The esteemed history of Mader Bootswerft began in 1952, when Leonhard Mader Sr. established a carpentry shop in Fisching bei Waging am See, Germany. It was not long before Mader's craftsmanship turned to boat building, with the first wooden boats leaving the workshop in 1954. A pivotal moment arrived in 1956 with the construction of Mader's first form-glued Flying Dutchman, marking the company's entry into the world of high-performance one-design racing yachts. This was quickly followed by the creation of the first Korsar in 1960. These early wooden boats laid the foundation for Mader's future, representing a commitment to quality and competitive sailing from the outset.
History and Evolution
Mader Bootswerft quickly embraced technological advancements, transitioning from traditional wooden construction to modern composite materials. The first Flying Dutchman in fiberglass, utilizing epoxy resin with glass fiber, was built in 1962, followed by a fiberglass Korsar in 1964. A significant innovation came in 1965 with the introduction of epoxy foam sandwich construction, a technique that would become a hallmark of their lightweight yet robust boats.
The company's reputation for building fast and reliable boats quickly spread within the international racing community. Mader became a trusted supplier for major sailing events, notably providing Finn dinghies for the 1972 Kiel Olympics. Their dominance was further underscored at the 1976 Kingston Olympics, where all but one boat in the Tempest class were Mader-built, and a Brazilian team secured a bronze medal in a Mader Flying Dutchman. The late 1970s and 1980s solidified Mader's legendary status with a string of remarkable victories: Dennis Connor famously won the Star World Championship in a Mader-built Star in 1977, and at the 1980 "trunk-Olympics" in Tallinn, Mader boats secured gold and silver in the Star class and a bronze in the FD class.
The company continued its expansion, building its first Soling in 1981. Olympic success continued through the 1980s and early 1990s: Mader boats earned silver medals in the Star and Flying Dutchman classes at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, and an astonishing sweep of gold, silver, and bronze in the FD class, along with a bronze in the Star class, at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. In recognition of their innovative contributions, Mader Bootswerft received the Bavarian State Prize for special technical achievement in a craft in 1989. Their prowess was once again highlighted at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, where Mader Flying Dutchmen clinched gold, silver, and bronze medals, shortly before the class was retired from the Olympic program. In 1999, Mader expanded its range with the construction of the three-man keelboat, the Streamline.
Design Philosophy and Identity
Mader Bootswerft has cultivated an unwavering reputation as a premier builder of high-performance, one-design racing yachts. Their design philosophy is unequivocally centered on speed, precision, and competitive advantage. This is achieved through meticulous construction techniques, primarily their advanced vacuum sandwich construction, which utilizes high-quality epoxy resin, reinforced fiberglass, and, where class rules permit, Kevlar and carbon reinforcements. Modern Mader boats, such as their Flying Dutchmen, incorporate "Full High Modul Carbon" for the hull, deck, and double bottom, along with carbon masts and booms, ensuring they are "Ready to Race" at the highest level.
While one-design classes inherently dictate strict parameters, Mader has collaborated with notable designers over the years, including Andre Cornu, Ernst Lehfeld, Francis Sweisguth, Helmut Stöberl, and Henry, to optimize these designs for peak performance. Their commitment to pushing the boundaries within class rules has made them a go-to builder for competitive sailors aiming for podium finishes.
Iconic Models and Legacy
Mader's legacy is defined by its iconic contributions to several key one-design classes. The Flying Dutchman (FD) stands out as perhaps their most renowned model, with Mader being a principal builder of the more than 10,000 FDs produced worldwide. Their FDs dominated Olympic competition for decades, securing numerous medals and solidifying the company's place in sailing history.
Beyond the FD, Mader has been a significant builder of the Korsar, Finn Dinghy, Tempest, Star, Soling, 470, and 505 classes. Their consistent success across these classes, including "about 50 world and European championships and uncounted German, Austrian and Swiss championship titles," attests to the consistent quality and performance of Mader-built boats. While specific production numbers for each Mader model are not publicly detailed, their pervasive presence in competitive fleets globally speaks volumes. The company's focus has always been on crafting boats that excel on the racecourse, from nimble dinghies to demanding keelboats.
The Builder Today
Today, Bootswerft Leonhard Mader GmbH continues to operate from its base in Fisching bei Waging am See, Germany. The company remains dedicated to its heritage of building high-performance sailing yachts for competitive racing. Their current production includes new Flying Dutchmen, Korsars, Kielzugvogels, Schwertzugvogels, Tempests, Ynglings, and Stars.
Mader boats continue to appeal to serious amateur and professional racers who demand precision, advanced construction, and a proven track record of success. The ownership experience is characterized by participation in vibrant one-design class associations, where Mader owners form part of a passionate global community united by the pursuit of competitive sailing. The company's enduring commitment to innovation in composite construction ensures that Mader boats remain at the forefront of one-design racing, upholding the winning tradition established by Leonhard Mader Sr. decades ago.
