Team building sailing in the Netherlands

Get your team out of the office and onto a historic sailing ship in the Netherlands. With team building sailing, your coworkers work together to raise the sails, handle the ropes, and help navigate the ship. A professional captain and crew guide the experience, so no previous sailing experience is needed.

At BoatBoatBoat, your company can charter an entire sailing ship exclusively for your group. Choose an active team-building day, a competitive sailing regatta, a relaxed corporate outing, or a company offsite that combines meetings with time on the water.

With more than 70 historic sailing ships to choose from, we help you find the right vessel, departure harbor, and program for your team. Select an all-inclusive corporate package or plan a custom sailing event.

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Why choose sailing for your team-building event?

Sailing gives coworkers a practical reason to communicate, make decisions, and work toward a shared goal.

On a historic sailing ship, there are sails to raise, ropes to handle, and maneuvers to coordinate. The captain explains what needs to happen, and your team works together to help move the ship across the water.

Unlike a structured team-building exercise in a conference room, the activity is part of the sailing experience itself.

Not everyone needs to participate in the same way. Some employees enjoy taking an active role, while others prefer helping with navigation, observing the sailing process, or relaxing on deck.

That flexibility makes a sailing trip an appealing choice for teams with different personalities and interests.

Build connections outside the office

Away from meetings, deadlines, and familiar workplace routines, colleagues have an opportunity to interact differently.

Who takes the initiative when a sail needs to be raised? How does the group divide responsibilities? What happens when several people need to coordinate a maneuver?

These situations create opportunities to practice communication and collaboration while sharing an enjoyable day outdoors.

If your company has specific team-building goals, such as improving communication between departments or encouraging stronger working relationships, tell us about them during planning. We can help you explore ways to incorporate those goals into your sailing program.

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Corporate sailing experiences for every team

Your corporate sailing event can be active, competitive, relaxed, or focused on a particular business objective.

BoatBoatBoat offers several ways to bring your team together aboard a historic sailing ship.

Active sailing team building

For teams that enjoy hands-on activities, sailing itself becomes the central experience. With guidance from the captain and crew, employees can help raise the sails, handle the lines, and learn the basics of steering and navigation. The group shares responsibilities and works toward the common goal of sailing the vessel. Your team doesn't need technical sailing skills or prior experience. The professional crew remains responsible for operating the ship and provides instructions throughout the trip.

This option works well for companies that want their employees to collaborate in a new environment while participating in an activity together.

Competitive sailing regatta on the IJsselmeer

A little friendly competition can add excitement to your corporate retreat. During a sailing regatta, colleagues are divided into teams aboard different sailing ships. After an introduction and sailing instructions from their captains, the teams head onto the water to compete. Communication, coordination, and teamwork all play a role as each crew works to sail its vessel around the course.

BoatBoatBoat offers a dedicated regatta package on the IJsselmeer, a large freshwater lake in the Netherlands. The organized program includes sailing instruction, a competitive race, catering, and a shared celebration afterward.

Explore the IJsselmeer Sailing Regatta

Relaxed Corporate Outings and Team Celebrations

A company outing doesn't always need to focus on competition or structured activities. Sometimes the goal is simply to give employees time to connect and enjoy being together. A private sailing charter provides space for informal conversations, shared meals, and relaxing on deck while the Dutch coastline and harbor towns pass by. Employees who want to participate can help sail the ship. Others can enjoy the scenery and spend time with colleagues.

Depending on your chosen package, you can combine the trip with lunch, drinks, or a barbecue.

This is a flexible option for employee appreciation events, celebrating company milestones, or reconnecting with colleagues outside the workplace.

Meetings, Workshops, and Corporate Offsites

A historic sailing ship can also serve as an alternative venue for a corporate meeting or company offsite. Start the day with a team discussion or strategy session aboard the vessel, then head out for an afternoon of sailing. Alternatively, plan your meeting around a sailing break that gives employees a change of scenery. Some ships offer onboard facilities such as projectors, screens, or flip charts. Because equipment and indoor meeting space vary between vessels, let us know what your event requires. We'll help identify ships that can accommodate your plans.

All-Inclusive sailing package or custom charter

Planning a corporate sailing event should be straightforward, especially when you're coordinating schedules, budgets, and expectations for an entire team.

BoatBoatBoat offers two approaches.

All-Inclusive Packages

Prearranged sailing program
Specified catering and services
Published per-person package pricing
Less planning for the organizer
Ideal for a ready-to-go team outing

Custom Sailing Charters

Itinerary tailored to your company
Flexible catering and activities
Quote based on your requirements
More control over the event
Ideal for retreats, meetings, or specific team goals

All-Inclusive Corporate Packages

Choose an established itinerary with the sailing experience, catering, and other specified services arranged in advance. Our corporate packages include options such as sailing regattas, visits to Dutch destinations, and sunset barbecue trips.

Each package describes its program and included services, helping you compare options before making a decision.

View Corporate Sailing Packages

Custom Corporate Sailing Events

Have a specific program in mind? We can help plan a private sailing charter around your group size, preferred date, budget, and activities. You might combine sailing with a team workshop, organize a relaxed employee celebration, or plan a multi-day company retreat with overnight accommodations aboard the ship.

The available options depend on the selected vessel and your requirements.

As soon as we got on board, we seemed far away from the normal world and the hectic company buzz. The feeling of adventure and freedom on the water contributed enormously to our creativity and team spirit.

Where can you go sailing in the Netherlands?

BoatBoatBoat offers corporate sailing experiences from several Dutch departure harbors. Your sailing area and departure location depend on the ship, availability, and the type of event you're organizing.

