20220508

Submitted to Dinghy Cruising Journal

Punterweekend 6,7,8 May 2022

This years' Punter weekend by the Dutch sails and oars foundation 'Natuurlijk Varen' was held for the first time since the Covid pandemic.
The actual purpose of the Punter weekend was not to have endless conversations between the punters but to actually sail with 'punters'!
These are flat-bottomed boats native to the peat lakes at the mouth of the Ijssel river (which gives the IJsselmeer its name). Punters were used by locals for fishing and transporting people, produce and livestock.
The weekend was held at the Punter island which was rented from the Zeilpunter association for the weekend. The island with its teepees, clubhouse, harbour and sailing punters provided a welcome refuge from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. The youngsters fried pancakes, pizzas, marshmallows on the camp fire while their parents relaxed from the hardship of sailing. Inge, Frank and Sybren organized the weekend and catering and household duties were shared by all 50 participants.

Friday

Klarie and I arrived at the Beulaekehaven around lunchtime. Herman and Eliane had just launched their Welsford Pathfinder Blue Noddy and the 'Weerlicht' of Hans and Margreet Arends was already afloat.
After launching Hatseflats for the first sail of the year we rowed towards the Beulakerwiede against a very light northeasterly breeze. We hoisted sail and sailed up and down the Beulakerwiede for a while. We saw Herman and Eliane in the distance sailing at the same speed. Every now and then we saw Hans and Margreet zooming against the horizon.
Since it was quite sunny and we were not expected before the end of the afternoon we chose the longest possible route to the Punter island. First we crossed the Beulakerwiede, lowered the rig to pass the bridge at Ronduite and sailed south on the western Belterwiede. We lowered the rig to duck under the bridge in the road to Zwartsluis and rowed into the Beukersgracht. There we hoisted sail again and sailed up the eastern Belterwiede towards the Punter island followed by Berrie and Corine. Their brand new Welsford Pathfinder looked very nice, especially the dacron sails which resembled Egyption cotton.
On arrival at the Punter island we put the fisherman anchor over the stern, tied the painter to the jetty, and met up with the other folks.
We saw some of the sturdy punters, built from oak, with lee boards hanging over the side and short sprit rigs. Someone told me that the famous Royal Huisman Yard were building punters in Ronduite until well after WWII.
Many years ago, the Punter weekend started out as a get-together for Oughtred-designed boats. This time there were an Elf sailed by Bart and Peter, and an Artic Tern sailed by Henk and Heike.
Not an Oughtred boat but very Scandinavian-looking was Gerben-Jan's Viking Raider. The smallest boat was 'Ijsvogel', a 8ft dinghy designed by Dudley Dix. Followed by Anna's Klepper folding canoe with sailing rig. The flagship of the fleet was an iron sailing barge called 'Wabberwyn' and owned by organizers Inge and Jan.
Meanwhile the air had cooled off. Time for drinks and vegetarian courgette soup cooked by Inge with generous helpings of cream cheese and baguettes. Klarie and I were lined up for dishwashing duty so we were quite busy for awhile after dinner. There were midges around in the evening air so we adjourned to the warmth of the clubhouse.

Saturday

Sunday