Neptun Yachten has taken over the rights and moulds for the Sailhorse class and will start production in March 2026. So far, 2,622 boats of the popular keel dinghy have been built. Together with the class association, Neptun is planning an affordable boat for touring and regatta sailors.
The Sailhorse is a keel dinghy with a fixed ballast keel that is suitable for both regattas and cruising. The class was developed in the 1970s and has established itself primarily in Germany and the Netherlands. With over 2,600 boats built, the Sailhorse is one of the more successful standardised classes. Production has changed manufacturers several times in the past. Neptun Yachten, based in Germany, has now acquired the moulds and rights and will continue the tradition.
Versatile keel dinghy
The Sailhorse is 5.98 metres long and 2.00 metres wide. The lifting keel with 185 kilograms of ballast ensures stability and rigidity. The design as a keel dinghy with ballast makes the boat easy to transport and slip, but also offers safety on the water. The draught is 0.90 metres.
The class association prescribes certain construction standards in order to maintain uniformity. All boats must be built identically so that fair regattas are possible. There are only differences in the equipment - such as sail fittings, fittings or interior fittings.
Different fittings
Neptun Yachten has been working with Hermann Sprenger for decades. The Sailhorse will be fitted with fittings from Iserlohn. The plan is to offer two equipment variants: a basic version for touring sailors with solid basic equipment and a regatta version with optimised fitting technology, trim equipment and lighter components. Both versions remain class-compliant, but differ in terms of detailed equipment.
Start of production in March
Neptun Yachten starts building its first boat in March 2026. The first boat serves as a reference for quality and construction time. Only then can binding prices be quoted.
Close co-operation with the class association is intended to ensure that the new boats comply with the class rules and are approved by the association. This is the only way for buyers to obtain class approval and be able to take part in regattas.
Prices are not yet available. Neptun Yachten does not want to make any calculations until the first boat has been completed. According to Neptun, the Sailhorse should remain affordable and therefore also be of interest to younger sailors or sailing clubs.
Technical data Sailhorse:
- Length: 5.98 m
- Width: 2.00 m
- Draught: 0.90 m
- Weight: 490 kg
- Ballast: 185 kg lifting keel
Rig:
- Mainsail: 13,90 m²
- Jib: 7.20 m²
- Genoa: 10.80 m²
- Spinnaker: 25 m²
Shipyard:
- Manufacturer: Neptun Yachten (from March 2026)
- Built to date: 2,622 boats
- Class association: Sailhorse e.V.
- Price: Not yet known
Michael Rinck
Redakteur Test & Technik
Michael Rinck war das Kind, das nach der Schule direkt aufs Wasser wollte – Segeltraining, Regatten, Hauptsache nass. Diese Vorliebe machte er zum Beruf: Erst als Segellehrer auf der Alster (während des Studiums), dann ab 2014 in der YACHT-Redaktion. Dort hat er im Bereich Test & Technik seine Berufung gefunden: Segelboote und Sicherheitsequipment testen. Was besonders bei Rettungswesten und MOB-Systemen bedeutet, dass er mehr Arbeitsstunden im Wasser treibend verbringt als die meisten Menschen im Büro sitzend. Höhepunkt: eine ganze Nacht in der Rettungsinsel auf der Ostsee. Seine Familie hat inzwischen durchgesetzt, dass Urlaubstörns auf der eigenen Fahrtenyacht deutlich trockener ablaufen.
