As many of you may know, the name Simon Hendrick holds deep meaning for us. It tells the story of our roots and the people who shaped us.

Both Edwin and I cherish the idea of creating something truly special, imbuing things with meaning and adding deeper layers to our journey. When we found our boat, we knew we wanted to give her a name that would reflect both her character and ours.

Renaming a boat is no small task. It’s steeped in tradition, requiring respect for the gods of the sea, like Neptune and Poseidon, to ensure safe passage. But first, we had to choose the perfect name—one that would suit a Dutch-flagged ship while being easy to pronounce in English, as she was built there.

Family at the heart

Family is everything to us. We are proud of our roots, especially our ties to Rotterdam, and treasure the warm connections we share.

As we made plans for this new chapter, life reminded us of its fragility. Both our fathers fell ill, and we found ourselves not only preparing for a life-changing journey but also facing emotional challenges.

Simon

Simon, Edwin’s father, was a source of strength and stability. He passed down not only his technical skills, particularly in carpentry—a family trade on both sides for Edwin—but also a steadfast foundation of support. Edwin comes from a long line of Simons, all craftsmen. While his parents decided to break the naming tradition, Edwin carried forward the technical legacy.

Simon passed away in May 2023, but not before we shared our dreams with him. We believe he’s watching over us, a guiding presence as we embark on this journey.

Hendrick

Henk (Hendrick), Mirjam’s father, raised a large, loving “fusion” family. He taught her to follow her heart and dreams and introduced her to the love of sailing from a young age.

Henk passed away in May 2024, just before our departure. He knew about our plans and was one of our biggest supporters. We were proud to share the new name with him, giving him the honor he so richly deserved.

The name Hendrick also pays tribute to Edwin’s mother, Henny (Hendrika), who taught Edwin that with determination, anything is possible. It’s no surprise that Philou’s full name, Philou Maria Hendrikje, reflects three of her grandparents, including Mirjam’s mother, Ria.

As a heartfelt nod to this legacy, our dinghy is named Hendrickje (“little Hendrick”). No further explanation needed, right?

The logo

To make Simon Hendrick recognizable, versatile, and beautiful, we designed a custom logo.

The ship’s name is written in a classic nautical font, reflecting the rich maritime heritage of Dutch sailing and English shipbuilding craftsmanship. Between the two names sits a monogram shaped like a figure-eight knot.

This knot symbolizes stability, sustainability, and the strong connections essential at sea. More personally, it represents the everlasting bond we share with our fathers, immortalized in the name of our ship.

Look closely, and you’ll notice the letters of the monogram, a subtle tribute woven into its design.

Embarking with them

With Simon Hendrick as her name, it feels as though both our fathers are with us on this journey. We trust they are watching over us, not just from above, but as a voice within, offering advice when we need it most.

As we look to the horizon, the water stretching into our future, we hold onto our roots and the memory of our loved ones.

Simon Hendrick is more than a name, it’s a story of love, legacy, and the strength that guides us forward.