 

clearly labeled. By the way, despite its size when assembled, 

the Sportcourt is very easy to pack away. When 

not in use, the system disappears into a padded bag that, 

with a maximum length of two meters, fits comfortably 

into any storage space. 

 

© multiplex GmbH 


MARTIN 

FRANCIS 

Design & Innovation 

29,95 € 

ISBN 978-3-7822-1327-1 

Direkt bei uns bestellen auf 

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oder telefonisch unter 

040/70 70 80 322 



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15 

Maximilian Verlag GmbH & Co. KG | Stadthausbrücke 4 | 20355 Hamburg

Designing a yacht bridge 

© Raytheon Anschütz 


Integrated bridge systems (IBS) for superyachts have significantly improved 

in the past years. The experts of Raytheon Anschütz summarize the relevant 

developments out of recent superyacht IBS projects in terms of technology, 

ergonomics and attractive wheelhouse design 

On conventional bridges many single units were connected 

through multiple cables and interfaces. Such 

an unclear data distribution has turned out to be a risk. 

Further, the overflow of inconsistent information as well 

as superfluous alarms generated by single units further 

hamper safe decision making and foster stress on the 

bridge. 

On the modern bridge the single navigation devices 

transform into network participants and the integration 

of data creates many new useful functions. This also has 

benefits when it comes to functional upgrades or refits. 

Modern superyacht bridge systems also ensure an entirely 

consistent use, designation and presentation of 

sensor data and targets throughout the system – which is 

significantly different from the »console thinking« in the 

past. At the same time, the bridge features an intelligent, 

central handling of any alerts arising. The crew can 

handle any task or attend to any situation from any 

multifunctional display. In other words: The navigator 

interacts with a single system only, what is a strong contribution 

to a much-improved situational awareness and 

reduction of stress. 

Rack installation enables flexibility 

State-of-the-art is to share all sensor data, charts and the 

radar raw video via LAN. Standardized computers are 

used for the multifunctional displays and the function of 

each dedicated display can later be defined by simple 

means of software applications and modules – or 

adapted, as needed by the crew. Computers and other 

hardware can be installed in 19” racks within a separate 

technical room, utilizing the benefits of the modern network 

topology. On the bridge it just needs to have the 

multifunctional displays with few devices for indication 

and control. This means almost unlimited flexibility for 

very lean, space-saving and ergonomic bridge console 

designs, besides other advantages with regard to maintenance, 

security, cooling, and cabling. 

The design of new navigational software applications 

concentrates on the »human element«, to overcome the 

issues of former inhomogeneous, confusing and difficult 

to use user interfaces. Standardized user interfaces simplify 

right situational assessment and decision making, 

while intuitive workflows and supported common interaction 

pattern ease the work of navigators when it comes 

to their daily tasks and use cases. 

Likewise, the navigational applications are loaded 

with smart functionality to support voyage management, 

collision avoidance or area surveillance. Larger 

systems can also integrate software or workstations of 

OEMs, such as automation systems, sonars, dynamic positioning 

systems or camera systems. Customer choose 

applications from the preferred makers, which are integrated 

for example by using a digital KVM system 

Individualization by customer’s choice 

A well thought out bridge design contributes to fulfilling 

the demands of the owner and the interior designer regarding 

attractive wheelhouse surroundings, making the 

superyacht bridge a comfortable public area covering 

only indispensable devices for navigation and control. 

Whilst the crew enjoys latest technological and functional 

achievements to operate safely at high comfort, 

guests will experience the wheelhouse rather like an appealing 

living-room, peppered with innovative technology. 

The modern bridge network architecture in combination 

with the 19” racks is an efficient approach to 

enable individual and lean bridge arrangements. A highquality, 

seamless and clean design is also ensured by 

using modular foil panels. Foil panels can provide a 

common look and feel for the indispensable hardware 

controls, such as rudder steering, DP system and main 

engine. Other hardware controls for devices such as 

window wipers, air horn, search lights, thrusters, or 

pumps can be transformed to software, hosted on 12.1” 

panel-pcs and designed with the same user interfaces, 

like the existing navigational applications. This makes 

the bridge not only look fancy and innovative, it also 

bears technological advantages: the actual number of devices 

on the bridge is significantly reduced, and adaptations 

or upgrades to new functionalities becomes fairly 

easy, as required by the customer. 

 


17

EXPLORER 

To Antarctica and back 

Remote areas are increasingly popular for yacht owners, requiring extremely 

robust ships, with ice class, helicopters on deck and amphibious vehicles in the 

lazarette. Steady sales increases show demand these vessels is only expanding 

© Abeking & Rasmussen 


EXPLORER 

When you want to 

describe the advantages 

of a yacht to 

laymen, the following 

statement actually always 

works: »Imagine a 

beautiful villa. With perhaps 

500 m 2 of floor space, 

the highest standard of furnishings. 

rooms, i.e. cabins, 

with their own balcony. A pool, 

a gym and, of course, your own 

chef. And now imagine that this villa 

can go on a journey and stay for a few days 

at the most beautiful places and then simply sail 

on. That‘s the world of super yachts.« 

While this description makes 90 % of all people 

dream, the rest – mostly from the young, active Generation 

Y ask: »Can you also go heli-skiing or to the Arctic 

with it?« It is the younger yacht owners – or those who 

want to be – who are fueling a trend that is steadily gaining 

momentum at the moment. We‘re talking about explorer 

yachts, which stand out from »normal« yachts in 

that they often have ice class, large tanks and cold storage 

to remain self-sufficient for as long as possible – and 

we‘re talking at least 30 days. If you sail the North-West 

or North-East Passage, you don‘t have the opportunity to 

refuel or shop as often as you do in the Mediterranean. 

