With around 5300 units built, the design by the Finn Hans Groop is one of the most built keel series boats in the world; only the American J/24, with around 5500 units, has an even higher figure. No wonder: the H-boat is just as suitable for sporty cruising with the family as it is for regattas. The calendar is well filled, with events spread throughout Germany, Austria and Switzerland as well as in Scandinavia. The boats are identical in construction and organised as a standard class. What's more, the H-boat is solid, stable in value and trailerable.
Nevertheless, the H-boat was ultimately only built by the Austrian Frauscher shipyard, which also stopped producing sailing yachts. Thomas Nielsen from Eckernförde, former H-boat sailor and current owner of Saare Yachts from Estonia, has bought the Frauscher moulds and is now building the boats at its shipyard, which usually produces solid mid- and aft-cockpit yachts.
YACHT has travelled with Saare's prototype and compared it with an older model.
