Living afloat

The story of the Luxe Motor MS Watergeus and how to convert a Dutch barge into a houseboat

MS Watergeus

The Watergeus is my home. It's an old Dutch Luxe Motor, build in 1929.

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Mooring: Kolenkaai

Home • Buy yourself a barge • Buy a barge in the Netherlands

Living Afloat

Living Afloat gives you free ideas on what you need to know about barges, how to buy them, how to convert them, etc..

Buy a barge in the Netherlands

Many people buy their (Dutch) barge in the Netherlands. I did the same. For me this wasn't too much of a problem because I speak their language. For English speaking people this can be more of a problem. Fortunately, the Dutch people are very open and will try to speak as much English as they can.

How to get to the Netherlands?

There are many ways to go to Holland, but what I recommend is to take your car with you. It makes it easy to drive around, or to go to Belgium to have a look at the boats for sale over there!

Click on the map to see a bigger version

Looking around for 'Te Koop'

When traveling in the Netherlands and looking around for barges, have a look at the sign 'Te Koop', which means 'for sale'.

For sale sign
A 'for sale' sign in Dutch

Some useful translations

Here are some useful translation of words you often see in dutch ads. For making this list, I based myself on several ads. If you have trouble understanding an ad, feel free to ask advice here!

Dutch	English
Achterschip	Stern
Aggregaat	Generator
Afmetingen Lengte Breedte Diepgang Hoogte	Dimensions Length Width Depth Height
Ankerlier	Anchor winch
Badkamer	Bathroom
Boeg	Bow
Bouwjaar	Year of construction
Keuken	Galley
Klinknagels	Rivited
Ligplaats	Mooring
Motor Benzine Diesel	Engine Petrol Diesel
Revisie	Revision / overhauled
Roef	Back accommodation
Romp	Hull
Scheepswerf	Shipyard
Stuurhut	Wheelhouse
Vlakrapport	bottom report (thickness measurement of the hull)

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Last updated on: Wednesday, 12 November, 2008 6:00 PM
(c) Frederic Logghe - Living Afloat.com 2005-2008
We are not responsible for, and expressly disclaims all liability for, damages of any kind arising out of use, reference to, or reliance on any information contained within the site.