The equipment often includes submarines, helicopters 

and a whole armada of dinghies to penetrate as far as 

possible into exotic areas. 

Ten years ago, there were about 30 Explorer-types built; 

now, there are more than 60 under construction worldwide. 

However, the total number of projects currently 

under construction at the 180 or so shipyards has not increased 

that much in proportion. In 2011, about 750 

yachts over 24 m in length were welded and assembled; 

currently, there are about 820 a decade later. 

The first Explorers were built in the mid to late 1990s. 

Martin Francis, one of the world‘s most renowned yacht 

designers, developed the »Golden Shadow« for Saudi 

Prince Khaled bin Sultan in 1994, a robust companion 

yacht for his »Golden Odyssey«, which was built at Blohm 

+ Voss in Hamburg. Built in San Diego, the »Golden 

Shadow« hull is essentially based a large tuna boat hull to 

make it extremely seaworthy. Its range of 13,000 nm is as 

extraordinary as it is practical for visiting remote locations. 

For example, if sailing economically, then two 

tankfuls are enough for circumnavigating the globe. Six 

dinghies and a seaplane 

can be stowed 

on board, and the 

yacht also has a laboratory 

for maritime 

research and studies. 

Francis likes to call 

»Golden Shadow« the 

forerunner of the modern 

explorer. However, with 

»Senses« he created the blueprint 

for the next generation of 

the Explorer ships…literally. 

French billionaire Jack Setton was 

much involved with Francis’ design of the 

59-metre yacht »Senses« – famous architect and interior 

designer Philippe Starck is responsible for the ship’s interiors. 

Bremen-based Schweers shipyard delivered the 

ship that is able to carry a helicopter in the stern and numerous 

dinghies – including a thirteen-metre-long (!) 

boat launched at the push of a button. By the way, Larry 

Page is said to have taken a liking to it. 

Looking at some of the newer Explorers, however, it 

seems to be Russian owners who are fuelling the trend towards 

Explorer building – »Cloudbreak«, »Ragnar« and 

»La Datcha« are all attributed to Russian owners. However, 

»Cloudbreak« was the only yacht of these examples 

built in Germany, at Abeking & Rasmussen on the Weser. 

Apparently, the owner with is passionate for extreme 

sports. 

Espen Øino designed »Cloudbreak’s« rugged exterior of 

this particular 72-metre Explorer yacht to contrast with 

Christian Liaigre’s elegant interiors, which include a conservatory, 

a ski lodge and a large collection of »toys« in 

her class. Keeping true to a love of adventurous sports, 

»Cloudbreak« was named after a famous Fijian surfing 

spot. The ship has an impressive range of 8,750 nm – the 

distance from London to New York and back again. It 

provides elegant accomodations for twelve guests and 

comfort for a crew of 22 professionals. There is even space 

for ski guides and a Bell 429 helicopter is on board as the 

owner likes to head for areas where heli-skiing is possible 

on untouched slopes and peaks. This explains the need for 

a classic ski lodge on board for warmth and relaxation at 

the end of the day. Afterwards, videos of the day‘s events 

can be watched in the round cinema near the helipad. 

»Ragnar« and »La Datcha« are of similar calibre. The 

former, 68 m long, has a history as a commercial supply 

ship. When searching for a suitable yacht base, the owner‘s 


19

EXPLORER 

choice was the »Sanaborg«, an ice-breaking multipurpose 

vessel built in 2012 for the offshore gas and oil industry. 

Equipped with electrically powered Icepod thrusters from 

Wärtsilä, »Sanaborg« can or could break free from icytraps 

and still travel in ice up to 60 cm thick at a speed of 

four knots. The next step was conducting a feasibility study 

to show that it was possible to convert the original platform 

into a large Explorer that complied with Polar Code 5 and 

Large Yacht Code 3. 

Undertaken by the ship’s 

original architects 

Icon Yachts and 

Conoship International, 

Icon (Harlingen, 

Netherlands) 

© Bluei / Olga Dromas 

eventually converted »Sanaborg« into the exciting 

charter yacht »Ragnar«, boasting an extremely striking 

exterior. If you look at the yacht from the front, it resembles 

a medieval helmet, hence the reference to its 

namesake – a legendary ninth century Viking king. 

However, her hybrid drive, ice class, wellness area, garage 

for an amphibious vehicle and other features making 

its missions a comfortable success are entirely modern. 

To where did »Ragnar« go on its first voyage? 

Across the choppy North Atlantic to Iceland, of course. 

Oleg Tinkov’s »La Datcha« benefitted from a rather 

unusual approach in building the 77 m yacht that will 

sail similarly challenging polar waters as »Ragnar«. 

The Damen-built Explorer is part of La Datcha’s Tinkov 

collection, a portfolio of high-end six-star domiciles. 

The expeditionary nature of the yacht is supported 

by two helicopters, a submarine, a diving 

tender, several RIBs and two snowmobiles. Tinkov 

The »Senses« pictured below and »Ragnar« (above) at sea 

© Ocean Independence 


EXPLORER 

© Sanlorenzo 

© Spadolini 

The engine room of »Crowbridge« 

uses the yacht himself and charters it out to recoup operating 

costs. 

German entrepreneur Guido Krass, on the other hand, 

built the 85 m long »Bold« at his own shipyard. Krass 

founded Silver Yachts in Australia in 2003 and regularly 

takes delivery of newbuilds there, using them for a certain 

time and then reselling them. The »Bold« silhouette is likened 

to a naval destroyer, but it is luxuriously equipped 

with eight cabins for 16 guests and can reach a top speed 

of 24 kn. Expected to come onto the market in the medium 

term its sister ship is already under construction. 

