A year after its founding, the Feadship Heritage Fleet is hosting a rendezvous in the country where it all began. In fact, the gathering is at one of the shipyards where many of the yachts belonging to members were built.
The Feadship Heritage Fleet rendezvous takes place this weekend in Aalsmeer, The Netherlands. That’s home to one of the facilities of Feadship’s Royal De Vries. A little farther away, in Amsterdam, is where the history-oriented group got its start in April 2013. Three Feadship owners met up that month in a cafe where the builder itself was officially established back in 1949. The goal of the group is to bring together owners with Feadship-built boats and yachts that are at least 30 years old. Feadship says there are about 400 of its yachts still afloat that qualify. (The Feadship Heritage Fleet is independently owned, though the builder endorses its efforts. The builder also supplies owners with archival records, including drawings, upon request.)
As of late yesterday, 16 yachts had RSVP’d for the Feadship Heritage Fleet rendezvous. Among the owners participating is Victor Muller, the group chairman, who enjoys time aboard the 1967 build The Highlander. “This turnout is higher than any of us expected, and we are still receiving last-minute registrations as we speak,” he comments. “This shows that classic Feadship owners are eager to celebrate their boats together, which is, of course, the raison d’être of this association.”
The Feadship Heritage Fleet rendezvous includes a yacht hop, naturally. Attendees will also tour the Aalsmeer yard and learn more about the builder’s history. They’ll also be witness to the relaunch of Katja (above). The yacht, built in 1966, is wrapping up a four-year refit. LOA is 55’3″ (16.85 meters). Hopefully Katja will join the 16 other Feadship yachts when they cruise on the local lakes later this weekend, too.
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