About Lady Franciska

The Lemsteraak Built in 1983 in Bergschenhoek as a private yacht, it was initially named Dageraad ("Daybreak"). In 1993/94, it was converted into a comfortable charter yacht for up to 12 people and renamed Vrouwe Franciska.


When my father, Heiner Knopp, bought the ship in 1993, it wasn't suitable for "real" sailing. Many of the fittings were undersized and had to be replaced. Below deck, there was only a large saloon, a bedroom, and a bathroom that was enormous by maritime standards. So there was plenty to do before the 1994 season. The interior was replaced with a practical layout featuring four cabins for a full crew, the installations were brought up to current standards, and the rigging was overhauled and reinforced in many places.

Over the years, Franciska received a new mast, new daggerboards, and a new hydraulic rudder system. She was also fitted with new winches and a bow thruster. Today, the vessel is equipped with a furling jib and staysail, as well as lazyjacks and a lazy bag for safely furling the mainsail. Her technical equipment also includes a GPS, a depth sounder, a chartplotter, and Wi-Fi.

Technical data

  • Length: 15 m
  • Width: 5.20 m
  • Draft 1.20 m
  • Sail area: approx. 145 sq m
  • Sails: Mainsail, jib, staysail
  • Engine: 120 hp
  • Rudder system: Hydraulic, steering wheel
  • Electricity: 12V / 230V
  • wastewater tank

Sailing

  • Roller furling jib and roller furling jib with cockpit controls
  • Lazyjacks and lazybag for safely furling the mainsail
  • Helm station with chartplotter and compass
  • Adequately sized engine and bow thruster

Reside

  • Two double cabins (bunk beds)
  • Two triple cabins (double bed and single bed)
  • Large living room with sleeping accommodation for two people
  • Pantry with gas stove, oven and large refrigerator
  • Central heating with radiators in each cabin

More photos can be found in the gallery.

Lemsteraken

Although Lemsteraken are often classified as flat-bottomed boats, strictly speaking they are actually "round yachts". The underwater hull is not flat like that of a Zeeschouw or Tjalk, but curved.


The first Lemsteraak was probably built in Lemmer in 1876 for fishing on the Zuiderzee and the Wadden Sea. Due to its seaworthiness and speed, this type of vessel was ideally suited for transporting and storing the catch. In the 19th century, Lemsteraks were used to deliver live eels to England and had their own berths in London for this purpose. The ships of this period did not have a cabin superstructure but were either open or equipped with a low cabin in the bow. These models are known as Visserman Aken and are still very common today. Because of their spacious cockpit, they are particularly popular among racing sailors.


The ships' excellent qualities quickly made them highly sought after as sports and leisure vessels. After initially converting former fishing boats, the first Lemsteraak designed as a yacht was built in 1907, naturally again in Lemmer. The most famous Lemsteraak is undoubtedly "De Groene Draeck," which Princess Beatrix received as a gift in 1957 on the occasion of her 18th birthday.