Rent a sloop on the Vechtplassen
8 h€ 220-400 Calm
A day of boating through the Oostelijke Vechtplassen past Vreeland, Loenen and kasteel Nijenrode. Sloop without a boating licence, from 200 euros per half-day.
Renting a sloop on the Vechtplassen takes you along the Vecht and the Oostelijke Vechtplassen, a Natura 2000 area between Maarssen, Loenen and Nederhorst den Berg. The route passes castles, country estates and the famous Slot Zuylen. 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. Booking four to six weeks in advance is advisable from May through July. Rates range from 200 to 350 euros per half-day for a sloop of six people.
The Vecht has a maximum speed of nine kilometres per hour, and six on narrower stretches. Passing through locks such as the Garstenbrug and the Weerdsluis requires planning; opening times can be found on vaarwegnederland. BBQ on board is permitted by many rental companies on the Vecht, but is often prohibited on the Oostelijke Vechtplassen due to Natura 2000 regulations. Children under twelve are required to wear a life jacket, which is provided. A lunch stop at De Nederlanden in Vreeland is a firm favourite.
Checklist
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Sluis-openingstijden noteren
Zwemvesten voor kinderen onder 12
BBQ-beleid checken per route
Lunchstop Vreeland reserveren
Drinkwater en zonbescherming mee
ID-bewijs schipper
Choose a rental company in Loenen or Nederhorst den Berg.
Book four to six weeks in advance during peak season.
Note the lock opening times for the Garstenbrug and Weerdsluis.
Put life jackets on children under twelve.
Sail the Vecht route past Slot Zuylen and kasteel Nijenrode.
Keep to nine kilometres per hour on the Vecht.
Return the sloop on time.
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For anyone copying this
Do as we did
Suggestions
- Lunch at De Nederlanden or De Eendracht in Vreeland.
- Combine with a visit to Slot Zuylen before the trip.
- Avoid Saturday afternoons, lock waiting times can get long.
- For groups of eight or more, choose a sloop with a canopy.
- Start early to keep lock waiting times to a minimum.
Variations
- - Halve dag van Loenen naar Vreeland en terug.
- - Doorvaart naar Utrecht via de Weerdsluis.
- - Avondvaart in juni langs verlichte buitenplaatsen.
- - Combineer met fietsroute langs de Vecht voor de terugweg.
Atmosphere
by PlayTryBe team