Boat rental / Yacht rental on the IJsselmeer     Experience more at IJsselmeer   Sooner or later, every aficionado of large water bodies will set course for IJsselmeer. The loop consisting of Markermeer, IJsselmeer, Ketelmeer, the lakes between former coast and empoldered land, and IJmeer offers a lot to water sports enthusiasts. The harbours you put in after an activity-filled day are busy but well-organised, friendly, and full of character. Those who are looking for rest can also seek refuge at numerous really quiet anchorages. Experience is a must for this large body of water, the former Zuiderzee. Our seaworthy cutter yachts are very well suited for these conditions. Experience the atmosphere of the olden days in old fishing villages such as Stavoren, Hindeloopen, and Makkum on the banks of the Frisian IJsselmeer. Make the crossing to Medemblik or Enkhuizen. You can get to Hoorn, Volendam, or Amsterdam via the lock at Enkhuizen and across Markermeer.   A mixture of nature’s and people’s work.   On a day with somewhat less visibility, try standing on a dyke at IJsselmeer or Markermeer. At the horizon, the grey water dissolves into a low-hanging sky. There is nothing but water and space. This is the same view of the former Zuiderzee you would have seen three generations ago. A lot has changed since then. Wieringen island has been linked to Northern Holland with dykes and Wieringermeer has been drained. The Barrier Dam has been built, the North-East Polder was established, followed by Flevoland, while Markermeer narrowly escaped becoming farmland instead of water. Whereas the former Zuiderzee was the sole domain of fishermen and skippers of sailing freighters, current IJsselmeer serves far more numerous common interests. The lake still constitutes a fishing ground for eel fishing and a waterway in a busy shipping lane. In addition, IJsselmeer is used as a source of potable water, for sand mining, for recreation, for tourism, and for the generation of wind energy. Today’s IJsselmeer offers the water sports enthusiast a multitude of sailing destinations and variation. The open space invites extended cruises. IJsselmeer is rich in natural beauty while serving as wildlife refuge to different species of animals. Many bird species visit the lake in the summer and in the winter for food, brooding, or moulting. The surrounding landscape is open and green. It is exactly the combination of this space and the intimacy of the typical harbours that make IJsselmeer an ideal body of water for shorter or longer cruises.       Good to know   The IJsselmeer is a large expanse of water. Although you can see at least one shore on a clear day, a harbour is always a long way away when things go wrong. The boat has to be properly equipped for such waters. Therefore, there must always be a reliable waterways map (map 1810) on board and at least a compass, a log, a watch and a plotter. Having GPS equipment on board makes navigation a whole lot easier. If visibility is poor you have to be able to find your way using maps. Properly dimensioned anchor equipment is essential. You have to be able shelter from rough weather. You should, of course, also have life jackets and distress rockets and there should also be a radio on board so that you can monitor the weather forecasts. A marine telephone is also advisable (you will need to obtain the necessary papers) because large areas of the IJsselmeer are not covered by the GSM network.                   Swells.   IJsselmeer is known for its short swells. That is not so dangerous by itself, but it must be taken into account. Motor yachts in particular experience a lot of hindrance from transversely incoming steep waves. If the vessel does not have the required stability, it will even risk capsizing. Safe sailing is a matter of assessing the conditions of a certain route in advance and to select a safe heading when you are being surprised by excessive swells.

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