Shipyards: Where boat dreams come true

The topic Boats cannot be dealt with without also taking a look at where the dreams of motorboat enthusiasts are born: namely in the shipyards. Boatbuilding is still a craft that requires a great deal of skill and knowledge. Many shipyards can look back on long traditions and their stories are often also the stories of a passion, a region or a family. Tradition meets modernity when centuries-old techniques are combined with high-tech. Unlike in other industrial sectors, Asia has not yet overtaken the West when it comes to boatbuilding. Boatbuilding is flourishing in Germany, Europe and the USA. Crises do not seem to have dampened the enjoyment of motor boating - and so the demand for motor yachts and boats remains high.

BOOTE reports on what happens behind the scenes: How are boats built? Which newbuildings are launched where? What are the big names in Europe's shipyard business? Who is merging with whom? And who has commissioned which superyacht and where? Shipyards are places of tradition and superlatives at the same time. There is always exciting news in the world of boatbuilding - BOOTE keeps you up to date!

What shipyards do

Motorboats intended for leisure use are manufactured in boatyards. All parts and activities, from the hull and interior fittings to the installation of the electrics, are manufactured and completed there. In smaller boatyards, boat builders are often responsible for all areas of construction themselves. Boat builders therefore have a wide range of skills in dealing with materials, interior fittings, electronics, drive technologies and, last but not least, design. Mathematical and physical knowledge is also required when moulding the boat, Motorisation and construction method must be planned.

In larger shipyards, responsibilities are logically divided. Master boat builders, engineers and designers are employed when series models are to be designed and produced in large numbers. However, customised special models and sensational super and mega yachts are also part of the product portfolio of some boat manufacturers.

In addition to new builds, maintenance, repairs, restorations and conversion or extension work are all part of the shipyards' field of activity. Customers are often offered a comprehensive boat service and winter storage.

Shipyards definitely have a very special place in the industry - and they are very special places to work. The variety of activities that take place there also goes some way to explaining the price of motorboats. Cheap boats can never be quality boats at the same time - because if high-quality materials are processed to a high standard by experienced boat builders, then this has its price. So if you want to enjoy your Motor yacht who would like to have a high-quality shipyard.

If this is still too expensive for you, you can buy a used boat. High-quality boats generally have a long life ahead of them. You should always make sure that the boat has a CE label. Only then will it comply with the EU-wide harmonised construction and equipment regulations and therefore have a much higher resale value.

Boatyards and their specialisations

Boatyards are not only to be found in the north of Germany, but all over the country. They offer a wide variety of portfolios: While some offer a wide range of leisure boats in various sizes, others specialise in superyachts, electric boats, wooden boats or the restoration of classic boats. It becomes even more diverse when you look around in other countries: Italy, Scandinavia, the Baltic countries, France and the Netherlands are home to numerous shipyards that produce a wide variety of boats.

The boatyard describes itself as "as diverse as the sea".Frauscherits product range, which includes open runabouts, centre console and electric boats in award-winning designs. With a great deal of innovation, passion for development and revolutionary technologies, the Austrian Frauscher shipyard has been writing success stories for almost a hundred years.

The North German shipyardAbeking & Rasmussen has many faces: it is a family business, research centre, superyacht hot spot - and much more. Tradition meets a spirit of development and state-of-the-art technology. The result is yachts, cruise, naval and specialised vessels that are second to none.

The boatyardFunger describes itself as a "shipyard for small classic yachts and fine boat craftsmanship". Master boat builder Sebastian Funger has dedicated himself to the restoration, care, winter preservation and maintenance of classic boats, often wooden boats, in the Rhineland. But that's not all - he also builds his own new boats: He builds the "Västbris" from GRP and wood based on the 30-year-old designs of Swedish boat builder Carl Andersson.

The boatyardSteinlechner on Lake Ammersee specialises in the restoration of oldies and classics. In addition to the manufacture and repair of sails and tarpaulins, its portfolio also includes engine overhauls and electric conversions.

The Hamburg boatyard PeterKneeon the River Elbe specialises in building the traditional Elbe H dinghy, a traditional sailing boat that used to be made entirely of wood and is now made of GRP and wood. Peter Knief is therefore the last boat builder still producing new builds in this standardised class.

The racing rowing boats from the boatyard are even sportierEmpacher therefore. The long, narrow racing skiffs, racing twos, racing fours and racing eights are made from high-quality, lightweight materials such as carbon, Kevlar and epoxy resin. All of the company's boats are traditionally painted yellow and are customised.

The superyacht sector is completely different in size, but no less related to boatbuilding. In Germany, the Bremen shipyard in particular producesLürssen Mega and gigayacht projects are always attracting a lot of attention. Of course, these types of structures are only built to order - the clients are often super-rich oil sheikhs, oligarchs, actors or other multi-billionaires.

