Recent reports that suggest well-known sail (and motor) yacht builder, Jongert, based in the Netherlands, has closed its doors, are false. In a recent conversation with SYT, the shipyard revealed that the facility is still for sale, but certainly not closed.
Having delivered over 300 vessels since the early 1950’s Jongert has specialised in the building of sailing yachts and also some motor yachts, including the 39 metre Guido De Groot-designed Lucia M. Jongert sailing yachts are well known for their classical lines and their construction quality and some of the better known sailing yachts built by the shipyard, include the 46 metre sloop Wellenreiter, the 42 metre Passe Partout and the 41.55 metre Infatuation.
In 2002 the shipyard moved its facilities from Medemblik to their current location in Wieringermeer. The company was bought in 2009 by the VEKA Group.
Earlier this year the shipyard was listed on a Dutch property website for € 6,000,000 and more recently the price was lowered to € 5,000,000. Whether the Jongert brand was included in the sale is not stated on the website, but the buyer would have received land of close to 40,000m2 and construction space of 11,400m2. The listing claimed that it is possible to build motor yachts with a length of up to 40 metres in the facility and sailing yachts of up to 60 metres.
Some of Jongert’s most recent projects included the refit of Tamer II, and the delivery of two patrol craft for the Royal Dutch Navy. The company had also started the construction of a 32 metre sailing yacht on speculation. The state of that project is unknown at present, however it is believed that only the hull has been completed.
An updated press statement is expected from the shipyard in the coming days.