Is mooring hard without experience?

No, on the sheltered Veluwemeer it is manageable. Approaching slowly and into the wind is the main thing. We walk you through it calmly at departure, so a first time works fine too.

Where can you moor for free on the Veluwemeer?

At the free beaches and islands along the lake you can moor to swim or picnic. Harbours and some terraces charge mooring fees. Our water map shows the spots and depths.

What do you do in strong wind?

Pick a sheltered spot behind a beach or island, approach with a little more throttle and keep the line tight. If in doubt, drift for a moment and watch how the boat behaves before mooring.

Do I get a briefing on mooring before I leave?

Yes. At departure we calmly go through mooring, casting off, the controls and the buoyage, and you may try it yourself near the harbour. We are reachable by phone along the way.

Mooring and casting off on the Veluwemeer: how to do it

Mooring and casting off on the Veluwemeer

For many people mooring is the most nerve-racking part of a day out, but on the Veluwemeer it is easy. The water is sheltered, there is little current and the spots to moor lie close to Elburg. With a few simple steps you calmly moor at a beach, island, terrace or harbour. This page explains step by step how to moor and cast off, and where to go.

How do you moor a boat on the Veluwemeer?

Approach your spot slowly and into the wind, ease off the throttle in time and have someone ready at the bow with the mooring line. Tie the line to a post, tree or the beach and switch off the engine. On the sheltered Veluwemeer this works even without experience.

Mooring in a few steps

Approach your spot slowly and into the wind, that gives the most control. Ease off the throttle in time, because a boat does not brake on the water like a car. Have someone ready at the bow with the mooring line. Come alongside calmly or nose onto the beach, tie the line to a post, tree or the beach, and switch off the engine. Calm, timely corrections work better than hard ones.

Mind the wind

On the Veluwemeer the wind decides almost everything when mooring. Wind pushing you towards the shore does the work for you: let the boat drift in calmly. Wind pushing you off the shore needs a little more throttle and a tighter line. In strong wind, pick a sheltered spot behind a beach or island. If in doubt, drift for a moment and watch how the boat behaves before you moor.

Where can you moor?

Along the Veluwemeer there are free beaches and islands where you can simply moor, plus waterside terraces and harbours. The islands close to Elburg are ideal for a swim and a picnic. If you want to moor at a restaurant or harbour, keep mooring fees or opening hours in mind. On our interactive water map you see the mooring spots and current depths, so you do not run into the shallows.

Casting off and heading out again

Casting off is just as calm. Undo the lines, push the boat off by hand, start the engine and sail away slowly until you have open water. Look around first: swimmers, other boats and the wind. With us you get a clear briefing beforehand about mooring, casting off and the controls, so you can seek out your own spots with confidence. No licence needed, from the harbour of Elburg.