Dutch Sailing Barge

[adrian pye]

Hi everyone, my partner and I are also exploring the possibility of leaving the UK to pastures greener (bluer/clearer) over the pond to carribean. Anyone know of a dutch sailing barge ever having made that trip? Or am I completely mad.
Adrian and Terri

[Hud3]

Greetings, Adrian.

I have to admit that I was forced to look to the Internet to discover what a Dutch Sailing Barge looks like.

Here's a link and an excerpt from one couple's barging journal--a comment on how their barge behaves in a seaway. I'd say that it might get a bit dicey out in the Atlantic. Looks like a comfortable craft for protected waters, though.

Pacific Yachting Article: "Sailing Through Europe" - www.linquenda.ca

"...we discovered why the Dutch were horrified when we'd told them of our intentions to cross the North Sea. Linquenda (like all skutsjes) was not built to take the broad swells and heavier seas of open waters, and her propeller cavitates in anything more than 2' waves. In strong winds she sails beautifully—and fast—in the protected inland waters of the Netherlands."

[adrian pye]

Thanks Hud3, looks like this is a good place to start. Ade

[Southern Star]

I agree with Hud. Apart from a hull form and rig designed for sheltered waters, the leeboards would likely take a huge beating offshore. I also question whether there is sufficient ballast down low enough for the boat to be self-righting.

Brad

[Hud3]

The barge in the photo has 1-1/2 tonnes of swing keel ballast...and a 60' mast!!!

[adrian pye]

Hi Southern Star, makes me now wonder if a keel could be added for ballast, lower centre of gravity and to lose the need for lee boards?

Ade

[ssullivan]

Adrian,

I think I have to go with the "you're mad" idea... lol. Sorry.

The sailing barges are inland vessels made to be narrow and long to fit through the canals in Europe. They weren't designed for ocean crossings, to my knowledge.

The good news is, you can always get yourself a regular ocean cruiser that was designed for the trip you have in mind.

[adrian pye]

Sorry Hud, never read your reply before I asked about keel.

[adrian pye]

Hi Ssullivan, the cruiser/cat idea is the tried and tested method, the barge was just a notion that I had to explore, I quite liked the idea of day trips for tourists off Dominican Republic but not pirate ship or cat as every one does this.

[Southern Star]

Adrian, I think Hud's point was that the amount of ballast is incredibly low for a vessel with a 60 foot mast. As to adding a fixed keel/ballast.... I doubt that the hull framing is sufficient to take the attachment of a keel that would be adequate for a boat of that size. And as to the size, shape and placement of the keel, you would obviously need a naval architect.

I note that the barge pictured has rather low freeboard as it is -adding approximately 20,000 lbs of keel (assuming a displacement of about 60,000lbs.) will reduce that rather dramatically. I mean, nothing is impossible. And people have rowed across the Atlantic, but....

Brad

[pieter97]

I have occasionally seen these Dutch barges for sale in the US. I saw one in FL not too long ago.l
That means that they have crossed the pond.
The larger barges were used at the time for offshore work as well, admittedly, they were bigger and built for that purpose.
I will keep my eyes open and pm you.

[adrian pye]

Ta pieter, I read that the 1 and 1/2 ton is only a counter weight for lowering the mast to fit under bridges. I guess that a barge could cross the pond as deck cargo on a freighter?

[Joli]

There was one in Annapolis last time I was there. Beautiful boat but the captain said they motored it all the way over. The owner wanted to visit the East Coast......

[Hud3]

Adrian,

It wouldn't be nearly as much fun, but you could look into having a barge shipped over on a Dockwise ship or equivalent. You'd still be better off in calm waters, though. The website I referenced mentioned that the prop cavitated in 2 ft seas.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Adrian,
Welcome aboard! As you see you'll get lots of information here on the forum to help you make decisions.
Good to have you here asking questions.
Kind Regards,
JohnL