Top 6 Shipyards That Build Classic Yachts

In recent a longread that talked about the state of "wooden yachting" today, the topic of the relevance of building classic yachts was touched upon. This time we will talk about shipyards that, despite all the difficulties, continue to create or restore wooden yachts in the best traditions of the Golden Age of yachting. 

Absolute Projects, Portugal

The Portuguese shipyard Absolute Projects was founded relatively recently: in 1997. From the very beginning, the shipyard specialized in the restoration and refurbishment of small 8-meter wooden boats. Gradually, Absolute Projects moved from yacht restoration to the creation of deck equipment and even to the construction of its own project boats.

Yacht Astrape undergoing restoration at Absolute Projects. Source: absolute-projects.com

The company's winches can be found on the classic three-masted schooner Atlantic and on the Irish racing dinghy Water Wags. Restoration also remains the main focus of Absolute Projects: not long ago, the shipyard restored the unusual yacht Valhalla, built in 1948. In total, the work lasted about four years; on Valhalla, 30% of all wooden frames were replaced, and 70% of all the planking and deck.

The shipyard has two more classic yachts in the works, which they will restore and sell. The first boat is called Foxhound, it was launched in 1934. The second boat is called Astrape and is five years younger than Foxhound. Both boats are in the shipyard and work is in full swing on them.

Marstal, Denmark

Marstal, founded over 100 years ago, is one of the oldest shipyards on the planet – with the caveat that it has had different names over the years. Today, the shipyard is officially called HCC Boatyard. One of the shipyard’s major projects in recent years has been the restoration of the 23-metre ketch Talisman, launched in 1920.  

The shipyard renewed almost half of the hull planking, laid a new teak deck and updated the interior. The restorers did not stop there: the wiring was replaced, electric floor heating was installed, and a new 100 kW Torqueedo engine was installed. HCC Boatyard carefully implements new technologies into the old yacht, preserving the aesthetics and all the smallest details of the interior.

Motor wooden boat Hugin. Source: hccb.dk

HCC Boatyard is currently building a 9-meter motorboat named Hugin. This yacht is being created according to its own design. Hugin will be made of cold-formed mahogany. Interestingly, the yacht will use air cushion technology.

Chantier Naval Pasqui, France

Another shipyard that does restorations is the French Chantier Naval Pasqui, which has a rich history. Since 1994, the shipyard has managed to change its location twice, until it settled in the Royal Port of Darse, in Villefranche-sur-Mer. The shipyard is headed by Gilbert Pasqui, and it is thanks to him that Chantier Naval Pasqui not only restores, but also creates boats.

Source: chantiernavalpasqui.com

The shipyard is known among shipbuilders for its reliable and durable spars. The list of boats with Chantier Naval Pasqui spars is long: Moonbeam III, Oriole, Eva, Viola, Mariska, Tuiga, Hispania, Varuna, Sumurun, Hallowe'en, Naema and many others.

Chantier Naval Pasqui also has an extensive track record of restoration work. Thus, the shipyard restored the 8-meter Apache of 1917 and the 10-meter Irene VIII of 1935. Of the recent repairs, it is worth noting the yacht Eilidh of 1931. Not long ago, this yacht was involved in a maritime accident involving another yacht. Chantier Naval Pasqui restored the deck, the wheelhouse, and the mast. 

Robbe & Berking, Germany

Robbe & Berking has a history of over 30 years. The company owns the Robbe & Berking Classics shipyard, which specializes in classic yachts. This shipyard is interesting because last year alone it launched three new classic wooden boats of the L95 model. These yachts are 9-meter cold-formed sailing yachts.

Source: classic-yachts.com

Over the years, Robbe & Berking Classics has also gained invaluable experience in the construction and restoration of 12-metre yachts. The restoration of the 1936 12-metre yacht Evaine will soon begin, timed to coincide with the European Championship, where the boat is to be among the participants. Among the unexpected collaborations: Robbe & Berking Classics together with Mercedes developed the design of a Maybach in the style of the first yacht of the Sphinx shipyard.

Royal Huisman, Netherlands

It would seem that a shipyard engaged in the production of superyachts has forgotten in this list? However, it is not that simple. Let's start with the fact that the history of the shipyard goes back to 1884 - then the Huisman company was still engaged in trade. Everything changed in the 1950s, when Huisman began producing steel and aluminum yachts, and then received the prefix "Royal" in the name.

The shipyard actively produces superyachts to this day, regularly surprising fans with the yacht's dimensions or unusual sail control systems (Dynarig, for example). However, the shipyard's activities are not limited to this: Royal Huisman also restores yachts. One of the most famous examples is the restoration of the J-class yacht Endeavour in the 1980s. The work was so good that the shipyard began to periodically produce similar boats.

Hanuman – a replica of Endeavour II. Source: royalhuisman.com

Thus, Royal Huisman launched the J Class Hanuman (a copy of Endeavour II) and the schooners Meteor, Borkumriff IV and Athena. The shipyard continues to build mainly superyachts and sometimes pleases us with more classic projects.

Stockholms Båtsnickeri, Sweden

Stockholms Båtsnickeri was founded in 1996. Today, the shipyard is building an 8-meter wooden motorboat based on the 1934 drawings of Swedish architect C.G. Petterson. When building Stockholms Båtsnickeri tries to use both modern and traditional techniques. Thus, part of the hull will be made using a CNC machine for particularly difficult areas, and part will be made using planes and other familiar tools.

Source: stockholmsbatsnickeri.se

The shipyard also makes its other yachts in the same way. In addition to building yachts, Stockholms Båtsnickeri is actively involved in the restoration of old boats. One of the most striking projects was the restoration of the 12-meter Princess Svanevit from 1930. This yacht is currently undergoing a refurbishment of the original interior.

New video on the Interparus channel🎥

A big review for a big catamaran – meet Thira 80, the largest catamaran from Fountaine Pajot! Sasha Goron will tell you in detail about all the features of the shipyard's new product and what makes Thira so good. Enjoy watching❤️

Don't forget to rate the material. You can find other interesting articles at the links below or in the "News" section.

12.11.2024