Many other shipyards such as Bering, Ulstein, Kleven, 

Van der Valk and Cantiere delle Marche are also active in 

this specialised segment, which is sure to grow if the tight 

berth situation in the Med does not ease and especially if 

Generation Z joins the ranks of superyacht owners. 

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21

EXPLORER 

© Bering Yachts 

BERING YACHTS 

»B107« with two master suites 

Bering Yachts is currently enjoying a full 

order book. In 2020, the US brand with 

shipyards in Antalya, Turkey, was able to 

sell four formats and a total of eight yachts 

are now in various stages of construction. 

A brand new addition is the »B107« – a 

33 m Explorer that looks modern on the 

outside but is based on Bering‘s long-range 

cruiser concept. The steel-hulled displacer 

with aluminum superstructure has a beam 

of 7.55 m, a displacement of 267 t and a 

range of 4,000 nm miles at a speed of nine 

knots. Exterior and interior of the »B107« 

were developed by Bering’s in-house design 

team, which arranged the owner’s 

suite on the upper deck aft of the bridge 

and added a second master suite forward 

on the main deck. Six additional guests 

can sleep in three cabins on the lower deck 

and there are four different dining areas to 

host guests. Delivery is scheduled for October 

2022. 

 

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EXPLORER 

Gill Schmid 

GILL SCHMID | DÖRRIES 

Twins replace a 140 m yacht 

Gill Schmid Design and Dörries Yachts 

(Bremen) co-developed a new, innovative 

concept for owners who are looking for the 

comfort of a 100 m yacht but do not want 

to travel on a giga-format ship. 

The »Twins« project relies on two 70 m 

yachts, one serving as a mother ship and 

accommodation for passengers, and the 

other as an accompanying shadow yacht 

and carrier for tenders. The two are being 

built on the same technical platform, so 

processes are simplified both during production 

and later in the yachts’ operation. 

Compared with the construction of a 

140 m yacht, the »Twins« will also be built 

quicker and at lower cost than a comparable 

design. The volume of the 70 m 

mother ship is comparable to the space of a 

+100 m yacht and can outsource part of 

the crew accommodation and also all other 

facilities that are not absolutely necessary 

for hotel operations. 

The luxurious »Twin« offers an owner’s 

suite with private outdoor space and outdoor 

dining, as well as six guest cabins, two 

of which are at waterline level (lower deck) 

and four more cabins in an exposed position 

on the bridge deck. Dörries Yachts will 

also install a »beach club«, large gym (with 

spa, sauna, massage room and hammam), 

a piano bar / after-dinner lounge, a show 

galley with chef ‘s table capacity, a voluminous 

infinity pool with adjoining bars 

and a sushi station on one of the aft decks. 

To serve guests effectively around the 

clock, 13 crew members are based on the 

yacht. The second »Twin« accommodates 

23 more crew members and an “armada” 

of tenders – including a Triton submarine, 

an 11m Damen Interceptor, a 10 m limousine 

tender, an Icon amphibious vehicle, jet 

skis, cars, motorcycles and RIBs. In addition, 

there is a helicopter garage, storage 

space for food and beverages, an on-board 

fish farm, a greenhouse for herbs and vegetables, 

and a diving centre. 

Against the backdrop of the current and 

future pandemics, the developers also see 

the »Twins« project as a good opportunity 

to separate guests and crew to a greater extent 

or to use the Shadow yacht as a first 

port of call on arrival. 

With a length of 70m, both yachts have a 

waterline length of 69.65 m, a beam of 

12.25 m and a draft of 3.30 m. Built to ice 

class from steel and aluminum, Dörries 

Yachts and Gill Schmid Design envisage a 

diesel-electric solution for propulsion. 

Dörries Yachts is accepting inquiries for 

the innovative pair.. 

 


23

EXPLORER 

Damen Yachting 

DAMEN YACHTING 

5,800 square feet of living space 

Damen Yachting started six years ago with 

the SeaXplorer series. Encouraged by 

commercial success, it already offers a 

+100 m format under the SeaXplorer 

brand. 

The Dutch shipyard collaborated with 

Azure Yacht Design and EYOS Expeditions 

again on the SeaXplorer 105. 

SeaXplorer design manager Enique Tintore 

says the customer has many options 

to customise the 105 m Explorer yacht. 

The initial design includes storage for a 

13 m chaseboat, as well as four other 

tenders between eight and 12 m in 

length. In addition to an arsenal of toys, 

the yacht also accommodates a submarine 

and a diving centre. With a volume 

of 6,500 gt, the SeaXplorer 105 offers a 

total living space of almost 5,800 m 2 on 

its eight decks. She can accommodate 24 

guests in 12 spacious suites and is built 

to PYC standards to accommodate the 

large number of passengers. At a speed 

of 12 kn, the eight-decker travels 

8,000 nm non-stop, allowing her to 

comfortably cross the Pacific. Layout 

highlights include an observation 

lounge in the stern of this robust iceclass 

vessel. The 123 m 2 area is ideal for 

observing maritime events, while the 

open aft deck in the stern is ideal for lavish 

receptions. 

For this purpose, however, the tenders 

have to be launched. A tennis court can 

also be installed there, demonstrating 

the proportions of the space. 


EXPLORER 

© HydroTec 

HYDROTEC 

A castle in the middle of the ocean 

HydroTec developed this 65-meter Explorer, 

designed for worldwide travel, to 

mark the 25 th anniversary of the design 

studio founded by Sergio Cutolo. »Vanguard«, 

as the Italian project is called, 

towers above the water like a castle in the 

middle of the ocean – massive and inaccessible 

from the outside, yet open to 

views of the horizon thanks to its numerous 

windows and terraces. The name of 

this exceptional project follows an old 

British naval tradition; since 1580, there 

has always been at least one warship 

named »Vanguard«. 

