Tom's Adventures – Viksund 27 Columbi Boat, Inland Waterway Routes & Projects

Tom's Adventures!

Tom Viksund 27

The Adventures of Tom
A Viksund 27 Columbi
Built in 1978

In Honor of 2 great men!

Tom in het water
Fig.1 - Tom in Kollum - April 2024.

Why the name Tom?

To most, Tom might be a very common name, but for us, it holds special significance. It represents two important people in our lives:

  • A Grandfather
  • A Father

To honor both men, we chose to name our Viksund 27 Columbi "Tom".

Tips for navigating the site

To make the most of your experience on our website, here are some tips:

When you see this Underlined text with a info icon We try to make this website as informative and user-friendly as possible. Whenever you see underlined text with a question mark icon, it indicates that there is additional information available. , Hoover over it to read the tooltip.

History of the Viksund 27 series

Build between 1970 - 1980

Viksund 27 Drawings
Fig.2 - Viksund 27 impressions - © shipbucket.com

The Viksund 27 Series

The Viksund 27 was a cornerstone of Viksund's production, alongside the Viksund 31 Goldfish.
It was available in different configurations: with or without sails and as a fishing boat.
These boats are known for their spacious interior, large aft deck, and excellent seaworthiness and durability.
The sailing version was not particularly fast. The non-sailing version had only 400 kg of ballast, whereas the sailing version had 1000 kg (due to an added steel keel).
Viksund claimed that adding ballast to the hull improved the boat’s stability in rough seas.

Anecdotes

In the early years, Viksund faced difficulties selling fiberglass boats, as many people believed they were unsafe and unable to withstand Norway's harsh weather conditions. To prove them wrong, Viksund once dropped a 27 Columbi from a mountain and had workers strike it with 10 kg sledgehammers. Apart from some broken glass, the fiberglass hull and superstructure remained intact. After some minor repairs to the gel coat, the boat was sold and it is still sailing today!
In 1977, a brand-new Viksund 27 MS fell off a cargo ship during a winter storm. A few days later, the Norwegian Navy found it—completely undamaged and totally dry inside. They put a crew on board, started the engine, and sailed it to port. After inspection, the boat was delivered to its customer without requiring any repairs.
Back in the 1980s, a Norwegian sailor took a 27 Sjark (fishing version) across the Atlantic to New York with just a few modifications: extra fuel, a larger water supply, and a big cooler in the fishing well. The sailor later said, "All I had to do was start the engine, point the bow in the right direction, and sit back and relax—even in bad weather!"

Technical Specifications of the Viksund 27'

What it's made of!

Original Design

Here are the original design specifications of the Viksund 27 series.

Design Specifications

Material:
GRP (Fiberglass)
Length:
8.23 meter (27 feet)
Beam:
2.85 meter
Height:
2.40 meter
Draft:
1 meter (varies depending on ballast type)
Hull Thickness:
35 mm on the sides and bottom, with 40 mm in reinforced areas.
Engine:
18 to 45 hp (Volvo, Sabb, Yanmar)
Speeds:
8 - 9 knots with a Volvo Penta MD3B 36 hp Diesel Engine.
Fuel Tank:
Standard 60 or 100-liter Sabb tank
Water Tank:
50 to 100-liter tank (stainless steel)
Weight:
27 MS: approximately 4000 kg (1000 kg steel keel)
27 Columbi/Sjark: approximately 3400 kg (400 kg keel)
Cost in 1973:
69,900 NOK
(Equivalent to approximately 426,390 NOK (€52,000) today, adjusted for inflation)

Radio Information (VHF/AIS)

Updated Date:

Radio & Callsigns and AIS

Callsign
PD9085 - TOM
MMSI
244170678 - TOM
VHF Set
Standard Horizon GX1400GPS/E (DSC/GPS)
Navigation AIS Set
Onwa KP-27X (Depth/AIS/GPS)

Home Port of Tom

Jachthaven Andijk

Whe found a beautiful spot for our Tom!

Jachthaven Andijk
Fig.2 - Jachthaven Andijk.

When it concerns a pleasure craft, the law in The Netherlands is that the owner's place of residence must be listed as the "home port" on the boat. And that can sometimes lead to hilarious results! Like, for example, a boat is moored in Harderwijk, but the owners live in Stroe. And Stroe doesn't even have a decent canal to put a boat in! But there are rules and regulations, so our home port is therefore Enkhuizen, while our actual home port is Andijk.

