Friesland is the most beautiful boating region in the Netherlands. Hundreds of kilometers of lakes, canals, and waterways connect dozens of villages and towns. Whether you’re renting a motorboat for the first time or have been there a few times before, good preparation makes all the difference between a relaxing boating vacation and unnecessary stress.

In this guide, you’ll find practical tips for your boating trip through Friesland—from preparing at home to docking in an unfamiliar harbor. No dry regulations, just useful, real-world advice.

Preparation Starts at Home

A good boating vacation starts at the kitchen table. Inland waterway skippers draw up a travel plan for every trip. It doesn’t have to be that detailed for a boating vacation, but there are a few things you’ll want to know in advance.

Choosing a route

Kies een vaarroute die past bij je ervaring en beschikbare tijd. Voor een eerste keer is de Frisian Lakes Route een goede keuze. Ruime vaarwegen, beweegbare bruggen en gezellige plaatsen zoals Sneek, Sloten en Workum langs de route. De Turfroute en Elfstedenroute zijn prachtig, maar vragen meer vaarervaring.

Check the Clearance Height

Check the clearance height of your motorboat. This is the most important technical specification when planning your route. Some bridges do not open and have a fixed clearance height. If your boat cannot fit underneath, you’ll have to take a detour. We can tell you exactly which routes are suitable for your boat.

Bridges and Operating Hours

Check the operating hours for bridges and locks. During the boating season (April through October), bridges are operated from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. During the summer months of June, July, and August, they are operated until 8:00 p.m. Please note: some bridges have a lunch break. The ANWB Water Almanac or a boating app will provide you with the operating times for each bridge.

Keep an eye on the weather

Keep an eye on the weather in the days leading up to your departure. Wind is the biggest factor when boating in Friesland. On open lakes such as the Sneekermeer and Tjeukemeer, conditions can get quite rough even with wind force 4 or 5. Check the weather forecast and be prepared to adjust your route if necessary.

 

What to Bring

Our motorboats are fully equipped with kitchenware, navigation tools, and safety gear. So you don’t need to bring any pots, pans, or plates. You can rent bedding and towels or bring your own. But a few items will make your boating vacation much more enjoyable.

Clothing

Layering your clothing is key. It’s always a few degrees cooler on the water than on shore. Start your morning with a T-shirt, a fleece sweater, and a windbreaker. As the day goes on, take off layers as it gets warmer.

Be sure to bring a good windbreaker and rain jacket, even if the forecast calls for sunshine. The weather in Friesland can change quickly.

Shoes with good traction are important. The deck can be slippery after rain or due to morning dew. Avoid shoes with black soles, as they leave marks on the deck.

Practical Items

A few things you might easily forget but that come in handy:

  • Small change for bridge tolls. At some bridges, the bridge keeper lowers a small container on a pole where you can drop one or two euros.
  • Sunscreen and sunglasses. The water reflects sunlight, and you’ll burn faster than you think. Sunglasses help prevent eye strain from the glare off the water.
  • Binoculars. Handy for birdwatching and for reading bridge signals from a distance.
  • Games and books for quiet evenings on board.

The First Day on the Water

For many people, the first day feels exciting. That’s normal. Operating a motorboat is easier than most people expect, but it is a bit different from driving a car.

Instruction and Boating Training

You’ll receive a thorough briefing on the boat. You’ll learn how the engine works, what all the buttons are for, how the toilet works, and how to turn on the heat. Take your time with this briefing and ask questions if anything isn’t clear.

If desired, we also offer a boating training session on the first day. If you’ve never driven a motorboat before, this session is actually required. You’ll practice steering, backing up, docking, and maneuvering. After just an hour, it’ll already feel a lot more familiar.

Assigning Tasks

Divide up the tasks on board before you set out. The helmsman steers the boat. Someone else handles the lines and fenders at bridges and harbors. A third person can keep watch and navigate. When everyone knows their role, everything goes more smoothly. Agree on this while still in the harbor, not once you’re already approaching a bridge.

Start off slowly

Plan a relaxed first day. Choose a destination that’s not too far away—that will give you plenty of time to get used to the boat without any pressure. From Terherne, you can reach Sneek in 60 minutes and Grou in 50 minutes. Both are great destinations for your first stop.

