1984 Hanseat Hanseat 37 Swing Keel

The Hanseat 37 Swing Keel is a German-built cruising yacht from 1984, part of a rare production run of only 30 to 40 units made by Asmus Werft in Glückstadt between 1976 and 1987. Designed by Willy Asmus, it represents a distinctly overbuilt approach to fiberglass boatbuilding, with solid GRP laminate reaching 25 to 30 millimeters thick in critical areas—roughly double that of comparable modern boats. The hull is known for exceptional durability and weather capability, earning a reputation for surviving impacts that would damage lighter construction.

Powered by a 54-horsepower Pathfinder diesel engine, the yacht cruises at 6.5 knots and reaches 8 knots under power. It features a hydraulic lifting keel system rather than a conventional swing mechanism, with approximately 50 to 60 percent of the ballast contained in a fixed keel shoe to maintain stability even when the blade is fully retracted. The system uses a double-acting stainless steel cylinder and high-pressure pump, typically located beneath the salon seating or near the navigation station. This design allows shallow-water draft of 1.1 meters with the keel raised and 2.35 meters when lowered, making the boat suitable for both coastal and ocean passages.

The yacht measures 37 feet in length with a 12.3-foot beam, offering traditional wood interior appointments and layout typical of 1980s European cruising boats. Systems throughout reflect period German engineering: point-to-point electrical wiring with thermal breakers, oversized fresh-water tankage (approximately 300 liters total) housed beneath salon floorboards, and bronze seacocks. The deck incorporates balsa or plywood coring, which requires monitoring for moisture, while the hull's solid laminate provides excellent impact and osmosis resistance compared to cored construction.