- higher stem and stern than the flat sphere
- bow and stern with a low buoy up to the bollards
- Fitted with a wooden edging board in the sides
- a gate in front of the deckhouse to allow light to enter the deckhouse through the windows
- a decorative steel gate on the buoy at the stern
Bolschip are a type of vessel that belongs to the tjalk family. They have higher bows and bulwarks in comparison to flat-bottomed barges, and have a mast with a rig. This means that the mast is hung using iron bolts on a mast foot, which supports through the deck. This allows for enough leverage to be created. Due to the larger cavity in the Bolschip, there is more space under the deck, making the mast foot, hatch, and bow deck longer.
When the mast is lowered, the hatch covers are removed, creating a cutout in the bow deck through which the mast foot can rotate. However, this can be dangerous because the mast can swing while the ship is moving.
The space under the bow deck is often in open connection with the hold. Often a wooden partition was placed at the mast hole to make this task easier. This space is often called "kisten" and was used for storage of fuel, toilet and bicycles. Bolschip and flat-bottomed barges were ideal for transporting beets, as there are gangways that allow one to not have to walk over the cargo.
Have a look at our offer of former professional ships
