Renting a sloop on the Amstel
8 h€ 350-500 Calm
A day trip along the Amstel from Amsterdam to Ouderkerk in an open sloop with no boating licence required. What it costs, how to book, and what you'll see along the way.
Renting a sloop on the Amstel shifts the pace from city to polder. The river starts at the Magere Brug in Amsterdam and runs via Amstelpark, Kalfjeslaan and Ouderkerk aan de Amstel to Nessersluis. In the Netherlands, no boating licence is required for an open sloop up to fifteen metres and a maximum speed of twenty kilometres per hour. The skipper must be at least eighteen years old, and at some rental companies twenty-one. You can book two to four weeks in advance, and in May through July up to six weeks ahead for weekends. Rates range from 70 to 110 euros per hour for six people, and a full day costs around 350 to 500 euros.
The route past Amstelpark, the Rembrandt view at Kalfjeslaan and the terraces of Ouderkerk make the Amstel a perennial favourite. BBQ on board is permitted by most Amstel rental companies at a gas-safe spot, so check this in advance. Children under twelve wear a life jacket, which is included as standard. Between Amsterdam and Ouderkerk you pass through three operated locks, so factor in an extra hour for waiting times.
Checklist
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Sluis-passages doornemen
Zwemvesten voor kinderen onder 12
ID-bewijs schipper meenemen
BBQ-beleid bevestigen bij verhuurder
Lunchstop Ouderkerk reserveren
Accu of brandstof checken
Compare rental companies by mooring location, in the city centre or near Amstelpark.
Book two to four weeks in advance, and six weeks ahead in high season.
Follow the instructions on lock operation and intermediate stops.
Put life jackets on children under twelve, and check whether they are included.
Sail via Magere Brug, Amstelpark and Kalfjeslaan to Ouderkerk for lunch.
Keep to the right and give way to commercial vessels in the locks.
Return the sloop on time, as late returns cost thirty to fifty euros per quarter hour.
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For anyone copying this
Do as we did
Suggestions
- Stop voor lunch bij Loetje of de Voetangel in Ouderkerk.
- Vertrek voor tien uur om sluiswachttijden te beperken.
- Neem regenkleding mee, een sloep heeft geen overkapping standaard.
- Voor kleine kinderen kies een sloep met opklapbare luifel.
- Vermijd Koningsdag en Pride, dan is de Amstel druk.
Variations
- - Halve dag-rondje Amstel naar Ouderkerk en terug.
- - Doorvaren naar Nessersluis en de Bullewijk voor stiller water.
- - Combineer met een fietshuur in Ouderkerk voor de terugweg.
- - Avondvaart in juni met de langste daglicht-uren.
by PlayTryBe team