One thing to remember: a motorboat doesn’t have brakes. When you ease off the throttle, the boat keeps moving for a while. When docking, shift into reverse at the right moment to slow down. It takes some getting used to, but after two or three tries, you’ll get the hang of it.

 

Boating Rules You Need to Know

You don’t need a boating license to operate our rental boats in Friesland. You may operate motor yachts shorter than 15 meters that have a maximum speed of 20 kilometers per hour without a boating license. However, you must follow the boating rules. The most important ones are easy to remember.

Keep to the right. Just like in road traffic, you should stay on the right-hand side of the waterway. This is called the starboard side. On canals and waterways, this rule is clear. On open lakes, it’s less strict, but when encountering oncoming traffic, you should give way to the right.

Speed limits by situation:

  • Princess Margriet Canal and navigation channels on large lakes: maximum 12.5 km/h
  • Lakes outside the navigation channels and other waterways: maximum 9 km/h
  • Ports, villages, and cities: maximum 6 km/h

Sailing slowly in narrow waterways and harbors isn’t just a rule. It also prevents damage to the banks and the nests of waterfowl.

Right of Way

Commercial vessels always have the right of way. Cargo ships are large, heavy, and cannot stop quickly. Give them space and stay out of their blind spot. A cargo ship sometimes has a blind spot of more than 300 meters in front of its bow. Rule of thumb: if you can see the captain in his wheelhouse, he can see you too.

Sailboats have the right of way over motorboats. Unless a sailboat is traveling under motor power, in which case it is considered a motorboat.

Keep the center of busy waterways clear. Do not sail side by side on narrow canals. Do not change course suddenly, and clearly indicate to other boaters which direction you are heading.

Bridges and Locks

This is the part that beginners dread the most. Understandably so, because it’s new and there are other boats around you. But with a little preparation, it’s manageable.

Passing under bridges

When approaching a bridge, first check to see if you can fit underneath it. Many bridges have a clearance gauge showing the current clearance height. Compare this to the height of your boat and always allow a 10-centimeter margin. When in doubt: don’t do it. Wait until the bridge opens.

Traffic lights at bridges work like traffic lights:

  • Two red lights side by side: wait
  • Red and green side by side: the bridge is about to open
  • Green: proceed
  • Yellow: You may pass under the closed bridge if your boat is low enough
  • Two red lights one above the other: the bridge is closed

Always line up behind waiting boats. Do not cut in line. Commercial vessels have the right of way. When the bridge opens, proceed smoothly. Do not dawdle, but do not race either. Keep to the right.

Locks

Locks work differently than bridges. In a lock, you are raised to a higher water level or lowered to a lower one.

The process: You sail into the lock, tie your boat to the bollards, and wait for the water level to rise or fall. Hold onto the lines and loosen or tighten them as the water level changes. Turn off the engine while in the lock. After passing through the lock, wait until the light turns green and then sail away slowly.

On many routes in Friesland, you’ll hardly come across any locks. The Frisian Lakes Route has only bridges. You’ll mainly encounter locks on the Peat Route and on routes heading toward Groningen or Overijssel.

Checklist for Bridges and Locks

  • Hang fenders on both sides of the ship
  • Prepare the lines and lay them loosely over the bollards; do not tie them off
  • Set the engine to low RPM
  • Dock alongside waiting boats
  • Keep an eye on the light signals
  • Proceed smoothly when the light turns green

 

Docking and Overnight Stays

Docking is the skill that requires the most practice. It feels awkward the first time, but after a few tries, it gets easier and easier.

How to Dock

The basics are simple. Sail slowly toward the dock, with the wind at your back if possible. Use the bow thruster to steer the bow of the boat. Briefly shift into reverse to slow down just before reaching the dock. Have someone step onto the shore or the dock to secure the line. Always secure the center line first. Now the boat is stable, and the crew has plenty of time to secure the bow and stern lines.

It gets trickier in a crosswind. In that case, it’s best to dock with the wind blowing toward the dock. The wind will then push your boat toward the dock instead of away from it. If you have to dock with the wind blowing away from the dock, make extra use of the bow thruster. And don’t be afraid to try again if you don’t succeed the first time. That’s not a shame—it’s just common sense.

Marrekrite or marina?

In Friesland, there are two types of berths.

