The Pikmeer Cruiser became an iconic motor yacht

In Grou, they know how to embrace distinctive traditions. Take the Sinterklaas celebration, for example. It has been celebrated here in February for centuries, tied to the feast day of Saint Peter. Peter is the Catholic patron saint of fishermen and sailors, among others. In Grou, they celebrate his birthday in a very modern way, without “Swarte Pyt.” He was allowed to embark on a trip around the world in 2020.

Jachtwerf De Groot in Grou, which has been in business for 61 years, has also forged such a seamless connection between the past and the present. The steel shipyard is the builder of the Pikmeerkuiser, once a boat for everyone, now one with a status comparable to that of more expensive car brands. A remarkable journey.

All disciplines

A tour of the shipyard reveals that there are a few people working in each department, but they never do the same thing over and over again—they always stay within the scope of their professional expertise. With fifteen employees, the De Groot family is not only busy with new construction—five to six boats a year—but also with maintenance, winter storage, boat house accommodations, refits, and yacht brokerage, specializing, of course, in Pikmeer cruisers. It’s hard to imagine them ever running out of work. In their own boathouses, across the water from the Rjochte Grou, a hundred motor yachts are moored in 15-meter-deep berths. Half of them are Pikmeerkruisers. Nearly 600 of these have been built since 1963. Next to the wheelchair-accessible 48’ AFT Cabin currently under construction—hull number 587—lies the cutting template for number 588, a 40’ Open Cockpit.

Boat Ownership Without Worries

Customers are, of course, under no obligation to use the shipyard for maintenance and similar services, but the vast majority do. Director Hendrik de Groot Jr.: “When it comes to boat ownership, we take care of everything; we make it as easy as possible for the customer. He prefers our own staff because they know the boats inside and out. Older Pikmeer cruisers are upgraded upon request or put up for sale, and must then be in perfect technical condition. They also have to look spick and span. A Pikmeerkruiser is a boat for enthusiasts—you’re proud of it, and you cherish it. That’s why they retain their value. There’s a lot of demand for them. I’d love to have ten more used Pikmeerkruisers in my inventory, but they’re not available. Owners keep sailing them for a long time—sometimes a very long time. And why not? If you maintain the boat properly, there really’s no reason for its life to come to an end, because a Pikmeerkruiser is traditionally built to be rock-solid using the most durable materials: steel and wood. Some sail them year-round without any problems. During the celebration of the 60th anniversary in 2023, the oldest models from various years of construction were on display.”

Icon

The Pikmeerkruiser has become an iconic vessel in a world where many top brands have disappeared. De Groot: “That’s also why we’re very careful with our model lineup, but we’re certainly not standing still. Call it an evolutionary development, ensuring the boat always remains contemporary. For example, we’re considering a special edition of the Open Cockpit series, without compromising the current line of highly successful open-cockpit models. I think it will be a nod to the shipyard’s long history.” Looking back, half a century ago, just about anyone could afford a Pikmeer cruiser. But over the past 25 years, construction and material costs have risen so dramatically—and skilled craftsmen have become so scarce—that the price tags on the railings are now quite different. The “entry-level model,” the 38’ Open Cockpit, launches for four ton. For the 50’ AFT Cabin, you’ll have to shell out at least €800,000. It’s not uncommon for Pikmeer cruisers to be so customized that construction costs easily exceed one million euros. That’s serious money, they say in Grou, but then you also have a serious boat: “Something unique.”

Transparent

De Groot: “We are and will always be down-to-earth Frisians. We have a tremendous passion for true craftsmanship. We’re also very transparent—not just on paper or in our quotes, but also afterward. Clients are always welcome to come see their ship under construction. Potential clients are also always welcome, even without an appointment. That’s possible here because we do everything ourselves at a single location, where we have everything under control and nothing to hide. That openness and accessibility are highly appreciated, especially by our international clients. We have clients in many countries. Due to political developments around the world, the origin of our clients fluctuates, but German clients currently make up the majority. By participating in trade shows such as Hiswa te Water, we’re also able to maintain the number of Dutch clients. In general, we are very satisfied with the interest in a Pikmeerkruiser. Our new website has also contributed to this increased interest. All models are presented there in a clear and richly illustrated manner, complete with starting prices. We consider this another example of transparency.”

Delivery Time

De Groot agrees that, according to many shipyards, the decision-making process has become longer. “But in our case, that’s mainly due to the freedom of choice we offer our customers. And yet we can get started quickly once an order is placed. Currently, the lead time is twelve to fifteen months. However, we’re not considering expanding our capacity. That would lead to problems we want to avoid. Right now, the scale, the routing, and the many facilities we offer are nicely balanced. That balance is also a hallmark of our product.”