Recent Blog Posts

Part 2, Cruise from Germany to the Caribbean Islands in 36 days

By Gaike (Jan 25, 2023 )
After the Cava toast, the ship's horn blows 3x and we sailed away from Bremerhaven in Germany. All the people where at the upperdeck and waving goodbye. It was an hour later than planned, at 6:00 PM instead of 5:00 PM. The captain explained why...
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Cruise from Germany to the Caribbean Islands in 36 days, part 1

By Gaike (Jan 22, 2023 )
December 11th we depart for a 36 day cruise from Germany, to be precise from Bremerhaven to the Caribbean and then sailing back to Bremerhaven. I am writing about this trip, will you join me?
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Cruise from Germany to the Caribbean Islands in 36 days, part 1

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Cruise from Germany to the Caribbean Islands in 36 days, part 1

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Rebuilding the wheelhouse part 2

By Gaike (Dec 9, 2022 )
In the part I showed how it was and how the removal of the wheelhouse went. From the shed, the plates were brought on board and welded together as a kit. The square hole next to the door is an entrance to the engine room. This was later welded shut again, access to the engine…
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Rebuilding the wheelhouse

By Gaike (Dec 1, 2022 )
First remove the old wheelhouse completely The wheelhouse on the ship as it is today is not the original wheelhouse. When we bought the ship, there was a very small wheelhouse on the ship where only the skipper could operate the rudder and with a minimum seat for 1 to 2 people…
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How we made a terrace on board, part 1

By Gaike (Nov 23, 2022 )
We decided last year to lift the old deckhouse and have it turned into a terrace. But how did we do that? In fact, how did the shipyard do that?With some real professionals, especially the ironworker who has done a fantastic job, it has become a beautiful terrace. With this blog…
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How it all started.. part 1

By Gaike (Nov 21, 2022 )
People close to us know that the dream of living on board started long time ago. Because getting a berth was actually the biggest problem, we decided to move to the other side of our country in Friesland 15 years ago. A water-rich province of the Netherlands. Then "just…
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Winter things ⚓

By Gaike (Nov 21, 2022 )
In the photo below you see an anchor light. We got the anchor light a few years ago from an acquaintance who also lives on board a sailing houseboat. In the fall I always get a kind of cleaning and tidying rage. Probably because of the winter that is approaching, in the…
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A new conversation with my Mom (second DeSo conversation)

By Gaike (Nov 16, 2022 )
My Mom called me again 4 months ago. It was after we talked about the first DeSo explanation wich you can read here. This time there was an action at DeSo organized by @MarioNawfal The assignment was, call someone and tell them you love them. So I called my mom….
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A call with my mom....

By Gaike (Oct 28, 2022 )
My mom is living at the other side of our country. Our country (the Netherlands) is not very big, but 2 hours driving for only a cup of coffee with her is maybe to much. At least for me it is, my muscles won't allow me to drive long, so we call more times. This was a…
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How it all started.. part 1

By Gaike (Oct 26, 2022 )
People close to us know that the dream of living on board started long time ago. Because getting a berth was actually the biggest problem, we decided to move to the other side of our country in Friesland 15 years ago. A water-rich province of the Netherlands. Then "just…
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5 Reasons why you should write at Zirkels

By Gaike (Oct 25, 2022 )
Lets start with the easy part It’s so easy that you would think do I miss something? Nope, just set up an account. To start you can choose the free option, with really no hidden costs. When you are not already addicted to DeSo, you need to create an DeSo account first. Don’t…
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Test blog

By Gaike (Oct 25, 2022 )
Sorry no content, maybe later.....
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How we made a terrace on board, part 2

By Gaike (Oct 23, 2022 )
We are really a lot further than the previous blog. The cockpit was sawn off at the correct height in the shed and subsequently placed in the deckhouse at the back of the ship. The tent above the cockpit could then be removed and Martin has now put the whole thing 3x in the 2-…
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Why we choose the name Meerval for our ship

By Gaike (Oct 21, 2022 )
This time a personal story, by a question from someone. I don't mind sharing my personal story, in fact I hope that other people who ever face such a decision don't wait (too long) just like me. You never know how much time there is..... My parents separated when I…
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How we made a terrace on board, part 1

By Gaike (Oct 20, 2022 )
We decided last year to lift the old deckhouse and have it turned into a terrace. But how did we do that? In fact, how did the shipyard do that? With some real professionals, especially the ironworker who has done a fantastic job, it has become a beautiful terrace. With this…
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Last week, september 2022

By Gaike (Oct 20, 2022 )
The 2 weeks are almost over and next weekend we will sail to the shipyard in Leeuwarden for the extension of our CVO inspection. A CVO inspection (Certificate of Research) has been mandatory since 2018 for vessels longer than 20 meters or larger than 100 cubic meters. The ship…
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How is living on board?

By Gaike (Oct 20, 2022 )
Our ship is 35 meters long and 5 meters wide. The living space is now about 100m2 It has decreased slightly because we have replaced the guest room at the back of the ship for a terrace. This space used to be for the skipper and his family, which is why this type of freighter is…
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How is living on board?

By Gaike (Oct 17, 2022 )
Our ship is 35 meters long and 5 meters wide. The living space is now about 100m2 It has decreased slightly because we have replaced the guest room at the back of the ship for a terrace. This space used to be for the skipper and his family, which is why this type of freighter is…
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Finally the certification

By Gaike (Oct 13, 2022 )
Great, the inspection is over! Let me start by clarifying, what does a CVO inspection mean? CVO, stands for Certificate of Research. The certificate that indicates that you comply with the technical provisions according to the new European Directive. This new European…
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End of september 2022

By Gaike (Oct 6, 2022 )
Our life our trips and our struggles on board...
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Sailing in september 22

By Gaike (Oct 6, 2022 )
Blogs about our life, trips and our struggles on board...
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