And yes, that’s confusing because Enkhuizen also has several (yacht) harbors. But we want to enjoy a perfect spot, with plenty of peace and quiet around us. And we found this at Jachthaven Andijk! Also, there was a waiting list in Enkhuizen. And, Broekerhaven did not even respond to my request......

Main Navigation

24 Januari 2026

We try to update this website as often as possible!

The upgrade plans

24 Januari 2026

Our upgrade plans.

Support the KNRM!

Help them to help others!

KNRM
KNRM

I would like to ask you to become a donor for the KNRM.

The KNRM is a fully private organisation, completely run by volunteers, financed by contributions and donations. You will find all information about them on the website.

You can choose from a single one time payment or a monthly or yearly donation. Please Support them.

Our personal opinion is that every person out on the water should, by law be told to make a donation of €25,- per year. But that is just our opinion.

Copyright, Disclaimer & Attribution

The legal stuff needed because of stupid....

Tom's Adventures – Viksund 27 Columbi Boat, Inland Waterway Routes & Projects

Tom's Adventures!

Tom Viksund 27

The Adventures of Tom
A Viksund 27 Columbi
Built in 1978

In Honor of 2 great men!

Tom in het water
Fig.1 - Tom in Kollum - April 2024.

Why the name Tom?

To most, Tom might be a very common name, but for us, it holds special significance. It represents two important people in our lives:

  • A Grandfather
  • A Father

To honor both men, we chose to name our Viksund 27 Columbi "Tom".

Tips for navigating the site

To make the most of your experience on our website, here are some tips:

When you see this Underlined text with a info icon We try to make this website as informative and user-friendly as possible. Whenever you see underlined text with a question mark icon, it indicates that there is additional information available. , Hoover over it to read the tooltip.

History of the Viksund 27 series

Build between 1970 - 1980

Viksund 27 Drawings
Fig.2 - Viksund 27 impressions - © shipbucket.com

The Viksund 27 Series

The Viksund 27 was a cornerstone of Viksund's production, alongside the Viksund 31 Goldfish.
It was available in different configurations: with or without sails and as a fishing boat.
These boats are known for their spacious interior, large aft deck, and excellent seaworthiness and durability.
The sailing version was not particularly fast. The non-sailing version had only 400 kg of ballast, whereas the sailing version had 1000 kg (due to an added steel keel).
Viksund claimed that adding ballast to the hull improved the boat’s stability in rough seas.

Anecdotes

In the early years, Viksund faced difficulties selling fiberglass boats, as many people believed they were unsafe and unable to withstand Norway's harsh weather conditions. To prove them wrong, Viksund once dropped a 27 Columbi from a mountain and had workers strike it with 10 kg sledgehammers. Apart from some broken glass, the fiberglass hull and superstructure remained intact. After some minor repairs to the gel coat, the boat was sold and it is still sailing today!
In 1977, a brand-new Viksund 27 MS fell off a cargo ship during a winter storm. A few days later, the Norwegian Navy found it—completely undamaged and totally dry inside. They put a crew on board, started the engine, and sailed it to port. After inspection, the boat was delivered to its customer without requiring any repairs.
Back in the 1980s, a Norwegian sailor took a 27 Sjark (fishing version) across the Atlantic to New York with just a few modifications: extra fuel, a larger water supply, and a big cooler in the fishing well. The sailor later said, "All I had to do was start the engine, point the bow in the right direction, and sit back and relax—even in bad weather!"

Technical Specifications of the Viksund 27'

What it's made of!

Original Design

Here are the original design specifications of the Viksund 27 series.

Design Specifications

Material:
GRP (Fiberglass)
Length:
8.23 meter (27 feet)
Beam:
2.85 meter
Height:
2.40 meter
Draft:
1 meter (varies depending on ballast type)
Hull Thickness:
35 mm on the sides and bottom, with 40 mm in reinforced areas.
Engine:
18 to 45 hp (Volvo, Sabb, Yanmar)
Speeds:
8 - 9 knots with a Volvo Penta MD3B 36 hp Diesel Engine.
Fuel Tank:
Standard 60 or 100-liter Sabb tank
Water Tank:
50 to 100-liter tank (stainless steel)
Weight:
27 MS: approximately 4000 kg (1000 kg steel keel)
27 Columbi/Sjark: approximately 3400 kg (400 kg keel)
Cost in 1973:
69,900 NOK
(Equivalent to approximately 426,390 NOK (€52,000) today, adjusted for inflation)

Radio Information (VHF/AIS)

Updated Date:

Radio & Callsigns and AIS

Callsign
PD9085 - TOM
MMSI
244170678 - TOM
VHF Set
Standard Horizon GX1400GPS/E (DSC/GPS)
Navigation AIS Set
Onwa KP-27X (Depth/AIS/GPS)

Home Port of Tom

Jachthaven Andijk

Whe found a beautiful spot for our Tom!

