Together with designer Bill Tripp and the designers from Norm Architects in Copenhagen, Hanseyachts founder Michael Schmidt has created a very unique and appealing yacht. The boat is equipped with a generous sail plan, fixed bowsprit and double rudder blades are further characteristics. All controls are combined on the two steering columns, while the guest cockpit in front is free of any technology. There is a dinghy garage that opens from the top. Stylistically, the boat is characterised by consistent minimalism, especially below deck. Simple shapes, light-looking furniture, airy surfaces - the interior looks more like a modern café than a seaworthy yacht.
Following the sale of Hansegroup and the founding of the new shipyard, also in Greifswald, Schmidt launched his third yacht type with the Y7. It started with the Y8 (formerly Brenta 80), followed by an Explorer, which was further developed into a miniature research vessel.
You can read about how the Y7 sails, what makes it special and why Michael Schmidt can't stop building boats in the new issue of YACHT, which will be available from newsagents from 10 March. You can get the magazine more conveniently via these channels (please click here).
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Fridtjof Gunkel
Deputy Chief Editor YACHT
Fridtjof Gunkel was born on Helgoland in 1962; he started his sailing career there in the Opti and quickly switched to keelboats. North Sea Week, Cowes Week and Kiel Week were early stops, followed by many years in the Admiral's Cup scene on the cuppers “Container” and “Rubin” World Championships and international regattas in the Starboat, with the mini-maxi “SiSiSi” and various tonner yachts as well as participation in the Whitbread Round the World Race were further formative stations, flanked by extensive cruising trips. Fridtjof Gunkel joined YACHT back in 1985 as part of a traineeship, where he later became Head of the Test & Technology department and then Deputy Editor-in-Chief around 25 years ago. He is also responsible for the regatta and sports section. Fridtjof Gunkel privately sails a performance/cruiser moored on the Baltic coast, his favorite areas are the eastern Swedish archipelago and Brittany.
