German excellence in composite construction since 1965
Knierim Yachtbau is a leading German shipyard in high-performance sailboat construction, founded in 1965 and based in Kiel on the Kiel Canal, with over 20,000 m² of facilities. The yard specializes in the construction of high-tech custom yachts using advanced composite construction methods (carbon, glass, sandwich). Knierim is ISO 9001 certified and holds Germanischer Lloyd certification for the manufacturing of composite structures by hand lamination and pre-preg processes, ensuring impeccable build quality and complete process traceability.
The yard builds modern racing sailboats using carbon sandwich construction, with recognized expertise in grand prix sailboats (TP52, IMOCA 60, Class40, Maxi) and high-end fast cruising projects. Knierim has state-of-the-art industrial facilities: air-conditioned construction halls, three 5-axis milling machines (up to 32.5 x 8.5 x 4 meters) through its Knierim Tooling division for precision mold and plug manufacturing, quality control equipment, and heavy lifting capabilities. The yard has built iconic projects such as the solar catamaran TÛRANOR PlanetSolar (86 meters), the Botin 65 CARO, the Ker 51 and Ker 56 VARUNA, and of course the FC56 Ribelle.
Flagship achievements
- FC56 Ribelle : Full carbon Finot-Conq fast cruiser, high-performance "naval sculpture"
- Ker 51 VARUNA and Ker 56 VARUNA VI : High-performance racing sailboats
- Botin 65 CARO : Maxi racing yacht
- TÛRANOR PlanetSolar : 86-meter solar catamaran (world's largest solar boat)
- 49' Performance Cruiser DAWN : Fast cruiser series
News and outlook
Knierim Yachtbau continues its development in the high-performance custom sailboat segment, with growing demand for carbon fast cruisers combining lightness, speed, and comfort. The yard is investing in process automation (CNC cutting, 5-axis milling machines) while preserving the German artisanal know-how that has earned its reputation. Current focuses include the integration of recycled and bio-based composite materials, optimization of manufacturing process energy efficiency, and the development of hybrid diesel-electric propulsion solutions for cruising yachts. The yard also offers comprehensive services: new construction, repairs, refits, manufacturing of composite parts (hulls, masts, booms, appendages), and preparation of racing boats. Knierim's recognized expertise in pre-preg carbon and epoxy infusion attracts a demanding international clientele.
