Buddy Haack (above left), who represented European superyacht builders in the United States and went on to manage refits, died on July 15. He had been fighting glioblastoma for several months. He was 75 years old.
Haack was one of six children for Mary Louise Haack and Meyel Herman “Bud” Haack, Sr., a decorated World War II veteran. Given the name Meyel Herman Haack, Jr., Buddy Haack was born December 5, 1950 in Iowa. His family moved to Florida in 1953, where he grew up in Jacksonville Beach. Surfing became an ardent passion when he was 12, so much so that he continued surfing regularly well into adulthood. Growing up by the ocean helped shape an overall interest in the sea, too. In fact, while a student at Fletcher High School in Neptune Beach, Haack wanted to become an oceanographer.
Following graduation in 1970, Haack went on to attend Florida State University. Rather than pursue a career as an oceanographer, he enrolled in professional maritime training schools in Fort Lauderdale. Haack did what many graduates do, working his way up the ranks aboard yachts. He began as a deckhand and, after earning his U.S. Coast Guard captain’s license, took the helm of several yachts and superyachts. One of the most high-profile superyachts was Adler, a 118-foot (36-meter) Baglietto delivery from 1987. The American owner, Robert M. Eagle, commissioned her a fast, sleek yacht, capable of 35 knots. He brought Haack into the project while she was still under construction.
Notably, two decades as a captain and his involvement with Adler helped convince Haack to join Baglietto in the early 1990s. Although the exact dates are unclear, he worked with clients for sales and new construction. Haack remained with the shipyard through 1997, joining Lürssen. (The photo at the top of the page is from 2005, with the shipyard team at an award ceremony.) He served as the American representative through 2010, again representing U.S. clients for new builds.
After leaving Lürssen, Haack established Taylor Lane Yacht & Ship, to manage refits, repairs, other service work, and project management. It operated in Dania Beach and Fort Pierce, Florida. During the 2010s, Fort Pierce was still undeveloped in terms of yachting service. Many years prior, the port had strong business from cargo ships and fruit shippers. Through Taylor Lane Yacht & Ship, Haack successfully managed dozens of projects there. Haack’s experience in the region then led him to become managing partner of Fort Pierce Yacht & Ship. The companied vied for the rights to redevelop a portion of the port as a superyacht refit yard. Ultimately, Derecktor Shipyards won the contract, with Haack’s team continuing to work at a nearby site.
Besides his career as a captain and shipyard representative, Haack authored three books. Megayacht Wisdom (1995) and Megayacht Wisdom II (2004), each co-authored with Doug Hoogs, provide advice for buying, owning, and operating superyachts. The two wrote Megayacht: True Stories of Adventure, Drama, and Tragedy at Sea in 2012 as well. The book shared 10 real-life accounts, including piracy, an FBI sting, and accidents. One was from Capt. Mark Elliott, who ran the motoryacht Nadine—and which sank in a massive storm in 1996. (The sinking is included in the movie The Wolf of Wall Street.)
Michael Breman, Lürssen senior sales director, says it was a “privilege to work with Buddy intensely for the better part of 20 years, both with Baglietto and Lürssen.” He adds, “I always enjoyed his company and his sense of humor. I appreciated his forthrightness and his candor, his drive, his high moral code, and his always positive outlook of life.”
Haack leaves behind his wife of 30 years, Weronika Haack, and his two daughters, Zofia and Julia Haack. His sisters Faith Hoogs, Kathy Anderson, and Patty Loper (Lee Loper) as well as his brother Mike Haack all survive him as well. A celebration of life is taking place on July 25 at the Haack Family Farm in Groveland, Florida, including a service at the farm’s Little Christus Chapel.
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