The Explorer will travel with a hybrid 

propulsion system and feature a highly interesting 

layout. On the lower deck, for 

example, it features a six-meter pool and 

four guest cabins with fold-out terraces. 

The main deck is divided into saloon and 

master suite, and on the two upper decks 

»Vanguard« manages without superstructures 

– instead there are two sundecks. 

The furniture on the lower alfresco 

deck is arranged asymmetrically 

and, with its numerous seating areas and a 

Jacuzzi, is ideal for events. The upper of 

the two sundecks will be preferred by sun 

worshippers or guests who want to keep 

an eye on the course of the »castle at sea«. 

The tenders are stored under the helipad 

at the stern and are launched by cranes at 

the sides. Between the aft and forward 

superstructures of the 65-meter Explorer, 

the available open space lends itself to 

flexible use. 

 


25

EXPLORER 

© Vitruvius 

VITRUVIUS YACHTS 

Between adventure and luxury 

Vitruvius Yachts will complete construction 

on a new expedition yacht this 

November. The 55-meter »Vitruvius No. 

8«, also called Feadship Project 708, is 

currently being fitted out in Aalsmeer, the 

Netherlands, and is now the eighth project 

to be realized by Philippe Briand Designs 

for London-based Vitruvius Yachts. 

The idea behind an expedition yacht is 

that it meets all the criteria and requirements, 

as well as having suitable equipment 

and gear, to reach a very specific 

destination or carry out a special project – 

similar to a scientific expedition. The ship 

is therefore particularly suitable for people 

for whom reaching the destination is 

more important than the journey itself – 

but still do not want to sacrifice a high 

standard of comfort and lifestyle on 

board. 

The luxury expedition yacht is being 

prepared for a voyage through the Northeast 

Passage north of Japan at the owner‘s 

request, which requires various special 

equipment for safe passage through the 

ice. The hull is made of steel and meets ice 

class standards. The fuel tanks hold about 

14,000 l and ensure a range of about 

5,500 nm. The yacht also carries the largest 

gyroscope ever built. Weighing in at 

21 t, it replaces conventional stabilizers, 

which would be damaged while sailing 

through pack ice. 

To meet the buyer‘s special requirements, 

»Vitruvius No. 8« must be able to 

accommodate a 6.3-ton submersible for 

three people, which is lowered into the 

water and brought back on board by a 

rugged, eight-ton crane, in addition to a 

Toyota Land Cruiser and two other 

tenders. Although these optional extras 

already take up a lot of space, Philippe 

Briand‘s designers managed to accommodate 

the same amenities one would 

normally expect to find on a superyacht. 

So the customer always has the choice of 

using his yacht as an expedition yacht or 

as a lifestyle yacht. 

 


EXPLORER 

© Van der Valk 

VAN DER VALK 

Completely barrier-free 

Van der Valk signed the contracts for a 

34-meter Explorer that will be built according 

to the client’s most minute specifications 

and ideas – a fully-customised 

project, which is rare on this scale. The 

yacht will be built entirely of aluminium 

and designed to be barrier-free; among 

other things, a lift will be installed to serve 

all decks. The owner and five guests will 

sleep in three additional cabins on the 

lower deck; the VIP suite with its own terrace 

will be installed on the bridge deck. 

Two Seakeeper stabilisers and a Humphree 

system to ensure comfort at sea, while 

the extra-large aft cockpit provides entertainment 

in the open air. Guido de Groot, 

Diana Yacht Design, Ginton Naval Architects 

and Hull Vane are involved in the design 

and construction calculations. Delivery: 

December 2021. 

 

Komm an Bord! 

SCHENK NEUES LEBEN 

Deine Kompetenz 

für eine bessere Gesundheitsversorgung in Afrika 

mercyships.de/mitarbeiten 


27

EXPLORER 

© Triton 

TRITON 

The perfect toy in the garage 

What sounds like a documentary or a 

Jules Verne novel is actually one of 

American submarine manufacturer Triton’s 

selling points for its latest submersible: 

the Triton 13000/2 Titanic Explorer 

is the world’s only acrylic-hulled submersible 

commercially certified to dive 

in excess of 13,000 ft (or 4,000 m). This 

makes it capable of reaching the legendary 

wreck after which it was named. 

Thanks to its so-called »gull wing« design, 

the Titanic Explorer is extremely 

flexible and versatile. The symmetrical 

wings on both sides of the hull can be extended 

or retracted in three stages. 

With the wings fully retracted, the submersible 

is streamline and able to ascend 

or descend quickly and manoeuvre in and 

around the tightest of spaces. With the 

wings partially extended, the Titanic Explorer’s 

silent-glide feature makes it possible 

to maintain course, follow objects and 

glide to points of interest without activating 

its eight, direct-drive thrusters. 

Fully extended, the wings provide uplift 

that lifts the vehicle off the seafloor, ensuring 

that sensitive species or free-floating 

objects remain undisturbed. 

Thanks to cameras and spotlights 

mounted on the wings, breath-taking 

footage of the underwater landscape is 

possible from a variety of angles. Even the 

passengers of the Triton can be filmed 

from the outside, for example for moderated 

productions. 

The dive boat also features the patented 

Direct Dive technology to significantly reduce 

preparation time before diving. 


