M/S Johanna
A barge with a unique history.
From its very beginning, back in 1966, the motorship Johanna was destined to be one of kind. After all, its owner was looking for a ship with the size of a spits (39x5m), but with a streamlined bow. The only shipyard willing to fulfill this dream was The Durme in Tielrode (B). So Johanna came to life as a traditionally constructed ship but without the round bow. The speed of the fast sailing vessel proved to be all that was needed to compensate for its smaller payload.
When the owner decided to start enjoying retirement, the length of Johanna was brought back to 32m, which is her actual size, and a bow thruster was installed. As true skippers, the owner and his wife decided to spend their remaining years on board and converted part of the aft cargo hold into some additional but basic living quarters. From then on the canal barge Johanna was destined to make occasional holiday cruises till the day the skipper died in 2009.
When Patsie and Kris first saw the Johanna in 2012, they immediately fell in love with the ship and found it perfect to be turned into the comfortable hotel ship it is today. Providing room for 6 to 7 passengers, this beautifully converted barge is now the perfect way to spend a relaxing holiday on the wonderful rivers and canals of Belgium and France.
Some technical specifications.
After a few years the original engine was replaced by a more powerful and direct reversible Deutz type RA8M428. This engine is still the beating heart of the ship and accounts with its slow stroke for the peaceful rhythm with which we are gliding through the water.
Yard | : De Durme, Tielrode, Belgium |
Year build | : 1966 |
Build nr | : 365 |
Length | : 32m |
Width | : 5,10m |
Draft | : 1,25m – 1,40m |
Air draft | : Wheelhouse up: 4,20m, – Wheelhouse down: 3,40m |
Main engine | : Deutz RA8M428, air started, direct reverse, build 1955. |
Engine power | : 310HP at 600 Rpm. |
Bowthruster | : 360° Albrecht (now Hans de Groote) |
Bowthruster engine | : DAF 615, 120HP |
Generators | : Kubota 11KVA + 17KVA |
Drinking Water | : 13.000 liter |
Fuel | : 6.000 liter |