S T E L L A
Class Association
Arjen has undertaken a major rebuild of his Stella including the Lister Petter 6hp engine. `.I renamed her because a
Stella should have a star's name (Spica was my favourite star for making an evening fix when I was working as a Mate),
and in Holland we don't see D-Day as a name, but rather an historic event. (Maybe the first owner landed in Normandy?).
It took me two years to bring her back to shape.'
Arjen tells of his friend working six months to renovate the engine - with spare parts being found from shipyard contacts
or self-made. He tells that there are still some barges which use the Petter for auxiliary power (as well as examples
used for farm use).
I normally sail on the Ijsselmeer, going from Spaarndam through the North Sea Canal and the Oranje sluizen. There are some
very nice places there because the Ijsselmeer used to be an inland sea so all the ports have their original entrances and
dikes. Don't visit the marinas but stay in the old harbours.!'.
Arjen works as a pilot in the North Sea Canal region and offers help with information about the route from the North Sea
to Ijsselmeer.
What of # 70 `Aquila'? There were reports that she may have been seen in Dover Harbour at some time in recent years. It has also been said that she had an owner from Maldon in Essex who went to live in Northern France and that `Aquila' may now be owned by a Monsieur Jeunes of Robion. Any news?