Pompeblêden adorn Friesland's flag - red water lily pads that could easily be mistaken for painted hearts. Many waters and municipalities have two names, one Dutch and one Frisian, as Frisian is the second official language. You experience hustle and bustle followed immediately by tranquil nature - this is Fryslân, as the Dutch province is officially called.
Fryslân offers boaters a unique area with a seemingly endless network of waterways. On the one hand, there are the major arteries that connect the IJsselmeer (Lemmer, Prinses Margrietkanaal) and the Wadden Sea (Harlingen, Van Harinxmakanaal) with the Van Starkenborghkanaal, which runs through the neighbouring province of Groningen and connects to the Dollard near Delfzijl via the Eemskanaal. There are also interconnected lakes and lake-like extensions, from which smaller canals and passages branch off. They take the skipper to villages and towns that are so proper that you could be forgiven for thinking you were in an open-air museum.
The inland waters do not present any difficulties even for beginners. There are plenty of supply and service facilities in many places. Fryslân also has a lot up its sleeve in terms of tourism.
The North
From the Lauwersmeer(1, see map) brings the Dokkumer Grutdjip (2)(movable bridges/BB, no height restriction) to Dokkum(3). The picturesque fortress town is inextricably linked with the name of St Boniface, who was martyred (or sought martyrdom) in the area in 754. About the Dokkumer Ie(4) (BB) you continue to the provincial capital Leeuwarden(5)a metropolis with flair. Our cultural tip: the Fries Museum.
The Van Harinxmakanaal leads from Leeuwarden(6) (BB) to the small town of Franeker(7). Cultural tip: The local Eise Eisinga Planetarium, built between 1774 and 1781, is the oldest, still intact planetarium in the world. We continue via the Van Harinxmakanaal, heading for Harlingen(8). The charming town on the Waddenzee has numerous monuments, shops and restaurants. The ferries to the West Frisian islands of Terschelling and Vlieland depart from Harlingen.
The IJsselmeer coast Friesland's IJsselmeer coast stretches from the Afsluitdijk in the north to around Lemmer in the south. Distances across the IJsselmeer:
Makkum ▹ Workum: 17 km
Workum ▹ Hindeloopen: 4 km
Hindeloopen ▹ Stavoren: 11 km
Stavoren ▹ Lemmer: 35 km
Without height restriction (BB) you can get from Makkum, Workum, Stavoren(9) and Lemmer back inland. Stavoren was long regarded as a bottleneck. That is now a thing of the past: in 2014, a second lock was connected to the network alongside the Johan Frisosluis lock there.
The centre and the south
The centres here are Lemmer and Sneek. The most traditional way to get to Lemmer(10) from buten to binnen is through the Lemstersluis. You then pass the centre via the Zijlroede. The lane between pubs and restaurants is popular, and a spot on the quay can be hard to come by. Lemmer's marinas are also just a few steps away from the lively town centre. With the Ir. D.F. Woudagemaal, a historic pumping station opened in 1920, the town has an interesting UNESCO World Heritage Site. www.woudagemaal.nl
The Frisian Lake District stretches north of Lemmer. The most famous of the 35 or so lakes include Heegermeer(11) and fluids(12)Tjeukemeer and the branched Sneekermeer lake(13)where the Sneek water sports centre is located. The direct route from Lemmer to here is 27 kilometres. Sneeks(14) The Waterpoort is a landmark: the picturesque water gate dates back to 1613.
Around 16 kilometres north-east of the Sneekermeer, a little paradise awaits explorers - De Âlde Feanen National Park(15). The area is criss-crossed by watercourses. Many of them are navigable, but some only with a dinghy. Marrekrite places invite you to linger, the tourist centre is Earnewâld.
Cruising tip: The province of Friesland has compiled themed routes and information maps: www.friesemeren.nl
NAUTICAL INFORMATION
Driving licence free in the Netherlands are motorised pleasure craft under 15 m in length and with a maximum speed of less than 20 km/h. If a licence is compulsory, German recreational craft licences up to a boat length of 25 m are recognised. However: The SBF Binnen must have been issued after 1 January 1989, the SBF See after 1 January 1974. The latter is required for sailing on the IJsselmeer and Wadden Sea, among others.
Subject to labelling are motorboats travelling faster than 20 km/h. Official or officially recognised German licence plates such as the International Boat Certificate (IBS) from DMYV, DSV and ADAC are accepted.
Weather reports for the Frisian Lakes as well as the IJsselmeer, Wadden Sea and other areas is available from the Dutch weather service on tel. 0900-93 37. Forecasts for the IJsselmeer are broadcast hourly (h+15) on VHF channel 1 by the "Centrale meldpost IJsselmeer".
Around 3500 natural moorings are maintained at 285 locations in Friesland by the recreational organisation De Marrekrite. There are also mooring buoys ("MarBoei"). Mooring is free, the mooring period is usually limited to a maximum of 3 days. Info: www.marrekrite.nl
"Klompgeld" is payable in some places when bridges are opened. On average, you pay around €2 per bridge movement and boat in a lowered wooden shoe. It is best if they fit, as they are not changed.
CHARTERING IN THE HUNTING GROUND
Yacht charter van Straten has stylish motor yachts between 10.60 m and 13.45 m in length in its programme. Contact: Yachtcharter van Straten, Hendrik Bulthuisweg 13, NL-8600 AE Sneek, Tel. 0031-515-438 158,
www.yachtcharter-vanstraten.de
Holiday Boatin Yachtcharter rents out boats of the Doerak type, which are also suitable for low clearance heights. Contact: Holiday Boatin Yachtcharter, Eeltjebaasweg 3, NL-8606 KA Sneek, tel. 0031-515-413781, www.holidayboatin.nl
Yacht charter De Drait maintains an extensive charter fleet of motor yachts up to 14.95 metres in length and sloops. Contact: Yachtcharter De Drait, Biskopswei 27, NL-9213 VM De Wilgen/Drachten, tel. 0031-512-513276, www.dedrait.com