IJsselmeer and Markermeer

The IJsselmeer and Markermeer are two major sailing areas in the central Netherlands, known for their open water and historic harbor towns. These waters offer opportunities for corporate day trips, team-building activities, and sailing regattas. Depending on the vessel, your company may be able to depart from towns such as Enkhuizen, Muiden, or Monnickendam.

These locations can also be considered when incorporating a sailing event into a broader Netherlands itinerary that includes Amsterdam.

Wadden Sea

The Wadden Sea lies along the northern coast of the Netherlands. It's a coastal area shaped by tides, sandbanks, and a distinctive natural environment. For companies planning a longer sailing experience, the Wadden Sea provides opportunities to combine sailing with time outdoors and visits to Dutch coastal destinations. Harlingen is one of the departure harbors for trips in this region. Routes depend on the vessel, weather conditions, and tides.

Other Dutch Departure Harbors

Depending on the ship and event, additional departure options include Makkum, Kampen and Lelystad.

For companies organizing a team retreat from the United States or another country, selecting the departure harbor is an important part of the overall travel plan.

Tell us where your team will be traveling from and which locations you're considering. We can help compare the available sailing options. The final route is always subject to weather conditions and the captain's assessment of what is safe and practical.

Choose a sailing ship for your corporate group

One of the advantages of a BoatBoatBoat corporate charter is that your company has the entire ship to itself, along with a professional captain and crew.

You don't share the charter with unrelated travelers, and the sailing program can be designed around your group.

We work with more than 70 historic sailing ships, ranging from smaller vessels for private team gatherings to larger ships suitable for substantial corporate events.

For very large groups, using multiple vessels may also be possible.

When recommending a ship, we consider:

Group size: How many employees or guests will be joining?
Event goals: Is the focus on sailing, team building, meetings, or relaxation?
Onboard facilities: Do you need meeting space, presentation equipment, catering, or overnight accommodations?
Departure harbor: Which location works best for your team's travel plans?
Budget: What type of ship and services fit your company's budget?

Each vessel has its own layout, capacity, and facilities.

Because we know our ships and captains personally, we can help you compare suitable options without having to research dozens of vessels on your own.

Browse Our Historic Sailing Ships

How much does a corporate sailing charter cost?

The cost of a team-building sailing event in the Netherlands depends on the vessel, number of participants, trip duration, and services you select.

A daytime sailing trip with lunch will have a different cost structure from a multi-day corporate retreat with overnight accommodations.

Your preferred travel date, catering arrangements, and additional activities can also affect the price.

For all-inclusive corporate packages, you can review the listed prices, included services, and relevant conditions.

For a customized event, BoatBoatBoat prepares a quote based on your company's specific requirements.

Prices are quoted in euros (€). When reviewing a proposal, check the included services, applicable VAT, and any additional charges identified in the offer. This helps you understand the overall budget before making your booking decision.

How to organize your corporate sailing event

Our team helps you through the planning process, from choosing a vessel to coordinating the details of your sailing event.

1. Tell us about your team

Start by sharing your preferred dates, estimated number of participants, and the type of experience you're planning. Let us know whether your priority is team building, a corporate celebration, a meeting, or a combination of activities.

2. We'll help find the right ship and program

Based on your requirements, we'll discuss suitable ships, departure locations, sailing areas, catering, and optional activities. You can choose an existing corporate package or develop a customized itinerary.

3. Receive a no-obligation quote

We'll prepare a proposal outlining the selected program and associated costs. You can review the details before confirming the arrangements. Once agreed, we'll coordinate the next organizational steps with the vessel and crew.

4. Step aboard with your team

On the scheduled day, the crew welcomes your group aboard. The captain introduces the sailing experience, explains the relevant instructions, and guides your team throughout the trip. Your colleagues can participate in sailing, enjoy time together, and experience the Netherlands from the water.

Plan your next corporate event in the Netherlands

Bring your team together on a historic sailing ship, away from the usual meeting rooms and office routines.

With 40 years of experience in the sailing industry, more than 70 historic vessels, and personal knowledge of the captains and their ships, BoatBoatBoat helps companies organize sailing events suited to their teams.

From hands-on team building and competitive regattas to relaxed company outings and multi-day retreats, we'll help you explore the options and find a practical fit.

Tell us how many colleagues will be joining, when you'd like to sail, and what you want your team to experience.

We'll help you take the next step.

Request a No-Obligation Quote for Your Corporate Sailing Event

Questions before making a request? Contact BoatBoatBoat at info@boatboatboat.eu or +31 85 006 2820.

Frequently asked questions about team building sailing

No. Previous sailing experience is not required for a corporate sailing trip with BoatBoatBoat. A professional captain and crew operate the vessel and guide participants who want to help with the sailing activities.

No. Employees can help with activities such as raising sails and handling ropes if they wish. Others can relax on deck and enjoy the trip. The crew determines which activities are suitable under the sailing conditions.

Yes. Some historic sailing ships offer onboard overnight accommodations for multi-day trips. Cabin arrangements, sleeping capacity, and facilities depend on the selected vessel.

The sailing route and activities depend on weather conditions. The captain determines which route and sailing activities can be carried out safely. Changes to the original plan may be necessary.

Yes. BoatBoatBoat offers corporate packages with catering, as well as customized options. Depending on the arrangements, meals and refreshments may include lunch, drinks, snacks, or a barbecue.

Yes. BoatBoatBoat offers a sailing regatta package on the IJsselmeer. Teams sail aboard different vessels under the guidance of professional captains and compete in an organized event.

Team building sailing in the Netherlands