An elegant old lady from 1903

Completely modernized and still original – preserved as Dutch heritage

Vessel with a soul

In the past, the Poseidon was a cargo ship, built according to Dutch naval architecture.

Although the cargo has changed in the meantime, the ship has always kept her own soul and charisma.

A second life

Nowadays, the ship, completely modernized, sails with guests on the Dutch waters.

The Poseidon feels especially at home between the sandbanks and on the Wadden Sea.

Anno 0
Usage: cargo ship under sail

The clipper Poseidon was built in 1903 by order of the Swets family at the Duyvendijk shipyard in Papendrecht. Originally the ship was called Zuid-Holland, this name was given to every ship in the family. It remained in the family and was passed down from father to son.

Using only the power of the wind, for more than half a century cargo, such as building materials for dike construction, was transported in the waters of the province of Zeeland. She also sailed to Germany to load coal and stones. With the predominantly westerly wind on the Rhine upstream, to the Ruhr area and back again with the current to the Netherlands. Sometimes steam tugs had to help out.

Later, the ship was used for the transport of sugar.

Anno 0
Usage: motor cargo ship

In 1956 the ship was unrigged and converted to a motor cargo ship. The first engine ran until 1986 and was replaced by the engine that is still in operation today.

As a barge with a cargo capacity of 260 tons, the Poseidon operated as a motor vessel until 1997. When the freight exchange in Rotterdam disappeared, it was no longer profitable for ships with such a capacity as the Poseidon.

And so the ship was put up for sale!

Anno 0
Usage: passenger ship under sail

The end of a ninety-year family tradition came with the last bargeman Theo Swets, who devoted himself to other work on the mainland. The new owners became Frans and Frouke Fischer. Within a year the ship was renovated and re-rigged. The former hold was converted and furnished into a magnificent accommodation for guests.

Under the name “Poseidon” the Greek god of the sea, the ship left the harbor of Harlingen for the first time in 1999 as a sailing passenger ship.

Since 2018 we, Alida Beekhuizen and Nico Goeres are the proud owners of the clipper Poseidon and still sailing full of passion from the beautiful port city of Harlingen.

In good condition under great care

We maintain and care for the ship with great care

Technical data
Year of construction 1903
Shipyard Duyvendijk in Papendrecht
Length 36,38 metres
Width 6,30 metres
Draught 1,20 metres (max.)
Main engine DAF 1160/ 168 PK
Generator Mitsubishi S4Q/ 16KVA
Rigging
Mainsail 160 sqm  (2020)
Mizzen 85 sqm (2014)
Foresail 75 sqm (2020)
Jib 60 sqm (2008)
Genoa 109 sqm
Staysail 70 sqm
Operation
Mainsail Manual winch with 2 wheels or electric motor
Mizzen Setting by hand
Foresail Setting with hand and winch
Jib Setting with hand and winch
Sideboards Manual and with electric winch
Sheets Manual and with winches
Anchor winch Electric winch

Welcome aboard in our salon

The Poseidon has 32 berths and 50 places for day trips

Cabins

14 Cabins

12 x 2 person cabins
2 x 4 person cabins

In each cabin there are:

beds (mattresses 2m x 0,75m)
with fitted sheet, pillow and comforter with cover
a ladder for the top bed on request
washbasin with hot and cold running water
mirror and lamp
storage space
coat hook
porthole
Central heating
220 volt socket

Sanitary room

2 showers
with mirror, coat hooks, trash can and storage space

4 toilets
with washbasin, mirror, soap dispenser and waste garbage can

Galley

Fully equipped and very spacious galley

In the galley you will find:

Gastronomy dishwasher
Gas stove with 6 burners
Gas oven 70 liters with integrated warming cabinet
Gastronomy coffee maker 2 liters incl. coffee filters
Gastronomy refrigerator 420 liters
Freezer 130 liters
Beer dispenser
Bottle fridge 180 liters
Storage space

Salon & Bar

Spacious enough to make yourself comfortable

In the salon there are:

4 tables with comfortable upholstered benches, chairs and bar stools
music system with USB and line-in connection
flat screen with laptop connection
Nautical charts of our sailing area
Hiking and biking maps of the Wadden Sea islands
Information material about the Wadden Sea
defibrillator

Clear and above all very spacious

An exceptionally spacious ship with plenty of room both below deck and on deck, comfortably furnished with a practical layout

Layout Poseidon:

Who is the crew ?

Nico Goeres and Alida Beekhuizen: Trustworthy and experienced

Since 2018 we, Nico and Alida are the proud owners of the beautiful clipper Poseidon.

With a lot of enthusiasm and passion we sail with this beautiful lady over the Wadden Sea and Ijsselmeer. We enjoy seeing our guests leave the boat with a smile on their faces after an eventful sailing trip together. Since we met, we have been sailing together. First as a couple and then with our three children as a family.

We welcome you on board!

…as a mate in the harbor of Harlingen. At that time it was already clear to me, that I would like nothing better than to be on board and to sail. In the meantime I have been sailing as a skipper on the Wadden Sea for 16 years and have been allowed to discover many other sailing areas. Sailing has become my passion. I would be happy to tell and explain more about sailing on the Wadden Sea and the flat bottom ships.’

…I already sailed with my father on our ship Bornrif  as a mate. I got it so to speak already with the mother’s milk instilled. After many years of experience on different sailing ships and other cruising areas I returned to the Wadden Sea. It is a pleasure for me to sail with our guests, to tell about it and to explain everything.’

Our crew is supported by mate Leo. He has been working for and especially with  us the whole season 2023 and was an unbelievable support for us and a  hard working man. We are very happy that he has decided to join us for the major part of our sailingseason 2024!

Together we are a strong team with a lot of experience and knowledge about our sailing area and sailing.

… and sailing has quickly captivated me.

As a mate on board I have learned a lot about sailing and the Wadden Sea in the last 2 years.

Born and grown up in the city of Berlin , the profession was absolutely new territory for me.

I am really looking forward to sail the ship together with our guests again and enjoy the nature around.

A few other impressions on board…

Of course also on board:

Gangway for a safe way from and on board
Large gas grill
Rain and sun tent on deck
Cushions to sit on deck
Bathing ladder