Do you need a licence on the Veluwemeer?

No, for a boat like our Primeur 615 you do not need a licence on the Veluwemeer. You get a clear briefing at departure. With us the hirer must be at least 21 years old.

How fast may you sail on the Veluwemeer?

Speed limits apply on the border lakes and fast planing is only allowed in designated zones. Our boat cruises at about 6 km/h and reaches around 13 km/h at most, so you always stay well within the rules.

Can you drink alcohol aboard?

For whoever steers the boat, the same limit applies on the water as in traffic: a maximum of 0.5 per mille. A beer on a terrace along the way is fine, but the skipper keeps a clear head. Safety first.

Are life jackets mandatory?

On this sloop, wearing a life jacket is not legally required. We have 4 adult and 2 child jackets, also in children's sizes. They are kept in our store, so ask for them free of charge with your booking and they are ready when you leave. If you need more or other sizes, please bring your own. For children and non-swimmers we recommend simply keeping the jacket on.

Where may you not sail or anchor?

Stay out of shallow zones outside the fairway and out of closed-off nature and swimming areas. Never anchor in the fairway and go at walking pace near swimmers, harbours and moorings. Our water map shows where it is safe and deep enough.

Sailing rules Veluwemeer: speed, right of way and safety

Sailing rules on the Veluwemeer

Sailing the Veluwemeer is relaxed and easy to read, but a few basic rules apply. This page lists them short and practical: when you do not need a licence, how fast you may go, who has right of way, what the buoyage means and where you may or may not moor or anchor. Renting with us? We calmly walk you through everything beforehand.

The most important rules in short

Keep right (starboard side) in the fairway. Give commercial traffic and larger vessels room, and a sailing boat has priority over a motorboat. Go at walking pace near swimming zones, harbours and moorings. Stay between the buoys, because outside the fairway it gets shallow quickly. Never anchor in the fairway. Make sure children and non-swimmers wear a suitable life jacket. And of course: leave no litter on the water or the islands.

How fast may you sail?

Speed limits apply on the Veluwe border lakes. Fast planing (with a speedboat, for example) is only allowed in designated fast zones and with the right registration. For a boat like our Primeur 615 that is irrelevant: it cruises at about 6 km/h and reaches around 13 km/h at most, so you stay well within the rules everywhere. Sailing calmly is the nicest on the Veluwemeer anyway: less noise, less fuel and more awareness of what happens around you.

Buoyage, right of way and mooring

The buoyage (the red and green buoys) marks the fairway: in between is deepest and safe. When you meet another vessel, you give way to starboard (right). Commercial traffic, sailing boats and larger vessels get priority and room. You can moor at the free beaches, islands and mooring spots along the lake, and at harbours and waterside terraces. Do so calmly and mindful of swimmers. Our water map marks the mooring spots and current depths.

No licence, but well prepared

For a boat like our Primeur 615 you do not need a licence on the Veluwemeer. Still, we do not just send you off: at departure you get a clear briefing about the boat, the controls, the buoyage and the area. So you set off with confidence. We do ask that someone on board has sailed before, which does not have to be the hirer. With us the hirer must be at least 21 years old. Want to sail the Veluwemeer yourself? A half day costs €239, a full day €399, all-in with fuel and insurance; life jackets free on request.