playbook
Renting a motorboat on the Frisian lakes (Heeg or Sneek)
A day out on the Frisian lakes between Heeg, Sneek and Joure in a motorboat. Open water, village harbours and a connection to the Frisian eleven-cities route.
8u
duration
€ 250–450
budget
Ground
pace
Renting a motorboat on the Frisian lakes takes you across the Heegermeer, the Sneekermeer and the connecting canals around Heeg, Sneek and Joure. The Frisian lakes are linked to one another via wide waterways, making them ideal for a day trip. No boating licence is required for an open motorboat up to fifteen metres and a maximum 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 August, and sometimes eight weeks in midsummer. Rates range from 200 to 380 euros per half-day for a six-person boat.
On the open lakes the speed limit is twelve kilometres per hour, and six in canals. Wind above force five Beaufort makes the Sneekermeer choppy, so opt for a smaller stretch of water like the Goengarijpsterpoelen instead. BBQ on board is permitted by many rental companies at a fixed gas point. Children under twelve are required to wear a life jacket, which is provided. A lunch stop in Sneek at the Lemmerweg or in Heeg at De Watersportcamping is a firm favourite.
Checklist
0 of 6
Windverwachting checken
Zwemvesten voor kinderen onder 12
BBQ-beleid checken
Vaarkaart Friese meren mee
Drinkwater en zonbescherming
Aanlegtouw en stootwillen
Related playbooks
Rent a sloop in Workum towards the Frisian lakes
A day of boating from Workum via the Workumer Trekvaart towards Heeg and the Heegermeer in an open sloop without a boating licence. What it costs, bridge opening times, and which route stays sheltered.
Renting a motorboat on the Frisian lakes for half a day
Half a day out on the Frisian lakes, departing from Heeg or Earnewald, with a reed-bed stop and a cruise back along the shores.
Skipper Weekend Friese Meren
Four friends on a rental boat from Saturday to Sunday. One person gets their boating license in advance so the engine can go faster.
Renting a sloop on Heeg
A day out on a hired sloop on the Heegermeer, with stop-offs in Woudsend and a crossing to the Fluessen for more open water.
Renting a sailboat for a day charter on the Frisian lakes
A day of sailing on the Frisian lakes from Sneek, Heeg or Lemmer, mooring in a village harbour and doing a short loop around the Sneekermeer.
Rent a sloop on Sneek
A full day of boating from Sneek via the Sneekermeer towards Terhorne and Goingarijp, with a lunch stop at a terrace or reed bank.
Renting a Sloop in Lemmer
Rent a sloop in Lemmer for a day of boating along the IJsselmeer or inland along the Prinses Margrietkanaal, with a lunch stop in the old inner harbour.
Adapted sailing holiday with a wheelchair
A multi-day sailing holiday on a boat equipped for wheelchair users, with adapted cabins, wide corridors, and a skipper experienced in accessible sailing.
Renting a rowboat on Heegermeer
Two hours on calm water near Heeg in an open rowboat. A short route close to the shore, no crossing of the lake. Important: bring your own properly fitting child-sized life jacket, not every rental operator has one.
by PlayTryBe team
Choose a rental company in Heeg or Sneek harbour.
Book four to six weeks in advance, or eight weeks in midsummer.
Ask for a briefing on open water sailing and the wind forecast.
Put life jackets on children under twelve.
Sail from the Heegermeer to the Sneekermeer or the Goengarijpsterpoelen.
Keep to six kilometres per hour in canals.
Return the boat to the marina on time.
For anyone copying this
Do as we did
Suggestions
- Lunch at De Watersportcamping Heeg or Sneek Lemmerweg.
- Avoid wind above force five Beaufort on the Sneekermeer.
- Combine with a village visit to IJlst for pancakes.
- For groups of eight or more, choose a boat with a canopy.
- Start early for calm water and the best spots.
Variations
- - Halve dag-rondje Heegermeer met dorpsstop Heeg.
- - Doortocht naar het Slotermeer richting Woudsend.
- - Avondvaart met Friese zonsondergang op open meer.
- - Combineer met een SUP-tocht in een rustige veenkanaal.
More like this
Rent a sloop in Workum towards the Frisian lakes
Renting a motorboat on the Frisian lakes for half a day
Skipper Weekend Friese Meren
Renting a sloop on Heeg
Renting a sailboat for a day charter on the Frisian lakes
Rent a sloop on Sneek
Renting a Sloop in Lemmer
Adapted sailing holiday with a wheelchair
Renting a rowboat on Heegermeer