Your stay on the Dageraad
Port of departure: Lemmer
Sailing area: IJsselmeer, Waddensea
Thanks to its ample size and luxurious furnishing, the Dageraad is a wonderful ship for many types of events. The ship can, of course, be booked for larger school and/or youth groups. With 37 berths, there is plenty of space! But companies will also feel right at home. Whether you want to book the Dageraad for a company presentation, a meeting, team building, management or training sessions, or a staff outing, the ship offers all the space and facilities to organise your trip in any way you want.
Apart from youth groups and companies, families and groups of friends also feel right at home with Alex and Jessica. The Dageraad can be booked for one or more days, during which you actively sail the ship across the IJsselmeer or the Wadden Sea during the day and berth in one of the lively harbour towns later in the afternoon.
And if you have wedding plans, you can even get married on board the Dageraad!
Sailing on the Dageraad
From its hometown Lemmer, the Dageraad mainly sails across the IJsselmeer, the Markermeer, and on the Wadden Sea during longer trips. The Dageraad can also access the Frisian inland waterways but skipper Alex will only choose to do so when groups specifically request to go there or in more inclement weather.
After a day’s sailing the IJsselmeer or the Markermeer, the Dageraad can berth in Enkhuizen, Medemblik, Hoorn, Urk, or Stavoren. When sailing out onto the Wadden Sea, we will try to beach the ship when the tide allows for it, or berth at one of the islands like Texel, Vlieland or Terschelling.
The Dageraad is a two-mast ship with over 700 m2 of sails, which means that the group will have to roll up their sleeves as well. When we jointly hoist and lower the sails, tack and turn, and set the course, sound collaboration and clear communication are vital. This quickly turns a group into a close-knit team in which all are equal.
The Dageraad's crew
Ever since he first went sailing when he was still in high school, skipper and owner Alex has always been fascinated by traditional sailing ships. In the late 1990s, he moved from Germany to the Netherlands where he first started working as a sailor on a clipper. He has been the skipper on the Dageraad since 2006 and was able to purchase the ship in 2014. Alex is a keen sailor and he adjusted the Dageraad’s rigging to suit his purpose. This means that everybody onboard has to participate. But apart from being a great sailor, Alex is also a wonderful host who will go to great lengths to offer his guests an enjoyable and comfortable stay.
Layout
The Dageraad has all the facilities you may need and sleeping accommodation for 37 people in total. All twelve cabins have a radiator to keep you snug on the colder days, a washbasin with hot and cold water, a power outlet, and a reading light at every bed.
The spacious and light saloon belowdecks has four large tables surrounded by benches and chairs. The dark lacquered tables give the saloon a luxurious look and feel, making it highly suitable for all kinds of different events or occasions. The saloon also has a bar with a beer pump.
The large galley (the ship's kitchen) is situated at the back of the saloon and offers plenty of space to prepare meals for the entire group. The galley includes all the equipment you need, such as a large professional gas-fuelled stove with an oven, a large fridge, a freezer, and a dishwasher.
On deck, at least 25 people can lounge comfortably in the dedicated seating corner. This is where you are directly involved in whatever must be done to sail a ship. Skipper Alex has rigged the ship in such a way that nearly everyone can sail the Dageraad actively in all conditions. He will make sure that his guests will have an unforgettable and relaxed stay on board of their ship.
Facilities Dageraad
Dageraad's history
In 1910, at the keel for the two-mast clipper ‘Onderneming’ was laid in the Van Duyvendijk yard in Lekkerkerk. With its 313 tonnes, the Onderneming was the largest sailing ship in the Werkendam fleet. The ship was used to transport sugar beet, sand and gravel in Zeeland and South Holland in its early years.
In 1928, a motor was built in the stern, the sailing rig was removed, and a wheelhouse was built on the stern. The sand and gravel were replaced by general cargo, and the sailing area was expanded to the Rhine.
After WW II, a new deckhouse and wheelhouse were placed and the ship was supplied with electricity.
In 1967, the ship was set aside in Gorinchem and was no longer sailed with. Until the ship was bought by in 1970 and returned to its original state by the then-owner. Since then, the ship has been sailing under the name Dageraad. Many innovations and modernisations have ensured that these days, the Dageraad is a very comfortable ship.
