A MANUFACTURER OF WORLD-CLASS SAILING YACHTS

"Breaking rules, setting trends" – as a manufacturer of sailing yachts, this was our motto from the very beginning. In 1993, our very first yacht, the Hanse 291, created a huge stir with its market launch. It marked the beginning of a new era for sailing yachts: all of the basics on board a yacht for 44,444 Deutschmarks. This was two-thirds of the usual price at that time for a boat with impressive sailing characteristics and which was suitable for single-handed sailing due to the self-tacking jib. We have continuously and rigorously applied our "Breaking rules, setting trends" principle ever since and we are constantly introducing innovations onto the market with our Hanse yachts.

What are the special characteristics of a sailing yacht manufacturer who has built multiple prize-winning yachts? What goes on behind the scenes at one of the world's leading manufacturers of ocean-going yachts? An insight into our history provides the answers to these questions.

GREIFSWALD: THE IDEAL BIRTHPLACE FOR A YACHT MANUFACTURER

Our story began in 1990 when our Greifswald yacht centre was founded  by Michael Schmidt. The University and Hanseatic City has been home to boat building craftsmanship for hundreds of years. This isn't surprising, since every boat can be tested on the Baltic Sea which is right on the doorstep. In summer 1993, Michael Schmidt bought the rights and the structural style of the Aphrodite 291 from Carl Baier, a well-known designer from Sweden. This purchase launched Hanse Yachtson its successful course. By the autumn, the Aphrodite had been transformed into the Hanse 291,which took the Hamburg International Boat Show by storm. We then continued to steer the same course: in 1994, we introduced our second model onto the market. The Hanse 331 was another resounding success at the Boat Show. And just four years later came the proof that our innovations were certainly not just a flash in the pan. In 1998, the Hanse 292, which was the successor to our very first boat, won the coveted "European Yacht of the Year" award. In the intervening years, we had, of course, made further headway.

FOLLOWING YOUR OWN COURSE: THE SAILING BOAT MANUFACTURER AS THE FIRST SPECIALIST IN CUSTOMISED REQUIREMENTS

Back in 1997, we showed that the interior of a yacht can have the comfort and appearance of a lounge. Birgit Schnaase, the well-known designer, created an interior for the Hanse 401, the likes of which had never been seen before. This was therefore in keeping with our claim of providing "innovative design" in yacht interiors. The 401 was also the first 40-foot yacht built in Greifswald. We then went one step further: should the outstanding sailing characteristics of Hanse yachts not be individually customised to the owner's requirements, just like the complete interior? With our individual customisation concept, we were the first sailing boat manufacturer in the world to build the yacht of your dreams at a series-production price. And we continue to be the only yacht manufacturer to offer this service: using the configurator, you design your own yacht. You choose your own individual cabin to suit your needs. You select the colours, woods and materials according to your personal preferences. You incorporate your wishes into the furniture design, lighting and many other details. You therefore design your Hanse yacht as if you yourself were a sailing yacht manufacturer.

FROM THE VERY BEGINNING: INNOVATIVE DESIGN DIRECT FROM THE SAILING BOAT MANUFACTURER

Ever since the first sailing boat that we built, functional design has been a characteristic feature of Hanse yachts. We design modern, elegant shapes, based firmly on the "form follows function" principle. The design bridges the gap between convincing structural features and that individual feel-good factor on board for you and your friends and family. Since 1999, the draft designs for our yachts have been created by judel/vrolijk & co, one of the best design and engineering companies in the world. The first yacht that they designed for us was the Hanse 371, which won the "European Yacht of the Year" award in the same year. This was followed by the Hanse 311 and the Hanse 331 in the year 2000, as well as the Hanse 341 in 2002 which won the coveted award.

EXCEEDING THE TARGET: FROM REGATTA WINNER TO SAILING YACHT MANUFACTURER

Michael Schmidt himself was a winner of the Admiral's Cup. His passion for sailing is still shared by our employees today, and several are world champion sailors. Our passion is for lightweight yachts. Hanse yachts combine easy sailing with fast cruising. Whether you want to fly over the finishing line or cruise round the Mediterranean, with Hanse yachts you simply sail fast. Moreover, Hanse yachts offer safe and reliable handling, are stable in the water and are sturdy yet lightweight. In 2003, we set a new milestone for lightweight yachts when we built the first Hanse yachts using epoxy resin. Our early use of the epoxy resin construction method allowed us to build lightweight yachts without having to compromise on either on-board comfort or speed. You will find information about the modern production conditions for Hanse yachts in the section on Hanse yachts technology.

ON TO THE NEXT TARGET: WITH THE BIGGEST YACHTS PRODUCED BY ONE OF THE BIGGEST SAILING YACHT MANUFACTURERS IN THE WORLD

In 2004, the first yacht measuring over fifty feet, the Hanse 531, was built in Greifswald. This yacht is legendary, since it was the first series-manufacture yacht of this size in Germany, and its interior, again designed by Birgit Schnaase, was the first to be based on a loft apartment design. With this innovation, we once again adhered strictly to our "Breaking rules, setting trends" motto. In subsequent years we again provided proof of this: in 2005, the Hanse 461 won the special prize for Europe's most innovative yacht. The following year, in 2006, it was again a Hanse yacht which won the "European Yacht of the Year" award - this time the 400e. In 2007, we surpassed our own series-manufacture standards with great style, by producing the Hanse 630e, the biggest series-manufacture yacht in the world.

Top performance is quite simply what we are about, whether in relation to construction, design, size, comfort or regatta victories. Hanse yachts are measured by every knot covered. One example is the "Frühstücksdirektor", a Hanse 430e, which was the first yacht to sail over the finishing line in every single one of the five stages of the Baltic Sprint Cup in 2007. It came a clear and triumphant first in the overall rankings and was the overall fastest. Our campaigns at the Mediterranean regatta, the Copa del Rey, in 2007 and 2008, were also extremely successful with the Hanse 430e. Some of our yachts have also been sailing with above-average success for many years now: one example is the "Schüddelfrost". This yacht has been sailing on the Baltic Sea with a family crew since 2004 and, as a Hanse 371, has won just as many regattas as its successor, the Hanse 400e is now doing. We have also been achieving continual successes in the Mediterranean since 2004 with our "Muttertach", a Hanse 341. We have achieved fantastic milestones and have become one of the leading manufacturers of ocean-going sailing yachts. Today our network of dealers extends across more than 40 countries worldwide and we are heading for our next targets.