Luuc Klop wasn’t searching for a pilothouse cruiser.
The longtime captain, whose day job is overseeing a fleet of pilot tenders and commanding a large cutter in the Netherlands, was exploring the market for a manageable project. He had his sights on a retired tug or workboat that could serve as a hobby and a legacy for his two children.
But when he stumbled across the listing for a half-finished, 44-foot pilothouse trawler, something about its rugged, unfinished appeal called to him. “The build quality really impressed me, especially the engine room,” Klop says. “It had that authentic workboat feel.”
When Klop learned of the vessel’s history, it only added to the mystique. Designed in 1990 by Piet Hersbach and built at the Schiedam yard in the Netherlands, the rugged, steel-hull motoryacht was envisioned as recreational vessel with a workaday style that exudes power and practicality. Hersbach, who was also a skilled steelworker and shipbuilder, brought the design to life with his friend Leo Faasse, a master tradesman who took on the technical aspects. Over the course of a decade, they crafted the boat from the keel up.
Tragically, the project was left incomplete when Faasse died. The boat was stored for years, untouched, until a new owner briefly attempted to revive it. That effort also fell short, and the boat sat dormant until Klop came upon the listing and purchased her in 2022.
It was a rough diamond with a bare interior and unfinished details, but Klop saw beyond the rust and neglect. He leveraged his wealth of maritime experience and a sharp eye for quality, envisioning an epic transformation that would make her the perfect vessel for long-range cruising.
From Neglect to Elegance
With a vision firmly in mind, Klop turned to Special Wood Works, a Stellendam-based yard known for meticulous craftsmanship. For two years, the team undertook an extensive refit, turning a utilitarian hull into a stunning trawler that combines classic aesthetics with modern comfort.
A key element of the transformation was her steel-
and-aluminum construction. The hull—10-mm steel at the keel, tapering to 6 mm at the decks—was grit-blasted, repaired and repainted with a two-component system. Her aluminum superstructure was reinforced and painted, and double-glazed windows were installed to improve thermal insulation and reduce condensation.
The exterior was capped off with renovated teak decks, giving the trawler a warm, timeless look while ensuring durability for years to come. Klop christened the boat Barabbas, after the warrior boar from a popular Dutch comic book.
Designed for Distance
Beneath the refined surface lies a vessel built for serious passagemaking. At the heart of Barabbas is its original power plant, a 220-hp DAF DKA 1160 engine. Recently overhauled, the engine has just 75 hours on it. Its efficiency and reliability make it ideal for long journeys, with the 11.6-liter engine burning just over 2 gallons per hour at a 7-knot cruise speed. With more than 1,000 gallons on tap, the boat’s range exceeds 2,000 nautical miles. Her top speed is 10 knots.
A full keel provides stability, as does the heavy displacement of 57,320 pounds. These features allow for coastal exploration or venturing into more challenging waters, whether off Scandinavia or in the Mediterranean.
Family-Friendly Liveaboard
One of Klop’s primary goals for Barabbas was to create a boat his young family could enjoy. Her layout reflects this aspiration, blending safety, practicality and comfort.
The interior, which Klop says began as “bare bones,” is now a cozy liveaboard space. The salon has large windows and an L-shape settee with panoramic views. The open-plan design flows into the pilothouse, fostering a sense of connection between the operational and social spaces.
Belowdecks, her two staterooms can accommodate his family with additional room in the salon for guests. The galley has an induction stove and convection oven. Heated soles and a Webasto HVAC system provide comfort during four-season cruising.
The high bulwarks and wide side decks add security for little feet on board, while the fully enclosed pilothouse is a warm space to navigate during inclement weather. The joystick steering system, autopilot and hydraulic bow thruster should ease close-quarters handling and make single-handed operation feasible.
Twin generators—a 17.5-kW Stamford unit and a 5-KW shaft generator—provide backup power, with Victron components in the electrical system for efficient energy management.
Whether navigating Dutch canals or crossing open seas, this boat proves that construction is just the start. The stories of those who bring them to life also matter. Hersbach and Faasse envisioned an exemplary passagemaker, but their concept was cut short. Klop had the determination to complete the story.
Specifications:
LOA: 43ft. 6in.
Beam: 14ft. 1in.
Draft: 4ft. 6in.
Displacement: 57,320 lbs.
Fuel: 1,003 gal.
Water: 264 gal.
Engine: 1x 220-hp DAF DKA 1160
