Dutch Barges DB Series

First introduced in 1948 as the DB Series, basically a flat bottomed bath boat, they were available in two sizes, 6" DB/1 and  9" DB/2. Originally available with a green, red or blue hull with contrasting lining and deck hole inserts, for the forward fixing of the jib sail, the DB/1 had a staple and sail hook, the DB/2 had the fitment of a bowsprit with a deck spring-mounting clip. Sails were white cotton with red pinstripes and red stitched edging. All sails folded down for storage. There was only one adjustment on the rigging which controlled both the jib sail and mainsail, early versions had a sliding knot adjustment, later had a plastic bowsie. The vertical face of the stern has a small deck logo transfer. Not very practical for lake sailing but looks great as an ornament.

1960 Hull now yellow, with red or green lining and deck inserts. 1967 Plastic bowsie fitted on rigging. 1971 Detailing now in red, blue or green colours. 1988 Detailing colours reduced to red and blue. Over the years there were variations to the hull colour, green, red and blue have been seen along with a brown hulled version and then standardised with the more commonly found yellow hull. In the last years of production, some barges may have had yellow sails fitted and very late on, red sails. A quick way to tell if your barge was made by Star is that factory sails did not have eyelets fitted, just punched holes for the rigging cord to pass through.

                     DB/1. 6" hull                                                 DB/2. 9" hull

              DB/2 brown hull