For over five decades, he has shaped the international sailing scene as a competitive sailor, entrepreneur and visionary, but above all as someone who has never stopped being a sailor. While others talk about markets, target groups and sales figures, Schmidt talks about boats. About good sailing. About lightness. About the feeling when a yacht does exactly what it’s supposed to do.

Perhaps that is precisely why his yachts continue to attract attention. Not because they are loud. It’s because they embody a clear philosophy.

Het bericht Ten years of YYachts: The art of preserving what matters most verscheen eerst op YYachts.

As we celebrate our tenth anniversary this year, we are enlarging our sales organization. Effective June 1, Gregor Bredenbeck has assumed responsibility for our worldwide sales operations. In addition to leading sales, he will drive the internationalization of our brand and further expand our brokerage and charter activities.

Bredenbeck brings decades of industry experience to our team. He began his career in 1990 building racing yachts before moving into the sales of premium yachts, where he has spent many years working with discerning international clients.

The 55-year-old commented: “I felt it was time for a new challenge in my professional career, and I did not have to think twice when YYachts approached me. I have worked with several of my new colleagues in the past, and over recent years YYachts has built a truly exceptional team.”

An accomplished sailor himself, Bredenbeck believes we are exceptionally well positioned for the future: “The design, quality and, of course, the performance of these yachts are outstanding and virtually unmatched anywhere in the world. We are confident that YYachts will inspire many new owners in the years ahead.”

Our founder, Michael Schmidt, warmly welcomed the new addition to our team: “Gregor and I have successfully completed numerous projects together over the years. I have always admired the professionalism he demonstrated in every role he held. With Gregor on board, we are entering a new chapter in the development of our global sales activities.”

Het bericht YYachts Strengthens Management Team verscheen eerst op YYachts.

Founded more than four decades ago, Marina Estrella has developed into one of Spain’s most established yacht brokerage and dealership groups. The company operates eleven offices across the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands, offering a broad reach that allows close contact with both local clients and international owners who keep their yachts in Spanish waters. Over the years, Marina Estrella has built a reputation for representing premium brands while combining yacht sales, brokerage, charter and after-sales services within one organisation.

For YYachts, this strong local presence is a key advantage. Spain remains one of Europe’s most important markets for performance-oriented sailing yachts, supported by an excellent marina network, a mature refit infrastructure and a vibrant Mediterranean sailing culture. With offices ranging from the Costa Brava in the north to Andalucía in the south, Marina Estrella offers nationwide coverage and direct access to many of the regions where YYachts owners sail and berth their yachts.

The centre of the partnership will be Puerto Portals, one of the Mediterranean’s best-known yachting hubs. From here, Jerome Mainemare will serve as the main contact for owners and clients interested in YYachts. The location also enables close cooperation with the YYachts Design & Development office in Palma de Mallorca, ensuring that sales, design expertise and after-sales support remain closely connected.

For enquiries, please feel free to reach out directly to Jerome Mainemare at spain@yyachts.de

Het bericht New Partner for Spain: Marina Estrella verscheen eerst op YYachts.

Italy has long been a key market for us, with its deep-rooted sailing culture. To strengthen our presence, we have opened three new sales offices in partnership with Stefano Leonardi of L Marine Group, with offices in Rome, Marina Cala Galera (Argentario), and Marina Riva di Traiano (Civitavecchia).

Leonardi brings to the task 30 years of profound experience in the yachting industry. His passion for yachts and unparalleled knowledge makes him a trusted guide in the yachting world. From yacht sales to maritime consultancy, Stefano ensures a commitment to excellence in every endeavour.
Stefano Leonardi is among the most renowned and successful Italian sailors.
During his career, he has managed numerous teams in the ORC, IRC, and MAXI circuits, with numerous victories in the Palmares, including several times in the Maxi Rolex.

Now, Leonardi looks forward to his partnership with us with great optimism. A highly respected figure in the sailing world, with unparalleled contacts throughout the industry, he observes: “YYachts boasts an extremely interesting portfolio that excites many clients, attracting both owners with racing ambitions and those who prefer the pure joy of sailing.”
Leonardi’s relationship with YYachts is one of close trust, with founder Michael Schmidt having met him when the shipyard was still in its infancy and Cool Breeze, the first YYacht, was making its debut in the Mediterranean.

“Even back then,” Leonardi recalls, “I was deeply impressed by the brand’s concept. Luxury style combined with simplicity — that’s exactly what we appreciate in Italy.”

Michael Schmidt, founder of YYachts, commented, “I am delighted to welcome Stefano on board, bringing with him extensive experience in the yachting industry. With our offices in Palma, Barcelona, and now three new locations in Italy, we are perfectly positioned to deliver the highest level of customer satisfaction in the Mediterranean.

Contact Stefano: leonardi@yyachts.de

Het bericht YYachts opens three new sales offices in Italy verscheen eerst op YYachts.

When it comes to lightweight, fast and yet comfortable yachts, every detail counts. That’s why YYachts relies on state-of-the-art calculation methods such as finite element analysis (FEA) to optimise hulls, decks and structural components down to the smallest detail. The result: increased stiffness with reduced weight – and noticeably better performance on the water.

The article confirms what has long been standard practice at YYachts: structural optimisation is not an add-on, but an integral part of the design process. In close collaboration with experienced engineers, these insights are incorporated into every new YYacht – for owners who value speed, safety and contemporary design.

Read the full article in Seahorse Magazine:
Next Level Optimisation

Het bericht Less weight, more performance – YYachts perfects structural optimisation verscheen eerst op YYachts.

