Renting a sloop on the Zoetermeer lakes
7 h€ 175-350 Calm
A day out on the Zoetermeerse Plas and the Noord Aa in an open sloop with no boating licence required. What it costs, where to board and which route suits you.
The Zoetermeerse Plas and the neighbouring Noord Aa together form a spacious lake area on the northern edge of Zoetermeer. The water is wide and open, with sandy swimming beaches, marinas and small islands. Sloop rental companies are usually based at Plas Noord Aa or near Benthuizen, and no boating licence is needed as long as the boat stays under 20 kilometres per hour. An open sloop for six to eight people costs an average of 175 to 300 euros per day, fuel or battery included.
A day schedule of six to eight hours leaves time for a loop across both lakes, a swimming stop at a shallow stretch and a long lunch break. The area is easy to navigate and free of large vessel traffic, making it suitable for inexperienced skippers too. Book two weeks ahead in July and August, as the lakes are popular with families and groups.
Checklist
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Sloep gereserveerd
Zwemspullen ingepakt
Koelbox met lunch
Zonnebrand en pet
Handdoeken mee
Reservekleding droog
Inlevertijd genoteerd
Handy & partners
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Book an open sloop for six to eight people at the Noord Aa or the Zoetermeerse Plas.
Pack a cool box with drinks, bread and fruit and bring swimming gear and towels.
Board on time, get a briefing on starting, steering and mooring, and sign the rental agreement.
Cruise a relaxed loop across the Zoetermeerse Plas and continue through to the Noord Aa.
Moor at a shallow spot for a swimming stop and a long lunch break.
Head back well before the return time and report any damage when you arrive.
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For anyone copying this
Do as we did
Suggestions
- Ask the rental company to point out safe swimming spots on the map.
- Put life jackets on children, even if the rental company does not require it.
- Agree in advance on who steers when and swap halfway through.
- Book on a weekday for fewer crowds on the lakes.
- Keep wind direction in mind, open water feels colder than sheltered water.
Variations
- - Combineer met een strandstop bij Plas Noord Aa voor de kinderen.
- - Vaar met twee kleinere sloepen voor meer flexibiliteit.
- - Boek een sloep met schipper als niemand wil sturen.
- - Kies een BBQ-boot voor een feestelijker dag op het water.
by PlayTryBe team