EXPLORER 

ULSTEIN 

Smooth sailing with X-Bow 

Norwegian shipbuilding group Ulstein forges 

ahead in the yacht business, developing the 

CX126, a 98m explorer whose styling is based 

in some respects on the recently delivered 

»Olivia O«. The characteristic Ulstein X-Bow 

stern shape, which has already proven itself in 

seagoing offshore utility vessels, ensures comfort 

and safety in heavy seas. In the development 

of the CX126, the Norwegians also 

devoted increased attention to the issue of 

sustainability. The brawny powerhouse will 

benefit from solar panels, an energy recovery 

system, wind energy harvesting, a hybrid propulsion 

system, and the ability to use liquefied 

petroleum gas as that fuel becomes available 

worldwide. The CX126 interiors are modern 

Scandinavian style. 

 

© Ulstein 

 

and complete propulsion units 

©Abeking & Rasmussen 

ACCURACY IS OUR KEY TO SUCCESS 

made by 

Schaffran 

SCHAFFRAN Propeller + Service GmbH 

Bei der Gasanstalt 6-8 I D-23560 Lübeck 

Tel: +49 (0) 451-58323-0 I info@schaffran-propeller.de 

HANSA YACHTS www.schaffran-propeller.de 

| 2021 

29 

®

Ownership – yes or no? 

If you are thinking of entering the world of 

large yachts, you can either charter or buy. 

Which model is right for whom? 


© Ocean Independence 

Evening sun bathing old buildings on Quai 

Gabriel Peri in a wonderful warm golden 

light. The first of chic couples head to the restaurants 

on the ground floor for an aperitif. Stilettos 

clatter across the pavement while somewhere 

ashore, the obligatory sound of an Italian 

sports car roars. Welcome to St Tropez. 

Where is the best place to stand to observe this 

scenery? On the aft deck of a yacht, of course, with 

a champagne cocktail in hand and a growing anticipation 

for dinner by an on board star chef. 

After all, a yacht like this is comparable to a boutique 

hotel, except that it is not tied to one place 

but is mobile. Today St. Tropez, tomorrow Cannes, 

then three days of Porto Cervo. 

The majority of experts – brokers, captains and 

sales managers – say that a length between 30 and 

40 m is a very good size for cruising the Mediterranean. 

Berths are almost always available – except 

perhaps in some places (Ibiza!) in the high season 

– the stability or stabilisers make longer crossings 

possible and the volume allows for an occupancy 

of ten to twelve guests. Depending on the year of 

construction and equipment, charterers have to 

calculate from € 100,000 for a week on such a 

yacht. In addition, there is an advance payment for 

operating costs – for fuel, catering, harbour fees or 

rare red wines – and the local VAT. This part accounts 

for another 40 % to 5 0% of the costs. 

From a purely economic point of view, such a 

thing is a »good deal«. Because if you were to buy 

such a yacht new, you would have to pay at least 

€ 15 million. And for ageing pre-owned yachts, at 

least € 3 to € 4 mn would also be due, not including 

pending repairs and redecoration. Since there 

are also operating costs – estimated at 

€ 750,000 per year – one could charter plenty before 

a purchase would even pay for itself. 

An excellent example of this is the world’s most 

expensive charter yacht, the 136 m long »Flying 

Fox«. The yacht costs € 3 mn per week – including 

a 400 m 2 spa, a Kyro sauna and ex-Olympians as 

personal trainers. But, you could actually charter 

»Flying Fox« for three weeks a year for the next 33 

years, if we take a (conservatively) estimated purchase 

price of € 450 mn (9,000 gt x € 50,000) as a 

basis. 

However, the market speaks a different language 

and here it then becomes clear that yachting 

is a thoroughly emotional subject. In the Yachtfolio 

system, the online platform of the Mediterranean 

Yacht Brokers Association, almost 1,900 

charter yachts up to 168 m in length are listed. 

However, there are around 7,000 yachts over 30 m 

in length floating on the world‘s oceans. If you 

count the constructions over 24m in length – then 

a yacht can officially call itself a mega yacht – 

there are at least 10,000 units in total. 

»The pandemic has acted like a 

driver for the sales market« 

So not everyone interested in yachts charters 

them, and by no means does everyone charters 

them out. »A yacht,« the Swiss publisher Jürg 

Marquard once said on board his »Azzurra II«, 

»is an investment in your own quality of life.« The 

order books of the 120 or so shipyards around the 

world that are involved in yacht building in various 

forms show that he is not alone in this view. 

On average, there are always about 800 yachts 

over 24 m under construction – half of them perhaps 

with a client, the other half being built »on 

speculation«. 

So shipyards count on an owner being found 

during the construction process for whom precisely 

this project fits. A risky approach? »Not at 

the moment,« says Peter Hürzeler, Managing 

Partner of the brokerage firm Ocean Independence. 

The man should know, he is considered 

one of the most experienced yacht brokers in the 

world. Hürzeler: »The pandemic has acted like a 

driver for the sales market. Since the summer of 

2020, the market has picked up strongly.« 

So what to do – charter or buy? From a purely 

economic point of view: charter. Emotionally: 

buy – and only arrive with very little luggage and 

be looked after by people you have hired yourself. 

Broker Hürzeler has some advice for inexperienced 

buyers: »Charter several yachts first and 

see which style suits you and which equipment 

you absolutely need. If you then like your charter 

yacht exceptionally well – some are also secretly 

for sale.«, the market has picked up strongly.« 


31

Project »Jag« was launched by Lürssen in Rendsburg 

German Expertise for Complexity 

German shipyards enjoy an excellent reputation among superyacht owners. Two 

addresses are in top form, while two others have stumbled a little 

© Lürssen 

While it is possible to buy a very fine luxury vessel 

from Finland, Italy, South Africa or the UK, when 

the world‘s most solvent customers want a really complex 

and voluminous superyacht (>100 m length), then 

this clientele is often compelled by their own standards 

and expectations to approach German or Dutch shipyards. 

