Our history
More than five decades
of passion for perfection

Growing up in a Frisian village like Kollum means growing up with watersport. That is how brothers Bastiaan and Louis Jousma became familiar with life on the water early on. Sailing, cruising with their parents' motorboat and later holiday work at the shipyard of Piet Wouda, just down the road at the Lauwersmeer.

There the foundation was laid for a remarkable story. That of a master who passed on his knowledge to two apprentices, who would ultimately carry on his life's work.

Farmyard
It began under a tree

The story of Super Lauwersmeer begins around 1969. Whilst the Lauwerszee was being transformed into the Lauwersmeer by the construction of a dam, Piet Wouda dreamed of enjoying this new landscape from the water.

Under a tree on a farmyard in the Frisian village of Ee, he built his own open steel boat. A vessel in which his eye for detail and craftsmanship were immediately apparent.

This did not go unnoticed. The Netherlands gained more leisure time, prosperity grew and water recreation expanded rapidly. Piet was increasingly asked whether he could build a boat for others too.

Shipyard Lauwersmeer was born.

Westergeest
From Lauwersmeer cruiser to Super Lauwersmeer

The wishes of watersport enthusiasts grew. Open boats received a superstructure and vessels became longer and wider. Piet moved his shipyard to Westergeest, where in the nineteen seventies the first Lauwersmeer cruiser saw the light of day.

A recognisable vessel with its overhanging bow and sharp angles. Later followed the characteristic cutters. And as dimensions continued to increase, Piet ultimately added the word 'Super' to his shipyard's name.

In the decades that followed, hundreds of Super Lauwersmeers were built in Westergeest.

The transfer
From master to apprentices

Bastiaan and Louis Jousma worked on dozens of those vessels. Piet took the brothers under his wing and passed on his knowledge and experience to them. In 2002 they were ready for the next step: they took over their master's shipyard.

Bastiaan and Louis modernised the existing models with contemporary materials, techniques and equipment, without losing sight of the recognisable Super Lauwersmeer identity.

They also dared to build a Super Lauwersmeer 13.50 at their own risk. The vessel was sold instantly during its presentation at Boot Holland.

The yachts grew larger and ambitions grew with them. In 2012 Super Lauwersmeer therefore moved once more. To Noardburgum, where the bridges around Westergeest no longer determined how large a Super Lauwersmeer could be.

Noardburgum
No two Super Lauwersmeers alike

With the move came even more space to realise yachts entirely to the wishes of their future owners.

Clients became closely involved in the build process and could increasingly incorporate their personal wishes into layout, materials, technology and appearance. Thus each yacht received its own character.

That close collaboration with owners ultimately led to an important new chapter in the shipyard's history.

Discovery
A new generation

The demand for a modern yacht with exceptionally generous living space formed the basis for the Discovery in 2015.

With its steep stem, full bow above the waterline, straight bow, large glazed panels and curved roof, the design clearly broke with the past. Inside, an unprecedented amount of living space was created, including a generous galley in the saloon and a same-level connection with the cockpit.

The Discovery became the beginning of a new generation of Super Lauwersmeer yachts.

The range grew into various AC and OC models and evolved continuously. Yachts with a recognisable Super Lauwersmeer signature, yet each with their own character.

SLX54
The next revolution

In 2023, Super Lauwersmeer once again pushed its boundaries with the SLX54.

The revolutionary flagship combined qualities that traditional motor yachts often require a choice between. Steering both inside and outside. Living high above the water and directly at the water. The shelter of an aft cabin combined with the outdoor experience of an open cockpit.

And all of that in a steel motor yacht that can simultaneously reach relatively high speeds.

The international expert jury of the European Powerboat of the Year chose the SLX54 as the winner. And in the Netherlands too, the best boat of the year award was secured. Thus the vessel became not only a new chapter in the history of Super Lauwersmeer, but also proof that over fifty years of experience can still lead to something that did not exist before.

Continuous evolution
The story continues

What once began with one steel boat under a tree in Ee grew into a Dutch shipyard that continually pushes its own boundaries.

To this day, every Super Lauwersmeer yacht is built entirely at the own shipyard in Noardburgum. From hull and technology to interior joinery and paintwork. Under one roof, craftsmen work on yachts that are refined down to the last detail to the wishes of their future owners.

The techniques changed. The yachts grew larger. Designs became bolder and possibilities increased.

Yachts beyond imagination

But the conviction with which Piet Wouda once began remained: only the best is good enough.

Today that same mentality forms the foundation for the next generation of Super Lauwersmeer yachts. New models, new ideas and new boundaries to be explored once more.

For after more than 55 years, the ambition is not to repeat what already exists. It is the ambition to create yachts that go further than you had imagined beforehand.

Yachts beyond imagination.