Traditional sailing charter · Wadden Sea & IJsselmeer
Sail with family, friends or colleagues aboard the Tsjerk Hiddes — the largest 'stevenaak' still sailing in the Netherlands, built in 1881.
If you have never spent a sailing holiday on a large, comfortable passenger ship: the Tsjerk Hiddes is a bold ship with excellent sailing properties that sits remarkably quietly on the water. Where we moor — which harbours, towns and islands — is largely up to you, our guest. Join in actively, take the helm yourself, or simply enjoy being on the water. Our experienced, friendly crew will make you feel at home.
Besides sailing we can dry out on the Wadden Sea sandbanks and spend the night at anchor on open water. Meetings, seminars, presentations, team building and even weddings are all possible on board — arranged entirely to your wishes.
The comforts of home, the character of 1881.
The saloon sits in the deckhouse: windows all around, plenty of daylight and a constant view of the water. With its bar — draught beer, fridge, freezer — and comfortable leather seating, it is usually the cosiest spot on board. A projector and television are at your disposal for presentations, your sailing photos or a film night.
12 cabins: 6 doubles and 6 triples, each with private shower, toilet and individually adjustable central heating. With 24 guests, everyone has their own bed. 220 V sockets everywhere for phone, camera or hairdryer.
Every cabin has its own spacious shower and toilet, plus a silent ventilation system that keeps the ship dry and fresh — also in early and late season.
Bright, spacious and fully equipped: six gas burners, a large oven (60 rolls at a time), a cold store holding a week of provisions, a 40-cup coffee machine and a professional dishwasher. Cook yourselves or hire a chef — both work.
A three-masted schooner with 525 m² of sail spread over 6 sails. The ship stays balanced under many sail combinations: sporty and fanatical for team building, or relaxed with a sail less for holiday-makers.
The rig is clearly laid out and easy to understand. Steer the ship yourself, work the winches and set the course together with the skipper. That is how you really experience what sailing a 170-tonne ship means.
From our home port of Harlingen we sail the Wadden Sea — a UNESCO World Heritage site — to the islands of Vlieland, Terschelling, Texel and Ameland, or across the IJsselmeer to old Zuiderzee towns such as Enkhuizen, Medemblik and Stavoren. The ship typically sails from late March until early November.
Unique to the Wadden Sea: drying out. On the falling tide the skipper sails the ship onto a sandbank — you step off the deck straight onto the seabed. Walk the flats, swim, or simply enjoy the silence until the water returns.
The Tsjerk Hiddes also makes a fine base alongside the quay — a private hotel for your event or as a project location, for a single evening or for a longer stay on site. Meetings, receptions, family days or a company gathering in the warm deck saloon: it all works on board. Your own accommodation on location, all year round.
The Tsjerk Hiddes is a 'stevenaak' — not a clipper or tjalk like most sailing passenger ships. Very few were ever built; as far as known, this is the largest surviving stevenaak in the Netherlands. She was built in 1881 by the Jonker yard in Kinderdijk and spent her early years as a cargo ship sailing the Rhine. In 1993 the hull was rebuilt into a sailing passenger ship — at the time the largest and most luxurious on the IJsselmeer.
Since 2002 Peter Hassing has been at the helm, first as skipper and soon as owner. The ship is named after Tsjerk Hiddes de Vries, the 17th-century Frisian naval hero and lieutenant admiral.
See which periods are still free. Green is free, red is booked.
No rights can be derived from this calendar — Peter always confirms final availability personally. Your date not free, or in doubt? Just call or email.
Charter of the whole ship, including skipper and mate. Different VAT rates apply: while sailing we are 'passenger transport' at 9% VAT, while moored we are 'lodging / hotel' at 21% VAT.
max. 60 guests · 8:00 – 20:00
24 – 30 guests · sleeping on board
24 – 30 guests · sleeping on board
The price you calculate here is the price you pay — the final price. Only catering and drinks are quoted separately, if you want them.
Order at least 2 weeks in advance · prices incl. VAT, based on self-service. Staffed service on request.
From breakfast only to full service with chef and staff — catering is always tailor-made and quoted separately. State your wishes in the booking request and you will receive a personal quote.
Prices shown apply to the selected year; from 2027 a 6.5% yearly indexation applies (the booking calculator applies this automatically). All prices subject to confirmation — you always receive the final price for approval first.
Choose when you board and disembark — we automatically calculate the cheapest arrangement. This is a no-obligation request; Peter will contact you personally to confirm the booking.
Thank you for your request. Peter will contact you as soon as possible (usually within 24 hours) to confirm availability and price.
No. The experienced skipper and mate sail the ship; you decide how actively you join in. Taking the helm, working the winches and hoisting sails is encouraged — doing nothing at all is fine too.
A day trip starts at € 3,640, a weekend at € 5,600 and a week at € 8,400 (2026 price level, indexed 6.5% per year thereafter). You always charter the whole ship, including skipper and mate. Use the price calculator on this page to work out your trip instantly.
Yes. Final cleaning, bed linen and towels, harbour dues, tourist tax and VAT are all included. Only catering and drinks are quoted separately, if you want them. You never pay more than the calculated price.
Up to 60 guests on day trips. On multi-day trips with overnight stays up to 30: the ship has 12 cabins, each with private shower and toilet. Up to 24 guests everyone has their own bed; above that, six small double beds (1.30 m wide) are shared.
From Franeker or Harlingen. A different boarding or mooring port is possible at an hourly transfer rate. You can see where the ship is right now via the live AIS link on our contact section.
Unique to the Wadden Sea: on the falling tide the skipper sails the ship onto a sandbank. You step off the deck straight onto the seabed — walk the flats, swim, or enjoy the silence until the water returns and we sail on.
You can cook yourselves in the fully equipped galley (six burners, large oven, cold store holding a week of provisions) or have catering arranged — from breakfast only to full service with chef and staff. Drinks are pre-ordered at fixed prices on a self-service basis.
The sailing season runs from late March until early November. In winter the Tsjerk Hiddes can be hired alongside the quay as a characterful venue for meetings, receptions and parties. Current availability is shown in the calendar on this page; your request is non-binding and always confirmed personally by the skipper.
Questions, availability, or want to come and have a look? Call or email — you will speak to Peter Hassing, skipper and owner, in person.
