Dražba: 1908 Kotter Bru 45

Kotter Bru 45 now in the online auction. everyone can bid until 24 August 2026.


Historic cutter BRU 45 looking for a new ownerAnyone who falls for character, steel, and a story you can almost touch will often linger a little longer by cutter BRU 45. She was built in 1908 and carries her past with visible pride. This classic cutter spent her first life in the Zeeland fishing industry, and you feel that the moment you step aboard. Her lines, appearance, and atmosphere still breathe working-boat nostalgia. Later, the vessel took on a very different role as a foot and bicycle ferry, with enthusiasts preserving her original look as much as possible. As a result, she is not a polished, soulless project, but an authentic ship with a recognizable identity. Through BoatAuction, this steel cutter now gets the chance to sail on to a new place—and a new owner who wants to continue her story.

With a length of 23.04 meters, a beam of 4.40 meters, and a draft of approximately 1.00 meter, BRU 45 is an eye-catcher, yet also a size that offers many possibilities. Think of a cruising classic for day trips, a rugged base for a floating stay, or a vessel to refit step by step to your own wishes. If you’re looking for a “cutter for sale,” a “classic steel cutter,” or a “historic vessel” with presence, this is a lot worth taking the time for.

Cutter BRU 45 now in the online auction. Everyone can bid up to and including 24 August 2026.What makes this cutter so special?What’s special about BRU 45 is that she doesn’t try to be anything other than what she is. She is a true cutter with a unique history, and it’s precisely that original character that makes her interesting. While many vessels lose their working-boat details over the years, this steel cutter has retained her atmosphere. It feels as if she was fishing only yesterday—not because everything is modern, but because her look and feel are simply right. For lovers of classic ships, nostalgic cutters, and maritime heritage, that’s exactly the kind of charm you can’t recreate.

How is she equipped on board?On board you’ll find a practical base for staying and using the vessel. The accommodation includes a dinette and a galley arrangement with a stove and microwave. There are four fixed berths, making her suitable for weekend trips, longer journeys, or staying aboard. Steering is located inside and is operated via a joystick, which many skippers find a pleasant way to maneuver. This combination of inside steering and living space also makes her attractive for anyone looking for a steel vessel that is not only beautiful to look at, but can truly be used.

How does she run and what’s in the engine room?BRU 45 is equipped with one inboard diesel engine: a GM Detroit 6V71 from 1970 with 179 hp and six cylinders. The engine is electrically started and, according to the information provided, operational. For a vessel with this character, such a powerplant fits the idea of a tough cutter built to sail. Anyone searching for a “steel cutter with diesel engine” or a “classic cutter with Detroit diesel” will find a combination here that matches her working-boat past.

What known points of attention are there?As with many vessels with history, it’s important to look at what is already there and what you want to take on yourself. Among the known points of attention, it is stated that the generator is defective. Furthermore, one anchor is present. It is also indicated that the vessel does not have the required CVO inspection. This means a buyer should thoroughly research the intended use and the associated requirements in advance. At the same time, situations like this can offer opportunities for someone with a clear plan—for example, a mooring project, a recreational use within suitable frameworks, or a conversion/refit trajectory.

Is she suitable as a (liveaboard) vessel or for long journeys?She can be an interesting base for that, precisely because of her dimensions, steel hull, and the available interior space with fixed berths. The description also mentions that shortening the vessel can be a feasible concept to convert her in an accessible way, for example into a (liveaboard) vessel to travel through Europe. Whether that fits your plans depends on your wishes, technical choices, and the possibilities within your cruising area. But if you’re looking for a “liveaboard project,” a “steel vessel to convert,” or a “cutter as a liveaboard,” BRU 45 offers a starting point with presence and a story.

This cutter BRU 45 is not an anonymous craft, but a vessel that invites you to give her meaning again. She is waiting for someone who falls for nostalgia, steel, and the atmosphere of a true working boat—and who will grant her a next destination with care. Through BoatAuction, she is ready for a new owner who wants to shape her future.