Space on Board

Space on Board

Folding balconies, hydraulic garage door actuators, and multifunctional seating that appears only when needed. Systems that create usable space without permanent footprint.

H+B technics space on board solutions — folding balconies and hydraulic garage systems for yachts

Usable space that appears only when needed

Our folding balconies, hydraulic garage actuators, and multifunctional seating systems create additional living and functional space without permanent footprint, deploying on demand and stowing invisibly.

Engineering Partnership

H+B technics works as a systems supplier directly with shipyards, naval architects, and project teams. We don't deliver components from a catalogue, we engineer hydraulic tender handling, boarding access, and space-on-board systems that integrate with your hull structure, your hydraulic layout, and your build schedule.

From the first GA drawing to the final commissioning at the quay, our engineering team is your single point of contact: CAD integration, hydraulic schematics, structural calculations, and pre-assembled delivery, function-tested before it leaves Münster.

Jan Olfenbüttel

Head of Sales & Marketing

Gerd Bröskamp — Director Business Operations, Sales & Aftersales at H+B technics

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the most common questions about space-on-board solutions.

What space-on-board solutions does H+B technics offer?

The product range includes hydraulic Side Balconies that extend deck area beyond the hull, the Garage Seat integrated into the garage door face, and the Hatch Cylinder for hydraulic garage door operation. Additional systems like the Ascender and Lift Hinge create usable space as a secondary function of their primary role.

How much additional deck space does a Side Balcony create?

The additional area depends on the panel dimensions configured for each vessel. Port and starboard balconies can operate simultaneously from a single hydraulic unit, extending the usable outdoor area on both sides of the yacht.

Do these systems compromise the yacht's appearance when not in use?

No. Every space-on-board system is designed to be invisible when retracted. The Side Balcony returns flush into the hull line. The Garage Seat disappears into the door face. When stowed, there is no indication from the exterior that the yacht contains deployable deck extensions.

Can space-on-board systems be added to an existing yacht?

Yes. The Side Balcony requires a structural hull assessment, but no hull shape modification beyond the panel cutout and reinforcement. The Garage Seat needs sufficient depth in the door panel. Our engineering team assesses feasibility from your vessel drawings before fabrication.

Are Side Balconies safe to use at sea?

Side Balconies are designed for use at anchor or in calm to moderate conditions. In rough weather, they retract fully into the hull, restoring the vessel's original profile. Integrated safety stops prevent over-rotation, and the panel locks securely in the closed position.

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Creating Deck Space the Hull Never Intended

A yacht’s usable area is fixed by its beam and length — or it was, until hydraulic systems began transforming structural surfaces into functional living space. H+B technics engineers space-on-board systems that extend, unfold, and deploy additional deck area on demand, then disappear completely when the vessel is underway.

Side Balconies: Deck Area Beyond the Hull Line

The Side Balcony hinges outward from the hull, adding usable platform width with railing along each side. Synchronised hydraulic drives ensure level deployment. Port and starboard operate from a single power unit. When retracted, the panels sit flush with the hull surface — no visible hardware, no seams, no indication of the extension beneath.

Garage Door Actuators: The Seat and the Cylinder

The Garage Seat converts the inside face of the stern garage door into a usable seat when the door is closed. Hydraulic deployment, automatic positioning, no manual adjustment. The Hatch Cylinder drives the garage door itself with a load-holding valve for controlled movement in both opening directions. Two components that turn a storage compartment wall into functional furniture and a reliable door mechanism.

Platforms That Serve Two Purposes

The Ascender folds flush at deck level during transit. When deployed, it becomes a full-width step platform for water access. The Lift Hinge transforms the transom door into a stable swim platform at the waterline, creating usable space in an area that simply does not exist when the garage is closed. Both systems serve their primary function and deliver additional deck area as a structural by-product.

Engineered for the Specific Vessel

Panel dimensions, hinge geometry, hydraulic capacity, and surface finish are defined from the shipyard’s drawings during the project engineering phase. All systems manufactured in Münster from electropolished marine-grade stainless steel, delivered fully pre-assembled and function-tested.

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