Boats for the Dutch inland seas

In the first article of a new series, Phil Clandillon looks at the best second-hand yachts for sailing popular cruising grounds; this month, the Dutch inland seas and waterways

- Phil Clandillon

The Netherlands offers thousands of miles of sheltered inland cruising among beautiful towns and countryside. Yachts can travel, mast up, from the cosmopolitan city of Groningen near the German border, to history-steeped Middelburg, taking in cities like Amsterdam and Rotterdam along the way.

There's a huge area of canals, lakes and inland seas to explore, with something for everyone, from nature and history, to modern art and Michelin star dining. The unique Staande Mast Route makes this possible for sailing yachts of moderate draught, stretching over 600 miles from north to south. But which boat is best?

Suitability

Vessels longer than 15m are subject to additional regulations, and boats longer than 12.8m are restricted in where they can stop. Accordingly, all the models I've picked are comfortably under 40ft long. Exploring the Staande Mast Route (Fixed Mast Route) inevitably means lots of motoring, so good handling under power is a must, as is being able to remain on station while queuing for locks, along with manoeuvrability in the marinas of those picturesque towns like Enkhuizen and Hoorn.

To make the most of sailing on inland seas like the IJsselmeer, you'll need to be able to beat upwind and tack easily.

Most of the yachts I've selected have fractional rigs with smaller headsails, some have self-tacking jibs, and all have their major controls led aft for easier shorthanded control.

Shallow depths are a fact of life, so I've picked out yachts with shallower than average draught, usually a shoal keel version of the standard boat.

Hanse 370