LEKKER Boats: The Story Behind the Brand

LEKKER founder Meindert Wolfraad shares the background, growth, and future of the boat brand–as well as its partnership with Denison Yachting.

This year, LEKKER Boats partnered with Denison Yachting to represent its top-performing model: the LEKKER 44. The founder of the company, Meindert Wolfraad, chatted with us to discuss the story behind the innovative brand, its views on sustainability, and what the new partnership with Denison means for its clients.

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Tell us the story behind LEKKER Boats. How did the company get started?

I got started in Australia, where I was looking for a party boat (a social boat that could fit a lot of people aboard) that could go fast but was also very cozy, that you could also use to go whale watching in the open ocean (with big swell) and barefoot water skiing–common attractions in Australia. I couldn’t find something like that there; there were only fishing boats, center consoles, or cigarette boats available for purchase.

We are used to the old-school channel boats for parties and I re-designed the concept to make it capable of barefoot water skiing, open-ocean racing, and whale-watching tours. It was important to make it fast, social, and seaworthy. It has the shape of the old-school lifeboats, with that same “jacket”, but it’s like a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” because it’s always surprising people with its speed and capabilities. It’s unexpected what this boat can handle and do on the open ocean.

What was the inspiration for the brand? 

There were a few aspects that went into the inspiration for the brand. I was inspired to design a boat that is social, easy to maintain, easy to operate and clean, super comfortable to ride in big oceans, and custom-built. In order to make the boat lightweight, we use aluminum.

Another important element was making the boat indestructible. We use materials that can last–nothing can break on the boat. We are designing boats that last for 100 years, while many boats–especially those made from plastic–may last 20 years. We’re building boats now that my children can also use. It is also a timeless design; on all counts, the concept and design of the boat are that it is meant to last.

What is your design philosophy?

When it comes to design, certain traits are of the utmost priority. Indestructibility, easy usage (being both practical and functional), easy to maintain (and being low maintenance), cozy and social (a lot of people can join the boat), and being custom-built (every customer has their personal needs met). Performance and comfort are of utmost importance and those are part of the DNA. The secret of our boats is not the outside, because from the outside the boat looks very social and big, but underneath the boat. We did a lot of research with naval architects, offshore race specialists, and other special partners. The biggest investment of our money and time went into not only the development of the outside and body, but underneath, for performance–what you can’t see. It goes back to the idea of a “wolf in sheep’s clothing”. It has the outside of a defender but the performance of a Porshe. That’s where we make the big difference: it’s not only the outside and what looks good, but the underneath, which performs.

When you go to the Bahamas, that’s where you really feel the difference, when the weather gets bad. Everybody can design a pop, pub, or restaurant cruiser, but this is more than that. You can see the difference when you arrive, what is still built for performance and bad weather. Safety is key, and the way that it is designed keeps safety at top of mind. This boat is able to handle big chop and big waves very easily.

Who were the pioneers of the company?

Roel joined the company about five years ago. We crossed with one of our first boats–it was boat number 20–from Barcelona to Cannes, and it took us two long days to get there. It was a rough ride with high waves, and I did his first interview aboard, during the night, crossing the Bay of Leo. That first rocky experience, basically a two-day interview–and he’s been with us since. He is one of our top salesmen and he has sold over 180 boats. He’s been there since almost the beginning.

Stefan is the head of production for the LEKKER 44 at the moment. He is employee number two. He is the production guy. Without him, we couldn’t build such good quality boats.

Christian is the head of engineering and head of design. He’s also been with us from internship until now. He is the creative designer and engineer and has a very hands-on and entrepreneurial mindset. He is always open to new inspiration and gets things done.

Stijn has been the CFO and head of operations for the last eight years and also contributed a lot to the brand and growth.

All of these members of the team were with us from the start, and I value that very much.

Can you tell us about LEKKER’s view on sustainability and boating?

First of all, the material is key. Choosing aluminum is, of course, the most sustainable way. If you look at the lifetime of a product, aluminum is much more sustainable as opposed to kevlar or polyester/plastic (maybe not every aluminum boat, but the way that we have designed and overconstructed ours). When comparing to polyester boats, you could change three to four boats for one aluminum in the same lifetime.

