The boat
Polyvalk Classic
Design E.G. van de Stadt (1939) · Built by Ottenhome Heeg (hull by Breehorn, Woudsend)
The Polyvalk is the polyester descendant of the classic wooden Valk, designed by E.G. van de Stadt in 1939 for Bruynzeel and a national racing class since 1940. Today it is one of the most popular open keelboats in the Netherlands: stable, forgiving, practically unsinkable with a self-draining cockpit, and still lively enough to sail sportily. Its shallow draft makes it perfect for Dutch lakes and canals; the low bow means it is not meant for the IJsselmeer or open sea.
- Sail number
- –
- Home water
- De Poel, Amstelveen
Length
6.50 m
overall
Sail area
16 m²
main + jib
Sailed
11.7 nm
2 logged sails
Time aboard
4h 39m
Specifications
| Length overall | 6.50 m21 ft 4 in |
|---|---|
| Beam | 2.00 m6 ft 7 in |
| Draft | ≈ 0.85 mfixed keel |
| Displacement | ≈ 530 kgclass figure (wooden Valk) |
| Mainsail | 12.0 m² |
| Jib (touring) | 4.0 m² |
| Genoa (racing) | 6.5 m² |
| Spinnaker (racing) | 14.5 m² |
| Rig | Sloop, aluminium sparsmast easily lowered for bridges |
| Hull | Polyester (GRP)self-draining cockpit |
| Rudder | Transom-hung |
| Crew | 2–3 racing, up to 5 touring |
| SW yardstick | 104Dutch handicap number |
Class figures; individual boats vary by build year and fit-out. Sources: Valk (boot), Wikipedia NL, Polyvalk Classic, Ottenhome Heeg.