An Original Zeeuwse Poon

 

 

Vrouwe Elizabeth is a 17.5 metre Zeeuwse Poon, and was built in 1880 to transport cargo, mainly vegetables to Amsterdam from the inland delta and coastal waters of South West Holland. She is the earliest of her kind.. In1978, she underwent a total restoration to re-fit the traditional rigging system and engine into a traditional and old style sailing yacht.  She remains in this original and highly maintained condition today, and is thought to be only one of two or three Zeeuwse Poons still surviving and can be seen at her base in the Jordaan, in Amsterdam She is certainly the finest example of design from the Industrial Age, welcomed in many Harbours and Ports denied to others.  

Enjoy the unique experience of staying aboard this beautiful boat and take her sailing while continuing to enjoy all the comforts of home. We will help you plan as much or as little as you want depending on you length of stay and how you best want to enjoy yourself. We could fill it with flowers for a romantic weekend, supply a captain, crew, and chef for a family outing or even a party with visits to ports and harbours nearby and with enough room for you to invite guests. Head out into the open inland sea nearby which stretches 50 miles and fill those sails.  We  look for a force 5 wind to really get going and with an 18.5 metre mast and masses of sail area and a flat bottom, she was the cruise missile of her day. Even in these conditions, she remains comfortable to those below deck  

With a beam of 4.5 metres throughout the entire length of the living space,  she offers ample sleeping accommodation for groups of 2 – 5 or 6 or more at a push, and benefits from water and electricity.  Numbers depends on the groups make -up

  •   The master cabin contains 2 double beds (1 medium, 1 small).   The aft cabin is self contained with 2 bunks (ideal for children and six-footers) and a separate sink and w/c.  The lounge area also has a comfortable double sofa type bed and 2 further sofas that can be used as single beds, at a push. For overnight stays, up to 6 on board is a comfortable number, when sailing for the day, up to 10 guests can be comfortably provided for. 

  •  The lounge area seats up to 8; equipped with all new appliances, including Digital TV, DVD, and surround-sound system,  hidden away so as not to spoil the traditional feel of the boat.

  •   The galley is handcrafted with pine cabinets and work surfaces; it offers all necessary appliances for either self-catering or an onboard chef.

  •   The dining area has seating for 6; it is positioned next to the galley and its raised position means that you can take in views of passing boats on the canal whilst eating.

  •   The bathroom has a modern shower, hand basin and toilet.

 All communal areas on the boat provide ample head room for most people, although the sleeping cabins have lower ceilings.

Vrouwe Elizabeth is unique in the quality and craftsmanship of its classic interior as well as exterior. It is listed as an historic boat, enjoyed by its owners, yet available for exclusive charter with an experienced Captain and mate provided.

 To enjoy  maximum sailing time during your trip, we would recommend that you join the boat at Enkhuizen, in North Holland 55mins from Amsterdam Central station on the stoptrain. Schipol airport is itself a 20 minute train journey from Central station. The train station in Enkhuizen is in the middle of the harbour, the line ends and you are within sight of the boat and literally minutes away from hoisting those sails.

Should you be exhausted after your travels from far away places with strange sounding names, and if you prefer, we will connect with you at your point of arrival with suitable transport to the boat.

When sailing, the Captain and mate have the rear cabin but if we are in harbour for more than a day, then they could return home and their cabin made ready for guests. Help on board, can be provided including cook/cleaner/child minder. We assume that guests are in need of their holiday and we would like to offer as much help as required at a high standard. It’s your shout. The main drawback could be bad weather when, paradoxically; the benefits of living aboard become apparent when you have to make your own entertainment with if needed some help from us. It gets those aboard closer together in a new and slightly exhilarating way going back to basics and getting next to the elements. Its good for your head as well as your body to be closer to nature.

The biggest beaches that I have ever seen are on the Frisian Islands a comfortable 2 days sailing away with a probable overnight stop in Harlingen, which itself is well worth a visit. The islands make a wonderful base for a holiday with a daily newspaper available to those in need of their daily fix.

 

 

And as a new dawn approaches, we slip off from our mooring and leave the revellers still returning home high and happy, as the sound of Church bells compete with bicycle bells and even the dogs know enough to keep their thoughts to themselves.

Imagine the gently throbbing engines and the smell a fry up mingled with fresh coffee and TODAY'S SUNDAY PAPERS. Heaven for some. Or go topside to meet the rising sun, it is going to be a long and beautiful day.

 There is nothing to compare this with as there is no one offering the same