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De Birs, De Beers... classic yacht designer

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by Jage, May 5, 2007.

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  1. Jage

    Jage New Member

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    My father once owned a 78ft 1960s vintage De Birs designed steel displacement cruiser (M/Y Velos) (built in Holland) similar to the Caravelle series of the same vintage. Does anybody have any information on that designer or perhaps what happened to that yacht. Back in the day it was supposed to be a well known yacht (perhaps for not achieving the speed objective/requirements by the designer and owner, which subsequently refused delivery. The name Velos supposedly means Fast. It cruised primarily in greece with frequent stops in Cannes during the Film festival during the early to mid 1970s. I have googled for the life of me to find some info but perhaps I have the spelling wrong and do not know which shipyard in holland built it. My dad always referred to it as a Feadship but somehow I think during the the mid 70s a lot of yachts were referred to as feadships just because they were steel and built in holland. thanks for any help

    Jage
  2. donnymat

    donnymat New Member

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    De Birs in Alexandria

    I know about a De Birs in Alexandria,Egypt who is a Yacht builder.Dont know how they are connected with the Yacht your dad owned.
  3. Jage

    Jage New Member

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    There is some sort of connection but i think it may just be in the name. But certainly I am more interested in the De Birs in Holland from the 1960's. Thanks
  4. YachtForum

    YachtForum Publisher/Admin

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    Jage,

    In attempting to re-size your images, the resolution fell apart. Sorry 'bout that! You will need to repost these images, but please... keep them under 640 pixels wide.
  5. Jage

    Jage New Member

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    repost of the photos.

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  6. SeaEric

    SeaEric YF Historian

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    Here is a 1953 DeVries 71' Steel MY from Soldboats.com There are some similarities...

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  7. Jage

    Jage New Member

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    Thanks SeaEric. I was able able too find a newer photo of the Velos after it was purchased and converted to a tourist boat in greece. Perhaps this is a better photo to read into. thanks

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  8. Jage

    Jage New Member

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    I have been able to find the whereabouts and current condition of the yacht. IF I may be a little more specific can someone with knowledge of the classic Dutch yards tell me if De Birs was a shipyard or was it the name of the designer? or both? Thanks

    Jage
  9. Jage

    Jage New Member

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    Ok, I have found some more info. the yard it was built in was N.V. Schopewerft Keratholt Groningen. Is anybody familiar with that yard? The vessel was built in 1961 and since I now know the shipyard that built it, By common deduction, De Birs was in fact the Designer. Thanks for tolerating me and these questions...much appreciated!


    Jage
  10. Jage

    Jage New Member

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    sorry the yard's name is N.V. Schopewerft Kerstholt Groningen. Any ideas?
  11. Jage

    Jage New Member

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    Moderators, could you please delete this thread. I was able to locate a brochure of the yacht in question and I am afraid It has nothing to do with De Birs. thank you


    I would be happy to share the info I have found on this yacht in a new thread if anyone is interested. Apparently, it was an american designed yacht built in Holland. Let me know if there is any interest and I would be happy to share. Thanks


    Jage
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