Davo III 12 E 9

A Century Under Sail: The Legacy of This Max Oertz 12mR

Originally commissioned in 1911 by Dutch shipowner C. Vermeer, this exceptional 12 Metre is one of only three built to designs by renowned naval architect Max Oertz—the others being Heti (1912) and Davo II (1907), both also owned by Vermeer during the period from 1907 to 1922.

Early Racing Career

• 1912 – Kiel Week
  Competed against the greats of her day, including William Fife’s Ierne and Johan Anker’s Magda IX. Though she was outpaced by those two, she outperformed the Skeaf V (a Barg design) and her sister ship Heti, also by Oertz.

Years of Transformation

• 1931–1950 – Renamed Wulp
  Under new ownership by G.H. Brandt, she was converted to an auxiliary Bermudan cutter, with a reduced sail area of 135 m² and fitted with an engine for cruising.

• 1951–1970 – Renamed Noordster III
  Sold to L.G.A. Stojaczyk, she continued her evolution as a cruising yacht.

• 1960 – Repowered
  Upgraded with a DTP 62 HP diesel engine (Peugeot/Volvo, 4-cylinder).

Refits and Renewals

• 1971–1976 – Major Refit
  Converted to a Bermudan ketch rig during a full overhaul. New sail area: 139 m².

• 1979 – New Spruce Masts
  Both masts were replaced with new spruce spars.

• 1982–1986
  Ownership passed to J.A. Hoogwegt in 1982 and later to Mrs. Tosca Beekman in 1984.

• 1983 – Re-powered again
  Further engine upgrades ensured continued seaworthiness.

• 2003–2005 – Refitted
  Additional restoration work was carried out to preserve her classic lines and structure.

Present Day

• 2009 – Offered for Sale

• 2023 – New Life Begins
  Now owned by Nicholas Brouet, the yacht is undergoing a full restoration at Chantier du Guip in Brest, Brittany, in the heart of Finistère, Western France—a fitting new chapter in the life of a storied 12mR.