As I’ve mentioned before, in Holland, a company that’s been in business for 100 consecutive years or more can earn the “Royal” designation from the Queen herself. Royal Huisman became the first Dutch shipyard – not just superyacht yard – to do so, in 1984, a full century after its founding by Jan Jans Huisman.
One hundred twenty-five years after those doors opened, the yard is celebrating its numerous launches and accomplishments in Royal Huisman 125 Years: The Spirit of Individuality. Available in both English and Dutch editions, its 232 pages are packed with hundreds of photos dating from the early years to the present day. Many are archival photos that have never been published before, not even in Royal Huisman’s own newsletters.
Author Stephen Chipperfield takes you through the history of the yard, including its dealings with customers. Like any business, Royal Huisman had both highs and lows in this regard. But Chipperfield also focuses on the Huismans’ family history. One particularly interesting chapter in this regard is entitled “Boat Building in the Blood,” which details Jan’s early years right through to those of Alice Huisman, the current head of the yard. Anyone in the yachting business or who has followed Royal Huisman over the years will be particularly touched, as was I, by the section in this chapter about the late Wolter Huisman. Wolter was a true innovator. Among other things, he adopted aluminum for construction in the mid-1960s, and Royal Huisman built several successful racing yachts under his watch in the 1970s and 1980s. The restoration of the J-Class racer Endeavour, the launch of Juliet, and the launch of Athena all occurred in his time, too – the latter occurring just a few months before he lost his battle against cancer.
While there are several fine books presently available that talk about megayachts, Royal Huisman 125 Years: The Spirit of Individuality is one that you should not miss. To obtain your copy, contact Jurjen van ‘t Verlaat.
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