What is this?

junkit · Oct 4, 2016

I cam across an odd design for a boat. What is this?:

http://postimg.org/image/59knm81u3/

gonzo · Oct 4, 2016

Looks like a little harbor tug.

Commuter Boats · Oct 4, 2016

If it weren't for the European license plates, I'd blame that on Sam Devlin outside of Seattle Washington USA
Gerald

Clarkey · Oct 5, 2016

It looks very much like an Opduwer - a Dutch canal tug used to handle barges.

Tad · Oct 5, 2016

Thanks for that Clarkey, I could not remember that word.

Google Opduwer and you find hundreds of them.....very cute.....

junkit · Oct 6, 2016

Thank you

"Opduwer" looks like the answer. Dutch for "barge" (pushing boat).

Thank you very much guys.

For the record, moored in Amsterdam at the time.
Pretty little thing,

I guess a custom job? Can't find anything quite like it.

beernd · Oct 6, 2016

Clarkey said: ↑

It looks very much like an Opduwer - a Dutch canal tug used to handle barges.
Click to expand...

Yes it is an "Opduwer" They were used for a while, but later barges were built bigger and they had an engine themselves.

Angélique · Nov 25, 2016

Yes, "Opduwer" is an Dutch word meaing "Pusher"

In Flemish, which is the Dutch language as spoken in Flanders, it's called a "Gatstoemper" literally meaning "Butt Pusher"

Their origin is from the days when sails were dismissed form sailing barges, but they didn't have engines themselves.

Also barges without engines paid less passage tax on the canals as their lower speed was supposed to cause less damage to the canal banks and its protection.

This tax measure maintained the long use and further development of Opduwers in the region.

And so Opduwers were used to well in the 50's, also as pulling Tugs . .

Boating tips ^Dutch ---> Old Barges ^Dutch ---> Opduwer ^Dutch ---> Opduwer pics + text ^Dutch

- - - click pic for source ^Dutch- - -

The Dutch text:

Opduwer of Opdrukker, in Vlaanderen zeggen ze Gatstoemper. Werd gebruikt in de overgang van zeil- naar motorvaart. Voor schepen met ingebouwde motor werden in die tijd aan de hand van tonnage dubbele doorvaarttarieven berekend omdat waterschappen er vanuit gingen dat hogere vaarsnelheden oevers en kunstwerken zouden beschadigen. Op sommige wateren gold zelfs een vaarverbod voor motorschepen (de woorden motor .. ton moesten op het boeisel staan). Omdat bovendien veel kleine schippers de ombouw niet konden betalen ontstond de opduwer, waarvoor geen vaarkosten verschuldigd waren. Een piepkleine motorboot, die achter het schip werd bevestigd of dienst deed als sleper. Gebruikelijk was dat de opdrukker stijf tegen het achterschip werd gebonden, meestal aan bakboordzijde en de aandrijving met een lange stok vanaf het schip werd bediend, zodat er niet nog iemand nodig was om het bootje te bevaren. De besturing ging gewoon met het roer van het opgeduwde schip. Aanvankelijk waren opduwertjes niets anders dan ijzeren vletjes, roei- of visbootjes met een motor. Later kwamen de speciaal voor het doel gebouwde mooie scheepjes. Ze oogden als miniatuursleepboten met kajuitje, patrijspoorten, schoorsteentje, laag achterdekje en beting. De kajuit was de motorkamer en de uitlaat werd meestal daadwerkelijk door de schoorsteen gevoerd. Veel opduwertjes worden tegenwoordig door liefhebbers opgeknapt om mee te spelevaren. Verwant: zijschroef.

Google Translation:

Opduwer or Opdrukker, in Flanders they say Gatstoemper. Was used in the transition from sail to engine speed. For ships with built-in motor were at that time on the basis of tonnage calculated double passage rates because water boards went from there would damage that higher operating speeds, banks and the canal bank protection. Some waters was true even banned from sailing to motor vessels (the words engine .. tonnes had to stand on the bulwark). Moreover, because many small boaters could not pay the conversion came the pusher, which no navigation charges owed. A tiny motorboat, which was confirmed after the ship or served as a tug. Common was that the pusher was tied tightly to the stern, was usually served on the port side and the drive with a long stick from the ship, so there was no need someone to navigate the boat. The controls just went to the helm of the ship being pushed. Initially opduwertjes nothing but iron vletjes, rowing or fishing boats with a motor. Later, the purpose-built beautiful boats. They may have looked like miniature tugs kajuitje, portholes, chimney, low rear apron and beting. The cabin was the engine room and the outlet was actually mostly passed through the chimney. Many opduwertjes are now restored by enthusiasts to play sail. Related: side screw.
Click to expand...

Angélique · Nov 25, 2016

Here an Opduwer in the Frisian town Bolsward, where it went through a very shallow and narrow canal.
Opduwer in Bolsward.
In the video comments it's said you hear a Kromhout-Gardner 2 LS engine there, like this one from 1939 on a cold mid winter day.

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What is this?

junkit New Member

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Clarkey Senior Member

Tad Boat Designer

junkit New Member

beernd Junior Member

Angélique aka Angel (only by name)

Angélique aka Angel (only by name)