#11 With the flat-bottomed boat on the IJsselmeer 2020

In autumn 2020, we were lucky enough to go on a sailing trip on the beautiful IJsselmeer in the Netherlands despite the Corona crisis. We set sail on the Sulis, a traditional flat-bottomed boat of the Vissmerman-Aak type, and had an adventurous week.

The fun started on the first day when we noticed that the waste water pump wasn't working. But we didn't let that get us down and tried to solve the problem with our limited technical skills. Unfortunately, it was no match for the broken pump and we had to call the charter company for help. Luckily, he managed to install a new pump and we were able to continue our journey.

The landscape around the IJsselmeer is simply breathtaking. We sailed through picturesque villages, lush green meadows and admired the typical windmills, which rounded off the picture perfectly. There was always something interesting to discover in the individual ports we called at. Be it the hustle and bustle in Lemmer or the historical flair in Hindeloopen - each port had its own charm.

But it wasn't just the landscape and the harbors that were a highlight, but also the sailing itself. It got particularly windy towards the end of the week and we had to really work hard to get the Sulis safely through the waves. It was a real challenge, especially when refueling on the last day, but with combined forces we managed it and could be proud of our crew's performance.

Under the experienced guidance of skipper Wilfried Bielefeld, we had a great time on the Sulis. His sailing knowledge and stories from past sailing adventures were inspiring and made the trip an unforgettable experience.

So if you need a break from everyday life and love sailing, I can highly recommend a trip on the IJsselmeer. It's a perfect mix of adventure, nature and camaraderie - and all this despite Corona.

Here is the whole thing in picture and sound: