For Sale: Laertes, a Classic Dutch Trawler (€345,000) – An Exclusive Interview with Her Owner

Own a Piece of Nautical History – This Sturdy, Ocean-Ready Trawler is Ready for Her Next Chapter

Meet Laertes, a custom-built Dutch trawler yacht with a rich history and unmistakable charm. Designed by the renowned Kurt Beister and built in 1966 at the D. Jph. Boot Werf de Vooruitgang shipyard, she embodies the perfect balance of rugged durability and classic elegance. Measuring 21.75 meters (71 feet) in length with a 5.40-meter beam, Laertes was designed for long-range cruising, offering a sturdy, round-bilged steel hull reinforced with three watertight bulkheads for enhanced safety and seakeeping. She is currently listed for sale with De Valk Yacht Brokers at an asking price of €345,000 (VAT paid). If you're interested, I’ll include a link to the full listing at the bottom of this blog.

Her legendary Gardner 8L3B diesel engine, a 230-horsepower workhorse, is at the heart of her reliability, giving her a cruising speed of 8.5 knots and an impressive range of 3,000 nautical miles. She is equipped with hydraulic bow and stern thrusters for precise manoeuvring, a long keel with bilge keels for stability, and a canoe stern that enhances handling in following seas. Since I published a Yacht Tour video of Laertes on my YouTube channel, it has garnered nearly 600,000 views, a testament to the yacht’s timeless appeal and the strong interest in this classic Dutch trawler.

Beyond her robust engineering, Laertes offers an inviting interior crafted from teak and oak, with a thoughtfully designed layout that includes two comfortable cabins, a deck saloon, and a pilot house with panoramic views. The high-quality finish extends to her teak decks, which are 5 cm thick and allow for easy walkaround access. Inside, she’s fitted with modern amenities, including a full galley with a marble countertop, central heating, and en suite bathrooms with electric Tecma toilets.

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Over the decades, Laertes has sailed across Europe, from the canals of Holland to the coastlines of the UK and North Africa, proving herself as a capable and seaworthy cruiser. Whether navigating inland waterways or braving the open sea, she remains a timeless Dutch trawler that blends old-world craftsmanship with modern reliability.

To truly understand Laertes, we spoke with her current owner, who has spent decades maintaining, upgrading, and cruising aboard this classic vessel. Here’s what he had to say:

Q: Can you tell us about Laertes’ origins?

A (Owner): She was built in Holland in 1965 and launched in 1966. A Dutch family purchased the scuttled hull of a fishing vessel and commissioned Kurt Beister to transform it into a family-friendly yacht. They lived aboard for about five years before selling her. Since then, she’s had a handful of owners, sailing across Europe, including journeys to Paris and North Africa. I bought her in 1999 from De Valk Yacht Brokers.

Q: Was she ever used for anything other than recreational cruising?

A (Owner): No, Laertes has always been a private yacht. She was built as a floating family home and never served as a fishing boat or commercial vessel.

Q: What major upgrades or restorations have you made?

A (Owner): The biggest refit was back in 2000–2001 at Claasen Yachtbouw in Zaandam, Holland, with the help of Birgit Schnaase, a talented designer from Hamburg. We gave her a full technical and electrical overhaul, upgraded all the electronics and radar, and refreshed the interior to blend classic charm with modern comforts.

Over the years, I’ve continued to make improvements, including:

• Preventive engine overhauls in 2003 and 2019

• Replacing the Danfoss hydraulic pumps in 2020

• Installing a new hydraulic bow thruster in 2023

• Giving her a fresh hull paint job, new anodes, and antifouling in 2023

• Updating household essentials like the washer, dryer, fridge, and freezer in 2022

She’s been carefully maintained, ensuring she stays in top condition for both long voyages and comfortable living aboard.

Q: Does she still reflect Kurt Beister’s original design?

A (Owner): Absolutely. The hull and basic layout remain unchanged, but the staterooms, saloon, galley, and wheelhouse have been updated for comfort. The biggest modification was converting the bow cabin into a workshop and spares store, adding direct deck access.

Q: Which of your voyages stand out the most?

A (Owner): Every trip is memorable, but Scotland has a special place in my heart. The Caledonian Canal journey was stunning—Laertes looked right at home there, and she turned heads everywhere we went. We also spent time in London’s St. Katharine Dock, before moving to Malahide Marina near Dublin, where she was berthed for many years.

Q: What kind of speed and range does she have?

A (Owner): She’s got great efficiency for a boat her size. At around 7.5 knots, she burns about 25 litres per hour, which gives her an impressive 3,000 nautical mile range on a full 11,000-litre tank. Push her up to 8.5 knots, and fuel consumption creeps up to 30 litres per hour, trimming the range slightly. Keeping the hull and prop clean makes a big difference in getting the best out of her. Keeping the hull and propeller clean is essential for optimal efficiency.

Q: Is she difficult to handle for someone used to smaller boats?

A (Owner): It’s an adjustment, but not impossible. The bow and stern thrusters help a lot. You need to learn techniques like using a spring line for docking—pushing 80 tons of steel by hand isn’t an option! Once you understand how to work the thrusters, rudder, and engine together, handling her becomes second nature.

Q: Any advice for a future owner?

A (Owner): If you want a strong, reliable trawler with classic charm, Laertes is ideal. She’s practical—no fancy paint jobs, no fragile luxury finishes. If you scratch the hull, just weld, prime, and paint. She’s perfect for someone who values a comfortable, capable liveaboard yacht over a ‘bling-bling’ showboat. Take the time to learn her systems, and she’ll reward you with safe and enjoyable voyages.

Laertes is currently listed for sale with De Valk Yacht Broker’s. Looking to charter a sailing or motor yacht? Contact me for more information by clicking HERE

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