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 computer 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 270-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. At low tide the skipper sets the ship down on a sandbank — you step off the deck straight onto the seabed. Walk the flats, swim, or simply enjoy the silence until the water returns.
In winter the Tsjerk Hiddes makes a characterful venue alongside the quay: meetings, receptions, family days or a company gathering in the warm deck saloon. Your own accommodation on location.
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 worked as a cargo ship, presumably on the Wadden Sea and the Zuiderzee. 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.
A taste of it — the rest you have to experience yourself.
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. All prices incl. VAT.
max. 60 guests · 8:00 – 20:00
24 – 30 guests · sleeping on board
24 – 30 guests · sleeping on board
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 5% yearly indexation applies (the booking calculator applies this automatically). All prices subject to confirmation — you always receive the final price for approval first.
Put your trip together and see the price instantly. 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.
Questions, availability, or want to come and have a look? Call or email — you will speak to Peter Hassing, skipper and owner, in person.
