MBT Utrecht State Yacht (1746) - Construction drawing Scale 1:50 (10.06.015)

The Statenjacht De Utrecht is a historic sailing ship that is a faithful replica of an 18th-century admiral’s yacht, originally designed in 1746. The ship was built in Utrecht between 1997 and 2003 as part of an employment project involving around 100 young people who were distanced from the labour market. They learnt traditional shipbuilding techniques and worked with authentic materials, such as 300 m³ of oak from Danish forests planted 200 years ago with Dutch acorns.

Technical Specifications

Length: 23.5 metres

Beam: 5.5 metres

Draught: 1.35 metres

Mast height: 21.5 metres

Sail area: 156 m²

Weight: 86 tonnes

Passenger capacity: 22–27 people

Flag: Netherlands

The ship is equipped with modern facilities, such as a well-equipped galley and modern toilet facilities, which are discreetly integrated into the historic design

Historical Significance

States yachts were used between 1650 and 1850 to transport important figures, such as members of the States General. They were richly decorated and served not only as a means of transport but also as a status symbol. The original design of the yacht is by Pieter Pauluszn van Zwijndregt and is held in the archives of the Scheepvaartmuseum.

Present Day and Use

Since its completion in 2003, the Statenjacht De Utrecht has been used for various purposes:

Sailing trips: The ship is available to hire for day trips, ideal for company outings, family celebrations or weddings.

Events: The ship is a welcome guest at nautical events such as SAIL Amsterdam.

Education: In winter, the ship is maintained by volunteers and educational programmes are run for young people facing barriers to employment.

Specifications: