SALLY
Clockwise from top left: Scheepswerf Stallinga’s premises; hull structural work; the enlarged rudder; bronze handrail fittings and the original
builder’s plate; companionway hatch for the forward cabin; the saloon awaiting the installation of the joineryof the Dutch inland waterways. All of the interior was
refitted. The original Daimler engine was so big it
protruded a long way forward to where the mast is. But
now there is a twin berth cabin there with, forward of
that, a shower and an electric toilet which empties into
a new holding tank to comply with modern regulations.
In the saloon there is a galley area port and starboard,
divided by the forward companionway steps, with a two-
burner gas cooker, a sink and a fridge. Further aft there
is an L-shaped settee (which can also provide a berth
for a third person) with a table to port, allowing room
for a door to the aft cockpit to starboard. While there
is a new Webasto diesel heating system, the old taps
(possibly original) and lights were re-used. All of the
interior fit out was done by Frank Stallinga, brother of
the proprietor of Scheepswerf Stallinga. The layout of
the boat differs in small ways from the old one which,
Oliver says, “was not practical. This is much more
suitable for the owner’s needs.”
Cees tells me that a lot of thought has gone into
making sure that water doesn’t lie anywhere where it
can cause long term damage, whether by stopping it
coming into the boat in the first place, or making sure
it can easily drain away to an area which will be pumped
out. “Every five centimetres has been thought of,” he
says. “She is like a new boat.”
Cees has been a very keen racing sailor for the pastSALLY
LOA
48ft 11in
(14.9m)
BEAM
9ft 2in
(2.8m)HEIGHT ABOVE WL
7ft 4in
(2.23m)DRAUGHT
2ft 11in (0.9m)DISPLACEMENT
13.6 tonnes25 years taking part in regattas and championships in
small keelboats such as Dragons, Etchells and Rainbows,
a gaff-rigged local class in Holland. He has also
competed in the Admiral’s Cup and Fastnet races but,
he says, “I prefer to be at home after racing, having
a shower, a nice drink and a warm bed.” Occasionally
depending on the geographical location of his racing,
he has used Sally to provide those home comforts.
Cees and his wife are both keen cyclists. While it is
a common to see bicycles stowed on the decks of canal
boats in Holland, Cees prefers his to be out of sight;
Sally has been set up so that bikes can be easily lowered
through the forehatch into the forepeak and lifted out
again when needed. Just forward of that hatch is a ship’s
bell, one of the main purposes of which is to allow the
frame from which it hangs to be used as a hand hold.
He describes Sally as “the easiest boat I have ever
had in my life. She handles so well.” To contribute to
this, a bow thruster was installed during her refit and the
rudder was enlarged to allow her to easily negotiate the
sharp corners of the Dutch canals. Particular attention
was paid to the sound proofing of the engine space
“because I don’t like noises around me,” says Cees.
“Sometimes when people come on board they have to
ask if the engine is running.” Sally has a top speed of just
over 10 knots and a cruising speed of about 8.5 knots.
“She goes through the water like a knife,” says Cees.