Heti 12 E 3

A Living Legend of the 12 Metre Class

A Rare and Resplendent Classic Yacht

HETI is a truly exceptional example of early 20th-century yacht design—a gaff-rigged 12 Metre class cutter, built in 1912 by Max Oertz in Hamburg. Unlike the majority of 12mRs, which are sloop-rigged, HETI’s traditional gaff rig makes her more complex to sail—but all the more impressive under full canvas. With her sweeping overhangs, off-white sails, and gleaming navy hull, she is a striking presence on the water.

Technical Specifications

  • Length Overall (on deck): 18.60 m

  • Length Overall (including spars): approx. 23.00 m

  • Waterline Length: 13.24 m

  • Beam: 3.50 m

  • Draft: 2.80 m

  • Rigging: Gaff cutter with continuous mast and jib boom

  • Construction: Mahogany planks on wooden and steel frames

  • Sail Inventory: Mainsail, topsail, jib, cutter sail, pilot/flyer, gennaker

  • Total Sail Area: Over 350 m² depending on the combination

Sailing and Heritage

Though HETI's home port is Hamburg, she is based in Kiel during the sailing season, actively racing in the Baltic Fleet alongside a dozen other 12-metre yachts. She regularly competes in renowned regattas, including:

  • Robbe & Berking Sterling Cup

  • Kiel Week

  • German Classics

  • Hamburg Port Anniversary

Designed by Max Oertz—the same naval architect behind Germania and the Kaiser's famous Meteor yachts—HETI was built under the First Rule of the International Metre Rule. Her design pedigree and performance mark her as a standout among classic racing yachts.

A Storied Past: HETI’s Journey Through Time

HETI was named after Hedwig ("Heti"), daughter of her first owner, Hermann Eschenburg. Her long life has spanned wars, continents, rebuilds, and name changes. Key milestones include:

Early Years (1912–1919)

  • First 12mR built by Max Oertz for a German owner

  • Competed at Kiel Week, winning against top yachts of the era

  • Reclassified as an “inshore craft” after World War I to avoid Allied confiscation

Mid-20th Century (1920s–1960s)

  • Renamed Traum, Seeschwalbe, and Moby Dick under various owners

  • Converted to yawl and gaff yawl riggings

  • Served at the Hanseatic Yacht School in Glücksburg

  • Used briefly as a houseboat

  • Competed in Helgoland races and other events

Restoration and Revival (1999–2008)

  • Discovered as a mastless but floatable wreck in Hamburg in 1999

  • Donated to Jugend in Arbeit Hamburg e.V., a youth training program

  • Restored to original gaff rig and relaunched in 2008 under her original name

HETI Today: A Sailing Icon with a Purpose

Today, HETI is part of the Foundation Hamburg Maritim and operated by a dedicated group of 15 volunteer owners through the Friends of Heti association. Her mission is not only to preserve heritage but to offer a place for reflection and connection.

As volunteer skipper Sven Klingenberg explains:
“She’s a therapy boat—meant for people who want to take a break or reorient themselves.”

  • Members sail, maintain, and celebrate this living piece of maritime history

  • New members are welcome to join the community

Honors and Achievements

HETI continues to race and win in vintage regattas. Highlights include:

  • Winner of the 2008 Classic 12mR World Championship (Antique Division)

  • Three-time winner of the Blue Riband Elbe River Race