For decades, the name Winner Yachts has resonated within the global yachting community, synonymous with high-quality sailing yachts that masterfully blend performance with comfort. From its Dutch origins, the shipyard has cultivated a reputation for crafting elegant vessels designed to excel both on the regatta course and as dependable family cruisers.
The Origin Story
Winner Yachts BV was founded in 1986 by two passionate racing enthusiasts, Riet Vader and Dick Rus. Their vision was to create sailing yachts that would stand out for their performance and commercial appeal. The company's very first boat, the WINNER 9.50, launched in 1987, was a clear manifestation of this ambition. Designed by Cees van Tongeren of the renowned Van De Stadt Design, the WINNER 9.50, constructed from fiberglass (FG), quickly proved its success on the race course and garnered commercial acclaim, establishing the shipyard's strong foundation. Its impressive sea-holding capacity and maneuverability swiftly attracted clients from both the Netherlands and abroad.
History and Evolution
The success of the WINNER 9.50 paved the way for a series of significant milestones in the company's history. In 1991, Winner Yachts introduced the WINNER 11.20, further expanding its fleet. A pivotal moment arrived in 2005 with the debut of the WINNER 10.10, a model that quickly gained industry recognition and was nominated for the prestigious "European Yacht of the Year 2007" award.
The year 2005 also marked a change in leadership, as Winner Yachts was acquired by Remco Sol. Under new stewardship, the shipyard continued its trajectory of innovation, introducing the WINNER 12.20 in 2009. This model was conceived as a new flagship, encapsulating nearly 25 years of the company's boat-building expertise, and subsequently received its own nomination for European Yacht of the Year. In January 2011, the WINNER 10.20, a refined iteration of the successful 10.10, was unveiled at the Düsseldorf boat show. The shipyard saw another ownership change in 2017 when Christoph Becker and Henning Neumann, who were previously the brand's dealers in Germany through Nordic Yachting, took the helm.
Design Philosophy and Identity
Winner Yachts has carved out a distinct reputation in the sailing world for its commitment to both performance and build quality. The brand is renowned for producing elegant sailing yachts that adhere to Design Category A, signifying their seaworthiness and capability to impress on both regatta courses and in general cruising. They are known for crafting high-quality performance cruisers and one-design racing keelboats. The philosophy centers on creating vessels that offer the comfort expected of a family yacht while delivering the exhilarating performance of a seaworthy racing yacht.
A cornerstone of Winner Yachts' identity is its dedication to craftsmanship. Every boat is handcrafted, with a meticulous focus on detail. The company emphasizes that "every Winner is unique," allowing for a high degree of personalization, and clients are even encouraged to visit the shipyard during the construction phase of their yacht. Key construction techniques and features include a durable laminated deck-hull connection, high-performance sail plans, standard Dyform rigging from ZSpars, Dyneema core traps, and premium fittings exclusively from manufacturers like Harken and Spinlock. Furthermore, Winner Yachts is committed to sustainability, employing durable materials and incorporating recuperation in the drives of its vessels.
Crucially, Winner Yachts has maintained a consistent and highly successful partnership with Van De Stadt Design. Cees van Tongeren of Van De Stadt Design has been the naval architect for all Winner models, a testament to the enduring quality and performance that their collaboration yields. Van de Stadt Design itself boasts over 70 years of experience in custom-build and serial production yacht design.
Iconic Models and Legacy
Throughout its nearly four-decade history, Winner Yachts has produced a line of significant and successful models that have left their mark on the industry. The WINNER 9.50 remains iconic as the company's inaugural vessel, setting the standard for the brand's future success. Its robust and rigid construction contributed to its excellent sailing performance.
The WINNER 10.10 and WINNER 12.20 stand out as particularly acclaimed models, both earning nominations for the prestigious "European Yacht of the Year" award in their respective years of introduction. The 12.20, in particular, was designed as a flagship, embodying the accumulated expertise of the shipyard.
More recently, the introduction of the WINNER 9.00 showcased the shipyard's strategic thinking. While other builders focused on larger vessels, Winner Yachts recognized a demand for a high-quality boat in the 30-foot segment. The 9.00 was conceived to cater to existing loyal customers who admired the 9.50 and to appeal to those seeking a natural progression from smaller day sailers. It offers various draft options, including standard, shallow, and performance versions, and can be customized with different configurations like "Welcome," "Performance," or "Classic."
With approximately 700 Winners built over its nearly 40-year history, the shipyard maintains a relatively low-volume production, emphasizing quality over quantity. This approach ensures that each yacht receives meticulous attention, reinforcing the brand's legacy of delivering high-performance, well-built sailing yachts.
The Builder Today
Today, Winner Yachts continues to thrive under the ownership of Christoph Becker and Henning Neumann, who acquired the company in 2017. The shipyard remains committed to its core philosophy of manufacturing elegant, handcrafted sailing yachts built to the highest quality standards.
Modern Winner yachts continue to appeal to discerning sailors who prioritize excellent sailing characteristics, durability, and a classic, refreshing design concept. The ownership experience is highly personalized, with owners encouraged to be involved in the build process, fostering a strong connection to their unique vessel. Winner Yachts continues to embody its credo, "The soul of the whole lives in the details," ensuring that every yacht leaving their shipyard is a testament to their enduring legacy of quality and speed.
