52' Haspa Hamburg launched in Wellington

11:25 PM Tue 15 Dec 2009 GMT

'Haspa Hamburg ready to be unwrapped. - Launch of Haspa Hamburg' Adrian Rumney Click Here to view large photo

Tuesday saw the launch in Wellington of the latest build by Hakes Marine, a Judel Vrolijk designed 52' race yacht. Haspa Hamburg is the 14th 'Hamburg' of the Hamburgischer Verien Seefart (HVS) a Hamburg based club with a history stretching over a century and whicht has a focus on giving young sailors the opportunity to learn and exercise offshore sailing.

This is the first of the club's boats to also carry the name of sponsor since 2001, Hamburger Sparkasse (Haspa) a local bank who have committed their support to HVS through until at least 2015.

Henning Rocholl, Vice President of HVS and Ms. Susanne Gentejohann, a cultural attache with the German Embassy, were on hand for the launching and Haspa Hamburg was blessed by local kaumatua Takaria Smith before being lowered into the water at Seaview marina.

Local kaumatua Takaria Smith performs a karakia before the launch - Launch of Haspa Hamburg - Adrian Rumney Click Here to view large photo

The design spec for Haspa Hamburg called for a robust but state of the art design, capable of undertaking ocean passages without being extreme ultra light displacement. Designers Judel Vrolijk were commissioned especially for the project and whilst compromises in the form and material of the hull from what would be seen in a full on 52' race boat such as a TP52, the finished product should offer the safety, reliability and easy handling more suited to it's younger crew. A long lifetime was also given preference in the design, along with the possibility for the crew to liveaboard whilst in port.

Haspa Hamburg about to get wet for the very first time. - Launch of Haspa Hamburg - Adrian Rumney Click Here to view large photo

Hakes Marine completed the build in only seven months and Henning Rocholl, Vice President of HVS has been very positive in his first impressions saying that 'what I have seen in the few days since I'm here, makes me proud of what we have established with all combined endeavours'. Completing the package is a carbon mast from Hall Spars and sail wardrobe by Doyle Sails.

Electronic cabling is safely tucked away before the final stepping of the mast. - Launch of Haspa Hamburg - Adrian Rumney Click Here to view large photo

For Hakes Marine, this project looks set to be another success that to date has included builds such as the Open 60s Ecover and Aviva and TP52s Audi Q8 and Mean Machine (also a Judel Vrolijk design).

From here, Haspa Hamburg will undergo sea trials in Wellington before sailing to Auckland ahead of shipping in February, courtesy of Hamburg Sud, to Germany where HVS' 'baby' will be officially christened.