YYachts: Michael Schmidt launches new entry-level model from Judel/Vrolijk
Fridtjof Gunkel
· 09.10.2025
The German carbon yacht builder YYachts is significantly renewing its successful Y7 model. While the US American Bill Tripp designed the first Y7, the Bremerhaven design office is now in charge of the new model. Judel/Vrolijk responsible for the design. This means that YYachts boss Michael Schmidt is returning to the designers with whom he worked at Hanseyachts more or less from its foundation until it was sold. However, the connection goes even further: Schmidt's iconic Admiral's Cupper "Düsselboot" was an early J/V design that set the style for an entire generation of single-tonne yachts.
The cooperation with the broad-based design studio Judel/Vrolijk is set to bring numerous improvements to the 70-foot yacht. The redesign includes the hull as well as the deck layout and interior design. The new hull of the YYachts is 30 centimetres longer, 40 centimetres wider and the boat is four tonnes heavier overall, one tonne of which is ballast. The shipyard offers a fixed and a telescopic keel version as well as a flat keel.
Optimised torso for more volume
The hull lines have been redesigned to create more interior volume. The typical YYachts silhouette of the superstructure has also been retained, making the yacht instantly recognisable even from a distance. The side walls of the cockpit are now further inwards, creating wider side decks and a more spacious appearance. The new asymmetrical companionway is a practical feature that keeps the passageway in the cockpit clear at all times and thus improves movement on board. The cockpit itself is now more enclosed, which should increase safety. A U-shaped seating area to starboard offers more comfort.
New YYachts with a more flexible layout below deck
In the interior, owners benefit from the increased volume. The owner's cabin has been significantly enlarged and is now available in three different layouts. New to the range is a VIP guest cabin in the aft area, which was previously not available. Alternatively, this area can be designed as a spacious crew area with a separate lounge and its own entrance. This flexibility allows better adaptation to different utilisation scenarios. The shipyard offers four different design variants and a wide range of options.
Four units of the new model have already been sold. The first Y7 has already established itself as a successful model in the 70-foot segment with almost 20 units built since its launch. The yacht is characterised by its lightweight carbon construction, easy handling and minimalist design. All YYachts models are made exclusively from carbon composite materials in the modern production facility in Ladebow/Greifswald on the Baltic Sea. The company's own automated paint shop makes almost any colour possible.
The current YYachts portfolio includes the Y6, Y7, Y8 and Y9 models. Shipyard fully customised designs up to a length of 33 metres. The new Y7 costs 2.9 million (excluding VAT).
Technical data and equipment
- Hull length 21.99 m
- LWL 20.55 m
- Width 6.10 m
- Draft fixed keel 3.50 m
- Draught flat keel 2.85 m
- Weight 33.8 tonnes
- Ballast 10.7 tonnes
- Mainsail 180 m²
- Self-tacking jib 126 m²
- Genoa 147 m²
- Code Zero 320 m²
- Gennaker500 m²
- Yanmar engine, 150 hp
- Fuel tank 850 litres
- Water tank 850 litres
- Waste-holding tank 240 litres
