BENTE DORTE: THE STORY OF A DREAM COME TRUE

Bente Dorte was built in 1929 in Skagen, Denmark. She was built as a sailing fishing trawler, and spent her whole active life fishing in the North Sea.

Bente as she looked during WWII, on her way out to catch some cod or mackerel while dodging submarines...

In 1991 four Swedish enthusiasts bought her with the intention to restore her, but life pulled them in different directions and in 2001 they sold her to us, Rebecca and Kresimir Vidas. We spent the next 7 years restoring her. We found the little village of Sjötorp in Sweden where all the work was done. The village is the first lock in to the Göta Kanal, and for many years it was the home of one of Swedens best boat yards. It is no longer an active boat yard, but the maintenance of the Göta Kanal is done here. It is also a popular place to come and do your own work on your boat and lay up for the winter.

We went in and out of the Sjötorp dock 6 times. Each time was very hectic, as we never knew exactly what needed to be done, how long it would take and if we would make it on time. The dock filled up with water when docking was over whether we were finished or not! The last couple of days were usually all nighters with friends and family helping and working around the clock to finish before the water was turned on.

We changed 55 planks, put in a new deck, replaced several deckbeams, installed all new engine and electrical systems, replaced the old engine cooling system, built and installed a generator, picked a mast in a forest and shaped it, designed and made by hand all the rigging and sails... and much, much more!

Our goal with the boat was to make her as traditional looking as possible while having all modern conveniences on board for comfortable living, as well as very good safety and machine systems. She has everything necessary for living aboard for extended periods of time, while looking like sail boats did a century ago... We now offer traditional sail training, adventure holidays, and explring the Adriatic sea on board the only traditionally rigged wooden ship in Croatia!

WELCOME ABOARD!