Market leaders and their series models

However, BOOTE is not only dedicated to these luxury objects, which admittedly provide plenty of talking points and entertainment, but also to more average models for "normal consumers". So which boatyards offer standard models at a reasonable price-performance ratio? Which manufacturer stands for which features and characteristics?

In addition to the shipyards for "large formats" such as Lürssen or Meyer, Germany is also heavily involved in the construction of smaller yachts. The Bavarian shipyardBavaria Yachts has been supplying high-quality motorboats with comfortable equipment for many decades - and at a respectable price-performance ratio. Models such as the BAVARIA SR 36 have won numerous awards for their design and performance.

In France, theBeneteau Group sailing and motor boats of all types and sizes at numerous locations (including outside the country). The shipyardJeanneauis now part of the company and continues to expand Beneteau's portfolio and sales. An evergreen is the Merry Fisher model from Jeanneau, which has enjoyed great popularity among boaters for years.

The shipyards in ItalyBenetti,Azimuth andFerretti for high-end quality and driving pleasure and comfort in perfect form. The Ferretti Group also owns the shipyardRiva Yachtswhich manufactures motorboats in an elegant retro style. However, Riva not only supplies new builds in classic style, but also some of the most valuable vintage boats on the market. The "Aquarama" model is particularly popular among collectors.

It goes without saying that Great Britain, a nation surrounded by water, is also involved in the boat business.Sunseeker has been delivering yacht dreams come true for over 60 years. Their models, which bear names such as "Predator", "Ocean", "Manhattan" or "Hawk", are available in various sizes.

The shipyards tooQuicksilver,Sea Ray,Nimbus orBayliner produce high-quality boats at a good price-performance ratio and are therefore frequently represented on the water with their series models.

BOOTE reports on shipyards and their latest series models. The equipment, design and price-performance ratio of the series are scrutinised. But the brains behind them also have their say: in interviews, operators, investors, designers and clients share exciting insider knowledge.

Also offered by the shipyards: Boat service

Maintenance, repair and care, i.e. a comprehensive service, is often what boatyards do for the majority of their turnover. So not all the entries you find under the boatyard category are actually what you would expect: namely manufacturers of boats. Quite a few boatyards only offer boat servicing and do not build new boats at all. The demand for competent specialists who can take on maintenance, repairs, restorations, winter preservation, interior fittings or conversions is particularly high near the water. There are many service yards on the coast, in harbours, on lakes and rivers, some of which are also mobile. Regardless of whether you are struggling with engine damage, want new upholstery for the seating on board, don't want to paint the antifouling or sand the floor yourself, convert from a combustion engine to an electric motor, retrofit the latest electronics or delegate the complete interior fitting of the cabins to professionals - your project is in good hands with boat builders and you will receive customised detailed solutions from a single source.

If you want to have a special collector's project restored, you will also find the right boatyard that specialises in classic and wooden boats. Boat builders not only learn to work with modern composite materials, but also with the materials that were used in the past.

Why it pays to have maintenance, care and repairs carried out by shipyards

Why are maintenance and care so important anyway? Can't you perhaps save yourself the money and carry out the work yourself? Of course, you can do it yourself if you have the necessary manual skills and, above all, time. But even then you have to invest money to buy materials and tools. People often underestimate the amount of time it takes a layperson to carry out tasks. Equally, you should not overestimate your own abilities. Proper maintenance and care extends the life of boats, machines and systems on board enormously.

How much maintenance and repair work is required depends very much on the type and age of the boat. If you have saved on the purchase price and bought a used boat, you will have more expenses for maintenance, care and repairs afterwards.

What's next for the shipyards?

While the MV shipyards on the Baltic Sea have made a name for themselves through insolvency, there are new openings elsewhere. Smaller shipyards in particular are playing an increasingly important role and are often very successful in their niches. In addition to new openings and investments in new locations, mergers are the order of the day in the world of boat and shipbuilding.

Some shipyards receive awards for special achievements - be it in the area of training, environmental friendliness or design. Shipyards also often celebrate company anniversaries, which are often the occasion for shows, exhibitions, parades on the water or even the construction of an "anniversary model". Maiden voyages or christenings of larger yachts are also usually celebrated as public events. BOOTE announces where there is something to celebrate and see and is there up close to report on it afterwards.

Wars and crises don't seem to have upset the boating industry and the demand for fun, luxury and superlatives continues unabated. Despite everything, the concept of sustainability is also playing an increasingly important role.

The world of shipyards: Varied, innovative, entertaining & more

Shipyards are more than just factories where boats are built. They are training centres, design offices, craft workshops, affairs of the heart, dream factories, research centres, multi-million dollar companies and, in many regions, major employers. Immerse yourself in the exciting world of shipyards with BOOTE.