Lounge boat
Up to 10 people
Spacious, stable aluminium boat with padded seats with backrests, a large foredeck and a steering console. Ideal for groups, stag and hen parties, and company outings.
Half day (4 hrs)€ 90
Full day (09:00–22:30)€ 130
Hire a sloop or lounge boat in Balk
Set off from our own jetty on the Luts, through the woods of Gaasterland to Sloten, Woudsend or the Frisian lakes.
No boating licence neededUp to 10 peopleFree cancellation by arrangement
Ruigahuizen · Balk · Gaasterland
Step aboard on the Luts and see Friesland from the water
Our boats are moored at the private jetty of holiday home Bosk & Wetter in Ruigahuizen, right next to Balk. From here you sail the Luts, a picturesque little river that winds partly through the woods and is part of several Elfstedentocht routes.
Both boats have a petrol engine, so longer trips are easy too: from a short ride to Sloten to a full day around the Fluessen lake. They are simple to steer. No experience or boating licence needed.
- Depart from our own jetty
- Petrol engine: long trips possible
- Pets welcome by arrangement
- Swim ladder on the lounge boat
Our boats
Choose the boat that suits your group
With the family or a small group in the sloop, or with friends, family or colleagues on the lounge boat. You can also hire both together and sail with up to 15 people.
Sloop
Up to 5 people
Comfortable open sloop with cushions, a steering console and a railing. Lovely for a family or small group, for a day, an afternoon or an evening.
Half day (4 hrs)€ 70
Full day (09:00–22:30)€ 100
Who it's for
A day on the water for every group
Holidaymakers & families
Staying in Balk, Sloten or elsewhere in Gaasterland? Spend an afternoon along reeds and woods, stopping for an ice cream or a swim from the lounge boat's swim ladder.
Friends, stag & hen parties
Up to 10 people on the lounge boat, a well-stocked cool box and a sharing platter. Whoever steers stays sober.
Companies & team outings
An informal outing or an afternoon on the water with clients. Hire both boats for groups of up to 15 and combine it with lunch in Sloten or Woudsend.
Lounge boat · up to 10 people
Relaxed cruising on the lounge boat
Our lounge boat is a spacious, sturdy aluminium boat. You sit on padded seats with backrests and have plenty of legroom, even with a full boat. The large foredeck is perfect for sunbathing. With electric start and a steering console it is easy to handle, even if you have never steered a boat before.
Drop anchor at a lovely spot, take a dip using the swim ladder or moor up at a terrace in Balk, Sloten or Woudsend.
- Padded seats with backrests and plenty of legroom
- Large foredeck for sunbathing
- Steering console and electric start
- Stable while sailing and when getting on and off
- Swim ladder and life jackets on board
- Petrol engine: suitable for long trips
- No boating licence needed
Half day (4 hrs)€ 90
Full day (09:00–22:30)€ 130
Sloop · up to 5 people
Explore the Frisian waters at your own pace in the sloop
The sloop is a comfortable open boat for up to 5 people. Cruise through the woods on the Luts, cross the Slotermeer to Sloten or find one of the hidden islets for a picnic.
Hire the sloop for a half day, a full day or a summer evening. It is easy to steer and ideal for experienced and first-time boaters alike.
- Cushioned seating and plenty of legroom
- Steering wheel at the console and a sturdy railing
- Life jackets on board
- Petrol engine: suitable for longer trips
- No boating licence needed
Half day (4 hrs)€ 70
Full day (09:00–22:30)€ 100
Prices
Hire prices for the sloop and lounge boat
| Boat | People | Half day (4 hrs) | Full day (09:00–22:30) | Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lounge boat | up to 10 | € 90 | € 130 | € 250 |
| Sloop | up to 5 | € 70 | € 100 | € 250 |
FuelCharged afterwards, based on what you used.
Deposit € 250In cash on departure. Guests of holiday home Bosk & Wetter pay no deposit.
Pay in advanceIf bad weather makes it unsafe to go out, you get the hire price back.
CancellationFree, by arrangement with us.
Half days: morning 09:30–13:30, afternoon 14:00–18:00, evening 18:30–22:30. Full day: 09:00–22:30. Other times by arrangement.
Extras
Everything you need on board
Order a picnic basket, sharing platter or drinks with your booking. It will be waiting on board, chilled in a cool box, when you set off.
Picnic basket
€ 25.00 pp
Bread, fillings, fruit, a sweet treat and coffee or tea in a flask. Minimum 2 people.
