Miniature boats with a big story, my father the shipbuilder

There are hobbies, and then there are hobbies. Those things you're completely absorbed in, things you forget about time and worries. My dad has one of those hobbies. And believe me: it's the coolest ever. He builds scale boats. Not just any toy boats, but masterpieces, from historic Dutch East India Company ships with cannons to the Black Pearl and the small sailboat he used to sail with his father and brother on the Kaag River. He's built dozens of them now, each with its own story.

Old stories, new boats

It often starts with an existing ship and a history that intrigues him. He dives into the internet, scours stories, vague photos, paintings, and drawings, and then creates his own working drawings. How exactly he does it? No idea, but he fixes it .

And he does it his own way. No model kits for him; he hates them. His materials come from old furniture, cigar boxes, and (yes, yes) wooden IKEA stirrers. Chopsticks? We definitely don't throw them away, because they might end up as masts or booms. Even stones he finds on campervan trips with my mother through France get a second life, as a base for a ship.

Two special ships in our house

We are the proud owners of two beautiful projects: Manech and Dopey .

Manech is a small fishing boat we discovered together during my last childhood holiday, sometime in 1993 in Brittany. It lay weathered and abandoned on the beach. We made a drawing of it together while I was still at the Graphic Lyceum. Years later, he rebuilt it for me, down to the smallest detail. Recently, he even added lights so that Manech shines in the dark at night. As he says: "For me, Manech is a symbol of freedom—no frills, simple, flexible, and manned by a single person."

Dopey is just as special: a BM 16" from the 1960s. It was my grandfather's boat, in which my father and uncle used to sail together. Thanks to his model, that piece of family history is tangible.

Restoration projects with love

After more than seven years of construction, he's been taking on more and more projects. Not just new ships, but also restorations of vintage model boats, airplanes, and even windmills. Sometimes for museums, sometimes for those with a cherished heirloom. He restores them with an eye for detail, respect for the original, and a healthy dose of craftsmanship.

His motto? Passion, personal input, and materials with a story. For example, an old chair gets a second life in many different ships, and IKEA coffee sticks become a beautifully laid ship's deck.

Would you like to revive a piece of history yourself?

Do you know someone with a model that could use some TLC? Whether it's a boat, airplane, or windmill gathering dust in the attic, my dad would love to hear about it. Even though his schedule is quite busy, who knows, maybe he can use it. Perhaps soon, a piece of family history will be proudly displayed in your home too!

Check out his blog or follow him on Instagram for a behind-the-scenes look (if he lets you).