Design Brief & Intent
The genesis of the LE 111 lay in a specific, uncompromising brief: to build a traditional Dutch vessel that could dominate the competitive class-regulated regattas of the SSRP (Stichting Stamboek Ronde en Platbodemjachten) while remaining entirely manageable by a skeleton crew, or even a couple. To achieve this, the design team opted for the "Visserman" layout rather than the more common "Roefaak" (cabin cruiser) configuration. While a Roefaak features a prominent, raised trunk cabin that limits cockpit space, the Visserman prioritizes an expansive, deep, and open cockpit. This layout is historically reminiscent of the working fishing boats of the Zuiderzee, but in a modern yachting context, it yields significant design advantages. The large cockpit provides an exceptionally safe and ergonomic workspace for a large racing crew, and by lowering the deck profile, it significantly lowers the vessel's vertical center of gravity, thereby increasing its sail-carrying capacity and stability.
Despite the low-profile aesthetic, the interior accommodation is a triumph of space planning. Heerlien Jachtbetimmeringen executed a remarkably bright and airy cabin layout that defies the traditional "cave-like" reputation of flat-bottomed vessels. By utilizing light-colored joinery, strategically placed skylights, and highly efficient polyurethane foam insulation, the interior feels expansive and modern. The yacht comfortably accommodates six berths, featuring a dedicated owner’s cabin forward, a fully equipped head with a separate shower, and an entirely gas-free, all-electric galley powered by an induction cooktop. To ensure true multi-season comfort, the cabin is fitted with double-glazed windows, central heating supplied by a diesel-fired boiler, and extensive custom cabinetry. To prevent the perennial bane of steel yachts—rust—corrosion-prone areas such as the mast foot, deck drains, and scuppers were fabricated from high-grade stainless steel.
Technical Innovations & Automated Systems
The true genius of the LE 111 is hidden beneath its traditional timber trim and steel plates. In an era where purists often shun automated assistance, the LE 111 embraces high-end technology to make its 19-metric-ton displacement exceptionally docile. The auxiliary power is a sophisticated parallel hybrid system, pairing a 67-horsepower diesel engine with a silent 15 kW electric motor. Powered by a high-capacity lithium-ion battery bank, the yacht can motor in near-total silence for up to four hours, making harbor maneuvers and early morning departures exceptionally peaceful.
Traditional flat-bottomed vessels are notoriously difficult to maneuver in tight quarters due to their lack of a deep keel. The design team bypassed noisy, conventional bow thrusters in favor of a state-of-the-art Holland Marine Parts JT-90 Jet Thruster system. This setup uses a high-pressure water pump to eject water through nozzles in the bow, providing silent, highly responsive lateral thrust. For effortless anchoring in the shallow Friesian Lakes and the Wadden Sea, the yacht is equipped with a hidden "spudpaal" (a heavy vertical spud pole that drops through the hull to pin the boat to the seabed). Sailing operations are similarly modernized: the complex handling of the massive timber leeboards is completely automated via hydraulic winches, and the halyards and sheets are managed by a 48V electric winch package. To streamline the sail plan, both the jib (botterfok) and the flying jib (kluiver) are mounted on modern manual furling systems, allowing a single watch-keeper to tack and douse the foresails from the safety of the deep cockpit.
Sailing Performance & Flat-Bottom Physics
Sailing a Lemsteraak is an exercise in managing massive surface area and immense hydrodynamic drag. To optimize the LE 111’s performance, Martijn van Schaik utilized advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Velocity Prediction Programs (VPP)—the same high-level software suites Hoek Design employs for modern J-Class yacht recreations. The design team evaluated nine hull variations, ultimately selecting a relatively narrow waterline beam of 4.00 meters (with a 4.35-meter beam over the rubbing strake) and a highly optimized, clean run aft.
This refined hull shape yields a significantly reduced wet surface area compared to traditional designs. Consequently, the LE 111 has a slightly lower initial stability but exhibits an incredibly agile light-air response, accelerating (aanspringen) instantly in light wind shifts. The towering gaff rig features an 18.25-meter air draft, carrying up to 106.6 square meters of working sail area. The mainsail accounts for 48.8 square meters, balanced by a 37.3-square-meter jib and a 20.5-square-meter flying jib. The optimized shape of the steel-framed leeboards reduces drag when sailing on the wind, allowing the boat to point remarkably high for a flat-bottomed vessel. In heavy weather, the heavy steel hull and the low-slung Visserman deck profile allow the LE 111 to carry full sail long after other traditional yachts are forced to reef, tracking through a seaway with a motion comfort that rivals much larger cruising vessels.
Market Snapshot & Economics
As a highly specialized, custom-built Dutch classic, the Lemsteraak LE 111 occupies an elite and highly niche segment of the European brokerage market. The build quality, the prestige of the Hoek Design pedigree, and the integration of advanced hybrid systems mean that this vessel commands a substantial premium over production fiberglass vessels of similar length. It is a boat built for connoisseurs who recognize the immense capital investment required to construct a custom steel yacht to this standard of joinery and engineering.
From an economic perspective, potential owners must anticipate a unique maintenance profile. While the extensive use of stainless steel details reduces traditional cosmetic hull maintenance, the complexity of the integrated systems—spanning a 48V lithium-ion electrical grid, hydraulic systems for the leeboards and autopilot, and the specialized hybrid propulsion—demands professional oversight and regular diagnostic care. Furthermore, servicing the traditional varnished spars, leeboards, and heavy timber rudder requires the specialized skills of classic yacht yards, typically located in the Netherlands. For the right custodian, however, the investment yields an incomparable sailing experience and a vessel that is universally respected across Northern Europe’s classic yacht racing circuits.
The Verdict
The Lemsteraak LE 111 "Visserman Uitvoering" is a masterful demonstration of how modern technology can breathe new life into a historic design. It successfully honors the majestic presence and competitive spirit of the traditional Dutch flat-bottom while stripping away the physical hardships historically associated with handling them. It is an exquisite, highly complex, and exceptionally fast cruiser-racer that proves tradition and innovation are not mutually exclusive.
Pros
- Exceptional light-air acceleration and highly competitive racing pedigree optimized via CFD.
- State-of-the-art hybrid propulsion and silent jet thruster systems for effortless docking.
- Highly automated sail handling with hydraulic leeboard controls and electric winches, making it easily manageable by a couple.
- Massive, deep, and safe cockpit ideal for entertaining large groups or racing crews.
- Exceptionally finished, insulated, gas-free interior with double glazing and central heating.
Cons
- High system complexity requires specialized technical knowledge to maintain and troubleshoot.
- Traditional timber spars, rudder, and leeboards demand rigorous, ongoing varnish and woodwork maintenance.
- Highly specialized design limits its primary cruising grounds to shallow coastal waters, estuaries, and inland canals.
- Significant capital investment and high entry barrier compared to standard production fiberglass yachts of similar length.
