Royal Huisman

Demonstrating the art of Dutch maritime craftsmanship, superyacht builder Royal Huisman builds and refits custom luxury sailing yachts and motor yachts at its shipyard in Vollenhove, the Netherlands.

History of Royal Huisman

In 1884, Jan Jans Huisman founded the Huisman Shipyard, which continues to be family-owned and operated to this day. In the early years, luxury yacht builder Huisman produced smaller wooden motor and sailing yachts. The shipyard began building in steel in 1954, and also pioneered aluminium yacht construction. In 1959, Jan Huisman’s son Wolter Huisman took over as the head of luxury yacht builder Huisman, steering the shipyard into successful racing sailing yacht production and eventually entering the custom superyacht market. In 1975, Huisman launched sailing yacht mast and rigging division, Rondal. Upon the shipyard’s 100th anniversary in 1984, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands gave luxury yacht builder Huisman the title “Royal”, and the firm was renamed Royal Huisman. In 2004, Wolter Huisman retired and his daughter, Alice, became managing director of superyacht builder Royal Huisman.

Notable Royal Huisman Yachts

Among the many celebrated superyachts launched by luxury yacht builder Royal Huisman are the reconstructed J-Class Sailing Yacht Endeavour, delivered in 1989 to former owner Elizabeth Meyer. The 47.42-metre Sailing Yacht Hyperion, delivered in 1996 to American entrepreneur Jim Clark, founder of Netscape, featured a record-setting 59-metre carbon-fibre mast and advanced computer system. In the early 2000s Clark returned to superyacht builder Royal Huisman to commission the 90-meter schooner Athena. The 58.04-metre Sailing Yacht Ethereal, launched by Royal Huisman in 2009, set the standard for environmentally conscious superyacht construction.

Specialisations

Dutch superyacht builder Royal Huisman works with yacht owners and yacht designers around the world to build custom sailing yachts and motor yachts in steel, aluminium and advanced composites. The shipyard also provides superyacht refit and reconstruction. Royal Huisman’s Rondal division specialises in the manufacture of masts, winches and other rigging for luxury and racing sailing yachts.