Of the 20 or so projects currently under construction, 

at least 15 are being built at shipyards in these two 

countries – the industry is more than economical with 

exact order figures. There are circa another 20 enquiries 

piling up with very medium-term delivery, ranging from 

80 to around 140 m lengths. 

There are said to be seven yachts of similar sizes in 

various stages of completion at industry leader Lürssen 

alone. Neighbouring Abeking & Rasmussen has one 

underway and the Lloyd shipyard just delivered the 

140-metre »Solaris«. As usual, the names of customers 

are not discussed. However, it is no secret that Russian 

oligarchs, American tech entrepreneurs and Arab ruling 

families are said to prefer German-built yachts. 

Lürssen recently caused a stir by having the 

290-metre-long and thus largest floating dock in Europe 

towed to Bremen by four tugs from Hamburg. Behind 

the cladding was presumably the 146-metre newbuilding 

»Opera«, which is to serve as a replacement for the 

145-metre-long »Sassi«. It fell victim to a shipyard blaze 

in 2018 after catching fire in the dock. It was subsequently 

towed to Hamburg and declared a total loss, 


where Lürssen operates its repair business after acquiring 

Blohm + Voss. The damage is still considered the 

largest ever insurance claim in the luxury yacht segment 

and is estimated to be at least 500 mill. €. »Opera« 

is now marked for delivery in 2023 ro its owner who remained 

loyal to the shipyard after the fire. 

First fuel cell project 

In superyachting, it seems, almost anything is possible 

and German shipyards are at the forefront of making 

anything happen for clients. Again, it is the Lürssen 

brand that has just proclaimed it will deliver the first 

mega yacht with a fuel cell. Peter Lürßen, Managing 

Partner of the shipyard, said in an in-house video 

format: »It‘s being built for an owner who loves new 

technologies.« Since 2009 Lürssen is known for its 

dedication to alternative energy sources such as hydrogen 

and is currently participating in the funded research 

project »Pa-X-ell«. 

Freudenberg Sealing Technologies from Weinheim 

supplies the fuel cell in which hydrogen reacts with 

oxygen from the air to create electrical output of up to 

120 kW along with heat and water. The owner benefit 

should be 15 emission-free nights at anchor or a range of 

1,000 nm without generating exhaust gases. Since hydrogen 

is obtained from methanol, Lürssen expects this 

to be a reliable source for energy because it is available in 

many ports worldwide, which the global chemical industry 

produces as a by-product. 

Despite Lürssen‘s pioneering reputation and ability for 

it and neighbouring Abeking & Rasmussen on the river 

Weser near Vegesack are keeping pace with growing 

large yacht demand. While the brokerage sector grew 

strongly despite the pandemic – two other major German 

yacht shipyards are not in a strong position because 

of Covid-19’s impact on shipbuilding. 

Because the pandemic brought the cruise ship business 

to a virtual standstill, the shipyard group MV- 

Werften developed financial difficulties because it 

specialises in building the cruise ships, which ceased to 

be in demand. Although the Lloyd shipyard just delivered 

the world‘s largest Explorer-type yacht, now the traditional 

Bremerhaven address is up for sale. »Solaris«, 

140 m long, could be the last yacht built there. Lloyd belongs 

to MV-Werften which is owned by the Genting 

Group from Asia and rumours are talks with a buyer are 

underway. Bremerhaven neighbour The Heinrich 

Rönner Group is said to be a possible buyer. 

New owner for Nobiskrug 

The equally well-known Nobiskrug shipyard was also 

looking for an investor. Due to earlier management decisions, 

a critical order situation in yacht building and the 

Covid impact, the company admitted it filed for insol- 

© Bluei / Olga Dromas 

»Soaring« was built by Abeking & Rasmussen 


33

»Solaris« at Lloyd Werft in Bremerhaven 

© Scheer 

vency in April 2021. Three yacht orders – between 62 m 

and 78 m – and other planned yachts do not seem to 

have been enough to keep Nobiskrug afloat. 

Two years ago, an assessment revealed Nobiskrug was 

already in trouble, according to the regonal (Schleswig- 

Holstein) Economics Ministry. Nobiskrug’s parent company 

Privinvest invested circa 180 mill. € to secure the 

»Fyling Fox«, the world‘s most expensive charter yacht 

© G. Plisson for Imperial 

ongoing business without receiving a return on its investment 

for the past two years. The appointed insolvency 

administrator confirmed his »…goal is to find an investor 

by the end of June who will (sustain) Nobiskrug in 

order to continue building ships in Rendsburg with the 

existing workforce.« 

One could say there is success awaiting Nobiskrug. 

Since mid-July 2021 it is clear Flensburger Schiffbau- 

Gesellschaft (FSG) – of Lars Windhorst’s Tennor Group 

– will take over the insolvent shipyard in Rendsburg. 

FSG was already fully responsible for the operational 

business in August 2021 and seamlessly continued the 

construction of superyachts under the valuale Nobiskrug 

brand at its yard. 

