Frisian Schouw
The Frisian Schouw varies in length from 4.5 to 6 metres, is 1.4 to 1.8 meters wide and has a strongly sloping front panel. These schouwen were built in many places in Friesland, not only on the shipyards, but also often by private individuals and other craftsmen who needed them for their own use. The ships had their own version for each place. For example, Terhornster, Eernewoudster and Grouwster Schouwen are sometimes referred to. The dimensions and gear could also vary. The Frisian Schouw was often used for the daily work of grocers, farmers and flour merchants. The Schouw was also popular as a pleasure boat.
The ships were often beautifully painted. Sometimes they were decorated with gilded carvings. For competition sailing, the ships were equipped with a lot of rigging. Ballast was then needed to keep them afloat. The Lemster Schouw or ‘spekbak’ is an example of the Frisian Schouw. Due to economic reasons, the fishermen had to look for the cheapest vessels. The schouw was the solution. The coffin-like, not elegant hull, with a flat transom stern at the front and rear, is made of wide planks that only need to be bent in one direction. The shelves are made of cheap pine wood. In order to get the necessary security, the schouw was already covered with iron during the construction.
Zeeschouw
The Zeeschouw or Hoornse Schouw is a fishing vessel that arose at the end of the 19th century. After the closure of the Zuiderzee in 1932, these ships rose strongly. They were especially popular in Hoorn and Enkhuizen, but were also ordered by many other fishermen. Ships such as the Botter, Kwak and Kotter were no longer profitable after the closure of the Zuiderzee. Poor fishingcatch results forced the Zuiderzee fishermen to switch to a simple and cheap to build, yet robust and seaworthy ship type, so these relatively small and cheap steel ships were a godsend.
The first Zeeschouwen were built around 1900 in Poppingawier, later also in Lemmer, Makkum and Enkhuizen. The Hoornse Schouw has a less flat sheer than the Lemster type, so that the head and thus the foredeck of the Hoornse Schouw rises higher. The craft is equipped with two sea swords and an attached rudder. It is covered in front of the mast and the bun is amidships. The rigging consists of a mainsail with a straight gaff, a botter jib that extends behind the mast and a jib on a jib boom. They were used for eel and zander fishing. They are mainly built of iron and steel, but wooden Schouwen were also used. They were often immediately provided with an auxiliary engine. These ships were scornfully called 'Spekbak' by the older fishermen. This says nothing about their sailing abilities, because in general they were good sailors. The Zeeschouw is still built as a yacht, so with a cabin, but also in the fisherman version.
The Zeeschouw has all the characteristics of the other typical Zeeland fishing vessels such as the Hoogaars and the Hengst. The difference is the front plate that labels it as a Schouw. It was built in wood and iron and did not disappear as a fishing vessel until the 1950s.
Salmon Schouw
The salmon Schouw is a narrow fishing vessel intended for catching salmon on the major rivers and in the Biesbosch. The first examples were built with wood, later this became iron and nowadays steel.
Salmon Schouwen were rigged with a spritsail and jib. A tent could be pitched in front of the mast, under which a primitive stay was possible. Built in iron they have a somewhat more egg-shaped waterline and vertically cuffed sides, a small front board, and a large almost vertical aft board. This was ideal for later attaching an outboard motor. The type is now often used as a recreational boat and is also newly built in various versions.
DOEVE Brokers and Valuers is your dedicated yacht broker for Schouwen. For further information about the sale of your Schouw or if you wish to purchase a Schouw, please contact us.
