Rent a sailboat for the weekend with a skipper on the Loosdrechtse Plassen
2 days€ 1200-2500 Calm
A two-day sailing weekend on the Loosdrechtse Plassen with a skipper on board, departing from Oud-Loosdrecht, with overnight stays on board or in a harbour village.
The Loosdrechtse Plassen are located just over twenty kilometres south of Amsterdam and consist of a series of shallow lakes dotted with reed beds, small islands, and wooden sailing schools along the shores. A weekend charter with a skipper is ideal for people without a boating licence or steering experience, for families with children who are sailing for the first time, and for groups who want to relax without having to navigate themselves. Expect to pay roughly 1,200 to 2,500 euros for an open sailboat up to a spacious cabin boat, including a skipper, two days of sailing, and one overnight stay. Fuel, final cleaning, and any harbour fees are usually charged separately.
A typical itinerary kicks off on Saturday morning with a briefing at the harbour in Oud-Loosdrecht. The skipper plots a route along the Eerste through to the Vijfde Plas, anchors near a small island for lunch, and moors up in the evening at Loenen or by Robinson Crusoe. Sunday heads back via a different lake with a short swimming stop.
Checklist
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Boot met schipper reserveren
Weekendtas en regenjas inpakken
Antislip schoenen meenemen
Waterdichte zak voor telefoon
Op tijd bij briefing zijn
Borg en charterformulier regelen
Tanken en schoonmaak afhandelen
Book a sailboat with a skipper two to four weeks ahead through a rental company in Oud-Loosdrecht, and provide the number of people, preferred boat type, and start date.
Pack a weekend bag with layers, a rain jacket, non-slip shoes, swimwear, and a waterproof pouch for your phone and keys.
Arrive at the marina on Saturday around 09:30 for the safety briefing, a walk-through of the boat, and to fill in the charter form.
Sail towards the Derde Plas in the morning, anchor near a reed bed for lunch, and help with tacking when the skipper asks.
Moor up in the late afternoon at a visitor's harbour such as Loenen or Vreeland, have dinner at a harbour cafe, and sleep on board or at a nearby hotel.
Wrap up on Sunday afternoon with refuelling, a final clean, and a quick debrief with the skipper about what went well and what could be done differently.
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Morning coffee at the camper pitch
One hour of silence outside the camper door every morning, before the child wakes up. Each day with one small difference, so it never starts to feel like a routine.
For anyone copying this
Do as we did
Suggestions
- Ask when booking whether blankets and pillows are included, as it saves space in your bag.
- Plan the overnight stop at a visitor's harbour with showers if you would rather not sleep on board.
- Bring cash for harbour fees and the small harbour cafes on the lakes.
- Check the wind forecast on Friday evening so the skipper can adjust the route if needed.
- In July or August, book at least four weeks in advance as skippers get booked up quickly.
Variations
- - Vraag een instructie-schipper en leer zelf overstag gaan en aanleggen tijdens het weekend.
- - Combineer met een zaterdagochtend bij het pittoreske Oud-Loosdrecht en kies een avondtocht in plaats van overnachting.
- - Boek een grotere klipper of platbodem met meerdere hutten voor een groep van zes tot acht personen.
- - Kies voor een themaweekend met diner aan boord verzorgd door de schipper of een lokale traiteur.
by PlayTryBe team