Jachthaven Andijk
Fig.2 - Jachthaven Andijk.

When it concerns a pleasure craft, the law in The Netherlands is that the owner's place of residence must be listed as the "home port" on the boat. And that can sometimes lead to hilarious results! Like, for example, a boat is moored in Harderwijk, but the owners live in Stroe. And Stroe doesn't even have a decent canal to put a boat in! But there are rules and regulations, so our home port is therefore Enkhuizen, while our actual home port is Andijk.

And yes, that’s confusing because Enkhuizen also has several (yacht) harbors. But we want to enjoy a perfect spot, with plenty of peace and quiet around us. And we found this at Jachthaven Andijk! Also, there was a waiting list in Enkhuizen. And, Broekerhaven did not even respond to my request......

Main Navigation

24 Januari 2026

We try to update this website as often as possible!

The upgrade plans

24 Januari 2026

Our upgrade plans.

Support the KNRM!

Help them to help others!

KNRM
KNRM

I would like to ask you to become a donor for the KNRM.

The KNRM is a fully private organisation, completely run by volunteers, financed by contributions and donations. You will find all information about them on the website.

You can choose from a single one time payment or a monthly or yearly donation. Please Support them.

Our personal opinion is that every person out on the water should, by law be told to make a donation of €25,- per year. But that is just our opinion.

Copyright, Disclaimer & Attribution

The legal stuff needed because of stupid....

Tom's Adventures – Viksund 27 Columbi Boat, Inland Waterway Routes & Projects

Tom's Adventures!

Tom Viksund 27

The Adventures of Tom
A Viksund 27 Columbi
Built in 1978

In Honor of 2 great men!

Tom in het water
Fig.1 - Tom in Kollum - April 2024.

Why the name Tom?

To most, Tom might be a very common name, but for us, it holds special significance. It represents two important people in our lives:

  • A Grandfather
  • A Father

To honor both men, we chose to name our Viksund 27 Columbi "Tom".

Tips for navigating the site

To make the most of your experience on our website, here are some tips:

When you see this Underlined text with a info icon We try to make this website as informative and user-friendly as possible. Whenever you see underlined text with a question mark icon, it indicates that there is additional information available. , Hoover over it to read the tooltip.

History of the Viksund 27 series

Build between 1970 - 1980

Viksund 27 Drawings
Fig.2 - Viksund 27 impressions - © shipbucket.com

The Viksund 27 Series

The Viksund 27 was a cornerstone of Viksund's production, alongside the Viksund 31 Goldfish.
It was available in different configurations: with or without sails and as a fishing boat.
These boats are known for their spacious interior, large aft deck, and excellent seaworthiness and durability.
The sailing version was not particularly fast. The non-sailing version had only 400 kg of ballast, whereas the sailing version had 1000 kg (due to an added steel keel).
Viksund claimed that adding ballast to the hull improved the boat’s stability in rough seas.

Anecdotes

In the early years, Viksund faced difficulties selling fiberglass boats, as many people believed they were unsafe and unable to withstand Norway's harsh weather conditions. To prove them wrong, Viksund once dropped a 27 Columbi from a mountain and had workers strike it with 10 kg sledgehammers. Apart from some broken glass, the fiberglass hull and superstructure remained intact. After some minor repairs to the gel coat, the boat was sold and it is still sailing today!
In 1977, a brand-new Viksund 27 MS fell off a cargo ship during a winter storm. A few days later, the Norwegian Navy found it—completely undamaged and totally dry inside. They put a crew on board, started the engine, and sailed it to port. After inspection, the boat was delivered to its customer without requiring any repairs.
Back in the 1980s, a Norwegian sailor took a 27 Sjark (fishing version) across the Atlantic to New York with just a few modifications: extra fuel, a larger water supply, and a big cooler in the fishing well. The sailor later said, "All I had to do was start the engine, point the bow in the right direction, and sit back and relax—even in bad weather!"

