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Description

The Paviljoenschip "Drie Gebroeders", built in in 1898, has been fully refurbished over the last few years and is now sadly for sale due to the progression of ill health. She was found in good condition, but in need of some TLC, in the Netherlands in 2014, and after the necessary preparatory work, she was sailed to the UK in February 2015 and has been lived on full-time since then. Work undertaken has included complete electrical re-wiring and fitting of galvanic isolation, including the fitting of top quality marine gel batteries, regular diesel tank clean and installation of a new twin fuel filter system. The gas system has been upgraded to UK requirements. The Kabola water heating system has been fully serviced giving hot water all year round on demand. A new mast has been fitted (with Coelan coating), the leeboards and rudder have been fully renovated and all rigging has been replaced. Filtered drinking water is provided by a new, pressure-activated water pump. 2 x discreet Marlec solar panels have been fitted on the galley roof to complement the generator for self-sufficiency. She was in dry-dock during August 2017 for a complete strip back to bare-metal below the water line and was re-coated with several coats of the SML 2 pack epoxy paint system and anti-fouling. In May 2022 she was hoisted out for maintenance and survey and replacement of bowsprit and 2024 saw another lift out for painting and maintenance before our summer coastal adventures round Scotland and Ireland.
The bright and spacious accommodation has been likened to a small cottage and has good headroom throughout (6'6"+), with two double cabins forward plus two extra single sofa berths in the lounge. A complete interior renovation (including a new Vetus macerator toilet) has been carried out using safe eco-friendly paint and William Morris-inspired fabrics. On two New Year Days, we entertained over 20 people in her! Groups of 10+ are accommodated comfortably seated. There is diesel-fired central heating in all areas plus a multi-fuel stove in the lounge area ( you won't be cold or damp!!), a water-efficient shower, electric toilet, wash-basin, plenty of storage throughout. In 2023 sailed the Irish Inland Waterways and in 2024 sailed the Scottish Isles and around the Irish coast.
Please visit our website or social media (www.theolddutchbarge.co.uk) for more of her story and pictures. Last surveyed May2022. Currently in Lough Erne, Co.Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, UK.

Specifications

Accommodation

Good headroom (6'6"+) throughout - not often found on these ships! Open plan living space with entrance through the galley, down a couple of steps into the living area; with central heating and multi-fuel stove with new chimney - you won't be cold! The galley to rear offers space for a table and four seats, gas cooker, small fridge and freezer. Plentiful storage and shelving throughout. Rewiring of the electric system allowed for new sockets with USB charging ports. Through a door leaving the lounge, a passage leads to a toilet, shower and basin plus two ample double cabins - all with even more storage. Forepeak gives plentiful space and shelving for sails, paints, tools and maintenance items. The engine room is behind the galley, accessed behind the removable stairs. These stairs are also new, made with a less severe slope to improve access.

Spacious lounge looking forward from Galley

Galley windows giving good visibility with sliding shutters for shade, privacy or security at sea.

Favourite seat for two on the gas box to rear.

Brass portholes open throughout

New steps, less steep for easier access

Danish multi-fuel stove cleaned and serviced annually; with detachable chimney

Ornamental knobs - a decorative detail

Galley work area - sink, full size gas cooker/oven and dual voltage fridge

Construction

They don't make them to last like this anymore! Solid rivetted (pre-Hiroshima) iron from 1898 which has seen out two world wars and many other adventures - dry docked in August 2017 for a high-pressure power hosing, needle-gunned back to bare metal and prepped thoroughly before coating with Vinyguard primer and 3 coats of SML 2-pack epoxy. Below water has some plating carried out in the Netherlands, which is all sound. Above water has been painted each year with SML marine paints and primers and recent travels have seen her out of the water for painting and transport.

Fully rerigged

Leeboards fully refurbished

Certificate of historic casco status

Mast and rigging winch

Solid rivetted iron

Original blocks renewed

traditional gaff rigged

Forward winch

brass portholes opening throughout

Bowsprit restored

Blocks maintenance

Rudder restoration

Tiller restoration

Equipment

All equipment is either new, refurbished or well maintained. Beds have standard size double mattresses.

Navigation Equipment

New Simrad nav system and radio

Engine(s)

The BMC engine was thoroughly serviced for the barge's delivery across the North Sea in early 2015 and didn't miss a beat on the 24-hour trip. Since then it has been well maintained and used for short excursions during the restoration of the vessel until moved from Essex to Kent in a 10 hour journey in the Spring of 2017 when she again performed perfectly. In 2019 DG travelled from Kent around the south coast of England and across to Ireland without a hiccup and sailed in Strangford Lough for the summer of 2019 before moving to the Newry Canal for the winter. In June 2020 we sailed from Newry to Bangor, Co.Down then moved in June '21 to Belfast Harbour marina and sailed in Belfast Lough and up the Antrim Coast. Since December '22 our home berth has been in Lough Erne and she has travelled the length of the Irish Inland Waterways, Scotttish Isles and Irish Coast all without trouble. New engine mounts and starter motor were added in the last year.

Taken during my maintenance lesson!

Pictures taken during my maintenance lesson!

New Engine Mounts

Sails & Spars

A full set of 3 traditionally-coloured sails is on board. A selection of spare rigging items is in the forepeak.

Safety Equipment

Radio and handheld radio, lifejackets and flotation devices. Full complement of fire extinguishers through ship and fire blanket in the galley.