Dutch Treat REVIVING AN AGING DUTCH QUEEN LEADS A COUPLE TO THIER DREAM CRUISER.
STORY & PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL JACOBS
There is no disputing the deeply rooted maritime craftsmanship found in the Netherlands. Today’s Dutch boatbuilders have continued these traditions in shipyards across a country that is only slightly larger than Maryland, and lately the country has developed a reputation as one of the leading builders of the world’s superyachts. But for those who admire quality construction and designs that are both attainable and stalwart enough to handle the tempestuous North Sea, Dutch steel-hull boatbuilders offer suitable options for today’s power cruiser.
Like many other prospective trawler owners, Bob and Debbie DeKoch were drawn to these sensible design characteristics found among Dutch displacement trawlers. In nearly 40 years of sailing, the DeKochs have owned everything from trailerable daysailers to their last boat, a Hans Christian 43. With years advancing and finding they had less time than ever before, Bob and Debbie decided that it was time to begin shopping for a motoryacht.
The DeKochs are still several years away from retirement and Bob, president of a large construction services company, travels constantly in his work. So until he retires, the boat will be used primarily on weekends like a summer cottage, with an annual cruise not lasting more than a couple of weeks each year. The boat will be based in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, not far from their home.
If that were the only criterion, many trawlers would be appropriate. They are also looking ahead to their retirement years, and wanted a boat that they could physically handle as their age increased, without requiring a change of boats down the line. Because they currently use the boat, often in its slip for the weekend, they did not want to have a captain or crew to impact their privacy. A boat between 50 and 60 feet could meet their liveaboard lifestyle nicely. Additional features the DeKochs were looking for included a minimum amount of stairs both above and below deck, good visibility from an inside steering station to minimize time in the sun, and easy-to-navigate deck passages for Debbie to handle deckhand duties. They started by attending boat shows throughout the United States with their requirements list in hand.
As they looked at many capable cruisers, they tried to find boats without a flying bridge and with minimal steps onboard. They found that very few U.S.-built trawlers are designed on a single level. Many contemporary Euro-styled boats met their requirements, but they wanted something more traditional in appearance, which ultimately led them to the designs and construction of boats built in the Netherlands.
On many of their trips to Europe, they looked at various models that featured an aft wheelhouse without a flying bridge. Eventually they found a used double-ended cruiser sitting for sale in a canal in Fort Lauderdale that came closest to matching their wishlist. Although they did not buy her, it set the DeKochs on a path of looking for a similar sized boat, with a similar configuration.
On one of their next trips abroad, they spent a few days in the Netherlands and visited two yards that were building boats
of that type: Mulder and Holterman Shipyards. They both build boats in steel or aluminum, and could customize their basic designs to the DeKoch’s requirements.
They loved the designs, but the price of a new build exceeded their budget. Back to the boat shows they went, but their trip to the Netherlands ruined them. They could not get excited about any other style or design that was on the market.
SPECIFICATIONS
LOA: 58' BEAM: 17' 7" DRAFT: 5' 5" DISPL.: 132,275 lb. FUEL: 1,800 gallons WATER: 450 gallons POWER: 242 hp MAN #D2886E (x2), CRUISE SPEED: RANGE: 600 nm CONTACT: Moonen Shipyards, +31 73 621 00 94, www.moonen.com/en