The day began with a guided tour of the shipyard. With four yachts currently under construction — two Y7s, a Y8 and a Y9 — at various stages of completion, guests were given an exclusive insight into the creation of our yachts, from empty carbon hulls to ready-to-sail dream yachts. There were plenty of opportunities to chat to our team and our experienced boatbuilders in a relaxed atmosphere.

A special highlight awaited guests in Greifswald harbour: the impressive Y7 Arcturus was ready to offer an unparalleled sailing experience. Despite the typical northern German weather, with ideal conditions and up to 18 knots of wind, the 70-foot yacht demonstrated its potential with aplomb. Every guest was, of course, allowed to take the helm themselves, to experience the exceptional performance of a YYacht first-hand and to feel what we mean by light, comfortable and sporty sailing.

There was great enthusiasm on board: even experienced sailors were surprised at how easy it was to operate and manoeuvre a ship of this size. Immediately after setting sail, the yacht effortlessly accelerated to over 8.5 knots on the wind — an experience that resulted in beaming faces and an abundance of endorphins.

YYachts CEO Sven Göbel accompanied our guests throughout the day:
‘At YYachts, our customers become part of the family. Personal dialogue is very important to us. I really enjoyed the discussions and took away many valuable suggestions.’

YYachts Open Yard 2025 was a complete success – and of course we are already working on the next edition. For all those who don’t want to wait that long: Our team will be happy to help you at any time. Please feel free to arrange your personal appointment with us on site at sales@yyachts.de

Het bericht YYachts Open Yard 2025 – looking back at a special weekend verscheen eerst op YYachts.

As CEO, Sven Göbel will oversee finance, production, and procurement at YYachts, driving operational excellence and supporting the company’s continued growth and innovation.

While this transition marks a new chapter for YYachts, founder Michael Schmidt will remain actively involved in the business. Schmidt will focus his efforts on product development and further enhancing the customer experience—particularly from the owner’s perspective, a hallmark of YYachts’ unique philosophy.

Meanwhile, Tijl Hetterschijt will continue to lead the sales and marketing division, ensuring continuity in the company’s commercial strategy.

YYachts is confident that this leadership structure will further strengthen its position as a leading innovator in the world of luxury sailing yachts.

Het bericht Sven Göbel YYachts’ new CEO verscheen eerst op YYachts.

Javier Navarro and Franco Ambrosi on behalf of the trio of owners said: “We decided to buy a Y7 because we like to sail fast, and this luxury carbon yacht also offers exorbitant comfort at sea and safety to our families. As an enthusiastic sailor and YYachts partner, I naturally only considered a YYacht.”

The Y7 is one of our successful models, of which we have already sold over 24 units. With a displacement of only around 29 tons and a sail area of 300 square metres, this yacht can be set in motion even in very light winds. The reason for this is the carbon construction and the use of lightweight materials for the interior. Her ballast keeps the Y7 very stable, making it extremely comfortable to sail. This luxury yacht, manufactured in Germany, was designed primarily for family vacations, as it can be operated with a very small crew or even alone. She is characterised by easy handling combined with excellent performance.

Mexican interested parties who would also like to buy a YYacht can contact Javier Navarro at la@yyachts.de. It will certainly be possible to test sail a brand new Y7.

Het bericht First luxury yacht launch in 2025 verscheen eerst op YYachts.

For 30 years, three days in March have been a fixed date in the regatta calendar of numerous superyacht owners. This is when perhaps the most prestigious superyacht regatta in the world, the St. Barths Bucket, takes place. Off the Caribbean island, the preferred retreat of many celebrities, 26 yachts up to 56 meters in length took to the starting line this year, with others entered as “social non-racing entries”. Among them was a YYachts model for the first time in Bucket history, the 90-foot PREVAIL from our Custom division.

The Tripp 90 brings competitive performance to the regatta course and combines this with comfortable sailing behaviour. This is achieved through our customary, consistent weight reduction in the construction and finishing of the yacht: the hull, internal structure and rig of the custom yacht were made of carbon.

These were ideal conditions for this year’s Bucket, which is usually spoiled by wind and was characterized by very light winds for the first time in its history during the three days of racing. Photographer Michael Kurtz, who was on site for YYachts and others, commented on the event as follows: “I’ve been at the Bucket since 2012 and can’t remember having virtually no wind at times. On the second day, there were practically 15 boats on the water within a radius of 300 meters.” PREVAIL had escaped from this situation a little earlier and won the second of a total of three races in its “Les Petites Dames” class. Overall, it was enough for third place after three races in a strong field.

We would like to congratulate the PREVAIL owner and his crew on this extraordinary achievement. This regatta in particular showed that our lightweight construction has great advantages in light winds. Of course, the yacht would also have performed brilliantly in harsher conditions.

Het bericht Strong debut in St. Barth verscheen eerst op YYachts.

For the boat captains, the focus was on practical training in essential onboard systems – from engines and electrical systems to electronics, generators, and watermakers, as well as other key components. The goal was to provide them with the necessary know-how for smooth commissioning, maintenance, and care.

In parallel, our production employees deepened their knowledge of efficient assembly processes, installation tests, and smart installation techniques. Valuable tips and tricks directly from the manufacturers ensured that every detail was implemented with the highest precision. The Captains Academy also provided a perfect opportunity for personal exchange. Captains, technicians, suppliers, and the YYachts team came together at the shipyard barbecue at noon and the joint dinner in the evening to share experiences, discuss best practices, and network even better.

This training was much more than just knowledge transfer – it was a crucial step to maintain the quality and performance of our yachts at the highest level. This ensures that both our new captains and our production team are well-prepared for any challenge.

Het bericht Captains Academy – perfect preparation for a successful season verscheen eerst op YYachts.