FSG was already fully responsible for the operational 

business in August 2021 and seamlessly continued the 

construction of superyachts under the Nobiskrug brand 

in Rendsburg. Perhaps most importantly to the local 

economy is that transferring ownership in this way to 

FSG means that almost all 300 shipbuilding jobs and all 

apprenticeships are safe. »The interest in the traditional 

Rendsburg company was tremendous. Nobiskrug has a 

fabulous reputation in the yacht scene, roughly comparable 

to that of Bentley or Rolls Royce among car enthusiasts,« 

said Gittermann, adding. »I am therefore all 


Flensburg-based shipyard FSG and its owner Lars Windhorst took over Nobiskrug 

© Reimer Rechtsanwälte 

the more pleased that the months of talks and negotiations 

with shipyards, private investors and investment 

companies have led to this pleasing result. The deal that 

has now been sealed serves the interests of the creditors, 

the employees and the entire maritime industry in northern 

Germany in an ideal way,« Gittermann continued. 

which we are now expanding to include the construction 

of superyachts.« 

Will such massive projects as the 143-metre sailing 

yacht »A« with the Nobiskrug hallmark bring buyers and 

success again to the yard? The complex format was not 

exactly a cash cow, it is said. 

 

»FSG forms the core of our maritime investment 

with the construction of merchant and 

naval vessels, which we are now expanding to 

include the construction of superyachts« 

Lars Windhorst, Tennor Group 

New owner Lars Windhorst explained why the acquisition 

of Nobiskrug is key to the future growth of 

FSG: »The takeover of Nobiskrug is an important strategic 

step for us. Nobiskrug gives us access to the attractive 

growth market of superyacht construction. The 

renowned shipyard stands for innovative and ecologically 

demanding individual shipbuilding like few 

others. FSG forms the core of our maritime investment 

with the construction of merchant and naval vessels, 

Philipp Maracke, CEO of FSG and Nobiskrug and Lars Windhorst 

© Nobiskrug 


35

Niche on the Upswing? 

Sailing, many experts agree, is experiencing an upswing. Now, already and 

soon even more so. This luxury segment is sustainable anyway. Shipyards 

and suppliers are upgrading 

That currently, or actually since April 2020, the 

brokerage market is experiencing an upswing can be 

confirmed not only by shipyards and brokers, but also by 

suppliers and insurers. All in all, 2020 was a good business 

year, albeit mainly due to COVID-19. Social distancing 

works just fine on board – on the high seas or 

even in a nice bay on the Balearics. 

But what happens when this pandemic is put to rest 

and other megatrends, first and foremost the climate debate, 

take up much more space again? 

Then, and some shipyards are already preparing for 

this, the sustainability issue will become a very important 

one. Sailing is already experiencing an upswing; and 

not only among the German owner of a 22-metre yacht 

from YYachts, whom we may quote here, says something 

like: »Inspired by a crossing from Mallorca to Sardinia, 

to which a friend who had previously switched from a 

motor yacht to a Y8 had taken me, I started looking 

around for sailing boats on the web. Shortly before this 

trip, I had taken my motor yacht out for a cruise in the 

Adriatic. That was also nice, but we used about 40,000 l 

of diesel.« 

Growing shipyard market 

Larry Ellison, software mogul and owner of the 

87-metre motor yacht »Musashi«, is also said to have ordered 

a sailing yacht from Perini Navi for around 

€ 55 million. The fact that the Italian shipyard has filed 

for insolvency is not exactly conducive to a quick departure. 

Various competitors are already interested in a 

takeover, and billionaire Ellison knows his way around 

the market and is a serial offender in the purchase of 

large yachts. New to the business, however, is Amazon 

founder Jeff Bezos, who is said to have ordered a 

127-metre sailboat from Oceanco. Leaving aside the 

143 m »A«, which many experts do not consider a pure 

sailing yacht, Bezos would soon own the largest sailing 

yacht in the world. 

If the focus is on sailing yachts, the selection of shipyards 

is quite clear. Of the approximately 820 yacht projects 

over 24 m in length currently under construction, 

about 60 carry a mast – that is a seven per cent market 

share, perhaps a good dozen of the 180 active shipyards 

in superyacht construction deal with this. Since 2017/18, 

however, the segment has been growing slowly but 

steadily and, as various experts agree, will increase again 

more strongly in the medium term; some even say it will 

go through the roof in the Fridays-for-future maelstrom. 

The owners are getting younger, or the customers’ 

children are getting older, and thus the sensitivity for sustainable 

luxury is growing. Richard Hadida, CEO of 

Oyster Yachts, said at a recent conference: »Young people 

today are growing up with a different awareness. The oldest 

form of transport is about to make a big comeback.« 

»Sailing does not have to be complicated« 

YYachts founder Michael Schmidt, one of Europe‘s most 

accomplished yard managers and sailors, is also aiming 

in this direction: »We have already motivated three 

motor yacht owners to buy a sailing yacht. Sailing does 

not have to be complicated. We have designed our models 

in such a way that you can sail them virtually on your 

own, even in very little wind, because we build from carbon. 

But the comfort on board is of course luxurious according 

to the clientele.« Schmidt has already sold ten of 

his entry-level model, the 22m »Y7«, since 2016. The 

first »Y7« owner has already bought an upgrade and will 

soon take delivery of a »Y9«. 

Baltic Yachts from Finland, the shipyard of Duderstadt 

entrepreneur Hans-Georg Näder, is now also active in a 

similar length category. Known for complex constructions 

– such as »Canova«, the first super-sailer with 

foiling technology, or the ultra-light 67-metre ketch 

»Hetairos«, the company is currently building a socalled 

café racer, 20 m long, with a hull made of 50 % 

fast-growing flax. A 30-kilowatt electric motor is to 


© Nautor Swan 

power the boat in calm conditions, solar cells supply 

energy and take Javier Jaudenes’ design even further in 

the direction of climate neutrality. 

