Hanse Yachts

HanseYachts AG is a German yacht manufacturer headquartered in the city of Greifswald ( Baltic Sea). The company offers monohull sailboats under the ''Hanse'', ''Dehler'' and ''Moody'' brands. Motorboats are sold under the Fjord and ''Sealine'' brands. HanseYachts is cooperating with the yacht designers Patrick Banfield, Berret-Racoupeau, Bill Dixon and Judel/Vrolijk & Co.

Corporate affairs

HanseYachts AG is the second largest production builder of sailing yachts globally. The company has its main manufacturing site in Greifswald and a subsidiary for hull production and assembly in Goleniów, Poland. The production halls provide a total area of approximately 385,000 sq ft (Greifswald ca. 205,000 sq ft, Goleniów ca. 180,000 sq ft). Sailboats account for about 70% of revenues, powerboats for about 30%. HanseYachts AG is quoted on German stock exchange.

History

Founding, rise, IPO (1990–2007)

HanseYachts is originated in an old-established shipyard for fishing cutters and other workboats. The today's company was founded in 1990 – after the fall of the Iron Curtain – by Michael Schmidt, the winner of the 1985 Admiral's Cup. At the beginning, ''Yachtzentrum Greifswald'' – so the former name of HanseYachts – focused on yacht refit and other services. The first model ''Hanse 291'' (which based on the design of the ''Aphrodite 291'') was launched in 1993. In the years to come, the company successively extended the model range and grew rapidly. In the late 1990s, HanseYachts and the yacht designers ''Judel/Vrolijk & Co'' started their still existing collaboration. In 2003, the range comprised eight models up to 53   ft. In 2007, HanseYachts AG went public ( General Standard, Frankfurt). Founder Michael Schmidt remained majority shareholder.

Brand acquisitions and powerboat market entry (2006–2009)

For more than a decade, HanseYachts built sailing yachts only. In 2006, the company acquired the majority of Norwegian powerboat manufacturer ''Fjord Boats AS'' and started to develop seagoing powerboats. In 2007, the English ''Moody'' brand (sailing yachts) was added, and the creation of a new ''Moody'' range with decksaloon and aftcockpit models began. Furthermore, HanseYachts bought the remaining shares in ''Fjord Boats AS'' and introduced a first new ''Fjord'' model (''Fjord 40 open''). In 2008, the company completed the enlargement of its plant in Greifswald and the construction of a new production facility in Goleniów. In 2009, HanseYachts purchased its German competitor '' Dehler Yachtbau'' comprising the ''Dehler'' and ''Varianta'' brands as well as a production facility located in Freienohl, Germany.

Crisis, change of ownership and recovery (2008–2016)

In the wake of the financial crisis 2007–2008, the boating industry was affected by a massive slump in global sales. The company's turnover dropped by 57% within one year. A period of high losses began. In 2011, founder Michael Schmidt sold his stake to German Investment holding ''Aurelius SE'', Munich, and left the company. At the end of 2012, HanseYachts closed the ''Dehler'' factory in Freienohl and relocated the entire ''Dehler'' production to its lamination factory in Goleniów and its main factory in Greifswald. In 2013, HanseYachts parent company ''Aurelius SE'' purchased the English ''Sealine'' brand (motor yachts) together with plans, moulds, parts lists and equipment. In 2014, HanseYachts started to produce ''Sealine'' yachts.

Catamaran market entry and exit (2017-2022)

In May 2017, HanseYachts parent company ''Aurelius SE'' acquired the majority of stock in ''Privilège Marine SAS'', a luxury catamaran builder located in Les Sables-d'Olonne, France. In June 2019, HanseYachts announced the takeover of its sister company. Only three years later, in October 2022, ''Privilège Marine SAS'' was sold to a group of French investors.

Current models

Sailing yachts

¹ one design class

Naval architects: Berret-Racoupeau ( Hanse), Judel/Vrolijk & Co (Hanse, Dehler), Bill Dixon ( Moody)

Motor yachts

¹ model with outboard engines

Naval architects: Patrick Banfield (Fjord), Bill Dixon (Sealine, Ryck)

Sales figures and turnover

Sources: 2004/05 until 2020/21

Awards

* "Boatbuilder of the Year 2016" (British Yachting Awards)
*"Boatbuilder of the Year 2018" (British Yachting Awards)

External links

*
* List o
yacht brands
* List of brands wit
sailboats for sale
* List of brands wit
motor yachts for sale
* Th
Moody 54 DS
(in German), Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, October 2014

References

{{reflist

Companies based in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
Yacht building companies
German brands
Manufacturing companies established in 1990
German companies established in 1990