Design and Development
The LE 111 belongs to the broader Lemsteraak tradition, in which hull construction progressed from wood to riveted and later welded iron and steel through the early 20th century.
SRF in Harlingen built Alderaast LE111 during the winter of 2015–2016. Chris Beuker developed the concept and supervised the build, while Martijn van Schaik produced the design. Van Schaik is associated with Hoek Design, a studio that has refined more than 250 Lemsteraken using in-house velocity prediction tools since the early 1980s.
At 12.85 meters, this Visserman is 60 cm longer than Van Schaik’s 12.25 m designs, including Eb en Vloed. That extra length represents a deliberate stretch of the established proportions.
Construction
Alderaast LE111 has a welded-steel hull, consistent with the later phase of Lemsteraak construction. Rather than using 5 mm steel plate throughout, the builders selected different plate thicknesses to suit varying structural demands.
The centerboard has a notably slender profile, a feature observed while the boat was sailing heeled.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
The brief called for a fast, maneuverable yacht that would respond quickly in light air. The design team examined nine variants using Multisurf and Winpower software, assessing resistance, behavior in a seaway, and sailing characteristics. Three models then underwent further Computational Fluid Dynamics analysis to visualize hull resistance.
The resulting underwater hull is relatively slender and has little wetted surface. Testers also recorded lower initial stability alongside the quickness. When a gust fills the sails, the aak accelerates very rapidly and sprints away. Its slender underwater hull with little wetted surface helps explain the reported light-air responsiveness and acceleration.
Ownership
Jellesma Beheer B.V. of Lemmer owned Alderaast LE111 from 2016 to 2025. Wallisuma B.V. of Naarden took ownership in 2025 and has held it since. This provides a continuous, recent ownership record. Beyond the transfer, the only noted oversight is Beuker’s supervision of the original build.
The Verdict
The Lemsteraak LE 111 Visserman Uitvoering is a deliberately stretched, software-refined version of the open fisherman’s aak. It trades some initial stability for a slender hull with low wetted surface, quick acceleration, and handy light-air performance. Its welded-steel structure, built with varying plate gauges, applies a modern engineering approach to a traditional layout.
Pros
- Slender hull with little wetted surface and documented light-air acceleration
- Modern design process informed by VPP software and CFD analysis across nine variants
- Open Visserman cockpit faithful to the type’s working-boat heritage
- Continuous, recent ownership record dating from 2016
Cons
- Lower initial stability than fuller Lemsteraak forms
- No detailed accommodation or systems specifications published
