Dutch pleasure yacht 17th-century

Product description

Water, water everywhere. The Netherlands is located in the delta of the Maas and Rhine. The country is crossed by rivers and streams. From the early Middle Ages, residents dug canals and ditches everywhere to keep their feet dry and to make the land somewhat workable. Everything was accessible by water and this led to a wide variety of ship types. In addition to inland vessels, coastal vessels and seagoing vessels, a new category emerged in the sixteenth century. The Prince of Orange used a yacht. This was a fast vessel that served as his headquarters during the battle against Spain. It was fully equipped.

A good example is followed, and soon afterwards the provinces, admiralties and chambers of the VOC also started using yachts. The luxury yacht was also exported. For example, the kings of Sweden and England and the Kurfürst of Brandenburg received a yacht. The influential merchants could not stay behind and also had yachts built. These were usually pleasure yachts and ‘boeiers’. In a city like Amsterdam, a marina emerged early on. Various paintings show that sailing became commonplace as a pleasant pastime. Yachting was born!

The play yacht that Artitec brings is based on drawings by Nicolaes Witsen (1641–1717). It is long over the perpendiculars 42 Amsterdam feet. We have opted for the more modern type with masts that can tilt in mast tubes.