Suppliers are also fuelling the development. The Swiss 

company Bcomp, which supplies the flax mats to Baltic, is 

just getting a competitor in the form of the start-up Hardcork 

from Hanover, which mixes cork with short fibres 

and already manufactures skateboards and surfboards 

from the natural material. Gleistein Ropes from Bremen 

is converting its entire range of products with Dyneema to 

exclusive production with bio-based Dyneema. The fibres 

offer exactly the same strength and reliability as their petroleum-based 

counterparts, but contribute significantly 

to climate protection because they are produced from renewable 

raw materials. And Dimension Polyant, the 

world market leader in sailcloth production, which already 

manufactures in a climate-neutral way, has 

launched the Cleen Sailing (from clean and green) initiative, 

which aims to inspire as many yacht suppliers as 

possible to embrace sustainability. Similar examples are 

accumulating and range from the installation of microturbines 

to generate electricity to the covering of sails 

with very flexible solar cells – not developed in Silicon 

Valley USA, but in a suburb of Frankfurt Germany. 

Nevertheless, not every sailing yacht buyer is an 

early adopter of new technologies. Proven quality 

that is nevertheless sustainable is also offered by 

shipyards such as Nautor‘s Swan, Contest, Lagoon, 

Wally, K&M and of course Royal Huisman. 

What the name »Bugatti« or »Pagani« 

might trigger in car aficionados is true of 

the Dutch Huisman shipyard in yachting. 

The 81m long »Sea Eagle II« has 

just been handed over to its Taiwanese 

owner in Vollenhove. The 

owner is having 3,500 m 2 of sail 

area put on three 60m high 

masts – about the length of 

five tennis courts stood 

up on end-to end – and 

then speeds across 

the oceans at 21 kn 

or just under 

40 km/h. 

37 

HANSA 

YACHTS | 2021 37

»Envy is not my issue« 

Swiss publisher Jürg Marquard has owned 

the almost 50-m-long »Azzurra II« for more 

than ten years. How he uses her, why he bought 

her, he told HANSA YACHTS on board 

© Krall 

The tender is already ready at the jetty in Villefranche. 

We drive five minutes out into the bay where the 

»Azzurra II« is anchored. My host is already waiting for 

me. »Welcome aboard,« says a tanned Jürg Marquard. 

»We‘re about to set sail for the lunch cruise.« Between 

courses, the publisher of the Marquard Media Group 

(including 30 magazines, 15 websites) answers HANSA 

YACHTS‘ questions. 

Hansa Yachts: You are a successful businessman. Is a 

yacht a good investment? 

Jürg Marquard: Absolutely. »Azzurra II« was one of my 

best investments and that was in my quality of life. I 

enjoy every day on board, travelling with my family, receiving 

friends, business partners and my managers on 

the yacht, and all this in beautiful surroundings. 

And financially? 

Marquard: Certainly, buying a yacht is a cost factor and 

not an investment that pays off. As I said before, it it is an 

investment in a better quality of life. 

How high is the investment per year? 

Marquard: I always have the refits carried out in Turkey 

during the winter period, where I pay for significantly 

less money than in France, Italy or Spain, but get a very 

good quality delivered. 

May I go back and ask you how high the investment is 

per year? 

Marquard: If there isn‘t much to be done in a year, a high 

six-figure sum is enough. But there are also years in 

which that go into the seven-digit range. 

What do I have to look out for when buying a used 

yacht? 

Marquard: Important are the large technical components 

such as the hull, electronics, generators and stabilizers. I 

bought »Azzurra II«, which is my first yacht, so to speak 

blindly and had thereby good luck. However, I would recommend 

to every interested party, before buying a yacht 

from a to request an independent expert opinion. 

Why did you buy exactly this yacht? 

Marquard: The »Azzurra II« is an icon that has written 

yachting history. When she was delivered in 1988 it was 

one of the 50 largest yachts in the world. The owner‘s 

cabin has 24 huge windows and the most spacious bathroom 

ever built into a yacht up to that time. The floor to 

ceiling windows in the skylounge were a sensation then 

and still are today. I came across this yacht in 2009 when 

yacht prices were coming under pressure due to the financial 

crisis, to this yacht and decided to buy it within 

half an hour. 

You spend several weeks a year on the yacht. How do you 

run your business on board? 

Marquard: Primarily, I need a good internet connection. 

There is a large desk in my cabin, but I usually work in 

the skylounge or in the fresh air. I personally use an Ipad, 

but the yacht is of course equipped with all other means 

of communication. 

Do your charter guests get the same service as you as the 

owner? 

Marquard: Probably even a better one, they do tip! 

(laughs) But seriously, I employ more crew than most 

yachts.I have 14 crew members on the payroll, 12 of 

them are permanently on board. That‘s why the charter 

guests get super service, and they‘re always very happy to 

leave and come back the following year. 

There is this typical envy complex and we talk quite 

openly here about your yacht ownership. You don‘t seem 

to have a problem with that. 

Marquard: Since I‘m a relatively well-known person in 

my country, I couldn‘t keep it a secret to own a yacht. Besides, 

I think that if you have worked hard for your 

money yourself, you certainly don‘t have to be ashamed 

of it. Envy is simply not my issue. 


DISCOVER THE SMALLEST DETAILS OF THE UNUSUAL 

EXCLUSIVE AT 

KOEHLER 

€ (D) 29,00 

ISBN 978-3-7822-1205-2 

Order now at 


or by telephone 

+49 (0)40/70 70 80 322 


koehler-books.de 

SCAN ME 

ORDER NOW! 

39

Setting 

the standard 

for navigation. 

We are moving navigation forward by bridging innovation and 

experience, and matching it with a passion for providing safe and 

reliable seafaring solutions. 

This focus on quality is at the root of everything we do, from customized 

bridge and navigation systems to the level of service we provide our 

customers. Because when you are at sea, trust is everything. 

© 2021 Raytheon Technologies Corporation.

HANSA Yachts 01-2021

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