Although one could call Pieter van der Aa a master at many trades, everything he does has one thing in common: wood. He imports and sells exotic woods from South America while as an artisan carpenter he is responsible for a wide scope of projects ranging from beautifully designed staircases, furniture and delicately lathe-turned vases to complete house and shop interiors. In 2015 he built all the deckhouses for the 125ft (38m) replica schooner Ingomar as well as parts of the interior of a large, classic, motor yacht. Oh yes, and he also built his own house that many think is a historic 17th-century mansion and not a brand new one designed and built by Pieter. During all these activities which of course were needed to keep the fire burning, he also singlehandedly built Scarabee!
Pieter has accomplished that rare thing and that is combining his passion with his livelihood and achieving a perfect symbiosis in that. During that process he also became what can only be called a very modest celebrity. I am sure that the launching of Scarabee was delayed at least a year by the constant stream of visitors to his workshop in Heukelum, far from the sea in the centre of the Netherlands. A cup of tea, a tour of the boat, talks on the various qualities of the many types of wood this walking timber vade mecum works with, and advice on whatever project the visitor is busy with or plans to take on. The side effect of this subtle marketing has of course also been a constant stream of paid assignments.
HOW IT ALL STARTED
Denne historien er fra February 2021-utgaven av Classic Boat.
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Denne historien er fra February 2021-utgaven av Classic Boat.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
The Need For Speed
Saving lives at sea has always been bound to the speed of rescue, from the first rowing boats to the 60-knot, all-weather motorboats of today
ROW YOUR BOAT
There has been a steady rise in recreational rowing over the past few years, and the choice can be bewildering. What’s the right boat for you?
Traditional Tool
JOINER’S NAME STAMP
Classic misuse of a word
Real classic ownership involves rot, rust and reward
SCUD MISSILE
Herreshoff’s newly-restored Bar Harbor 31 Scud lit up the classic racing scene in the Med in 2020 with a double win at Cannes and Saint-Tropez
BOSUN'S BAG
PRACTICAL TIPS FOR THE TRADITIONAL BOATER
DOUG LEEN - Tugboat man
Vietnam vet, park ranger, dentist, small-craft conservator and tugboat skipper.... meet Ranger Doug!
CHANCE TO SAVE AN Albert Strange yawl
Chances at Albert Strange ownership don’t come up often, and Sheila II is the quintessential Strange – and one with a great history, too
AFFORDABLE CLASSIC Salcombe Yawls
A friend and I once decided that walking might make a change from sailing. So we set forth to walk from Branscombe to Bigbury, a 100-mile stretch of the south-west coastal path marked by knackering climbs and knee-wrenching descents.
Cardiff, Wales - Save The Elena Maria Barbara!
A rare, 18th-century schooner replica, restored to the tune of around £1 million, could be abandoned if a buyer is not found soon.