Technical Specifications of the Viksund 27'

What it's made of!

Original Design

Here are the original design specifications of the Viksund 27 series.

Design Specifications

Material:
GRP (Fiberglass)
Length:
8.23 meter (27 feet)
Beam:
2.85 meter
Height:
2.40 meter
Draft:
1 meter (varies depending on ballast type)
Hull Thickness:
35 mm on the sides and bottom, with 40 mm in reinforced areas.
Engine:
18 to 45 hp (Volvo, Sabb, Yanmar)
Speeds:
8 - 9 knots with a Volvo Penta MD3B 36 hp Diesel Engine.
Fuel Tank:
Standard 60 or 100-liter Sabb tank
Water Tank:
50 to 100-liter tank (stainless steel)
Weight:
27 MS: approximately 4000 kg (1000 kg steel keel)
27 Columbi/Sjark: approximately 3400 kg (400 kg keel)
Cost in 1973:
69,900 NOK
(Equivalent to approximately 426,390 NOK (€52,000) today, adjusted for inflation)

Radio Information (VHF/AIS)

Updated Date:

Radio & Callsigns and AIS

Callsign
PD9085 - TOM
MMSI
244170678 - TOM
VHF Set
Standard Horizon GX1400GPS/E (DSC/GPS)
Navigation AIS Set
Onwa KP-27X (Depth/AIS/GPS)

Home Port of Tom

Jachthaven Andijk

Whe found a beautiful spot for our Tom!

Jachthaven Andijk
Fig.2 - Jachthaven Andijk.

When it concerns a pleasure craft, the law in The Netherlands is that the owner's place of residence must be listed as the "home port" on the boat. And that can sometimes lead to hilarious results! Like, for example, a boat is moored in Harderwijk, but the owners live in Stroe. And Stroe doesn't even have a decent canal to put a boat in! But there are rules and regulations, so our home port is therefore Enkhuizen, while our actual home port is Andijk.

And yes, that’s confusing because Enkhuizen also has several (yacht) harbors. But we want to enjoy a perfect spot, with plenty of peace and quiet around us. And we found this at Jachthaven Andijk! Also, there was a waiting list in Enkhuizen. And, Broekerhaven did not even respond to my request......

Main Navigation

24 Januari 2026

We try to update this website as often as possible!

The upgrade plans

24 Januari 2026

Our upgrade plans.

Support the KNRM!

Help them to help others!

KNRM
KNRM

I would like to ask you to become a donor for the KNRM.

The KNRM is a fully private organisation, completely run by volunteers, financed by contributions and donations. You will find all information about them on the website.

You can choose from a single one time payment or a monthly or yearly donation. Please Support them.

Our personal opinion is that every person out on the water should, by law be told to make a donation of €25,- per year. But that is just our opinion.

Copyright, Disclaimer & Attribution

The legal stuff needed because of stupid....

Tom's Adventures – Viksund 27 Columbi Boat, Inland Waterway Routes & Projects

Tom's Adventures!

Tom Viksund 27

The Adventures of Tom
A Viksund 27 Columbi
Built in 1978

In Honor of 2 great men!

Tom in het water
Fig.1 - Tom in Kollum - April 2024.

Why the name Tom?

To most, Tom might be a very common name, but for us, it holds special significance. It represents two important people in our lives:

  • A Grandfather
  • A Father

To honor both men, we chose to name our Viksund 27 Columbi "Tom".

Tips for navigating the site

To make the most of your experience on our website, here are some tips:

When you see this Underlined text with a info icon We try to make this website as informative and user-friendly as possible. Whenever you see underlined text with a question mark icon, it indicates that there is additional information available. , Hoover over it to read the tooltip.

History of the Viksund 27 series

Build between 1970 - 1980

Viksund 27 Drawings
Fig.2 - Viksund 27 impressions - © shipbucket.com

The Viksund 27 Series

The Viksund 27 was a cornerstone of Viksund's production, alongside the Viksund 31 Goldfish.
It was available in different configurations: with or without sails and as a fishing boat.
These boats are known for their spacious interior, large aft deck, and excellent seaworthiness and durability.
The sailing version was not particularly fast. The non-sailing version had only 400 kg of ballast, whereas the sailing version had 1000 kg (due to an added steel keel).
Viksund claimed that adding ballast to the hull improved the boat’s stability in rough seas.

