Minca Zeehond 36Ref. VP277

Towards the end of the 1970s, Erikus Van de Stadt's firm released the plans for two series of offshore cruising boats with steel hulls and edged bilges, designed for amateur or economical construction: the Zeehond 36 and 42. These boats were commercially successful, especially the smaller one, at a time when ten metres was already considered a luxury boat!
The Zeehond (which means seal in Dutch) 36 is a very sturdy boat, which was built by shipyards in various parts of the world and in Spain by Minca in Tarragona. The finishes may vary between models, as some were built by amateurs and others, the majority, by professionals. Interestingly, there is also a 38-foot version made of cold moulded wood, based on plans modified by Van de Stadt at the shipowner's request. Undoubtedly, as in many other projects, the Spanish shipyard built the Norfeu to a higher standard than usual. This is particularly evident in the interior finishes, which even today give a pleasant feeling of warmth and cosiness, far superior to Nordic constructions. The Norfeu, whose name derives from the cape on the Costa Brava, was originally owned by well-known Catalan sailors, who sold it when they had a larger boat built in the same shipyard. Today, it needs some major repairs to the deck, around the anchor windlass and in the stern area. These are not complicated jobs, but they require skill with a blowtorch and steel. The electronics needs to be verified. The asking price takes this situation into account and leaves a larger margin, in relation to the value of the boat, than the cost of the repairs. It is therefore an interesting opportunity for anyone looking for an ocean-going boat that allows for long periods of sailing on board at an affordable price.