Crew & Skipper Laurens Sinaasappel — Clipper Johanna Engelina

"A ship is only as seaworthy as its crew" is a well-known saying in seafaring. That places quite some responsibility on that crew — and rightly so, because we sail with guests who put their trust in us and in the ship. The crew of the Johanna Engelina has extensive experience in professional sailing and, on top of that, a healthy sense of responsibility. The skipper holds all the required certificates.

Skipper Laurens Sinaasappel

Laurens Sinaasappel has been the owner and skipper of this wonderful sailing ship since 1999. He has been sailing as a skipper since 1991. Over the past 30 years he has sailed many different ships in a wide range of waters. He started out as a mate in 1988 on the IJsselmeer aboard the Zorg met Vlijt. In 1993 and 1994 he sailed in Greece aboard the Lady Penelope. In the winters of '95 and '96 he made a voyage along the coast of South America to the South Pole. And since 1999, then, as owner and skipper of the Johanna Engelina.

The Racing Team

During races the ship is divided into three decks. The afterdeck is the beating heart — this is where the course and tactics are set, the ship is steered and the leeboards are operated. On the middle deck you are responsible for the mizzen, the mainsheet and the topsails. On the foredeck the jib, mainsail and foresail are hoisted and lowered.