Holland Jachtbouw - A Legacy In Focus

When we speak about pedigree in the large sailing yachtworld, very few names command the quiet reverence of Holland Jachtbouw. The yard’s output is not just admired — it is studied, referenced, and emulated by designers, captains, and competitors alike. These are yachts that mark a moment in time, built not for a trend but to endure.

Founded by the late Chris Gongriep, Holland Jachtbouw was never a commercial project in the traditional sense. Gongriep was a sailor first, and it shows. His yachts weren’t just constructed — they were composed, with the level of care you associate more with the restoration of a Rembrand tthan with modern manufacturing. Each build, without exception, has stood the test of time in both performance and valuation. That’s not marketing. It’s the reason every HJB sailing yacht on the water today is considered A-grade from an investment perspective.

Now under the stewardship of VMG Yachtbuilders, the yard has transitioned to new facilities in Enkhuizen — with the space, technical capability, and skilled labour force to rival any in Northern Europe. But what has remained intact — and fiercely protected — is the ethos of the yard: large aluminium sailing yachts built to exacting standards, with total immersion in every stage of the build.

The shipyard’s three most iconic builds — Athos, Rainbow, and Swagger — are all currently for sale, offering a rare opportunity for a new generation of owners to step into this legacy.

• S/Y     Athos – At 62m, she remains the largest privately-owned two-masted schooner ever launched, and arguably the most beautiful. She was built to be sailed, not just displayed — and delivers both an exhilarating experience at sea and genuine transoceanic capability. Her maintenance and refit history is exemplary.

• J-Class     Rainbow – Faithful in spirit and proportion to her 1930s namesake, yet built with contemporary expertise. Holland Jachtbouw didn’t just recreate history with Rainbow — they elevated it.

• S/Y     Swagger – A 37m Bill Dixon performance cruiser, with an interior by Jon Munford, Swagger is the kind of yacht that rarely surfaces on the open market — and for good reason. She offers true sailor’s pedigree in a platform that’s still contemporary and highly usable.

The opportunity to own one of these yachts is unusual. But to commission the next one — that is something rarer still.

At Superyacht Partners, we believe that building a yacht should be one of the most meaningful experiences a person undertakes — a project where everything is tailored, nothing is rushed, and the result is something deeply personal. In that context, Holland Jachtbouw is an exceptional choice. They are not in the volume business. They are in the legacy business.And if your ambition is to build the best large sailing yacht of your generation — aluminium, capable, beautiful — there is no better partner.

The shipyard’s integration with VMG has strengthened what was already formidable: experienced project management, a proven network of Dutch marine subcontractors, and direct access to the design community that built the modern sailing fleet.

This is a yard for those who know exactly what they want —and are unwilling to compromise to get there. And those are the clients we represent.

For further information on Holland Jachtbouw, Athos, Swagger, or Rainbow please contact Will Bishop –

will@superyachtpartners.com

or

+33 749 4045 05

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