Our barge Zwaan van Maaike is a traditional iron-riveted hull and a Luxe motor, she is 90ft long and 14ft wide, drawing less than 3ft. Lovingly restored, renovated, updated, improved and converted with great attention to detail; the cargo hold now carrys a bright, airy and luxurious living space.
The accommodation is for up to four guests, in two spacious double cabins, one cabin has a double bed and the second has twin beds that can be made as a double. Airy en-suite bathrooms for each cabin include a tiled shower, sink, dressing counter and a domestic flush toilet.
Our "grand salon" makes Zwaan van Maaike the queen of the waterways, 30ft of split level lounge, dining and kitchen, all open plan makes for a great sociable environment. The modern fully fitted kitchen is forward, with a raised counter & stools to sit and watch the chef, the spacious dining area is between it and the wonderful raised sun lounge, with large wooden framed windows is aft. This is the ideal spot to watch life ashore as it slides past.
"How is she different?" Well many barges of this size carry many more guests, which means smaller cabins and/or shared facilities, we enjoy the luxury of the spacious interior with the comfort that brings.
If traditional yatch woodwork, spaciousness and amenities normally found in a modern home mean luxury sailing to you, then you will enjoy a cruise on Zwaan van Maaike
For techno-buffs who'd like to know a bit more, read on.......
The Luxe motor is a type of Dutch barge, built for the first time in the early 1920s, designed specifically for motorised propulsion, rather than sail power. Most vessels have a straight bow, with an attractive characteristic sweep of the gunwale and comparatively luxurious crew accommodation at the aft of the ship, from which the name derives. As constructed, Luxe motor lengths ranged from 18 to 30 metres, though many were lengthened in the 1950s to compete with the falling price of road transport.
The Luxe motor type rapidly replaced the older Aak and Tjalk hull styles, offering straighter sides, a wider beam and greater length, all of which contributed to a greater cargo capacity. In addition the charming "duck tail" transom, the prop and rudder arrangement was better suited to diesel propulsion; compared with the sail-optimised hulls of the older types. One draw-back is that they do suffer from a pronounced "walk" effect when reversing, Zwaan van Maaike kicks to the left. Typically they can carry 6-9 knots through water, the speed limit on the French canals is 6 kilometers per hour (4 knots) and this we achieve at 950 rpm from the trusty modern DAF diesel.
In commercial use the hold was originally covered by duck boards, wooden panels which could be removed to expose the hold for loading, then covered with a tarpaulin. In the postwar period many adopted steel hatches instead for speed and longevity. Zwaan van Maaike has had a steel superstructure added, on which we have a table and chairs where we sit for al-fresco dining.
After commercial retirement the Luxe motor hull is a popular choice for live-aboard and recreational use, whilst the Dutch joke that the type is an "Engels" barge, or English barge. The English seem to like the shape, it is after all like a proper little ship; the Dutch seem to prefer the older more traditional hull types, preferably with sails & lee boards. Many Luxe motors have been shortened to aid with handling, or attract reduced mooring fees.
Zwaan van Maaike retains her charming small wheelhouse and engine room covers behind the teak framed sun lounge. The wheelhouse can be taken down to fit through low tunnels and there are a couple on the Nivernais & Burgundy canals.