20' Dutch Fries jacht (1876) - FRISIA

This boat with leeboards was built in 1876 by the dutch shipbuilder Eeltje Holtrop van der Zee in Joure. The building price was 881,76 dutch florins . The boat was made without any drawings at all, so he uses only his eyes and perhaps additional instruments.There is a (fairy) tale that he used his chewing tobacco for pointing out the position of the leeboard mounting bolts. He also broke down an entire boat if the shape doesn’t fit his ideas. This builder has also built the boeier Sperwer, later named Hawke which boat was used by Merlin Minshall ,when sailing to Turkey . It seems that Ian Fleming had based his Bond stories on this person. The boat is in his original form and the hull shape is has a light S- form . I found even an original measuring certificate of 1913 in the back of the boat.Last year was also the inboard motor removed and this move has had a positive impact on the sailing capacities and feel of the rudder. One thing to mention is the mast lowering ability. A counterweight is installed below the mast end, so it is possible to lower the mast completely balanced without effort and in this form a bridge of 175 cm height can be passed. The sail area is 280 square feet for the main and 160 square feet for the front. In 1913 and earlier it was in sailing races about 49 square meter.The leeboards are in length ( front to aft 1 feet) adjustable to influence the sailing abilities.
In the photo’s is seen a recent overhaul with new wood. The boat carries a lot of brass work, so it takes half a day to polish this! Also is fitted a lot of blattgold.on the carved wooden figures as shown in the photo,s
The name of the boat “Frisia” has not changed in all those years and it has had 6 owners.