How fast can you sail in the Netherlands?

How fast you can sail in the Netherlands is difficult to answer. In fact, there is no single answer. The only 'hard' limit is 20 km/h. This means that the maximum speed is in principle 20 km/h, except in areas where faster sailing is explicitly permitted.

Speeding

Small vessels (shorter than 20 meters) are allowed to travel faster than 20 km/h in high-speed areas. So in these areas there is no speed limit at all. The skipper must have a sailing license have, and there are requirements for the boat. For example, you must have a Y number, a fire extinguisher, and carry a life jacket for each person on board. Speeding is never allowed in poor visibility and almost never in darkness.

Signs

The speed limit in the Netherlands is indicated by a square white sign with a red border. Black indicates the maximum speed in kilometers per hour. Although on the water people often calculate in knots, the indicated speed is thus not in knots.

Some high-speed shipping areas in the Netherlands

There are several areas where you can sail fast in the Netherlands. Some of these fast boating areas follow below:

• IJsselmeer
• Markermeer
• IJmeer
• Gooimeer (enclosed area near Almere)
• Nijkerkernauw (enclosed area near Spakenburg)
• Veluwemeer (enclosed area near Biddinghuizen)
• Ketelmeer
• Upper Rhine
• Waal
• Upper Merwede
• Lower Merwede
• Dortse Kil
• New Waterway
• Hollandsch Diep
• Wadden Sea (ferry routes only)
• Westerschelde

Other areas

Randmeren 9km/h. In the fairway 20km/h.
North Sea Canal 18km/h
Amsterdam-Rhine Canal 18 km/h
Lake Veere 15km/h
Oosterschelde 20km/h
Grevelingenmeer 15km/h

How fast can you sail in the Netherlands? Check out the entire list of boating waters!

You can find the entire list of high-speed boating areas here. A handy map with all speeds and areas can be found here. The fines for speeding are high. Therefore, be mindful of your speed on the water.