Like Ferdinand Piëch at Volkswagen with the Phaeton and Bugatti Veyron 16.4, Hanseyachts founder Michael Schmidt is also retiring from active service with an XXL project. No sooner has he sold his shares in the shipyard to a financial investor than he causes another furore with plans for a Hanse 78.
YACHT online exclusively shows the first cracks and sketches of the 24 metre long series-production maxi (see picture gallery). Until now, the design drawings had only been presented to a hand-picked group of customers and dealers. They were to be the first to be informed about the plans in a kind of sneak preview. The aim: to arouse desire. Beneteau and Jeanneau took a similar approach to marketing their top models years ago.
To put the boat in the right light, Hanse has produced an elaborate booklet with special colour and title embossing - appropriately in XXL landscape format. The cardboard cover reads "78 - A Vision".
In fact, the Super Hanse is more than just a distant idea. Shortly after the launch of the largest Hanse 630 to date five years ago, Michael Schmidt was already thinking about an upward expansion. But then the IPO and finally the financial crisis got in the way.
Now Greifswald is apparently ready. A start date of 2012/13 is being discussed. "But before that," says Falk von Detten, the salesman responsible for the new "Hanse Premium" division, "we need three binding order commitments". Only then will mould construction begin.
There is already a price. The boat is expected to cost 2.25 million euros including extensive basic equipment (carbon mast, rod rig, hydraulic furling sails, etc.) and VAT. That's a lot of money for a boat from a brand that, like Volkswagen, is otherwise known for its small format and low prices. Of course, it's not that much. Comparable yachts from the established luxury segment can easily cost twice as much.
If the plan becomes reality, Hanses' model programme, which now also includes the Varianta 18 and 44, will range from 18 to 78 feet. There is only one boat builder in the world with an even broader range: Comar from Italy with the Comet 21 to Comet 100.
Data of the Hanse 78
