New Build and Restored

Dutch Barges
By

&
 Tony Charman - Managing Director Pieter de Jong - Managing Director
Bowcrest Marine Ltd. De Elburger Scheepsbemiddeling b.v.

Tony Charman & Pieter de Jong have worked together in the world of Dutch barges for
over 10 years and during that time we have sold many Dutch barges to clients from all over
the world. Over time we both came to realise that many clients wanted layouts and
standards that were generally not available in the second hand market. Indeed it would be
fair to say that in terms of layout many new build barges also did not fulfil the expectations of
many purchasers. Because of this we decided to see if there was a way of providing quality
barges with the layout that many people wanted, with new installations and an internal fit-out
which catered for clients who intended to live-aboard and cruise for extended periods of
time.

With this in mind, in February 2006 we found a beautiful classic Tjalk hull lying in a field and
in desperate need of restoration. She was an exceptionally rare model and we just could not
allow her to be go the way so many other derelict barges had done before her. She was
purchased on the spot and arrangements made to have her welded back together again so
that she could be lifted from the field that had been her home for more than 40 years.
Eventually when everything was ready she was transported to one of the top traditional
barge yards in Holland so that work could begin in giving her a new life.

At this point it’s fair to say that both Pieter and my partner Deborah and I took leave of our
senses and literally took a step into the unknown. What you will see in the following pages is
only part of the story

Samenwerking as she was found in February 2006. The port

side had already been cut away and had to be welded back
into place before she could be moved.

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 Imagination and a sense of humour
are essential ingredients when
undertaking a project of this type. The
planning and logistics are taken care
of by Bowcrest Marine & De Elburger
Scheepsbemiddeling and with De
Boldert & Jella Talsma doing the hull
restoration and technical installations
it leaves you free to plan what you
want for the interior of your new
barge.

We named this project barge “Samenwerking” which means “co-operation” in Dutch. Over the
next few months this beautiful vessel underwent what can only be described as a total
transformation from an old sad hull to a beautifully re-built and refurbished Tjalk. The story of her
transformation is shown in the pages that follow.

Throughout the months that Samenwerking underwent her “steel surgery” we had many moments
of wondering “what have we done”? The gaol of creating a barge which offered as many of the
features that we knew clients wanted was never far from our mind and slowly the project started to
take shape. With her new bottom, decks and superstructure she finally did start to look like a barge
again.

Great care was taken in the planning of the rebuild to ensure that maximum use was made of the
available space. This was achieved by being able to position the watertight bulkheads where we
wanted them rather than where they would have originally been. The exterior & interior design
concept was put together by Tony Charman / Bowcrest Marine based on our years of experience
in owning, living aboard and selling Dutch Barges.

“Samenwerking” arrives at
the
shipyard of De Boldert - “Jella
Talsma” in Freisland

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The Project management was undertaken by Pieter de Jong of De Elburg Scheepsbemiddeling based on his
many years experience working with & developing/building small commercial vessels & selling Fishing Vessels
and Dutch Barges. It is his knowledge and contacts that enabled the whole project to come to fruition.

Both our New Build Barges and our restoration Barges are built at Scheepswerf
Talsma by Jelle Talsma who has an enviable reputation as one of the most
accomplished ship builders in Holland. Here ships are built in the old way by true
craftsmen. The technical Installations are by De Boldert—Jaap de Boer

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Wide decks were fitted for safety which make walking along her side decks a pleasure rather
than a nightmare and allows plenty of room to work. We also wanted particularly to ensure
that a flat aft deck was fitted to the ship for entertaining and outside living. As much time when
living aboard is spent outdoors this is a really important and often overlooked aspect of
barging. A good size wheelhouse was incorporated into the design concept to allow several
people to sit in comfort in the wheelhouse whilst the vessel is under way.

Part of the brief given to the yard was to ensure that the new superstructure followed the
beautiful lines of the hull to ensure harmony of form and retain her sweeping lines. Getting
this right is no easy task and requires traditional barge craftsmen who have the “eye” to create
just the perfect proportions to make her look “right”. As can be seen from the photographs
they have done a stunning job!

Old bottom out and

New bottom in. The
construction of the
barge is true to the
original pattern and is
the same as that used
for a New Build.

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 By building in new
bulkheads fore and aft
where we need them
we can maximise the
internal space rather
than be restricted by
the confines of the
original hull. This
creates massive space
in a 20m barge.

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 Vessel is prepared for her 2 pack epoxy paint

Samenwerking on her hand-over

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 John Deere
fitSamenwerking

The Engine Room is complete with Main Engine, Silent pack

generator, tanks, diesel central heating boiler, and is fully
insulated to reduce noise pollution. Both New Build Barges &
Restoration Barges will be fitted with Deutz Full Marine
Specification Diesel engines to comply with current emission
controls.

The interior of the ship is fully

insulated with Thinsulate 3M,
under-panelling is fitted and
eventually the top facing is
applied. The Portholes are
finished as shown in the
photograph to the left.

