The story
Hensa stands for "experience on the water".
The shipping company Hensa boasts a history spanning over 120 years.
The boat rental business of the Oswald family of fishermen and restaurateurs, founded in 1896, was continued by their two sons, Engelbert and Robert, and in 1969 was acquired and expanded by Altendorf boatbuilder Albert Hensler. At that time, the Oswald family operated seven passenger ships with capacities ranging from 14 to 80 people. In 1970, they acquired the "Bürgenstockjacht" in Lucerne and renamed it "Schloss Rapperswil"; it was later sold again. The MS RosenstadtIn 1986, the shipping company Hensa AG commissioned the construction of the MS Obersee II . Both ships were transported via the Rhine and then by road to Lake Zurich. In 2001, they took over the MS Ufenau from the ZSG (Lake Zurich Navigation Company).
At this point, we would like to thank our loyal customers who have remained faithful to our shipping company for many years. We look forward to continued good cooperation in the future!
We would be delighted to count you among our satisfied customers. Our shipping company looks forward to welcoming you.
| 2026 |
Expansion of the Hensa crew and strengthening of the management structure in Altendorf Achieving the next level of quality standards - from 2026 onwards, all boats will undergo a double quality check in the spring |
| 2025 | Hensa Concierge - Introduction of the boat pick-up and drop-off service from Zurich to Schmerikon |
| 2024 | Overhaul of the tower crane; Import of Rand motorboats from Denmark |
| 2023 | Hensa "Spirit" sets sail for the first time |
| 2022 | Introducing the Hensa App |
| 2021 |
Federal Court decision: Yes to the construction of the new shipyard building Expansion of the range of team events on the water with agent hunts and pedal boat races in Rapperswil |
| 2020 |
Rental of a showroom of approximately 1000 m² with lake view on Zürcherstrasse For the first time, over 500 boats are in winter storage Introduction of managed berths |
| 2018 |
Founding of the HENSA Sharing Club Taking over the representation of Princess Yachts on Lake Zurich |
| 2017 |
Oliver and Björn Hensler take over the shipping company Hensa AG in the third generation Opening of the HENSA shop |
| 2016 |
Business handover from Erich Hensler to his two sons Oliver and Björn Hensler To reflect the new range of services offered, the company is changing its name to HENSA Lago Marina |
| 2015 |
Construction of an underground parking garage with 14 parking spaces for berth customers Introduction of the Hensa provisioning service |
| 2014 | Import of Alfastreet Marine motorboats from Slovenia |
| 2011 | Facade renovation of the main building. Since then, the shipyard shines in new splendor |
| 2001 | The harbor facilities are being expanded with the construction of a new breakwater. This will create approximately 20 new berths for boats between 9 and 13 meters in length |
| 1997 | Takeover of the shipping business from Albert Hensler by Beatrice Bertschinger-Hensler |
| 1996 | New racks with electric lifts are being installed in the shipyard hall, providing 30 additional drying spaces |
| 1992 | Renovation of floating boathouse, storage rooms and Resa jetty, construction of a new 6-ton lifting platform |
| 1989 |
Construction of the winter storage hall «Riet», the function of the interior was conceived by Albert Hensler. High-bay racking lines the left and right sides, while in the middle are rolling racks with rails. The boats are moved into the racks using a 15-ton special forklift. A total of up to 220 boats can be stored in the hall. |
| 1988 |
Business handover to Erich Hensler Lease of the property «Riet» in Altendorf, measuring 4,869 m2, under building lease, commences on July 1, 1988 |
| 1986 | Import of Regal motorboats from the USA |
| 1985 | Assembly of a 20-ton tower crane, the largest on Lake Zurich |
| 1984 |
Beatrice Bertschinger-Hensler joins the shipping company Import of Yamarin motorboats |
| 1982 | The entire "Lido" harbor complex in Rapperswil, with 2 boathouses, wet and dry berths, totaling 320 units, will be taken over in the spring |
| 1981 | From October onwards, the Sailing Club Oberer Zürichsee (SCOZ) rents 500 - 600m2 of winter storage space in the open area from the club |
| 1980 | New construction of boathouse and shipyard hall with workshop, winter storage, office and apartment, 10 ton tower crane, gas station with service jetty, 3 ton lifting platform for dry docks, oil and battery room and parking spaces |
| 1979 |
New construction of the shipyard hall by the lake with boathouse Erich Hensler joined the family business as the second generation In order to preserve its existence as a service company, the "old" shipyard halls were demolished and the buildings as well as the workshop and service facilities were renovated. |
| 1978 |
Construction of 100 «Combi 540» units with polyester inner shell for the company Almacoa A second hall, "Letzi I", is being built in Letzi |
| 1976 | Establishment of a public limited company, Hensa-Werft AG, Altendorf |
| 1975 |
The end of the DIY wooden construction and thus also of a successful «Hensa series» Lease agreement with the Lachen cooperative for 42 drying berths with watering ramp «Ennet-Aa» in Lachen |
| 1974 |
New construction of the fishing boat «Jumbo 640», polyester hull, with wooden superstructure and interior fittings for Z-drive, inboard motors and outboard motors Expansion of the berths at the shipyard; a Resa jetty with 24 berths will be built adjacent to the floating boathouse Development of the «Letzi» Winter storage hall «Letzi II» is being built |
| 1973 |
40 berths in the port of the «Franzrüti» airfield rented for 10 years, as «Hensa-Bootshafen AG» Rental agreement with the Lachen cooperative for 14 boat slips in the new boathouse "Ennet-Aa" in Lachen |
| 1972 | Acquisition of 96 boats from Norway, transport to Lachen with approximately 20 railway wagons |
| 1971 | New construction of the fishing and family boat "Variant 580" with a polyester hull and wooden superstructure and interior. The boats are produced in series of 20 units. |
| 1970 |
Construction of the 11.5 m motor yacht «Perla» on Lake Biel A second winter storage hall, "Sägi", is being built. |
| 1969 |
Construction of the 12.5 m motor yacht «Ramona», hull made of 12 mm marine plywood with polyester coating Purchase of the Oswald boat rental company in Rapperswil |
| 1968 |
Construction of the floating boathouse Expansion of steel shells (Swinn-Patio 950) from Holland |
| 1967 | Construction of 3-hull motorboats (Passat 480) for outboard motors up to 70 hp |
| 1966 | The Jelmoli department store sells Hensa-Blitz motorboats in its Zurich store |
| 1964 |
Construction of plywood motorboats «Tornado 580» with half cabin, for Z-drive engines up to 150 hp Custom-made cabin boats from 7–9 m in plywood with polyester covering |
| 1963 |
Construction of the first polyester boats (Combi 540) Rowing & family boats Construction of the seaside fuel station |
| 1962 | Construction of plywood motorboat «Taifun 540» for outboard motors and Z-drive |
| 1960 | Design and construction of a 4.5 m outboard motorboat (Hensa-Blitz) |
| 1959 |
On September 30th, the company Albert Hensler, boatbuilding, was founded in Altendorf Shell construction of 6–7.5 m motorboats including deck and interior fittings, hard chine with carvel planking in mahogany |
| 1957 |
Setting up the workshop in summer Construction of the slipway |
