Friesland has more than 200 lakes and well over 100 kilometres of canals. Hiring a motorboat in Friesland means exploring that whole network under your own steam: no fixed route, no guidebook telling you where to be. You decide where to moor, how long to stay and when to move on. At Familieboten we help you find the right motorboat for your boating holiday. Personal advice and reliable hosts.
Friesland has more water than roads. The network of lakes, canals, little waterways and small rivers is so extensive that you can spend weeks out on the water without seeing the same spot twice. A motorboat gives you the freedom to explore that network to the full.
Unlike sailing, a motorboat doesn't leave you at the mercy of the weather and the wind. You simply cruise. A red sky at dawn over the Sneekermeer, a lunchtime stop in Sloten, mooring at a quiet Marrekrite spot for dinner.
What's more, the motorboats we offer are designed for comfort. Think of a spacious wheelhouse that shelters you in changeable weather, cabins with proper beds, a fully equipped galley and sanitary facilities on board. You sleep on the water, you cook on the water, you live on the water. This is how a boating holiday should feel.
Hiring a motorboat in Friesland through Familieboten is easier than you might think. You don't need a boating licence. On the day you set off, you'll be welcomed by your host, someone we know personally and who shares our values. They'll take their time to give you thorough boating instruction: how the engine works, how to moor at a jetty, how to deal with locks and bridges. Safety comes first, and you only set off once you feel confident. Most guests are surprised at how quickly it comes together. Steering a motorboat is intuitive. And if you do get stuck along the way? Taco, Wietske and our hosts are always within reach, even when you're already out on the water.
Whether you're going as a couple or with a bigger group, you'll find a motorboat for every party in our selection. We have compact motorboats that are perfect for two to four people, and more spacious cruisers on which larger groups can comfortably spend a week on the water.
What all the motorboats we offer have in common: they're well maintained, fully equipped and handed over clean. We expect the same standard from every host in our network. That's not something we take for granted, but a deliberate choice. We know our hosts personally and select them for reliability, quality and hospitality.
On a motorboat, you're free to reach the peaceful spots you could never get to by car. On the Tjeukemeer, for instance, along the shores of the Fluessen, or on the Elfstedentocht route.
Friesland has plenty of buzz too. Head for the lively watersports towns: Sneek with its Waterpoort and bustling terraces, IJlst with its characteristic windmills, or Sloten, the smallest of the eleven Frisian cities, reached via winding canals. Moor your motorboat, stretch your legs and discover Friesland from dry land as well.
Want inspiration for the most beautiful boating routes? Take a look at the routes page on Familieboten.nl for tips on distances, mooring spots and sights along the way.
Behind the Familieboten website are Taco and Wietske, a Frisian and a Limburger who much prefer to be out on the water themselves. They started in 2020 by hiring out their own motorboat and have since built up a network of hosts, all of whom they know personally.
That makes all the difference. Not only when choosing the right motorboat, but also when you have questions along the way. When you need advice about your route or you're having second thoughts about your booking. At Familieboten you call a real person, not a call centre or a ticketing system.
No. In the Netherlands you can go boating without a licence on a motorboat with a maximum speed of 20 kilometres per hour and a maximum length of 15 metres. All the motorboats at Familieboten.nl fall within these rules. Want to know more? Read our blog on the main rules for skippering a boat in Friesland.
Our selection ranges from motorboats for 2 to 12 people. Use the filters on the booking page to search by the number of people you need.
We only hire out for boating holidays, which means a minimum of two nights. There's no maximum: some guests spend several weeks on the water in a row. The longer you go, the more of Friesland you'll discover.
Yes. All the boats we offer are insured. Safety and reliability are the basic requirements that every host in our network must meet.
Feeling inspired? Take a look on our website to see which motorboats are available on your preferred dates. Filter by number of people, check the specifications and book easily online.
