4
Berth
18
Sunflower, also known as De Freule, is a stunning boat with a long and fascinating history! Built in Sneek, northern Holland in 1905, commissioned as a small sailing cargo Tjalk, delivering fresh fish and vegetables to the inland seas and tidal lake communities around northern Holland.
She would have had an open hull, with the original Boatmans Cabin now the main bedroom at the front. Four men would have slept and worked on her, built then as the M.S Denning. The original ships bell is still on board, mounted in the wheelhouse. She would have had a 35ft sailing mast and traditional red sails. She is still steered by her restored teak sailing rudder, conveniently converted to hydraulic operation in the 70s.
During WW1 and WW2 her sailing rigging and mast fell into disrepair, and she passed between a few owners, the most interesting of which, used her as a vessel as part of Europe’s only two floating circuses after the wars! She would have housed the tents, equipment or animals, being pulled by Tug in convoy as the circus moved between communities around Holland. She was motorised in the 70’s and the cabin and wheelhouse constructed and panelled with Teak.
Before she was brought to England by the current owner, the previous owner, a retired Sea Tug Captain, was her custodian for 30 years after he had sought to obtain her from men who were using her to sell contraband in post-war Holland! He ended up going all in and won her as his prize in a gruelling game of cards! Then called De Freule meaning ‘the Pretty Lady’ or ‘The Mistress’, she spent 30 years on the central waterways of Amsterdam, before being sold once more and making her way through the waterways of Holland, Belgium and France, across the channel and into UK waters, up the Thames into London. Since then she has been through the London canal Network, the Thames and the length of the K&A canal.
Stepping aboard, you enter the inviting wheelhouse, wrapped in windows and panelled with rich, warm timber that immediately sets the tone for the boat’s character. A cosy table and chair arrangement offers a welcoming spot for dining or relaxing and cleverly converts into a single berth when needed. The traditional helm, complete with its original wheel and captain’s chair, adds to the authenticity, while a charming piano gives the space an unexpected and delightful touch.
Descending into the interior, the galley combines practicality with classic style, featuring a Belfast sink, a compact cooker and elegant marble worktops. From here, the boat opens into a beautifully comfortable saloon, where a sofa transforms into a double berth and a multi‑fuel Boatman’s stove brings both warmth and atmosphere. The bathroom continues the traditional feel, fitted with a full bath and shower over, a wash basin and a composting toilet, all in keeping with the boat’s historic charm. At the far end lies the peaceful bedroom, complete with shelving, a cosy berth and a skylight that fills the space with natural light.
You don't see a boat with this much charm and heritage very often! To arrange a viewing, or for further information, please contact Hilperton Marina on 01225 765243.
General
General
- Name
- Sunflower
- BW index number
- 522836
- Safety certificate
- Yes
- BSS certificate expiry
- 19 March 2030
- Location
- Hilperton Marina
- Price
- £85,000.00
Berths
- No. of Berths
- 4
- Double beds
- --
- Double beds (temp)
- 1
- Single beds
- 1
- Single beds (temp)
- 1
Size
- Overall length
- 45 feet 0 inches
- Overall beam
- 10 feet 0 inches
- Overall draft
- 3 feet 3 inches
- Overall headroom
- 5 feet 6 inches
- Style of stern
- Other
Structure
Manufacturer
- Manufacturer
- --
- Hull ID No.
- --
- Build date
- 1905
Material
- Base
- Steel
- Hull
- Steel
- Cabin side
- Steel
- Roof
- Steel
Original steel thickness
- Base
- --
- Hull
- --
- Cabin
- --
Hull blacking
- Last hull blacking
- 2025-08
- Where
- Semington Dock
Anodes
- Fitted
- Yes
- Date fitted
- 2020
- Size
- --
- No. of anodes
- 4
Running gear
Engine
- Make
- Mercedes 100hp
- Model
- OM321.980
- Year
- 1972
- Fuel
- Diesel
- Cooling
- Water Cooled
- Hours
- --
- Last serviced date
- --
- Last serviced by
- --
Gearbox
- Make
- --
- Model
- --
- Reduction
- --
- Coupling
- --
- Shaft diameter
- --
- Propellor size
- --
Capacities
Capacities
- Fuel
- 300
- Water
- 400
- Gas type
- Propane
- No. of gas cylinders
- 2
- Gas cylinder size
- --
Interior
Capacities
- Fitted by
- --
- Date fitted
- --
Materials used
- Floor
- Wooden
- Hull sides
- Wooden
- Cabin sides
- Wooden
- Deckhead
- Wooden
- Bulkheads
- --
- Fittings
- --
Equipment
In the galley
- Cooker
- Gas Hob And Oven
- Cooker model
- Dometic
- Fridge
- --
- Fridge model
- --
- Other
- --
In the bathroom
- Bath
- --
- Shower
- Yes
- Hip bath
- Yes
- Basin
- Yes
- Toilet type
- Composting
- Toilet make
- Natures Head
- Toilet model
- --
- Toilet tank capacity
- --
- Toilet remarks
- Compost Toilet With Solar Panel
Heating
- Type
- Stove
- Make
- Boatmans
- Model
- --
- Fuel
- Multi Fuel
- Other remarks
- --
Electrical systems
- DC voltage
- --
- No. of batteries (start)
- 1
- No. of batteries (domestic)
- 3
- Split charging
- No
- Other
- 1 450w Solar Panel
Hot water
- Type
- Combi Boiler
- Make
- --
- Model
- --
- Fuel
- Gas
- Other remarks
- --
- Additional heating
- --
240 volt electrical systems
- Inverter make
- --
- Inverter rating
- --
- Generator make
- --
- Generator rating
- --
- Shoreline
- No
- Other
- --
Other
Additional information
- Items included in sale or additional info
- All Dutch Boat Paints Sofa Bed In Cabin Tools And Sundries
- Items excluded from sale
- --
Useful information
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