Renting a sloop on the Hollandsche IJssel
8 h€ 200-350 Calm
A day out boating on the Hollandsche IJssel between Gouda and Krimpen in an open sloop without a boating licence. What it costs, where you start, and which route past the old polder villages makes for the most peaceful sail.
The Hollandsche IJssel winds from Krimpen past Capelle, Gouda and Oudewater into the Groene Hart. A day in an open sloop takes you past little polder villages, small boatyards and old towpaths. A sloop with an electric motor and console for six people usually costs between 200 and 350 euros for eight hours, excluding any cleaning fee or deposit. A boating licence is not required as long as the sloop stays under fifteen metres and cannot go faster than twenty kilometres per hour. Suitable for beginners, with a short briefing before departure.
A leisurely route heads from Gouda towards Haastrecht and Oudewater, with a terrace stop halfway and a lunch break on the water. The current can be strong around Krimpen, so in windy conditions opt for the urban stretch. Keep in mind commercial shipping near the mouth of the river and lock times at the Waaiersluis in Gouda.
Checklist
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Sloep online geboekt en bevestigd
Geldig ID bij je gestoken
Picknick of lunchgeld geregeld
Telefoon opgeladen voor route
Regenjas en deken in tas
Zonnebrand en zonnebril mee
Reserve an open sloop for six people with a hire company in Gouda or Capelle aan den IJssel. When booking, ask about the operating instructions and the mooring spots along the way.
Arrive fifteen minutes early, take the fifteen-minute briefing seriously, and check the charger or fuel before you cast off.
Head upstream from Gouda towards Haastrecht. Follow the bends, keep your distance from the reed beds, and give commercial vessels plenty of right of way.
Moor at the jetty in Oudewater. A stroll through town taking in the Heksenwaag and a coffee on the Markt takes between half an hour and three quarters of an hour.
Halfway back, break out the picnic basket, find a quiet bend and cut the engine. Drifting with the current works best around low tide.
Return the sloop on time, complete the logbook and damage check together with the hire company, and do one final sweep for forgotten belongings.
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For anyone copying this
Do as we did
Suggestions
- Boek door de week buiten zomerweekend voor lagere prijzen en stillere routes.
- Pak een dunne deken mee, op het water blijft het ook in mei fris.
- Zonnebrand en pet, op open water trekt de zon harder dan je denkt.
- Check het tij, op de Hollandsche IJssel is er nog wat getijdewerking.
- Reserveer een tafel bij een terras aan het water, in zomerweekenden zit het snel vol.
Variations
- - Doe het rondje andersom vanuit Capelle aan den IJssel richting Krimpen en terug.
- - Combineer de tocht met een fietsoverstap aan land voor de heenweg en sloep voor terug.
- - Vaar met kleinere groep een fluistersloep en focus op vogels langs de oever.
- - Doe de tocht als sunset-vaart van vijf tot negen uur 's avonds.
by PlayTryBe team