If you read sailing and boating magazines, you’ve almost certainly seen the work of Onne van der Wal. For more than three decades, the Dutch-born, South African–raised photographer has been one of the most recognizable names in nautical photography. His images of sailboats, yachts and life at sea have appeared on covers and spreads around the world, establishing him as a leading maritime visual storyteller.
Van der Wal’s rise began in the early 1980s when he joined the crew of Flyer for the 1982 Whitbread Round the World Race. As Flyer dominated the race, van der Wal’s onboard photographs captured the drama and skill of ocean racing and were published in SAIL magazine, bringing him wide attention. After five years traveling and racing professionally, he decided to settle ashore. In 1987 he made Newport, Rhode Island his home, launched a career as a full-time nautical photographer, and with his wife Tenley opened a gallery to showcase his work.
Beyond the camera, van der Wal is a trained machinist and an accomplished hands-on boatman. Those mechanical skills earned him a spot on Flyer and later enabled him to restore a weary 1972 Pearson 36 in his own driveway. He named that boat Snoek — after the barracuda-like fish he used to catch as a teenager while fishing in Hout Bay during his years growing up in South Africa. The Pearson restoration drew attention on the page and was even featured in a PBS special, highlighting van der Wal’s meticulous approach to boat restoration.
Although best known for his sailing photography, van der Wal is a sailor at heart. For many years he and Tenley cruised New England aboard Snoek. Now in his mid-60s, he found the physical demands of handling sails increasingly taxing. “Tenley loves sailing,” he explains, “but the hoisting and trimming of the sails had fallen to me, and it was getting a little old.” That desire for an easier, more comfortable cruising life prompted a change in plans.
In late 2020 the couple sold Snoek and began searching for a trawler. They chose a 1986 Grand Banks 32 and have entrusted its restoration to Clark Boatyard in Jamestown, Rhode Island, close to their home. The new boat carries the name Snow Goose, a name Tenley insisted they keep. The name works on several levels: it’s affectionate, it references van der Wal’s South African slang for a girlfriend or love, and it signals the couple’s intent to enjoy a slower, more comfortable style of cruising.
The Grand Banks 32 may not be built for speed, but that suits van der Wal just fine. He looks forward to cruising comfortably at about 8 knots rather than laboring along at 4. He’s also eager for a larger cockpit where they can barbecue and entertain, and for a boat that doubles as a capable fishing platform. Snow Goose will reconnect him with memories of his snoek fishing days on Hout Bay, back when he was the only white teenager working alongside Black fishermen — an experience that shaped both his seafaring skills and his relationship with the sea.
Van der Wal brings the same exacting standards to boats as he does to his photography. Snoek was restored to a high standard, and Snow Goose is being treated with the same care. The Grand Banks 32 renovation will focus on both cosmetic refreshes and practical updates. The couple’s list begins with the basics: cleaning lockers and giving the bilge a thorough scrubbing. The head will be rebuilt or replaced to meet current expectations, and the interior will receive cosmetic attention to make the cabin comfortable and inviting.
One of the smaller but personally important upgrades will be new onboard audio. Van der Wal plans to install speakers so he can listen to classical music and NPR while he works through the winter projects. These details matter to him: sound, light and finish all contribute to the atmosphere of time spent aboard, and he prefers to get them right.
The couple hopes to relaunch Snow Goose in time for the 2021 boating season and to take longer cruises once the trawler is finished. Soundings will document the renovation in detail, following the project with articles, photography, videos and podcasts. Readers can expect ongoing coverage of the restoration, with progress updates and behind-the-scenes insights into the work at Clark Boatyard.
“It’s not going to be as much work as Snoek,” van der Wal says, reflecting on the differences between the Pearson restoration and the Grand Banks project, “and I think it will be a lot more fun.” For a celebrated nautical photographer who has spent his life capturing boats at sea, Snow Goose represents a new chapter: a purpose-built platform for relaxed cruising, fishing and the pleasure of time on the water.
This article was originally published in the March 2021 issue.