History of Peter Spronk

Who Was Peter Spronk?

Peter Spronk was a Dutch multihull designer and builder best known for pioneering the construction of large, high-performance sailing catamarans in the Caribbean, especially in the 1970s and 1980s. He moved to St. Maarten (Netherlands Antilles) where he founded a boat-building operation, helping put the island on the map as a hub for advanced multihulls.

Early Years & Caribbean Beginnings

In the early 1970s, Spronk began building custom catamarans in Simpson Bay Lagoon, St. Maarten. His business Lanseair produced some of the earliest performance catamarans in the region.

He partnered with Malcolm Maidwell (a charter skipper and woodworker) in this venture, bringing together design innovation and practical craftsmanship.

Design Characteristics

Spronk’s catamarans were notable for:

• Lightweight construction: Often built with plywood and epoxy, which was advanced for the time.
• Fast, sleek hulls: Designed for speed under sail, many of his vessels were ahead of their peers in performance.
• Large, comfortable platforms: Ideal for charter work and long-distance cruising or racing.

Impact on Sailing and Charter

Spronk’s boats dominated Caribbean multihull racing and charter in the 1970s–1990s, and many designs continued to be used decades later.

His work helped fuel the popularity of large catamarans for tourism, racing, and cruising, laying groundwork for later multihull development in the region.

Why His Designs Matter

Spronk’s contributions are remembered for:

• Innovation in catamaran design during a formative period for multihull sailing.
• Longevity: Many of his boats are still sailing  a testament to their build quality and performance.
• Cultural influence: His yard in St. Maarten helped make that island a center of multihull activity and Caribbean racing culture.