Anecdotes

In the early years, Viksund faced difficulties selling fiberglass boats, as many people believed they were unsafe and unable to withstand Norway's harsh weather conditions. To prove them wrong, Viksund once dropped a 27 Columbi from a mountain and had workers strike it with 10 kg sledgehammers. Apart from some broken glass, the fiberglass hull and superstructure remained intact. After some minor repairs to the gel coat, the boat was sold and it is still sailing today!
In 1977, a brand-new Viksund 27 MS fell off a cargo ship during a winter storm. A few days later, the Norwegian Navy found it—completely undamaged and totally dry inside. They put a crew on board, started the engine, and sailed it to port. After inspection, the boat was delivered to its customer without requiring any repairs.
Back in the 1980s, a Norwegian sailor took a 27 Sjark (fishing version) across the Atlantic to New York with just a few modifications: extra fuel, a larger water supply, and a big cooler in the fishing well. The sailor later said, "All I had to do was start the engine, point the bow in the right direction, and sit back and relax—even in bad weather!"

Technical Specifications of the Viksund 27'

What it's made of!

Original Design

Here are the original design specifications of the Viksund 27 series.

Design Specifications

Material:
GRP (Fiberglass)
Length:
8.23 meter (27 feet)
Beam:
2.85 meter
Height:
2.40 meter
Draft:
1 meter (varies depending on ballast type)
Hull Thickness:
35 mm on the sides and bottom, with 40 mm in reinforced areas.
Engine:
18 to 45 hp (Volvo, Sabb, Yanmar)
Speeds:
8 - 9 knots with a Volvo Penta MD3B 36 hp Diesel Engine.
Fuel Tank:
Standard 60 or 100-liter Sabb tank
Water Tank:
50 to 100-liter tank (stainless steel)
Weight:
27 MS: approximately 4000 kg (1000 kg steel keel)
27 Columbi/Sjark: approximately 3400 kg (400 kg keel)
Cost in 1973:
69,900 NOK
(Equivalent to approximately 426,390 NOK (€52,000) today, adjusted for inflation)

Radio Information (VHF/AIS)

Updated Date:

Radio & Callsigns and AIS

Callsign
PD9085 - TOM
MMSI
244170678 - TOM
VHF Set
Standard Horizon GX1400GPS/E (DSC/GPS)
Navigation AIS Set
Onwa KP-27X (Depth/AIS/GPS)

Home Port of Tom

Jachthaven Andijk

Whe found a beautiful spot for our Tom!

Jachthaven Andijk
Fig.2 - Jachthaven Andijk.

When it concerns a pleasure craft, the law in The Netherlands is that the owner's place of residence must be listed as the "home port" on the boat. And that can sometimes lead to hilarious results! Like, for example, a boat is moored in Harderwijk, but the owners live in Stroe. And Stroe doesn't even have a decent canal to put a boat in! But there are rules and regulations, so our home port is therefore Enkhuizen, while our actual home port is Andijk.

And yes, that’s confusing because Enkhuizen also has several (yacht) harbors. But we want to enjoy a perfect spot, with plenty of peace and quiet around us. And we found this at Jachthaven Andijk! Also, there was a waiting list in Enkhuizen. And, Broekerhaven did not even respond to my request......

Main Navigation

24 Januari 2026

We try to update this website as often as possible!

The upgrade plans

24 Januari 2026

Our upgrade plans.

Support the KNRM!

Help them to help others!

KNRM
KNRM

I would like to ask you to become a donor for the KNRM.

The KNRM is a fully private organisation, completely run by volunteers, financed by contributions and donations. You will find all information about them on the website.

You can choose from a single one time payment or a monthly or yearly donation. Please Support them.

Our personal opinion is that every person out on the water should, by law be told to make a donation of €25,- per year. But that is just our opinion.

Copyright, Disclaimer & Attribution

The legal stuff needed because of stupid....

Direct route to Toul (Online)

This is the drirect route

Direct Route to Toul

The direct route to Toul is approx. 140 km shorter than the detour that the Parel had to take. It's unsure if we are able to take this route, or that we have to follow the same detour.

Canal de la Meuse

We enter at Ecluse n.59 les Quatre Cheminees before entering Givet.
This section is on the direct route. Not yet taking the detour that the Parel had to take.
We will be going "on-off-on-off" on the Meuse and the Canal de la Meuse, because parts are canalised, and some parts are still river. From here on, we also will pass itunnels.

