MBT Frisian boeier "Constanter" (1877) - Construction Drawing Scale 1 : 15 (10.06.012)

The Frisian boeier "Constanter" is an iconic sailing ship from 1877, built by the famous Frisian shipbuilder Eeltje Holtrop van der Zee in Joure. The ship is one of the oldest surviving boeiers and is considered a masterpiece of traditional Frisian shipbuilding.

Construction and design

The "Constanter" was built commissioned by Mr. Jan Minnema Buma, registrar of the Court of Appeal in Leeuwarden. However, Buma decided to cancel the order, after which the boeier was completed by Wigle Ages Tromp, director of the Onderlinge Brandwaarborg Maatschappij Woudsend. The ship was launched in 1877 and has remained in use ever since.

The "Constanter" is a flat-bottomed yacht with a length of approximately 10.5 metres and a width of 3.5 metres. The hull is built of oak, with exceptional craftsmanship in the finish and carving. The ship is designed for both speed and stability, making it suitable for races and recreational sailing.

Racing history

In the early 20th century, the "Constanter" participated in various sailing races. In 1913, the ship won second prize in the boeier class during the Sneker Hardzeildag, behind the "Stánfries" of A. Wegener Sleeswijk. This illustrates the speed and sailing characteristics of the "Constanter".

Heritage and documentation

The history of the "Constanter" is extensively documented in the monographs of the Stichting Stamboek Ronde en Platbodemjachten. Two important publications are:

• The Frisian boeier "Constanter" 1877–1977

• Constanter semper constans

These works contain detailed information about the construction, use, and restorations of the ship.