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 An alternative to a restored barge is a completely New Build. Our barges are all built to
reflect the traditional aesthetic beauty of the “Grand Originals” and as such we feel that
they should be “right in every particular”. To this end the designer and builder take great
care to ensure that even the smallest detail is thought about, right down to the correct
profiles, cambers, sheers and detailing. All this goes to create a vessel that is virtually
impossible to tell from the original ships. Of course the big advantage in modern day
construction is that the vessel is purpose designed and built to be used as a recreational
vessel and so optimises internal space. Before making a decision on the type of vessel you
want take the opportunity to discuss your requirements with us. Our experience and
knowledge of the fascinating world of barging can help prospective owners, particularly
those new to cruising, purchase the perfect vessel for their needs. Choosing whether you
want an aft cabin (traditional on a Luxemotor) or a large flat aft deck for entertaining are
important decisions. Folding hardwood wheelhouse top or non folding steel is again
something to consider depending on where the vessel will be used.

The 20m Luxemotor is probably our most popular design. It is the perfect size for cruising
and provides just the right balance of space and ease of use. She is very easy to handle
and many owners feel very comfortable with this size of vessel. With a beam of 4.95m she
really does offer super internal space which would normally be configured
with two very spacious en-suite cabins.

It is amazing just how much space is available in these vessels allowing you live aboard
with the room and comfort you would expect from your normal home. There is plenty of
space on board for all the luxuries such as dish washer, full size domestic fridge freezer
even your own comfortable sofa & chairs. Unlike the more conventional recreational
vessels, ships are a “home from home” and many owners live aboard permanently.

“Samenwerking”
which is a Zeetjalk
on her fit-out berth.
This beautiful barge
can be recreated as
a new barge - see
the drawings

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Whether you choose a New Build or a Restoration Barge the build quality and attention to
detail are the same. Indeed with restorations often there is only the middle of the original
hull that survives as both the bottom and the superstructure are new.

The early stages of the build are always the most difficult as for many it is hard to imagine
that the bare steel hull will ever be your new home. Normally it will take about 10/12 weeks
for the yard to build the hull and install all the main technical installations. The vessel then
goes to a specialist paint shop where she will be fully prepared and painted with a two pack
epoxy paint treatment.

The next and perhaps the most rewarding stage is when she is moved to her fit-out berth
and the exciting part of the whole project gets underway. Within only a few weeks
purchasers can start to see what their new home will really look like and are able to get a
feel for the “space”. There are many permutations of interior layout possible within a given
length and breadth of a ship but in reality it is always best to take advise from the
professionals as to the best and most user friendly layout choice. At some point in the
future you may wish to sell your barge and at that time a really good interior layout comes
into it’s own. Many owners in the past have gone ”their own way” on this subject only to find
that when the time comes to sell, considerable value has been lost due to poor choice of
layout. The key here is to discuss fully with us what your requirements are and let us help
you realise your dreams at the same time ensuring that you will have a valuable and
desirable asset in the future.

We deliberately keep our vessels simple as far as the basic specification is concerned. The
more you have on a barge the more that can go wrong. So good quality installations are
essential whilst at the same time maintaining the concept that simple is good,
complicated can be a problem. Naturally, should purchasers require additional “electronic
wizardry” this can be fitted to order. Many owners find that once they are “Living the
Dream” life can become very relaxed and slow paced, and they are surprised by just how
much fun can be had by “keeping it simple”. In the summer months owners live much of the
time outside so a good flat and easily accessible area to sit is essential. Bar-B-Q’s are the
order of the day or maybe simple cooking out on deck.

We aim to provide purchasers with a barge that has everything you will need to live
comfortably onboard and be able to navigate her safely throughout the Waterways of
Europe..
The infamous Capestang Bridge on the
Canal du Midi. We build our barges so
that they will be able to navigate this
bridge by lowering the wheelhouse. During
the summer months many barges run with
their wheelhouse down as a matter of
course due to the high temperatures.

Winter on the Canal du Midi— warmer

than the UK!

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P10 Interior Layout shown is for illustration only.
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www.bowcrest.com
 New Build 20m Motortjalk “Jeltje” being built in the
yard Spring 2007. Note the beautiful original shape
of this superb ship.

Scheepswerf Talsma
“Jeltje” - hull build now complete
and ready for fit-out. Engine
installed and able to move under
her own power.
The following photographs show the interior
of Samenwerking on completion.
 “Samenwerking” handed over to
her proud new owners July 2007.
and re-named “Daryl’s Inheritance”
Profile plans for “Jeltje”
email: ships@bowcrest.com Website : www.bowcrest.com

Tel/Fax: +44 (0) 2392 550263 Mob: +44 (0)7711 006766

20 Ross House
60 Marine Parade West, Lee-on-Solent
Hampshire PO13 9YP, England