The canal is also known as the Canal de L'Est.
At (PK 272.4) Lock 1 (Troussey), is the juction with Canal de la Marne au Rhin.
This is at "48° 42′ 52.72″ N, 5° 41′ 23.76″ E"

Canal de la Meuse
Length
Approx. 272 Kilomters
Beam
The maximum beam is 5,20m
Draught
The maximum authorised draught is 1.80m throughout
Headroom
The minimum headroom (air draught) is 3,50m above normal water level
Tunnels
There are four tunnels, at Ham, Revin, Verdun and Koeurs.

Canal de la Marne au Rhin Ouest

This is the direct route. Just before Toul you will be on this canal.
At PK 272.4 on the Canal de la Meuse, you will enter the Canal de la Marne au Rhin Ouest at PK 111.3 (Junction with Canal de la Meuse).
This is at "48° 42′ 52.72″ N, 5° 41′ 23.76″ E"
This canal also gives you the posibility to enter the Rhine at Strasbourg!

This might be an option when you run out of time.
C. de la Marne au Rhin
Full Length
Approx. 313 Kilomters
Length Troussey Toul
Approx. 20 Kilomters
Length Moselle River
Approx. 25 km The canalised river Moselle, entered through a new lock, from Toul to Frouard (a distance of 25km, slightly longer than by the original canal)
Beam
The maximum beam is 5,13m
Draught
The maximum authorised draught is 1.80m throughout
Headroom
The minimum headroom (air draught) is 3,60m above normal water level
Tunnels
There is one tunnel, at PK120.6.

Moselle

Welcome on the Moselle. We enter the Moselle at PK 369.5 (Junction with Canal de la Marne au Rhin, western section, l/b (350m link canal with one lock))
From here, we go "up north" but in the "Afvaart" heading for Germany. This connection channel is at "48° 41′ 02.65″ N, 5° 54′ 13.57″ E"

From PK 361 we are truly on the Moselle river.

La Moselle Canalisee
Full Length
Approx. 394 Kilomters
Length Toul - Lux/DE
Approx. 152 Kilomters
Beam
The maximum beam is 6m
Draught
The maximum authorised draught is 1.50m throughout
Headroom
The minimum headroom (air draught) is 4,40m above normal water level

Detour route to Toul (Online)

This is the detour route

Detour Route to Toul

As seen on the VLOGS of the Parel, you've seen that they had to take a detour to be able to continue their trip. This section provides the basic information for this detour.

Canal de la Meuse

We enter this at Givet.
This the detour that the Parel had to take.
The first part of the canal is also known as the Canal de L'Est.
At (PK 96.3) is the junction with Canal des Ardennes Écluse de meuse (Pont-à-Bar)
This is at "49° 41′ 38.44″ N, 4° 49′ 42.95″ E"

Canal de la Meuse
Length
Approx. 272 Kilomters
Beam
The maximum beam is 5,20m
Draught
The maximum authorised draught is 1.80m throughout
Headroom
The minimum headroom (air draught) is 3,50m above normal water level
Tunnels
There are two tunnels on this stretch, at Ham and Revin.

Canal des Ardennes

This canal is the first stretch of the 140 km detour.
At PK 96.3 on the Canal de la Meuse, you will enter the Canal des Ardennes at PK 0.0 (Junction with Canal de la Meuse).
This is at "49° 41′ 38.44″ N, 4° 49′ 42.95″ E"

C. des Ardennes
Full Length
Approx. 313 Kilomters
Pont-à-Bar - Asfeld
Approx. 88 Kilomters
Length Moselle River
Approx. 25 km The canalised river Moselle, entered through a new lock, from Toul to Frouard (a distance of 25km, slightly longer than by the original canal)
Beam
The maximum beam is 5,20m
Draught
The maximum authorised draught is 1.80m throughout
Headroom
The minimum headroom (air draught) is 3,50m above normal water level

Canal latéral à l’Aisne

At Ecluse n.14 de Vieux-les-Asfeld the Canal des Ardennes changes into Canal latéral à l’Aisne
This lock is at "49° 26′ 55.14″ N, 4° 05′ 42.81″ E"

Canal latéral à l’Aisne
Full Length
Approx. 51 Kilomters
Asfeld - Berry-au-Bac
Approx. 19 Kilomters
Beam
The maximum beam is 5,20m
Draught
The maximum authorised draught is 1.80m throughout
Headroom
The minimum headroom (air draught) is 3,50m above normal water level

Canal de l’Aisne à la Marne

At the basin at Berry-au-Bac, we have to make a left turn into the Canal de l’Aisne à la Marne
Here we enter Écluse n°1 | Berry-au-Bac at "49° 23′ 57.43″ N, 3° 54′ 17.47″ E"
We follow the entire length of the canal to Condé-sur-Marne where we will enter Canal latéral à la Marne by turning port (left).

