The Spes Mea, a Groningen tjalk (sea-going barge), was built in 1902 at the Boerema yard in Martenshoek (near Hoogezand, Groningen). Until 1938, she operated as a sailing coaster, transporting salt, wood, coal and livestock to England, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Germany. Later, the ship could no longer compete at sea against the larger freighters and was therefore used as a barge for transporting bulk goods.
In the 1990s, the ship was finally converted into a comfortable charter vessel and has since been considered one of the most authentic tjalks in the Netherlands. The ship is ideal for groups of up to 20 people for multi-day trips on the Wadden Sea, IJsselmeer and Frisian inland waterways. During day trips, a maximum of 25 people can sail along. A sailing trip as a company outing or as a holiday with family and friends. School trips, club outings and youth trips are also regularly organised on the Spes Mea. For individual travellers, various sailing and theme trips are offered every year.
The Spes Mea is a spacious, practical and comfortable boat. Relax in the cosy saloon and make use of the excellently equipped kitchen to cook for the whole party. Here you have a large cooker with 6 burners, good pans, kitchen appliances, plenty of plates and much more at your disposal. Next to the stairs is a beer tap where you can tap a cool beer at any time. Spes Mea also has two toilets and two spacious showers.