Marrekrite docks are free mooring spots in nature. There are more than 3,500 of them in Friesland. You’ll be surrounded by nature, often in beautiful spots by a lake or canal. Amenities are limited: sometimes there’s a picnic table, sometimes a trash can, but no electricity or water. The maximum stay is usually 72 hours. Ideal if you enjoy peace and nature.

Marinas offer more amenities. Showers, restrooms, electricity, water, Wi-Fi, and sometimes a small restaurant. Prices range from 15 to 25 euros per night, depending on the marina and the length of the boat. Places like Sneek, Lemmer, Grou, and Stavoren have excellent marinas. In Friesland, there are almost always plenty of visitor berths available in the city center.

During peak season, it’s a good idea to find a spot before 4:00 p.m. in popular marinas. Later in the day, they may be full.

Weather and Wind on the Frisian Lakes

The weather largely determines how your day on the water will go. Friesland is flat and open, which means the wind has free rein across the lakes.

What to Expect at Each Wind Force

Wind force 3 or less: great sailing conditions everywhere. The water is calm, and you can handle any route.

Wind Force 4: On the larger lakes, such as the Sneekermeer, Heegermeer, Fluessen, and especially the Tjeukemeer, the water begins to get choppy. It’s still manageable, but beginners may find it uncomfortable. At this wind force, choose sheltered routes through canals and waterways.

Wind force 5 or higher: Avoid open lakes. The waves will be high, and maneuvering will be difficult. In that case, plan a route along sheltered waterways or stay in the harbor for a day. A rainy day in Sneek or Lemmer is also a great way to spend a vacation day.

Practical Weather Tips

Summer thunderstorms move quickly across Friesland. If you see dark clouds approaching, find a sheltered spot or a harbor. Do not stay out in the middle of an open lake during a thunderstorm.

The wind often shifts throughout the day. It’s usually calmer in the morning than in the afternoon. Therefore, it’s best to plan longer stretches across open water for the morning.

Check the weather forecast every morning. Apps like Buienradar and Windfinder provide a good overview of hourly wind and precipitation. That way, you can adjust your daily schedule based on what’s coming.

 

Tips from Experienced Skippers

After twenty years of welcoming guests and guiding them on their first cruises, clear patterns have emerged. Here are the tips that make all the difference.

Pace and Planning

Take your time. This might just be the most important tip. Boating isn’t like driving a car. You aren’t covering distance to get somewhere—you’re already at your destination the moment you leave the harbor. Don’t plan more than 3 to 4 hours of sailing per day, especially during the first few days. That gives you time to visit villages, go for a swim, or just sit on deck with a cup of coffee.

Start your route in a quiet area. From Terherne, you can head south toward Langweer and Woudsend. Calm waters, short distances, charming villages. Ideal for a relaxing first day. Save the busier routes and larger lakes for when you’re more familiar with the boat.

Be flexible with your plans. The best part of a boating vacation is that you can adjust your route. Like a place? Stay an extra night. Is the weather disappointing? Head to a charming little town instead of that secluded lake. The freedom to change your plans is exactly what makes boating so relaxing.

Practical Information

Don’t refuel the boat yourself unless you have to. With us, you can pay for the diesel you’ve used after your trip. We’ll refuel the boat when you return, and you’ll only pay for what you’ve used. That’s fair and avoids any hassle at gas stations.

On Board and Underway

Learn from your crew. Everyone on board can contribute. Let the kids help hang fenders or keep watch. Let your partner take the helm on a calm stretch of water. The more people on board feel comfortable with the boat, the more enjoyable your boating vacation will be.

Talk to other boaters. At marinas and Marrekrite docks, you’ll meet people who sail the same routes. They know which villages are worth visiting, where to find the best food, and which routes are the most scenic. Tips from fellow boaters are often the best.

 

Ready to Set Sail

Boating in Friesland is easier than you think and more beautiful than you’d expect. With a little preparation, the right gear on board, and a willingness to take it easy, a stunning boating area awaits you. Hundreds of kilometers of waterways, dozens of villages, and a tranquility you won’t find anywhere else.

Would you like to learn more about specific sailing routes, the fleet, or availability? Check out the route pages on the website or contact us for personalized advice. After all, the best way to prepare for your first sailing trip is to talk to someone who knows the sailing area.