The story of Van Plaggen
About Van Plaggen
Van Plaggen was founded six years ago by Jord, Pasquale and Dedmer. When they first moved to Amsterdam they decided to buy a small sloop to spend their weekends cruising the city’s canals with friends and family. The experience was so rewarding that they soon converted a lifeboat into a high-end electric sloop, one of the very first in Amsterdam.The response was immediate. People wanted to join them on board, asked where the boat came from and whether more could be built. What started as a personal project quickly grew into a series of handcrafted electric sloops. Over the years more and more were created and today around 25 Van Plaggen boats can be found gliding through Amsterdam and beyond.Last year Thijs stepped in with a bold vision. Not to simply refine what had already been done but to take a leap forward. His plan was to bring Van Plaggen into a new era by creating fully 3D printed, electrically powered boats, reinventing both the craft and the industry.
Designed by you.
Built by us.
At Van Plaggen every boat is an expression of its owner. We invite you into the build from first sketch to handover. You do not just pick options, you help shape the final result. Your input is visible, tangible and permanently woven into the boat you take home.
Where traditional boatbuilding fixes you to set models and limited trims, our large scale 3D printing opens up maximum variation within a smart base.
True luxury is not about choosing from a catalogue, but about shaping a boat that carries your vision and character. We make that possible by translating your ideas into a vessel that feels uniquely yours. In the end, it is not simply a Van Plaggen, it is your Van Plaggen.
Crafted with care.
Deliverd with certainty.
At Van Plaggen we seek the perfect balance between luxury, comfort and functionality, always guided by the wishes of our clients. Our role is to make sure that balance is achieved without compromise. That is a standard you can rely on.
We believe that reliability is not a by product but the very condition that makes true customization possible. Clear agreements, transparent communication and realistic expectations form the foundation of every build. Clients know exactly where they stand throughout the process and can trust that every detail will be executed to the highest level.
Whether it is a unique layout, a custom finish or a distinctive color choice, every boat is delivered with the same Van Plaggen standard: precise, dependable and refined down to the smallest detail. In the end, choosing a Van Plaggen means choosing certainty, a boat built to perform beautifully today and for years to come. Even long after delivery, our commitment continues with the same care and service that define every Van Plaggen.
Built for what's next.
Engineered for the planet.
At Van Plaggen we do not think in the limitations of today but in the possibilities of tomorrow. For us innovation is never a goal in itself, it is a way to make boats smarter, more sustainable and more enjoyable to own. By combining advanced technologies suchas large scale 3D printing and electric propulsion, we bring togetheraesthetics, performance and sustainability.
What sets us apart isthat we pursue innovation without ever compromising on reliability or quality. Our ideas are reproducible, scalable and solid, allowing clients to experiencethe benefits of progress without carrying the risks. Progressive craftsmanship means daring to build something new while knowing it is built right.We believe innovation only has value when it improves the customer experience and lightens the footprint on the planet. That is why we merge cutting edge technology with a strong design philosophy: functional, elegant and built to last.
Sustainability is not a layer of marketing, it is embedded in our choices. By printing with circular materials, sailing electrically and continuously improving our systems, we create boats that are ready for the next decade, not the last. We do so without asking clients to compromise on luxury, comfort or certainty. At Van Plaggen no challenge is too great, because shaping the futureof boatbuilding means redefining what is possible.
The history of Van Plaggen
The first Van Plaggen boat (2019)
The first lifeboat was refitted to an electric boat and was named "Van Plaggen". One of the first electric boats in Amsterdam.
Founded (2020)
The first Van Plaggen boat marked the beginning of something new. In 2019 Van Plaggen was founded by three friends: Jord, Pasquale and Dedmer.
Refitting lifeboats (2020-2024)
Over the years about 25 more lifeboats were refitted to luxury electric boats.
A new vision (2024)
Late 2024 Thijs officially joined Van Plaggen and introduced a new vision for Van Plaggen: 3D printing
Researching & testing (2025)
The year 2025 was all about research and testing. We pushed the concept through trials, made bold choises and set the course for the next generation of boatbuilding.
First Van Plaggen 3D boat (2025)
In the summer of '25 we were ready for the next step. The first Van Plaggen boat was 3D printed, bringing the concept to the market and introducing a new way of building boats.
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I've have had a strong affinity with boats for as long as I can remember. When I moved to Amsterdam,they were all around me, and there was nothing I enjoyed more than spending time on the canals. One of my first jobs was as a skipper for a local charter company, which only deepened my connection to life on the water.
Alongside my passion for boats, I have always been drawn to entrepreneurship. That is why Van Plaggen felt like the perfect place to bring those two worlds together. From the beginning I saw that much of the industry was built around fixed methods and long lead times, leaving little room for something truly new. I knew it could be different.
The arrival of large scale 3D printing proved to be the breakthrough. It offered the opportunity to combine customization with speed, without compromising on quality or luxury. In fact, it makes both stronger. This innovation shows what Van Plaggen stands for: the courage to take boatbuilding into tomorrow. We are at the start of something bigger.
With Van Plaggen I want people to feel that they are not simply buying a boat, but creating an experience. Your Van Plaggen is where you share moments with friends and family, where you find peace after a hard day , and where pleasure comes without worry.