Renting a sloop on Giethoorn for half a day
4 h€ 80-180 Calm
Four hours of sailing through the Dorpsgracht of Giethoorn in a whisper boat without a boating licence. Practical tips on departure times, crowds and routes with children.
Half a day in Giethoorn is just enough to sail through the village and get out onto the surrounding water without feeling rushed. Rental companies usually offer blocks of four hours, morning or afternoon. The morning is quieter, especially on the Binnenpad where most of the little bridges and thatched roofs are. In high season, book at least a few days in advance, as small whisper boats go quickly.
A boating licence is not required as long as the boat is shorter than 15 metres and does not exceed 20 km per hour. In the village, the speed limit is six km per hour. With children this is perfectly manageable: the sloop sits stable, there is barely any current and there is something to see at every bridge. In heavy rain, switch to a covered boat tour or delay by a few hours.
Checklist
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Sloep ochtendblok reserveren
Drinken en koek meenemen
Zwemvest voor kinderen vragen
Telefoon waterdicht opbergen
Regenjas in tas
Cash voor terras
Reserve a whisper sloop for four to six people with a rental company on the Binnenpad or the Beulakerweg.
Follow the brief sailing instruction and check the controls of the electric motor and the steering.
Spend the first hour sailing through the Dorpsgracht heading north, and stop at a little bridge for a photo.
Have a coffee along the way at a terrace where mooring is allowed, often indicated by a sign at the water's edge.
Head back via the northern side or do a short loop across the Bovenwijde if the wind is calm.
Return the sloop on time and look back together at the log with the route you covered.
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Suggestions
- Book the morning block (9 to 1) for fewer crowds on the Dorpsgracht.
- Ask the rental company whether a navigation map with mooring spots is included.
- Keep young children on the seat while sailing rather than on the edge.
- Avoid weekends in July and August, weekdays are much more manageable.
- Combine with a short walk along the Binnenpad before returning the boat.
Variations
- - Kies bij regen voor een overdekte fluisterboot of rondvaart.
- - Huur in plaats van een sloep een elektrische punter voor het stillere geluid.
- - Combineer met een lunch in De Lindenhof na het varen.
- - Vaar de route in omgekeerde richting voor een ander beeld bij het keren.
- - Plan een tweede ronde laat in de middag voor zacht licht boven het water.
by PlayTryBe team