Hamburgischer Verein Seefahrt launch new Judel Vrolijk 52

New Haspa Hamburg to be used by German yacht club for training young sailors

Fully dressed, the new flagship of the Hamburgischer Verein Seefahrt e. V. (HVS) was christened yesterday by Dr Kristina Vogelsang. The yacht's godmother then named the 53.2ft (15.95m) long offshore yacht Haspa Hamburg, wished her fair winds and good fortune to all who sail on her.

This represented a new page being turned to a modern chapter in the 107-year old history of the HVS, a yacht club dedicated to the shaping the personality  of young sailors at sea.

“We thank the many supporters of the HVS, first and foremost the Hamburger Sparkasse, without which we would not have this most
beautiful new boat now,” said Chairman of the Hamburgischer Verein Seefahrt, Dr Detlef Thomsen, when he addressed the more 300+ guests.

“This goes very well with our commitment to society in this Hanse city to send young people sailing on the high seas to strengthen and build their personalities regardless of their financial situation,” said Dr Harald Vogelsang, CEO of the Hamburger Sparkasse, which last year extended its partnership with the HVS until 2015. He considered both his company and the club to be “friends and two true Hamburg species”.

With the sail number GER 6300, and the logo of the Hamburger Sparkasse, the new red yacht will soon be sailing across the oceans of the world. It was first presented at the other end of the world: in the New Zealand capital city Wellington, where it was by Hakes Marine on a design by Bremerhaven-based Judel/Vrolijk.

For builder Paul Hakes, and Project Manager Mike Castania it was a question of honour to attend the boat’s christening in Germany.

Before Henning Rocholl handed over Haspa Hamburg to the club’s sailing group 'Störtebeker', the HVS Vice President and leader of the building committee praised the “outstanding cooperation, which now is reflected in this very unique piece of work”.

The new race boat is to be used as a youth training yacht to be sailed by 10-12 crew. She will compete at various regattas every year.

Her crew have already tasted the yacht’s performance delivering her from Wellington up to Auckland. From there, the yacht travelled to her new home in Germany by ship.

“Top speeds of more than 20 knots,” reported Johan Wilckens. With a beam of 4.80m and a draft of 3.50m, Haspa has a displacement of about 12 tons. A 97sqm mainsail and 70sqm jib (100 %) are her upwind sail area. Hoisting the 250sqm gennaker will guarantee top speeds surfing downwind in strong winds.

The Red Haspa Hamburg takes over from her blue predecessor, a much used X-482, which was getting old and has now been sold.

Hull length: 52.30ft (15.95m)
LOA (including bowsprit): 56.45ft (17.20m)
Beam: 15.75ft (4.80m)
Draft: 11.50ft (3.50m)
Displacement: approx. 12 tonnes
Ballast: approx. 5.4 tonnes
Mast height: 82.80ft (25.23m)
Mainsail: 1,045sqft  (97sqm)
Jib: 754 sqft (70sqm)
Gennaker: 2,691sqft (250sqm)
Engine: 55-kW Yanmar