playbook
Family weekend on a tjalk
Two days with grandparents, parents, and children on board a historic tjalk on the IJsselmeer, with a skipper at the helm and sleeping bunks below deck.
2d
duration
€ 800–2500
budget
Ground
pace
Renting a tjalk for a family weekend on the IJsselmeer means all generations are on board at the same time. The skipper handles the navigation, the family takes care of the atmosphere. Children get to help with the ropes, grandpa can sit back and relax on the aft deck, and the galley on board is big enough to cook together.
The route is flexible: a night in the harbour of Hindeloopen, Stavoren or Enkhuizen, and during the day sailing along the old Zuiderzee coast. In calm weather the engine takes over, when there is wind the sails are hoisted and everyone gets to pull along. Sleeping spots are bunks below deck, sometimes in a shared space. It is not a luxury hotel, it is a floating family home. By the end of the weekend everyone knows the names of the sails and the youngest has been at the helm at least once.
Checklist
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Tjalk geboekt voor weekend
Zachte tassen ingepakt
Warme kleding mee
Boodschappen voor weekend
Route met schipper besproken
Reddingsvesten kindermaat gecheckt
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by PlayTryBe team
Book a tjalk through BootBootBoot for a weekend on the IJsselmeer and pass on the number of adults and children.
Pack soft bags instead of suitcases, space below deck is limited. Bring warm clothing, even in summer.
Do groceries for two breakfasts, a lunch and a dinner. The galley on board has basic equipment.
When departing, let the children ask the skipper questions about the navigation, the sails and the history of the vessel.
Plan an evening in a harbour town and take a walk through the old harbour with the whole family.
Ask whether the youngest can help with mooring or hoisting a sail.
For anyone copying this
Do as we did
Suggestions
- Ask for a vessel with its own galley if you want to do a lot of cooking together as a group.
- Plan to depart on Friday afternoon so there is time to get settled before dark.
- Bring books and card games for evenings without wifi.
- Check whether the vessel has toilets and showers on board, as this varies from tjalk to tjalk.
Variations
- - Doe het in de herfst voor mistige ochtenden en lege havens.
- - Vraag naar een schip met laadruim voor extra speelruimte voor kinderen.
- - Combineer met een tussenstop op Pampus of Schokland.