Luxury Liveaboard Vessel with Spacious Garden in Ooltgensplaat

The Always Ready is a historic luxury motor vessel that has been thoughtfully converted into a comfortable residential boat, offering a unique living experience on the southernmost island of South Holland. Built in 1930 at the renowned Scheepswerf De Hoop shipyard in Leiden, this vessel carries with it nearly a century of maritime history while providing modern amenities for daily living.

The boat measures 26 meters in length and 4.32 meters in width, with a draft of approximately 1 meter below the gangway. This creates a spacious interior volume within the hull. The living accommodation extends to approximately 45 square meters, complemented by an additional 10 square meters of other indoor space and 30 square meters of external storage in the separate shed.

Access to the vessel is via a sturdy walking bridge that leads directly to the wheelhouse. The wheelhouse features a comfortable seating area with an open view over the Spui, which serves as the approach channel to the harbour of Ooltgensplaat. From the wheelhouse, the aft cabin is accessible. This area has been preserved in its original state and contains a spacious bedstead, a living area, a small kitchen unit, and space for a toilet installation.

The main living quarters are reached through a hatch from the mid-deck, leading down into the hold that has been converted into the primary residential space. The entrance opens into a generous living room with an open-plan kitchen. Natural light floods this space through multiple skylights installed in the deck above. A wood-burning stove provides warmth and ambiance during the evening hours, supplementing the diesel-powered central heating system.

Adjacent to the kitchen, a spacious bathroom has been fitted out with a shower, toilet, and washbasin cabinet. The master bedroom is located in the forward section of the living area, providing a private sleeping quarters within the converted hold.

The forward hold, known as the vooronder, retains its original wooden paneling and contains two sleeping berths along with ample storage space. The mast engine is housed within this section. The engine room beneath the wheelhouse contains all the technical equipment and installations that keep the vessel operational.

The technical specifications of the Always Ready reflect both its heritage and modern upgrades. The main engine is a Scania D8 producing over 100 horsepower, coupled with a new 24-volt dynamo. A Duco bow thruster rated at 24 volts and 20 horsepower, installed in 2015, assists with maneuvering in confined spaces. Fuel capacity consists of a 120-liter day tank and a 750-liter main tank. A 12 kVA generator is present on board, though it is currently non-functional.

Heating is provided through a Roca diesel-powered central heating system, supplemented by the wood stove in the living room. The electrical system centers on a Victron Multiplus unit rated at 24/3000/70, with two lithium batteries of 300Ah each installed in October 2025. Water storage capacity is 1,500 liters, served by a Flojet water pump.

Communication and safety equipment includes Sailor 2048 and handheld marine radios, along with a Comnav AIS transponder system. The hull was last inspected in July 2020 with a thickness report, and the vessel's CBB certification remains valid until August 2029.

The Always Ready maintains its seaworthy status and has completed multiple voyages. The harbour of Ooltgensplaat offers an open waterway connection to the Volkerak, Hollandsdiep, and Oosterschelde, providing access to an extensive network of waterways connecting to various harbour towns across South Holland and Zeeland.

One of the most distinctive features of this property is the substantial garden measuring approximately 800 square meters that accompanies the mooring. This outdoor space includes a large shed that currently serves multiple purposes: a mancave, a workshop, and a covered terrace with an outdoor kitchen. Two on-site parking spaces are also provided within the garden area.

The mooring is secured through an indefinite agreement with the Stichting Historische Schepen Ooltgensplaat, a foundation that manages a portion of the land and waterway along the Steigerdijk. The annual costs for the mooring total approximately 3,000 euros, comprising 2,600 euros for the mooring itself and 400 euros allocated to a maintenance reserve. Upon commencement of the tenancy, a one-time payment of 4,500 euros is required as an interest-free loan to the foundation, which is fully refundable upon termination of the rental agreement.

Ooltgensplaat is situated on the island of Goeree Overflakkee and benefits from good road connections to the cities of Willemstad, Middelharnis, Oud Beijerland, and Rotterdam. The village itself is a characteristic church-circle settlement, featuring the historic town hall dating from 1616 on the harbour side and a church built in 1847 on the opposite side.

The surrounding natural environment offers considerable recreational value. The adjacent Hellegatsplaten nature reserve is accessible directly from the garden via walking paths that lead to observation towers for viewing various bird species and large grazing animals including Heck cattle and Fjord horses. Across the waterway, Fort Prins Frederik can be reached by ferry.

The historical record of the vessel shows its first measurement took place on 30 July 1930 in Leiden, recording dimensions of 26.08 by 4.29 meters with a 35 horsepower motor and a displacement of 73.5 tons. A second measurement from 17 June 1942 in Rotterdam shows similar dimensions with an increased carrying capacity of 80.3 tons, suggesting conversion to a dredger with a raised den and calf decks. The vessel remained active as a dredger until the 1990s. The current owners acquired the Always Ready in 2008 and undertook extensive renovations to transform it from a working vessel into a comfortable residential boat.

From a legal and financial perspective, purchasers should note that no transfer tax is payable on the purchase of this residential boat. The vessel is registered in the land registry and has a fixed mooring, which means that a mortgage is among the financing options available. The listing notes that Rabobank is currently willing to provide mortgages for this type of property, though prospective buyers should consult with their own mortgage advisor regarding specific possibilities.

Potential purchasers are advised to verify all dimensions and specifications during a viewing, as the listing information is compiled with care but cannot serve as a guarantee. Additionally, prospective buyers should contact the municipality to determine whether a self-occupancy requirement applies to this property, as an increasing number of municipalities are implementing such conditions for future owners.