playbook
Rent a sailboat for a day charter on the Eemmeer
A day out sailing on the Eemmeer departing from Zeewolde or Bunschoten-Spakenburg, ideal for beginners and families thanks to its manageable size.
8u
duration
€ 300–700
budget
Ignite
pace
The Eemmeer lies between Eemnes, Bunschoten-Spakenburg, Huizen and Zeewolde and is one of the smaller border lakes along the Flevoland coast. The shallow depth, short chop and clear buoyage make it popular with beginners, training boats and families going sailing for the first time. A day charter lasts six to eight hours and costs roughly 300 to 700 euros for an open sailing boat, valk or sturdy polyvalk, including instruction or a skipper. Life jackets, a basic briefing and fuel for an auxiliary engine are usually included.
For bareboat charter, most rental companies require a Klein Vaarbewijs or demonstrable experience. The lake offers mooring and swimming spots at De Dode Hond, the Eemhof and near Spakenburg. From the lake, the Nijkerkernauw and the Gooimeer are also easily reached via the locks.
Checklist
0 of 7
Dagcharter online boeken
Vaarbewijs meenemen indien bareboat
Lunch en water inpakken
Regenjas en zonnebrand mee
Briefing aan steiger volgen
Reddingsvest passen
Boot tanken bij inlevering
Related playbooks
Renting a sloop on the Amsterdam canals
Half a day cruising through the Canal Ring in an open sloop with no boating licence required. What it costs, how to book, and which route suits Amsterdam best.
Renting a sloop in Utrecht city centre
Half a day cruising the Oudegracht and Nieuwegracht in an electric sloop, past wharf cellars and bridges. No boating licence required, from 60 euros per hour.
Renting a Sloep on the Spaarne Haarlem
Half a day of sailing along the Spaarne through Haarlem, past the Grote Markt and the Waarderbrug. You rent a sloep without a boating licence, from 75 euros per hour.
Rent a boat in Den Bosch on the Dieze
Half a day boating through 's-Hertogenbosch on the Dieze and Binnendieze in a motorboat without a licence. Narrow city waterways, historic cellars and bridges.
Renting a Sloop in Maastricht on the Maas
Half a day of sailing along the Maas through Maastricht, past Sint Servaasbrug and the Bonnefantenmuseum. Sloop with or without a boating licence depending on engine power.
School trip on a floating hotel
A class spends two days aboard a historic sailing ship with a skipper and crew, learns to tie knots and hoist sails, and sleeps below deck.
Rent a Sloop in Volendam-Edam
A day of boating from Volendam-Edam across the Markermeer or through the city canals of Edam in a sloop. A boating licence is recommended on the Markermeer.
Learning to sail on the Loosdrechtse Plassen for beginners
A half-day or full-day sailing lesson on the Loosdrechtse Plassen for beginners, with an instructor or as part of a group course at a sailing school.
Handy & partners
Some links may earn us a small commission. It costs you nothing extra.
by PlayTryBe team
Reserve a day charter with a rental company in Zeewolde or Bunschoten-Spakenburg and choose between a skippered hire or bareboat with a sailing certificate.
Gather at the marina at 08:45 with a rain jacket, non-slip shoes, sunscreen, lunch and a water bottle per person.
Work through the briefing on the jetty covering how to rig the sails, the chart of the lake and how to use the VHF radio.
Sail through the morning towards the nature reserve De Dode Hond, tack upwind to the middle of the lake and take turns at the helm.
Anchor around midday at a shallow spot for a lunch break with a swim, or moor up in the harbour of Spakenburg for some fish.
Sail back towards Zeewolde, return the boat, fill in the damage form and do a quick debrief on what went well and what could be done differently.
For anyone copying this
Do as we did
Suggestions
- Bear in mind the prevailing south-westerly wind, set off into the wind so the return journey is easier.
- Choose a boat with an auxiliary engine, the Eemmeer can suddenly turn calm in the lee of Huizen.
- Reserve a table or a spot at a chip shop in Spakenburg in advance on sunny Saturdays, it can get busy.
- Book a flat, stable boat for a family, such as a polyvalk or an open BM, much easier with children.
- Ask whether you are allowed to head through the Eemmeersluis to the Gooimeer as well, as that extends your range considerably.
Variations
- - Verleng tot een tweedaagse en vaar via het Gooimeer naar Huizen voor een overnachting.
- - Boek een zeilles van twee uur met een instructeur in plaats van een hele dagcharter.
- - Combineer met een wandeling door het oude vissersdorp Spakenburg na de zeildag.
- - Kies een sloep met huifkap als alternatief bij regenachtig weer, ook op het Eemmeer goed te boeken.
More like this
Renting a sloop on the Amsterdam canals
Renting a sloop in Utrecht city centre
Renting a Sloep on the Spaarne Haarlem
Rent a boat in Den Bosch on the Dieze
Renting a Sloop in Maastricht on the Maas
School trip on a floating hotel
Rent a Sloop in Volendam-Edam
Learning to sail on the Loosdrechtse Plassen for beginners