C. de l’Aisne à la Marne
Full Length
Approx. 58 Kilomters
Beam
The maximum beam is 5,20m
Draught
The maximum authorised draught is 1.80m throughout
Headroom
The minimum headroom (air draught) is 3,50m above normal water level

Canal latéral à la Marne

At the Junction with Canal de l’Aisne à la Marne (PK 48.4) we enter the Canal latéral à la Marne at "49° 02′ 27.83″ N, 4° 10′ 50.50″ E"
We follow the 48.4 kilometers of the canal to Vitry-le-François where we will enter Canal de la Marne au Rhin by turning to port (left).

C. latéral à la Marne
Full Length
Approx. 67 Kilomters
Beam
The maximum beam is 5,20m
Draught
The maximum authorised draught is 1.80m throughout
Headroom
The minimum headroom (air draught) is 3,70m above normal water level

Canal de la Marne au Rhin

Now we are on our way to Toul!
At PK 0.0 on the Canal latéral à la Marne, you will enter the Canal de la Marne au Rhin at PK 0.9.
This is at "48° 43′ 48.54″ N, 4° 36′ 24.37″ E"
At Ecluse n°1 de Troussey, we pick up on the original route.
This is at "48° 42′ 52.72″ N, 5° 41′ 23.76″ E"
This canal also gives you the posibility to enter the Rhine at Strasbourg! This might be an option when you run out of time.

C. de la Marne au Rhin
Full Length
Approx. 313 Kilomters
Western Section Length
Approx. 131 Kilomters
Beam
The maximum beam is 5,13m
Draught
The maximum authorised draught is 1.80m throughout
Headroom
The minimum headroom (air draught) is 3,60m above normal water level
Tunnels
There is a 5km tunnel at PK 86 – PK 92 Mauvages, and a 0.75km tunnel at PK 121 Foug

Moselle

Welcome on the Moselle. We enter the Moselle at PK 369.5 (Junction with Canal de la Marne au Rhin, western section, l/b (350m link canal with one lock))
From here, we go "up north" but in the "Afvaart" heading for Germany. This connection channel is at "48° 41′ 02.65″ N, 5° 54′ 13.57″ E"

From PK 361 we are truly on the Moselle river.

La Moselle Canalisee
Full Length
Approx. 394 Kilomters
Length Toul - Lux/DE
Approx. 152 Kilomters
Beam
The maximum beam is 6m
Draught
The maximum authorised draught is 1.50m throughout
Headroom
The minimum headroom (air draught) is 4,40m above normal water level
Tom's Adventures – Viksund 27 Columbi Boat, Inland Waterway Routes & Projects

Tom's Adventures!

Tom Viksund 27

The Adventures of Tom
A Viksund 27 Columbi
Built in 1978

In Honor of 2 great men!

Tom in het water
Fig.1 - Tom in Kollum - April 2024.

Why the name Tom?

To most, Tom might be a very common name, but for us, it holds special significance. It represents two important people in our lives:

  • A Grandfather
  • A Father

To honor both men, we chose to name our Viksund 27 Columbi "Tom".

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History of the Viksund 27 series

Build between 1970 - 1980

Viksund 27 Drawings
Fig.2 - Viksund 27 impressions - © shipbucket.com

The Viksund 27 Series

The Viksund 27 was a cornerstone of Viksund's production, alongside the Viksund 31 Goldfish.
It was available in different configurations: with or without sails and as a fishing boat.
These boats are known for their spacious interior, large aft deck, and excellent seaworthiness and durability.
The sailing version was not particularly fast. The non-sailing version had only 400 kg of ballast, whereas the sailing version had 1000 kg (due to an added steel keel).
Viksund claimed that adding ballast to the hull improved the boat’s stability in rough seas.

