About us
Welcome to iYacht
Welcome to iYacht, a one-stop yacht design and engineering studio specializing in a wide range of boat types.
At the core of our identity lies precision and efficiency, reflecting our German DNA, which enables us to deliver on time and within budget.
At iYacht, our goal is to be your long-term partner, mirroring the successful relationships we’ve cultivated with our past clients.
Our story began two decades ago when Udo Hafner, driven by his passion for the open water along with a spirit of innovation, founded iYacht. Born and raised on the picturesque lakes of Austria, Udo’s love for aquatic environments and his engineering background were the perfect blend to tackle the challenging world of yachting. After studying Mechanical Engineering, he eventually moved to Hamburg to study Naval Architecture and there founded iYacht GmbH.
Embodying a strong entrepreneurial spirit, Udo established his first company at the young age of 22. He swiftly recognized the importance of being a reliable partner, delivering on time, and providing top-notch services, and this led to the organic growth of the business through word of mouth.
Fast forward 20 years and more than 400 successful projects delivered, iYacht now operates from two offices, one in Hamburg and another in Kiel, boasting a dedicated team of 11 full-time members.
For us, yachting is a world with many possibilities for innovation, and we believe that even a team of twelve dedicated designers, engineers, and naval architects, when moved by passion, can do something truly groundbreaking.
The name of our studio iYacht encompasses this vision: the first “i” stands for Innovation.
One of the promises of the studio is to offer our clients a comprehensive solution for yacht design and engineering, covering every aspect from the initial concept to the boat’s launch and CE certification.
Our services encompass the entire spectrum, from the initial sketch, visualization, and CFD analysis to interior design, naval architecture, project engineering, tooling, production, and CE-conformity assessment.
To provide this wide array of services, we rely on the diverse skills and expertise of our in-house team. This approach not only guarantees impeccable service quality but also optimizes project management, ensuring your vision becomes a reality within the agreed timeline and budget.
Team members
We invite you to step behind the scenes of our two German
offices and meet the passionate minds and skilled hands
which will be your long time reliable partners.
Udo grew up sailing in the beautiful lakes of Austria. He studied Mechanical engineering, Naval Architecture and became an entrepreneur at just 22. During his studies, he made Hamburg his home, where he later founded iYacht, which was his dream since a young age. Udo's expertise extends beyond design and engineering: he published many articles in magazines as well as he is the co-author of a highly regarded reference book on houseboats, titled "Hausboote”.
Udo A. Hafner
CEO / Mechanical Engineer and Naval Architect
Expert in Exterior Design and GRP tooling.
Jo has been an integral part of the iYacht team for over 15 years. His expertise lies in exterior design, mold creation, and 3D printing.
On occasion, he steps into the role of project lead, showcasing his versatile skills and dedication to our projects.
Within our team, Joachim is the anchor in turbulent waters, offering a steady and calming presence.
Joachim Benders
Industrial Designer
Expert in complex naval architecture development.
Christoph has been with iYacht for over a decade, and he's a seasoned naval architect with a focus on complex design. He's skilled in various aspects of shipbuilding, especially hull design, propulsion, sailing vessels, and the evaluation of structural strength.
Christoph takes the lead as the project manager for most of our sailing projects at iYacht, ensuring their smooth progress and high-quality outcomes.
Christoph Braun
Senior Naval Architect
Expert in system engineering and assembly.
Dennis, a trained boat builder and naval architect with more than ten years of experience, combines his production know-how with his naval architecture skills to enhance our projects.
He's in charge of system engineering and design drafts.
Dennis has a strong passion for boats and all sorts of fish.
Dennis Bull
Naval Architect and Boat builder
Sailing and structural engineering expert.
Piers brings a valuable combination of skills to our team. His background in naval architecture, along with past experience working for a rigging supplier and his time as a regatta sailor, make him a key contributor to our sailing projects.
He's also well-versed in structural engineering and project management. Passionate Regatta sailor.
Piers Oest
Naval Architect
CE certification and scantlings expert
Veit has a wealth of experience in CE certification procedures.
Additionally, he provides essential support by conducting stability assessments and evaluations during the design phase.
Beyond his professional expertise, Veit is also a passionate windsurfer.
Veit Spohr
Naval Architect
