Living afloat

The story of the Luxe Motor MS Watergeus, the bakdekkruiser Escapade and how to convert a Dutch barge into a houseboat.
Also containing one of world's largest house boat gallery

May 2011

23th May 2011: Cover

I was in the Netherlands the last couple of nights. I noticed the cover was blown away. I fixed it again, so no rain can enter the boat.

24th May 2011: Sold!

The bakdekkruiser has been sold. It is hard to maintain one boat by an individual. Having two boats is become more difficult, three is a disaster. She was one of my favourite ships, but I have no time to finish her. Since I'm working on the Snik in Sluiskil, it was becoming to expensive to work on two projects at the same time, while still maintaining the Watergeus.

I hope the new owner will convert her and put her back in original condition. I wish him good luck with his new ship!

The short period I was the owner of the Escapade, I learned a lot on bakdekkruisers, yachts and diesel engines. People having questions on bakdekkruisers can always contact me. I have a large collection of information, books and pictures!

A few interesting sites on bakdekkruisers are:

26th May 2011: One more trip

They will take the Escapade out of the water on Friday. Since I need to work, and can't have a half day off, I moved the boat this evening. Everything was against me: time, wind, and current!

Since both my neighbour, mother and girlfriend were helping, I didn't take any pictures.

27th May 2011: Leaving Bruges

Out of the water

Out of the water

Out of the water

First attempt to load her on the truck

High in the air

On the truck

Leaving Bruges, a sad view, but waiting for a bright future!

I wish to thank everyone who supported me with the bakdekkruiser the last six months and the work they did today!