Here are some details of Stella #87, kindly sent to the Stella Class Association by Arjen Dijkstra.
| Stella #87 "Spica" | Owner - Arjen
Dijkstra Home Port - Spaarndam |
Leaving the lock at Sparndam |
Arjen writes: I bought the ex 'D-Day' after it had been 'neglected' for a couple of years by the previous owner. (Most boat owners sell their ship after they realize that they don't have time anymore for maintenance, with a wooden boat you can't afford to do nothing for two years) I renamed her because a Stella should have a stars name (Spica was my favorite star for making a evening fix when I was working as a Mate) and in Holland we don't see D-Day as a name, but rather as a historic event. (maybe the first owner landed in Normandy) |
| It took me two years to bring her back in shape. The engine was completely taken apart by a friend of mine who worked as a Chief Engineer on the Merchant Fleet and currently as a surveyer for the government. He worked six months on it and through his contacts with several shipyards he could get hold of several spare parts (The things he could not get he made them himself). We have here still some barges who use this engine for auxillery power.(or farmers using it as power for their milk machine in the field). |  The single cylinder 6 Hp Petter diesel engine was reconditioned and set up for testing. |
 In the Lock at Spaarndam (#87's owner is standing on the bank) |
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 still have their original entrances and dikes. Leaving the Oranje sluizen you have Muiden on the entrance of the Vecht. Sailing around Marken there is Monnickendam. Going North there is Hoorn and Enkhuizen. Northwest of Enkhuizen you find Medemblik. Crossing the IJsselmeer to Friesland you find Stavoren and Lemmer. Don't go to the marina's but stay in the old harbours! |
| I used to sail on the North Sea years ago with other sailing boats. I even went to Lowestoft one time. Nowadays I find it very uncomfortable and because I'm a lot at sea for my work I don't fancy it for my holidays. |
Motoring |
Arjen Dijkstra |
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