Trawler Lifestyle | PassageMaker Magazine & Events

This story is the longest in-progress feature in PMM's history, but it's time to bring it to you. When I first did the boat tour on the Solo 43 (see PMM April '00), it was clearly a ground-up business venture from a new yard in China. The early boats were evidence of a new effort from a new yard and, as I reported, the workers were still learning the finer points of boatbuilding. From applying hardwood finishes to dressing electrical panels, such details highlighted areas of improvement.

While in Holland this fall, I got a chance to visit a company that is ever-present on our boats, more than I realized. From steering wheels to engine vents, from bow/stern thrusters to hatches, hydraulic steering systems, diesel electric propulsion, propellers, exhaust systems, windlasses, seats and a whole lot more, the products from Vetus den Ouden find their way aboard pleasure boats in the world. Indeed, a recent test ride on the new kickbutt, jet drive Willard Homeland Defense Navy patrol boat has Vetus products on it as well. One might say Vetus den Ouden is the marine equipment mother lode.