A shipyard like Saffier Maritiem does not just happen out of the blue. For its origins we have to go back to the mid fifties. With the help of his father, Richard Hennevanger bought his first boat, the Rainbow, at the age of twelve. In fact, it could barely be called a boat, because the Rainbow looked more or less like a pile of wreckage. Nonetheless, Richard and his father believed in this boat and after a lot of blood, sweat, and tears they turned it into a beautiful boat, truly a rainbow!

the IJmuiden estuary one day, they were spotted by a coaster. The captain of the coaster fell in love with the Rainbow and bought the boat on the spot. The Rainbow was hoisted aboard; father and son were paid and brought ashore. Richard had caught the sailing virus and would never be cured. After his service in 1961, he decided to move to Australia with his wife. Soon after, Richard Hennevanger started his own shipyard.

It was a blossoming business and in the mid-60s he had fifteen people working there who produced approximately 40 yachts per year. The sailing boat Santana was a cabin sailing yacht of 9.50 and 11 meters in size. In the meantime, he often worked with designers on special yachts that were over 12 meters in length.

He was particularly inspired by Bob Miller who would later change his name to Ben Lexcen (and who subsequently created the famous Australia 2 with a winged keel, with which he won the America cup for the first time as a non-American). Together with Bob Miller they designed a new boat with which he wanted to fulfill his next dream: to sail around the world with his family.

In 1999 Dennis showed a water sports journalist what the Saffier 6.50 was really capable of. With a south-westerly force 7 wind they crossed over from IJmuiden to Lowestoft, a distance of 110 miles. The Saffier reached the other shore without any problem, thus proving her seaworthiness. In 2001 the two brothers decided it was time for a follow-up. Naturally father had to create the new design. A year later the Saffier 8.00 became a reality. The Hennevanger experience can be recognized in this vessel as well. The media also noticed that and in 2003 the Saffier 8.00 was nominated as Boat of the Year.

With only a difference of 1 point from the winner (max fun35) she was placed second. Soon afterwards the Saffier 8.00 was nominated as European Boat of the Year 2004. Unfortunately the Hennevangers had to pass up this opportunity due to numerous orders and they clearly chose to put their customers first. At the end of 2004 they nonetheless started yet another new design: the Saffier 32 ft. Boats were already being bought from the drawings and building could commence forthwith. In the meantime the 100th Saffier 6.50 left the shipyard in 2005. The Saffier was slowly gaining international recognition and the first Saffiers were being delivered all over Europe. Saffiers were also sold in America and the Caribbean for the first time.