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IJsselmeer sailing with your group

Open water, historic harbour towns and several days together on board. IJsselmeer sailing is a great way to get away with your group.

IJsselmeer sailing with your group

Open water, historic harbour towns and several days together on board. IJsselmeer sailing is a great way to get away with your group.

With BoatBoatBoat, you sail aboard a historic sailing ship with an experienced crew. No sailing experience is required. You can help on deck or simply relax and enjoy the view.

Why sail on the IJsselmeer?

The IJsselmeer gives you plenty of space to sail while keeping interesting destinations within easy reach. Historic harbour towns surround the lake, making it ideal for a weekend or longer trip. You do not have to return to the same harbour every evening. Each sailing day can take you somewhere different.

During your IJsselmeer sailing trip, you can:

  • help the crew with the sails
  • relax on deck
  • visit different harbour towns
  • cook and eat together
  • spend time ashore
  • stay overnight on board

The exact route is not completely fixed beforehand. Wind and weather always play an important part when sailing. Your skipper considers the conditions and your preferences when planning the next leg. This flexibility makes every sailing trip on the IJsselmeer slightly different.

Discover the IJsselmeer harbours

Sailing for several days gives you the chance to see more than open water. Around the IJsselmeer, you will find many characteristic Dutch harbour towns. Enkhuizen is one of the best-known historic ports on the lake. Medemblik also combines a harbour with a historic town centre.

On the Frisian side, you could sail towards Stavoren or Lemmer. Makkum and Urk are other possible stops during your journey. Once you arrive, you decide how to spend the rest of the day. Explore the town, find a terrace or enjoy the evening on board. Which places you visit depends on your departure harbour, travel time and sailing conditions. You can discuss your preferences with the skipper beforehand.

What is an IJsselmeer sailing trip like?

Your trip starts when everyone arrives and settles in onboard. You meet the crew and get to know the ship. Together, you discuss the possibilities for the first sailing day. Then it is time to leave the harbour behind. Want to get involved? Help hoist the sails or take on another task under the crew's guidance. Prefer to take things easy? Find a comfortable spot on deck and watch the landscape pass by.

Later in the day, you sail into another harbour. You can head ashore with your group or spend the evening together on board. The next morning, a new sailing leg begins. That rhythm is what makes an IJsselmeer sailing holiday so enjoyable. The ship is not only your transport. It is also your accommodation throughout the journey.

Join in or simply relax

You do not need any previous sailing experience before stepping aboard. The skipper and crew are responsible for sailing the ship. However, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved. The crew can show you how to help with the sails and explain what happens on deck.

Not everyone in your group has to participate in the same way. Some guests may enjoy being active, while others relax on deck. This makes IJsselmeer sailing suitable for groups with different interests and levels of experience.

A weekend or several days?

The right length depends on what you want to experience. More time means more flexibility when choosing routes and harbour stops.

IJsselmeer sailing weekend

An IJsselmeer sailing weekend gives you enough time to leave everyday life behind without planning a full week away. You can spend the day sailing, visit a harbour and stay overnight on board. The following morning, your next sailing day starts immediately. Because your accommodation travels with you, even a weekend can feel like a proper break.

Longer sailing holiday

Want to explore more of the area? Add a few extra days to your journey.

A longer IJsselmeer sailing holiday makes it easier to combine several sailing legs and harbour towns. You also spend more time living together on board. Breakfast, sailing, cooking and evenings in the harbour all become part of the trip. Looking mainly for unusual group accommodation? Explore the option to sleep on a ship.

Sleeping on a sailing ship

During a multi-day sailing trip, the ship becomes your accommodation. There is no need to find a different hotel each evening. The historic sailing ships provide sleeping accommodation and shared areas. The exact layout and facilities differ from ship to ship.

When choosing a vessel, consider:

  • the number of sleeping places
  • the number and size of cabins
  • the shared living areas
  • bathroom facilities
  • the kitchen facilities on board

Group size is therefore not the only factor when choosing a ship. Think about the level of comfort your group expects as well. Take a look at the historic sailing ships from BoatBoatBoat to get an idea of the options.

Food and drinks on board

Sharing meals is often an important part of a group sailing trip. The ships have facilities for preparing food on board. You can bring your own groceries and cook together. This gives you plenty of freedom during your trip.

It can also become part of the experience. After a day on the water, everyone comes together for dinner. Would you rather spend less time organising meals? BoatBoatBoat also offers options where more is arranged for you. For example, have a look at the All-inclusive Weekend if you prefer a more fully arranged stay.

Who can go IJsselmeer sailing?

An IJsselmeer sailing trip can be adapted to many different groups. The way you spend your time on board depends on who you travel with.

  • Family and friends: Spend time together while sailing between harbours. In the evening, cook on board or explore the town where you have moored.
  • Associations and sports clubs: Sailing combines an active day on the water with plenty of time together. Helping on deck can become part of the group experience.
  • Companies and teams: Leave the usual workplace behind and spend time together in a completely different setting.
  • Schools: A multi-day sailing trip gives students the chance to learn, cooperate and experience life on board together.

Which sailing ship suits your group?

Choosing the right ship starts with your group and the type of trip you have in mind. A larger vessel is not automatically the better choice. What matters is whether the ship and its facilities suit your plans.

Before booking, consider:

  • how many people are travelling
  • how many days you want to sail
  • how many sleeping places you need
  • where you would like to depart
  • which facilities are important
  • your approximate budget

BoatBoatBoat knows the different ships and skippers personally. This makes it easier to find a vessel that suits your group. You do not have to compare every available ship yourself. Share your plans and BoatBoatBoat can help narrow down the options.

What does IJsselmeer sailing cost?

There is no single price for IJsselmeer sailing. The total cost depends on several choices you make. The ship, group size, travel period and duration all affect the price. Catering and other additional arrangements can also make a difference.

A weekend with a smaller group is different from a longer trip with many guests. Want an indication for your group? Include your preferred dates, number of guests and trip duration when requesting a quote.

Why book with BoatBoatBoat?

Historic sailing ships differ in size, layout, facilities and atmosphere. Finding the right one can therefore take some research. BoatBoatBoat helps make that choice easier.

Tell us who you are travelling with, when you want to sail, and what matters to your group. We can then look at ships that match your plans. This means you do not have to work through every option yourself. Instead, you receive suggestions that fit your IJsselmeer sailing trip.

Ready to sail the IJsselmeer?

Want to spend a weekend or several days sailing with your group?

A historic sailing ship combines sailing, sleeping on board and discovering different harbour towns in one trip. Tell us when you want to sail, how many people are joining, and what you have in mind. BoatBoatBoat will help you find a suitable ship. You can also call or email us at +31 85 006 2820 or info@boatboatboat.eu.

Frequently asked questions

No, you sail with an experienced skipper and crew. If you want to participate, the crew will explain how you can help.

That depends on your departure harbour, travel time, weather and wind. Your preferences are considered when planning the route.

Yes, ships used for multi-day trips have sleeping accommodation. The number of cabins and sleeping places differs per vesse

Bring comfortable clothes, waterproof clothing and practical footwear. A soft travel bag is usually more convenient than a large suitcase.