Small sharing platter
€ 29.50
Cheese, sausage, olives, dips and crackers for 2 to 4 people.
Large sharing platter
€ 49.50
Generous platter with Frisian cheese, sausage, olives, crisps, nuts and dips for 5 to 10 people.
Crate of beer
€ 37.50
24 bottles, chilled in the cool box with ice.
Soft drinks pack
€ 15.00
12 cans of soft drinks and water, chilled.
Bottle of wine
€ 17.50
White or rosé, chilled, with glasses.
Alcohol is for passengers. Whoever steers does not drink.
Routes
Where will you go?
There are no restricted waters, so you can head in any direction. These are our favourite trips from the jetty. Distances and times are approximate.
To Sloten
Along the Luts through Balk and across the Slotermeer to Sloten, the smallest town in Friesland, with canals, a windmill and waterside terraces.
To Woudsend
Across the Slotermeer to Woudsend, a cosy water sports village with terraces and moorings in the centre.
Nature: the Wyldemerk
West along the Luts, through the woods to the Wyldemerk nature reserve. Peace, reeds and birds.
Fluessen loop
For those who want to go far: along the Luts to the Fluessen and back via the Heegermeer, Woudsend and the Slotermeer. There are lifting bridges in Balk and Woudsend.
Moor up for food and drinks
Paviljoen Badmeester Keimpe
Balk · Tsjamkedykje 10
Pavilion on the Slotermeer, close to where the Luts flows in. Ideal for a first or last stop.
Café Restaurant De Watersport
Woudsend · Iewal 14
Waterside terrace in the heart of Woudsend, a favourite stop for boaters.
Restaurant De Zeven Wouden
Sloten · Voorstreek 120
Food and drinks on the Voorstreek in the historic centre of Sloten.
Reviews
What guests of Bosk & Wetter say
Google reviews of holiday home Bosk & Wetter, the parent company of our boat hire.
4,5★★★★½4.5 out of 5 · 10 reviews on Google
★★★★★
We hebben een geweldig weekend gehad, ook vriendelijke verhuurders.Translation: We had a great weekend, and friendly hosts too.Hetty De R. · Google★★★★★
Ruim en perfect voor een groot gezelschap.Translation: Spacious and perfect for a large group.Lex van D. · Google★★★★★
Rustige plek langs een klein riviertje.Translation: Peaceful spot along a little river.Loek van B. · GoogleBook
Check availability and request your boat
Choose a boat, a day and a time slot. Your request comes straight to us; we confirm within 24 hours by email or WhatsApp.
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Hire terms
Good to know before you set off
On departure
- You show valid photo ID.
- The hirer and the skipper are at least 23 years old.
- The deposit is € 250 in cash (not for guests of the holiday home).
- The maximum number of people (10 or 5) must not be exceeded.
During and after your trip
- Sailing is entirely at your own risk.
- Whoever steers does not drink alcohol.
- Pets are almost always welcome by arrangement.
- Return the boat clean and at the agreed time.
- Fuel is charged afterwards, based on use.
FAQ
Questions about hiring a boat
Do I need a boating licence?
No. Both boats may be steered without a licence. We explain how the boat works before you set off. The skipper must be at least 23 years old.
Do I have to stay at the holiday home to hire a boat?
No, anyone can hire a boat from us. Guests of holiday home Bosk & Wetter simply pay no deposit.
What if the weather is bad?
If the weather makes it unsafe to go out, you get the hire price back. You can also cancel free of charge by arrangement.
How does fuel work?
The boats run on petrol. Afterwards you pay for what you used.
Can I bring my dog?
By arrangement, pets are almost always welcome. Just mention it in your request.
Can we go out with a larger group?
Yes. Hire the lounge boat (10 people) and the sloop (5 people) together and sail with 15 people. Ideal for company outings and stag or hen parties.
Can food and drinks be prepared for us?
Yes, order a picnic basket, sharing platter or drinks pack with your booking. Everything will be chilled and on board.
Where do we set off?
From our private jetty on the Luts at holiday home Bosk & Wetter, Lutswal 14 in Ruigahuizen, on the edge of Balk. You can park on our premises.
Staying the night?
Holiday home Bosk & Wetter, up to 12 people
Our boat hire is part of holiday home Bosk & Wetter: a converted Frisian farmhouse on the Luts. As a guest, the boat is waiting at our own jetty and you pay no deposit.