playbook
Renting a sloop in Utrecht city centre
Half a day cruising the Oudegracht and Nieuwegracht in an electric sloop, past wharf cellars and bridges. No boating licence required, from 60 euros per hour.
4u
duration
€ 240–360
budget
Ignite
pace
Renting a sloop in Utrecht city centre takes you along the Oudegracht and the Nieuwegracht, past wharf cellars, terraces and the Domtoren. In the Netherlands, no boating licence is required for an open electric sloop up to fifteen metres and a maximum of twenty kilometres per hour. The skipper is usually at least eighteen years old. Booking four to six weeks in advance is recommended from May to August; in the low season a week ahead is plenty. Rates are around 60 to 90 euros per hour for a sloop carrying six to eight people.
The Oudegracht has a lower deck with narrow bridges as low as 2.30 metres, so only low-profile sloops can pass through. One-way traffic applies on sections around the Vismarkt, and you will receive instructions from the rental company. BBQs on board are generally prohibited on the Utrecht canals, though cold picnics are fine and the wharf cellar terraces sell takeaway food. Children under twelve are required to wear a life jacket, which is included. A loop via the Oudegracht, Stadsbuitengracht and Kromme Rijn takes around three hours.
Checklist
0 of 5
Bruggen lager dan 2,30m noteren
Zwemvesten voor kinderen onder 12
Takeaway van werfkelder reserveren
ID-bewijs schipper meenemen
Eenrichtingsroute bevestigen
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Atmosphere
by PlayTryBe team
Choose a rental company with a jetty on the Oudegracht or Stadsbuitengracht.
Book four to six weeks in advance from May to August.
Follow the instructions on bridge heights and one-way traffic.
Put life jackets on children under twelve before setting off.
Cruise the Oudegracht via the Vismarkt, Stadsbuitengracht, Kromme Rijn and back.
Keep your distance from the wharf terraces, no wake.
Return the sloop on time to avoid fines.
For anyone copying this
Do as we did
Suggestions
- Book with Greenjoy or Boats4Rent for electric sloops.
- Pick a time slot before noon, it is quieter then.
- Combine with drinks at a wharf cellar at De Drie Dorstige Herten.
- Avoid Saturday and Sunday afternoons in summer, it gets busy.
- Bring a power bank, there is no socket on board.
Variations
- - Vaar verder naar de Vecht via de Weerdsluis.
- - Avondtocht na zonsondergang met de werfkelder-verlichting aan.
- - Ochtendtocht om acht uur voor leeg water.
- - Combineer met een lunch in Oudaen of Olivier.
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