Botter

The botter was originally a fishing boat from the southern part of the Zuiderzee, now known as the IJsselmeer, a lake created in a former shallow inlet of the North Sea, from which it is separated by a long artificial breakwater.

The botter was used for both trawl and gillnet fishing, and to keep the catch alive it was provided with a free flooding fishwell amidships for keeping the catch alive. Probably developed from barges, it was a fast sailing ship and one of the most elegant Dutch fishing vessels. It was built in many shipyards around the Zuiderzee: in Monnikendam, Durgerdam, Marken, Spakenburg. Kuinre, Candle Block, Volendam, Urk, Muiden and especially in Huizen.

The botter has a slightly V-shaped hull, with a projecting keel, angular bilges, and a smooth, convex, open rim. The curved bow slopes forward sharply, while the stern is straight with a fairly vertical drop.

The raised bow descends in a gentle curve to the low stern. The boat has a deck that goes from the bow to the mast. Behind it appears the hold in whose center is the livewell. The rig consists of a non-stay-stayed mast carrying a narrow gaff sail and a wide foresail or main jib. It could also carry a bowsprit in which a jib could be released.

Sometimes, a triangular sail was also added, supported by a spinnaker pole, flying aft, behind the main gaff.

Many botters ended up being converted into yachts, the covered space forward provided reasonably large and comfortable accommodation, and many Dutch pleasure boats follow the lines of the botters.