Anecdotes

In the early years, Viksund faced difficulties selling fiberglass boats, as many people believed they were unsafe and unable to withstand Norway's harsh weather conditions. To prove them wrong, Viksund once dropped a 27 Columbi from a mountain and had workers strike it with 10 kg sledgehammers. Apart from some broken glass, the fiberglass hull and superstructure remained intact. After some minor repairs to the gel coat, the boat was sold and it is still sailing today!
In 1977, a brand-new Viksund 27 MS fell off a cargo ship during a winter storm. A few days later, the Norwegian Navy found it—completely undamaged and totally dry inside. They put a crew on board, started the engine, and sailed it to port. After inspection, the boat was delivered to its customer without requiring any repairs.
Back in the 1980s, a Norwegian sailor took a 27 Sjark (fishing version) across the Atlantic to New York with just a few modifications: extra fuel, a larger water supply, and a big cooler in the fishing well. The sailor later said, "All I had to do was start the engine, point the bow in the right direction, and sit back and relax—even in bad weather!"

Technical Specifications of the Viksund 27'

What it's made of!

Original Design

Here are the original design specifications of the Viksund 27 series.

Design Specifications

Material:
GRP (Fiberglass)
Length:
8.23 meter (27 feet)
Beam:
2.85 meter
Height:
2.40 meter
Draft:
1 meter (varies depending on ballast type)
Hull Thickness:
35 mm on the sides and bottom, with 40 mm in reinforced areas.
Engine:
18 to 45 hp (Volvo, Sabb, Yanmar)
Speeds:
8 - 9 knots with a Volvo Penta MD3B 36 hp Diesel Engine.
Fuel Tank:
Standard 60 or 100-liter Sabb tank
Water Tank:
50 to 100-liter tank (stainless steel)
Weight:
27 MS: approximately 4000 kg (1000 kg steel keel)
27 Columbi/Sjark: approximately 3400 kg (400 kg keel)
Cost in 1973:
69,900 NOK
(Equivalent to approximately 426,390 NOK (€52,000) today, adjusted for inflation)

Radio Information (VHF/AIS)

Updated Date:

Radio & Callsigns and AIS

Callsign
PD9085 - TOM
MMSI
244170678 - TOM
VHF Set
Standard Horizon GX1400GPS/E (DSC/GPS)
Navigation AIS Set
Onwa KP-27X (Depth/AIS/GPS)

Home Port of Tom

Jachthaven Andijk

Whe found a beautiful spot for our Tom!

Jachthaven Andijk
Fig.2 - Jachthaven Andijk.

When it concerns a pleasure craft, the law in The Netherlands is that the owner's place of residence must be listed as the "home port" on the boat. And that can sometimes lead to hilarious results! Like, for example, a boat is moored in Harderwijk, but the owners live in Stroe. And Stroe doesn't even have a decent canal to put a boat in! But there are rules and regulations, so our home port is therefore Enkhuizen, while our actual home port is Andijk.

And yes, that’s confusing because Enkhuizen also has several (yacht) harbors. But we want to enjoy a perfect spot, with plenty of peace and quiet around us. And we found this at Jachthaven Andijk! Also, there was a waiting list in Enkhuizen. And, Broekerhaven did not even respond to my request......

Main Navigation

24 Januari 2026

We try to update this website as often as possible!

The upgrade plans

24 Januari 2026

Our upgrade plans.

Support the KNRM!

Help them to help others!

KNRM
KNRM

I would like to ask you to become a donor for the KNRM.

The KNRM is a fully private organisation, completely run by volunteers, financed by contributions and donations. You will find all information about them on the website.

You can choose from a single one time payment or a monthly or yearly donation. Please Support them.

Our personal opinion is that every person out on the water should, by law be told to make a donation of €25,- per year. But that is just our opinion.

Copyright, Disclaimer & Attribution

The legal stuff needed because of stupid....

Main Navigation

24 Januari 2026

We try to update this website as often as possible!

The upgrade plans

24 Januari 2026

Our upgrade plans.

Support the KNRM!

Help them to help others!

KNRM
KNRM

I would like to ask you to become a donor for the KNRM.

The KNRM is a fully private organisation, completely run by volunteers, financed by contributions and donations. You will find all information about them on the website.

You can choose from a single one time payment or a monthly or yearly donation. Please Support them.

Our personal opinion is that every person out on the water should, by law be told to make a donation of €25,- per year. But that is just our opinion.

Copyright, Disclaimer & Attribution

The legal stuff needed because of stupid....