Gulden Leeuw

Ship

The Gulden Leeuw is a majestic three-masted topsail schooner, offering an exhilarating experience of climbing its 40-meter mast to unfurl the square sails—equivalent to scaling a 12-story building! But don’t worry, you can start with the lowest yard. With 1,500 square meters of sail, there’s always plenty to do on board, whether or not you choose to climb. On such a large vessel, teamwork is key to almost every task.

This robust Tall Ship, known for its impressive speed and excellent seaworthiness, exudes the elegance of the 1930s with its simple, functional design and luxurious materials. The Gulden Leeuw regularly competes in Tall Ships Races and Regattas and carries forward its proud tradition of supporting biological research through Exchange@sea sustainable youth journeys.

Led by a skilled Captain, the international crew’s aim is to empower trainees to eventually take full control of the ship. If you’re seeking an active holiday and a deep dive into the art of sailing a tall ship, the Gulden Leeuw is the perfect choice. Adventure awaits, and boredom is not an option!


History

The Gulden Leeuw began its journey in 1937 under the name Dana. Originally built as an ocean-going, ice-class ship for the Danish government, it spent much of the early years conducting marine biological research.

In the 1980s, Dana transitioned to serve as an offshore support vessel. Later, the ship was acquired by the Danish Nautical School, where it played a key role in training students to become skilled seafarers. In 2007, P&T Charters purchased the ship, transforming it into the magnificent three-masted topsail schooner  with the new name Gulden Leeuw—Dutch for Golden Lion.

After a complete restoration in 2010, the Gulden Leeuw quickly garnered recognition. In 2013, the owners received the STI award for their “Most Innovative Initiative.” Just a few years later, in 2017, they were honored as the Sail Training Organisation of the Year, celebrated for “excellence, innovation, and best practice in sail training for young people.”


Accommodation

The deckhouse on the Gulden Leeuw serves as the heart of the ship, featuring a dining room that doubles as a social hub. Whether you’re interested in playing games, watching movies, or attending presentations—like those on dolphins and whales—this is the place to be! The space opens up to a spacious foredeck through large folding doors, creating a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor areas. Moving aft, you’ll find several toilets and the elegant Captain’s VIP lounge.

Climb the steps to the bridge, where you can steer the ship and oversee all the action on the foredeck. For a moment of relaxation, take a seat on one of the benches and gaze out over the horizon.

Below deck, the galley and dormitory await. The dormitory, split into sections for women and men, is where you’ll sleep during your journey. Adjacent to the dormitory are four showers. The Gulden Leeuw can accommodate up to 56 trainees on overnight voyages and up to 200 passengers for day sails.


Specifications

Shipping type: Topsail Schooner

Homeport: Kampen (NL)

Date built: 1937

Restored: 2010

Capacity: 56

Length: 70,1 m

Beam: 8,6 m

Draught: 4,2 m

Sail: 1500 m2

Height of mast: 40 m

Engine capacity: 1200 HP

Displacement: 700 ton

Sail on board the Gulden Leeuw

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