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De Hollandia, Houseboat Extraordinaire

April 18, 2008

houseboat De Hollandia Saint Martin

To fully appreciate De Hollandia is to appreciate its legendary history, the one of the forbidden voyage.

Its history began almost a century ago when De Hollandia served as a grain cargo ship until the late 60’s between the outer shores of Overijssel crossing the precarious zuiderzee to Holland’s center of commerce, Amsterdam.

In 1970 a Parisian architect - Claude-Alain Girard - discovers the beauty hidden under layers of almost 60 years of service, acquires her and spends 5 years restoring her into a Parisian socialite hang-out known for extravagant parties and an irresistible attraction of the goddesses of Paris’ nightlife while docked at the quai de Suffren in the heart of the “city of lights”.

In 1980 De Hollandia’s adventure filled past receives yet another re-invigorating injection when Claude-Alain discovers St. Barths and nurtures the impossible dream of crossing the Atlantic. Embarking on the voyage in 1981 against French maritime authorities, Claude- Alain successfully makes the crossing to a triumphant landing in St. Barths in 1982.

Today owned by a renowned island restaurateur, De Hollandia majestically sits in the tropical Bay of Cul de Sac in St. Martin, the French West Indies.

Completely renovated in 2006, this houseboat retains a touch of France with exquisite layered hardwood floors. At the bow, the upper deck has become a spacious dining room with ingeniously designed tinted shutter windows. At the stern is an exotic yet quaint living room area with a specially designed mezzanine that was adapted for the safety of small children. An outdoor wooden built shower ensures a good rinse before reboarding.

A well equipped galley and helm share the same space, the helm is strategically placed at the back of the bar. Below deck houses primarily an oversized master bedroom with bathroom, shower and separate half bath, but also the children’s room with two bunk beds and at the opposite end the washer, dryer and engine room. Equipped with two generators and a gasoline fueled desalination station, De Hollandia still has its original motor, an authentic 135CC Gardner. Noteworthy, her sailing sloop is 78×16 feet, of steel, weighing 50 tons and dates back to 1915.

De Hollandia is no ordinary boat, no ordinary home. Since the 70’s her owners have restored and maintained her with care driven by a passion to conserve this treasure of decades past and legend of a triumphant Atlantic crossing.

Whether you’re looking for a home, primary or secondary, or a floating hotel for Caribbean escapades, De Hollandia offers either all the amenities, comfort, and charm of life on the water.

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Written by admin · Filed Under Current 

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