The second point is the engine. Because we use lightweight materials and components, we are able to use engines that also add to sustainability. We focus on hydroperformance in the way that we design the bottom of the boat. We can reduce the amount of power that is related to fuel consumption by around 20%.

We are looking for different sustainable engines–alternatives to fuel engines. About six years ago, we built our first electric and hybrid boats as a test pilot. Now, we are in the process of building a full hybrid boat, with which you can still go as fast as a diesel boat, but slow down when you go through nature. On the channels, you can cruise electric. In the Netherlands, there is new government regulation that by 2025, all the boats in Amsterdam need to be electric, so that is where we’re aiming.

Additionally, the cushions are all recycled plastic, so also sustainable. Cushions are usually changed every five to six years. In general, our materials are all recycled. We also recycle all the packaging in the production process.

Can you discuss your top model(s)?

Our number one top model is the Damsko, of which we have sold over 200 worldwide. 55% of those stay in the Netherlands and 45% go overseas, from Hong Kong to Miami to Sweden to Australia.

Based off that model, we have integrated all that we have learned for our next-generation boat to make a bigger, more luxurious model, which is the LEKKER 44. The LEKKER 44 is an adventure boat, built to do big, long trips, with big groups of people (it can fit up to 21 passengers). If needed, four people can stay overnight. Performance-wise, it can go faster than 50 knots and can handle the big ocean easily. We call it a “day yacht.” It’s great for new captains and captains in general; everyone can use the boat because there is not too much that can break or go wrong. It’s great because it can be used easily by people who don’t have a lot of boat experience or always have a captain with them. It is an ideal chase boat, as well. It is often used that way.

How does LEKKER stand out against other boats in the same class?

If you compare boats with cars, in my opinion, there are a lot of supercars that are built for the race track, that are very flashy, but are not so practical for socializing or on rough roads. The flat racetrack is easy to maneuver, but not a bumpy road. The same is true on the water. It’s easy to maneuver flat water, but not rough seas. Defenders have this same comparison. I think the boats that we are building are more like the SUVs of the water–practical and better off-road. They are built for that. This boat still has the performance of a sports car, but can also go off-road–so, offshore. That’s what differentiates it.

How has LEKKER grown since its start? 

We have been doubling the turnover for the first five years. From there, we made sure we could keep up with the quality of the boat but also sustainable growth of 30% a year.

Most important to us is that everyone on our team is enjoying their work and in a stress-free environment. We believe in a healthy growth environment and healthy levels of pressure on the employees without being overworked or overwhelmed. Combined with how fast the company has grown, it is important to us to be a team and a family and for it to be fun.

How has the expansion into the US market been for LEKKER?

There are 14 LEKKER Boats already in America. There’s always a challenge to launch a new product in a new market with a new brand, and that’s exactly what we are doing in the US. But, we have been working for six years already in the US and slowly people are starting to know us. But there is still a lot of opportunity for growth for the brand to explore and expand. Next year, in 2024, we expect to deliver another eight boats to America. We are making a limited amount of boats a year, which makes them very exclusive. We only make 40 to 50 boats a year–and only eight of those for America. There are two spots left for 2023.

What are your aspirations for the future for LEKKER Boats, stateside and otherwise?

My dream for the future is to make a 100% recycled and sustainable boat. I’d like to make one of the most sustainable boats in the industry, in the way of how it’s built and how it goes forward. That’s what I aim for. I’d like to be successful enough to build a research team to advance this.

Denison is a great partner and working together with the brand is a great success; with this partnership, we can make sure that the service level that our customers expect will be met and exceeded. Customer satisfaction and the customer service experience is very important to us, and Denison prioritizes that as well. With Denison behind the brand, we can keep up the exclusive service we like to offer our customers. We’re proud and honored to have this partnership. It gives trust to our clients that Denison is behind us and partnered with us.

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Interested in purchasing a LEKKER 44? Speak with a yacht broker for any questions you may have.

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