Jan Schippers, former PE teacher at Bartiméus, has had many years of experience in sailing with visually impaired people. He experienced the joy people found in sailing, but he also noticed how much they missed and the extra effort it took them to participate

During one of many sailing trips with Paul (a sportive former student) in his 'Katjan' (a catamaran with a cabin) an idea formed: building a ship which would be completely customized for sailing with visually impaired people. Because they need to hear those things from others, beautiful skies, coasts, other ships, birds and clouds are not very interesting for people who can't see very far or who can't see at all. However, visually impaired people are more sensitive to other things: splashing waves, whirling gusts of wind, the moving ship, sounds when the sail changes and sailing maneuvers
Keeping these aspects in mind, a very unusual design was chosen: an sailing proa derived from one of the models in the 'Harryproa' series (Designs by Rob Denney, http://www.harryproa.com/).
These ships, which have two hulls, turned out to meet the requirements set for a ship suited for sailing with visually impaired people: spacious, stable and adjustable.

The result is a beautiful, one-of-a-kind ship: the 'Blind Date'. The ship has a big deck which is ideal to enjoy speed, wind and water in a safe way. Also, many visually impaired people have problems with their sense of balance, so they will feel more comfortable while on this ship, which sails horizontally, than on a ship with only one hull.

The 'Blind Date' has a luff and a lee hull. The luff hull has a length of 10 meters and offers living and sleeping space for six people. In addition, it includes a cockpit to allow sitting on deck while sheltered from wind and rain. The lee hull measures 15 meters, this is the hull which supports the mast and all the sails. It also provides two more sleeping places. Between the two hulls are two trampolines which can support one small tent each.

One of the unique qualities of the ship is the fact that the two hulls are symmetric and both the front and back sides have a helm. This prevents the ship from having to tack. Instead, the ship will sail in reverse and the luff hull will remain on the same side of the wind (this is called 'shunting'). This enables the guests to remain seated during crossing, which is both comfortable and safe.

The ship has a maximum speed of 20 knots (around 40 km/h). There also are a 15 hp outboard motor and a manoeuvring motor (POD electric motor) present for when the ship has to approach harbors, bridges and locks. The distinct way the ship is built enables it to go fast without going askew in hard winds, which is again both comfortable and safe.

The sails have a total surface of 80 m2 consist of a fore- and mainsail attached to an 'Aerorig', characterized by a gig fixed to a rotating mast. This gig extends to the front side, and has the foresail attached to it.