A VOYAGE THROUGH TIME In the north German port of Flensburg, Robbe & Berking is moving forward by taking cues from the past with its brilliant re-creations of classic feats of ship design. By Cornelia Marioglou The world of yachting today is awash with cutting-edge technology and futuristic materials, but at its heart is a tradition-imbued craftsmanship that dates back centuries. It is this sort of artistry that ensures that vessels with a redolent, classical style will always remain in vogue – and, in fact, demand for such ships is on the rise at the moment. This is certainly the experience of Oliver Berking, head of Robbe & Berking, the shipyard based in Flensburg, north Germany, which creates and restores timeless motor and sailing yachts, built from wood and purely by hand. “People who love those kind of classic lines will always long to become the owner of such a dream,” he enthuses. Berking’s views are informed by his unique company. For while Robbe & Berking Classics has been making vessels for just 15 years, the brand is synonymous with quality in its original role as a silversmith, producing the finest cutlery and accessories since 1874. The two niche markets may seem to have little in common, but Berking, who joined the family firm in 1985, appreciates the similarities as well as the differences. “Both companies tick the same boxes. Pure handwork manufacturing, made of the finest materials – in metal at the silver manufactory, and wood in the yard. Products that never follow a trend or fashion movement, timeless, elegant and beautiful. Products that last forever, are kept forever and will never be thrown away. Products that are handed over to the next generation.” B erking’s passion for his work extends to educating and informing visitors at a museum dedicated to yachting, which the brand founded in 2016, as well as a quarterly publication, GOOSE, intended for all who love the sea, living on and by the water and, above all, classic yachts. His ambition goes hand in hand with this educative mission. Where once Newport, Rhode Island, was considered the epicentre of the classic “12er” yacht, Berking believes that it is now Flensburg. “Even nonyachties are touched to see those 12er boats majestically ply through the water [here]. These became well known after World War II, particularly between 1959 and 1987, when competing in the America’s Cup, the oldest sports trophy in the world. They are 21m to 22m-long sailing 62
We offer classic lines but state-of-the-art technology. In reality, the product is a motor yacht, but designed for sailing yacht owners ILLUSTRATION LINA EKSTRAND yachts, racers, beautiful sailing yachts – and that is how the yard and my sailing history really started.” In fact, the yard kicked off with a restoration of a German Navy training 12er, built at Abeking & Rasmussen in 1939. Two more have followed – both builds with interesting backgrounds. “Johan Anker was a very famous Norwegian yacht engineer who invented the Dragon class,” says Berking. “In 1939, he drew the lines for a 12er but he passed away in 1940, so the boat was never built … until I found the old drawings. It was a big thing back then in Norway: King Harald V came to our shipyard to see what we have made out of Anker’s plans.” That yacht was delivered in 2015, while in 2019 a next “new” build, also conceived in 1939, was the complete rebirth of the second-largest 12er ever made. Salvaged from Pitt Lake, near Vancouver, where she sunk in 1976, she was completely rebuilt using the original design plans and all the drawings made by the ship’s Scottish designer Alfred Mylne. Robbe & Berking’s work clearly resonates with the past, but Berking’s thinking is very much in the present – including the problems that the current economic situation poses. Berking is pragmatic, though. “Our niche in both companies is so small. A crisis might not keep us busy, but it can never destroy us. Supply chains, for example – we haven’t been dramatically affected by this. Of course, we need to get the wood to Flensburg, but there is a tree somewhere, we buy it and then we work with it.” Business remains strong at the moment, and Robbe & Berking certainly doesn’t need to compromise its principles. “When I follow the conversations at Boot [the international boat show] in Düsseldorf, for example,” recalls Berking, “potential owners ask about the interiors onboard, including whether there is a flat-screen TV, without which their kids will not join a sailing cruise. On a classic yacht, you won’t find any of that. But that is also why we came up with a kind of gentlemen commuter (see overleaf). We offer classic lines but state-of-the-art technology. You can steer the boat with a joystick; it is easy to handle. In reality, the product is a motor yacht, but designed for sailing yacht owners. The Robbe & Berking Classic Commuter, where the two grandchildren can join, will be much more comfortable onboard.” For Berking, it all comes back to craftmanship. “The large wooden classics that we build are an investment. Most of our clients work a lot, and therefore can afford it, but don’t have time to use the boat. But if they take the time to go sailing, then they want the sun to reflect on the wonderful mahogany build, and they can admire great workmanship.” Timeless values, timeless yachts. 63
