oktober 2026

Design No. 436

I sailed with Bluefin from Inverness to Hindeloopen, where the boat underwent a minor refit. During the final leg, we had 40-knot winds from astern. For the first time in such conditions, I was able to take photographs from the foredeck without getting wet.
In Hindeloopen, the anchor fitting was modified to accommodate a heavier anchor, and maintenance was    carried  out on the centerboard and the propeller shaft. Six weeks later, I met up with her again on the Isle of Wight.  

   
Video of the trip     

Design 531

Design 531 has been launched and has completed her maiden voyage to England. She is a magnificent vessel, crafted with great attention to detail. Her owners are absolutely delighted with her.

Design No. 534

Design No. 534 has left  Koopmans Kasko's and is now in Harlingen, where she is undergoing glass blasting and the application of an underwater paint system. She will soon be  at the Loedeman yard in Elburg.        

50 mijls race

  I sailed the 50-Miler with nephew, Marcel. Last time we sailed together was 30 yearsago. Three boats, including ours, rounded a buoy that had been incorrectly discribed, such that a line around marks touch all of them. We decided to leave it as is, since attempting a "correct" rounding with a hundred boats in the mix would have caused total chaos. Despite the slight detour, we still finished 6th out of 27 boats in our class.

We also sailed the Ronde van Noord Holland (a race around the head of NW Holland) aboard the Jager. During the third leg, from Den Oever to Ijmuiden, a "code red" warning was issued, signaling severe thunderstorms and gusts above 50 knt. We decided to continue only as long as a safe return remained possible. Upon reaching that point, we chose to withdraw from the race, even though we were in a winning position. In the results which, due to the weather covered legs 1 and 2 combined, we are in first place. Koopmans design VQ 32 during the race ended behind us on 2e place On our way to a safe harbour

Design No. 537

Project 537 is progressing. The rig design has largely been worked out, and the keel has taken its final shape. Discussions regarding the interior are ongoing, but initial ideas are taking form.

Round the island race

There is Bluefin again!

It is a race around the Isle of Wight featuring 800 participants. I sailed to the Isle of Wight with my friend Jaap to take part in the Round the Island Race. We sailed double-handed, which was quite demanding—especially during a 90-minute stretch of upwind sailing close to the coast, requiring 50 tacks. Unfortunately, the double-handed fleet was not very large and was split across various IRC classes. We were the first to cross the finish line in our category, and placed fourth on handicap. After the race, my holiday with Jolanda began.

Video of the race

Design No. 536

No. 536 has also left Koopmans Kasko's and is now in Zeebrugge. The interior will be installed there, followed by the wooden deck.

Design No. 496

No. 496 has been out sailing. She handles beautifully at the helm and has a clean wake. The final jobs will be completed this coming winter, and then she’ll head out to sea.

Last race of the season was the 200 myls solo with 100 boats. I was not topfit so ended at place 27

Video of the race