Houtman: for those with an interest in the sea. The very name conjures up visions of the heyday of shipping at the turn of the century. The SS HOUTMAN, launched in 1901, and operated by Cliff's Grandfather's shipping Company, pioneered the trade route between Cape Town, South Africa, and Batavia, carrying hardwoods, coffee, tea, rice, rubber, tin and kapok from the East Indies, and returning with South African frozen beef, citrus fruit and wine.

In those days, passengers were also carried, and in style and Cliff, maintaining his family's seagoing traditions, albeit with a rather different style of vessel. This HOUTMAN continues to carry guests in style aboard his luxurious catamaran. Having been entranced by her aerodynamic styling and curvaceous shapes, you will be amazed by the interior volume of HOUTMAN, beautifully finished in light oak and pastel colours. Three large, double Guest cabins, all with en suite heads and showers, and a truly spacious salon, with excellent all-round visibility. On deck, there is ample sunbathing space whilst the main cockpit area is effectively separated from the working cockpit.

Houtman was designed to ensure that guests were able to relax in the main cockpit while still being able to maintain contact with their crew while they were sailing the boat. Guests wishing to experience the thrill of the performance of a catamaran under sail, will not be disappointed by HOUTMAN, which is driven by a powerful and rakish rig holding up a generous sail area. whether at sail or at anchor, the comfort level is unsurmountable.

Cliff Saville Wood, Owner and Captain, is British but was educated mainly in Malaysia. Whilst from a shipping family, Cliff's interest in the sea developed relatively late, after a career as an Electronics Engineer which took him virtually all over the world. In 1992, being somewhat of an adventurer, an invitation from an Aunt and Uncle to sail around the world with them in their 43 ft. sloop, starting from Darwin, Australia, proved to be too tempting.

Cliff sailed with them across the Indian Ocean and through the Mediterranean, before deciding that the sea provided the lifestyle that he sought. Being a workaholic with tremendous technical ability, Cliff wanted more than just a cruising lifestyle and felt that running a charter yacht would answer his needs.

Cliff sailed Houtman up to the Carribean, and spent the first half of 1998 acquainting himself with the area as well as ensuring that his yacht was equipped to the highest possible standards for chartering.
Whilst sailing is still his first love, Cliff is an active sportsman enjoying cycling, tennis, swimming, spear fishing, and waterskiing while maintaining an interest in more sedate activities such as bee-keeping.

Sara studied at Kings & Birmingham Universities where she qualified as a dental hygienist. She has been following this career for the last 10 years and has always made time for her other interests, which of course included sailing. Sara has spent a lot of time sailing around the Caribbean and was also on Houtman's maiden voyage from South Africa to Barbados, which included parts of South America. Back in the UK she has been very involved in sailing/ racing and has spent time at Cowes, where there was time and facilities to pursue other water sports.

Back on dry land Sara is a keen Cyclist/Hiker and has recently trekked to Everest Base camp; however Sara is surprisingly domesticated and enjoys being creative in the Galley. To complement this she has completed several cookery courses including a Cor Don Bleu course at the Tante Marie Cookery school.