Two days of quiet sailing on the Frisian lakes
6 stops€ 370-410 CalmLoop back to start
An electric tender, mirror-flat water and nothing but the gentle lapping beneath the keel. Two relaxed days on the Frisian lakes from Jachthaven De Drijfveer in Akkrum, with a toddler of 18 months on board. Gently exploring child-friendly spots nearby. No sailing licence required, zero emissions.
No engine noise, no exhaust fumes, just the lapping of the water beneath the keel. The E-tender 600 is a whisper-quiet electric tender that lets a small family glide peacefully across the Frisian lakes, departing from Jachthaven De Drijfveer near Akkrum. Mirror-flat water, wide open views and all the time in the world to moor up at a child-friendly spot.
Electric and zero-emission, no sailing licence required, and fully recharged in six hours via an ordinary socket on the jetty.
The boat
Six metres, built in 2023. A large swim platform with a fold-out swim ladder and a removable backrest. Dual battery pack, so you cruise through full days without a worry. A bimini provides shade for the little one.
With a toddler on board
Cruise gently around the area and moor up at shallow, child-friendly spots for paddling and playing. A well-fitting life jacket on at all times near the water, with 1-on-1 supervision within arm's reach. If there is more than 3 Bft of wind or there is thunder, stay ashore.
Photo plan for your playbook
Five shots that tell the story: quiet, sustainable, safe and together.
- Golden-hour cover shot: the tender from the side, mirror-flat water, low sun behind it, around 20:00.
- Quiet detail: hand on the tiller, barely any wake, the electric story in one frame.
- Safe and small: the little one in a life jacket, laughing on the swim platform, sharp focus on the eyes.
- On the charger: plug in the socket on the jetty, the sustainable story.
- Picnic on board: overhead view with a blanket, bread, bare feet and the platform in frame.
Costs and breakdown
- Hire E-tender 600, two days: €370.
- Fuel (electric, charging included): €0.
- Accessories and deposit (refundable): t.b.d.
- Total boating: €370.
The purpose of these two days is to capture photo and video material for the PlayTryBe playbook on sustainable boating with a young family. Keep the invoice from De Drijfveer together with this shot list and the published content as supporting documentation for your records.
Checklist
0 of 6
Gecertificeerd reddingsvest op maat
Kraagmodel met kruisband en grijplus, passend bij het gewicht. Geen los zwemvestje.
Vest altijd aan zodra je bij het water bent
Aan boord en bij de steiger, en op de camperplaats die aan het water grenst.
Vaste plek en antislip aan boord
Een eigen zitje, antislip op het dek, scherpe randen afgedekt.
Zon en schaduw geregeld
Bimini of parasol, hoedje, factor 50 en ruim water.
1-op-1 toezicht bij het water
Bij de zwemtrap, het plateau en op de wal altijd een volwassene binnen armbereik.
Weer en wind gecheckt
Bij meer dan 3 Bft of onweer blijf je lekker aan wal.
Route stops
Jachthaven De Drijfveer, Akkrum
Departure from the campsite on site. Brief introduction, battery full, life jackets on (including at the jetty), gently out onto the Frisian lakes.
Child-friendly little beach on the lake
Mooring at a shallow, quiet spot for paddling and playing. Life jacket on, an adult within arm's reach.
Lunch at anchor in a sheltered corner
Swim platform out, lunch on board and a nap for the little one in the shade of the bimini.
Quiet stretch of water for playing
Second sailing day: gently further out onto the Frisian lakes, mooring where it is shallow and child-friendly.
Picnic at anchor
Blanket, bread, bare feet and paddling from the swim platform.
Back at De Drijfveer
Gently back to the campsite. Tender on the charger, with a smile.
10:00 · Departure from De Drijfveer. Battery full, life jackets on (including at the jetty), gently out onto the Frisian lakes.
11:00 · Mooring at a child-friendly little beach. Paddling and playing, with an adult within arm's reach.
13:00 · Lunch at anchor in a sheltered corner. Swim platform out, eating on board, nap for the little one in the shade.
16:00 · Back at De Drijfveer. Tender on the charger at the jetty, dinner at the campsite, sleep in the camper.
Night at the campsite. The battery charges fully in six hours via an ordinary socket.
09:30 · Battery full, relaxed loading up. Fresh coffee, life jackets on and into the day.
11:00 · Gently further out onto the Frisian lakes, mooring up at a shallow spot for playing.
12:30 · Picnic at anchor. Blanket, bread, bare feet and paddling from the platform.
16:00 · Gently back to De Drijfveer. Return with a smile.
Related playbooks
Renting a rowboat on Heegermeer
Two hours on calm water near Heeg in an open rowboat. A short route close to the shore, no crossing of the lake. Important: bring your own properly fitting child-sized life jacket, not every rental operator has one.
Renting a Sloop in Lemmer
Rent a sloop in Lemmer for a day of boating along the IJsselmeer or inland along the Prinses Margrietkanaal, with a lunch stop in the old inner harbour.
Renting a sloop on the Nieuwkoopse Plassen
A day of sailing through the Natura 2000 nature reserve Nieuwkoopse Plassen in a whisper-quiet electric sloop. Silence zone, nesting birds, and a maximum of six kilometres per hour.
Silent Morning on the Vechtplassen
Early on the water near Loenen aan de Vecht, a whisper boat or canoe through the reeds, and breakfast in the cockpit while the mist lifts.
Adapted sailing holiday with a wheelchair
A multi-day sailing holiday on a boat equipped for wheelchair users, with adapted cabins, wide corridors, and a skipper experienced in accessible sailing.
Midsummer Evening on the Water
Spending a long June evening on a lake or pond, with a rowing boat or rental boat, food on board, and dusk lasting well past ten.
Evening ritual at the camper pitch with a young child
A consistent evening routine for every camper stop. Three small elements that stay the same every evening, no matter where you're parked. How to help a young child fall asleep in a new spot.
Oostkapelle beach early morning
From 9:00 to 11:30 you're on the beach at Oostkapelle, before the heat and the crowds really kick in. You bring your own shade in your backpack and keep the kids busy with a shell-hunting mission.
Birthday on the Stadsdommel
Celebrating a birthday in a motorboat for seven people on the Stadsdommel in Den Bosch, with cake, drinks, and a relaxed cruising route through the old city.
Renting a boat without a licence on the Canal du Midi
Glide between plane trees and locks on the Canal du Midi, aboard an electric or diesel boat with no licence required, for a day trip departing from Capestang or Homps.
Arrival Evening at Villa Casa Blanca
First evening in Curacao, bags down, dive into the private pool and a simple bite on the terrace. A relaxed start before the week really begins.
For anyone copying this
Do as we did
Suggestions
- Well-fitting life jacket (collar style) for the little one
- Sun hat and SPF 50
- Non-slip shoes
- Spare clothes and nappies within easy reach
- Cool box with lunch and plenty of drinks
- Powerbank for your phone (navigation and photos)
Variations
Too much wind or thunder
More than 3 Bft or thunder on the radar? Leave the boat and stay ashore, the water isn't going anywhere.
- Note: Book the tender flexibly or move it by a day, rather than locking in a fixed date.
One day instead of two
With a toddler, one relaxed day on the water is sometimes enough. In that case, just do the first sailing day and keep the second day free for the campsite.
- Skip:Day 2: further out onto the Frisian lakes · second sailing day
by Kevin Schenkers