BoatbuildingThe new H-Boat in the YACHT test

Fridtjof Gunkel

 · 29.11.2020

Boatbuilding: The new H-Boat in the YACHT testPhoto: YACHT/J. Kubica
The new H-Boat in the YACHT test
After some time away, the popular classic is being built again. The latest interpretation of the H-boat comes from Saare Yachts in Estonia

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.

Classic lines, revisited: H-Boat from Saare Yachts
Photo: YACHT/J. Kubica

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Fridtjof Gunkel

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.

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