Remembering Erich Bruckmann

In memory of Erich Bruckmann founding partner of C&C Yachts and builder of legendary sailing yachts. Sadly Erich Bruckmann passed away on October 28, 2011. Red Jacket, Phantom, Manitou and Archangel are but a few of the memorable yachts built by Bruckmann

Erich arrived in Oakville from Germany in 1956, speaking no English and with little other than his carpentry tools and the ambition to bring his wife and first-born son to Canada as soon as possible. Within a year, the family arrived and Erich had landed a job in the Metro Marine ‘barn’ in Bronte, building wooden sailboats with the likes of Jan Gudgeon and Vic Carpenter.

By the mid-60′s, Bruckmann Manufacturing was building the outstanding Red Jacket, SORC Class winner in 1967 and overall SORC winner in ‘68 and the first balsa-core FRP hull ever built. Redline 25′s and Redline 41′s were soon in production. Canada’s Cup contenders True North, Bagatelle, and Manitou followed. Erich, George Hinterhoeller (Niagara), and Ian Morch (Belleville) formally joined forces with George Cuthbertson and George Cassian in 1969 to form C&C Yachts. The rest is history. Some of the most innovative and best-built production and custom sailing yachts were built by this team.

Bruckmann yachts display the longevity, strength, and beauty of Erich’s work. Last year, C&C 43′s built in the 70′s again won SORC Class and Chicago-Mac, and Red Jacket won boat of the year (again) in Lake Ontario. Red Jacket has never stopped winning to this day, and during her recent refit at the shop of Erich’s son Mark Bruckmann, the old 1960′s balsa-core material was found to be as dry as the new coring being used in current builds.

Other legendary Bruckmann projects include the C&C 43′s Arieto, Destination, Rampage, and Avante; C&C 61′s Sorcery, Robon, and Sassy and 50’ and 65’ Phantoms; Canada’s Cup winner Manitou, and defenders and challengers Mirage, Merrythought, and Marauder; the Redline 41 Condor, the first C&C 40′s, and the ultimate world cruiser, the 67’ schooner Archangel. The ground breaking Evergreen, Canada’s Cup winner and Fastnet survivor, was perhaps Erich’s most recognized achievement.

Erich is remembered fondly not only as an outstanding craftsman but also as a mentor to many, a remarkable friend, proud father of 5 and grandfather of 8. Our condolences reach out to his wife Lisa and family. A life well lived.