Jachtwerf Gebr. de Kloet in Kortenhoef, near Hilversum in Holland, has a well established-reputation in the Dutch yacht-building industry. The yard has been building GRP yachts since 1959. It is a small, family firm that is active in new-building, repairs and maintenance as well as in stainless steel manufacturing. Founders Henk and Teun de Kloet and Henk’s son Martin currently manage the company.

The family have always placed strong emphasis on quality, flexibility, customer-satisfaction and after-sales service. The yachts are "semi-custom-built”, which means that owners are offered a lot of choice when the interiors of their boats are planned. Only first class materials are used throughout the boat, and the stainless steel parts and fittings are largely made on the premises, which contribute to the quality and exclusivity of the yachts. All yachts are fully CE complaint.

Production of the Midget 26 started in 1980, and 155 have been built to date. As time passed, it became clear that there was a demand for a larger model along the same lines, so a new design was commissioned that followed the same historic shape and production of the Midget 31 started in 1990. 50 of the 31s have been built so far.

The Boats:
The designs of the Midget 26 and 31 are timeless, and strongly reminiscent of the Scandinavian Colin Archers. The fundamental design is known to date back 200 years, and is possibly much older still. It is believed to have originated on the north coast of Denmark, where fishing boats have to cope with the rough waters of the Kattegat. With its round stern, heavy displacement and generous beam, which extends far to the front and back, a sea-kindly yet spacious form is created that has withstood the tests of both sea and time. The full-length keel is sloped in the forward sections and at the aft end supports the long rudder, providing protection to both the rudder and the propeller. Over the years, boats up to 50 feet in length have been produced to this design.

The internal layout of both the Midget 26 and 31 models uses the forward sections of the boat for the U-shaped saloon seating. This allows the galley, heads and companionway to be positioned in the centre of the boats (where headroom is best), and allows the sterns to be used for one or two double cabins, creating the possibility in both boats for three double berths in three cabins. Alternative layouts include one where the starboard aft cabin is open plan with the saloon, and a single, centre-line double aft cabin accessed from one or both sides.

Returning from the 2003 Southampton Boat show in over 30 knots of wind, the Midget 31 lifts up her skirts and beats majestically down Southampton Water.

Top down schematic of the Midget 26. This is the 2 X aft double berth version which provides a total of 3 double berths if the saloon table is lowered and the infill cushions deployed. Alternatively, a single aft double cabin version is available which creates room for a deep cockpit locker on the other side of the cockpit. Noteworthy is the 2.95 metre beam which is carried well aft thus creating so much accomodation.

"....a tough, capable and impressively roomy cruising yacht, and one that should look after you if you're caught out in rough weather....." says Practical Boat Owner in Febraury 2005, refering to the Midget 26. The article goes on to say "....The Midget is certainly different. Small, solid, hand built boats are a rarity these days, but the success of this Dutch cruiser proves that there are still people for whom quality, character and robustness are more important than size...."

Under the CE regulations, the Midget 26' is in category B (offshore) and the Midget 31 is in category A (ocean).

If you would like more information about either of the Midget models, or would like to see one, please contact us. More information is available at the De Kloet Website

Global Yachts Ltd

Hamble Point Marina Hamble, Southampton Hampshire, SO3I 4JD, United Kingdom

Tel +44 (0)23 8045 6788 Fax +44 (0)23 8045 6798 Email Us

http://scanyachts.com

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