A boeier (boyer) is wharped to the mooring in the IJ in front of Amsterdam. Two men are turning the windlass in the bow of the coaster to haul in the wharp. Another crew member is using a pole to push the ship forward.
The tower at left is the 'Haringpakkerstoren', a former defense tower, which later was made higher and got a clock.
Collection: Amsterdam City Archive

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The large boyers [centre left] which took part in the ferries to London and Rouen at the Seine had to wait for their turn to sail.
This was a unique system with scheduled days and hours of departure, which had to be respected by the skippers, even if their vessel was half-laden.
Etching by Reinier Nooms Zeeman ca. 1650

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Three gentlemen in a small weischuit are rowing to the IJ in Amsterdam. The mast is still down, because they had to pass bridges in the city. When the have rowed the last meters, they will setup the mast and raise the sail for a pleasure trip on the broad water in front of the city. In the background the Haringpakkerstoren stand as a landmark on the quay were the herring is packed, hence the name of the tower.
Painting by Abraham Storck, collection Amstedam Museum

Tags:   Amsterdam Age of Sail art boat Dutch Golden Age harbour Maritime art rowing sailing weischuit Haringpakkerstoren yachting

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At right a three-masted ship is firing a salute and is backing of the coast to leave the anchorage. In the foreground a buoy and a boeier or boyer (a coastal trader) that sails close-hauled. In the left foreground a longboat arrives at a harbor entrance.
Collection Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

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