Your stay on the Alida
Port of departure: Harlingen
The Alida is a flat-bottom vessel, especially suitable for adventurous sailing trips on the Wadden Sea and the IJsselmeer.
The Alida has kept its traditional character. The low deck still has wooden deck hatches and it provides ample seating, enabling you to lounge and enjoy the sun, the wind and the water.
This traditional sailing vessel is great for school outings and youth groups. Nevertheless, thanks to the many double cabins, families and groups of friends and companies, feel equally comfortable on board.
Sailing on the Alida
Sailing on the Alida can justifiably be called a comfortable adventure. The vessel is also perfect for guests who don’t have any sailing experience. All needs are covered on board, so you can also drop the anchor at night without the need for a harbour. On the Waddenzee, depending on the tide, you can disembark in the middle of the Wad at dawn and take a stroll.
It is a short sail from the home port to one of the Wadden Islands. Thanks to the sailing vessel’s shallow draught, you can moor at the harbour of Ameland and also Schiermonnikoog, if the conditions are right. Obviously you can discuss your wishes regarding the route with the skipper. In case of longer trips, there are many possibilities, for example, the route via Lauwersoog to Leeuwarden and Franeker. Or onto the IJsselmeer to the former Dutch East India Company towns of Hoorn and Monnickendam.
Sailing on the Alida offers a lot of activities. Whatever the wind direction, there always are interesting places to be discovered. The sea retreating, wandering on the Wad, cycling through the wonderful Wadden Islands, a stroll through one of the villages surrounding the IJsselmeer, a tranquil sunrise or a red coloured sunset, you won’t easily forget sailing on the Alida!
The crew on the Alida
Remco Visser has been the owner of the Alida since 1990. He is familiar with the Frisian waters, the IJsselmeer, but the Waddenzee in particular, he knows like the back of his hand. He really prefers sailing the Waddenzee. The tide, the current and the ever changing weather make it a varied sailing area.
Remco likes the diversity on board best and is always in for spontaneous actions.
Layout
The light lounge below deck is convenient for people of all ages. The monumental character and the atmosphere of a bygone era have been retained thanks to the oak wood interior and view on the frame and the cross beams. You can enjoy a snack and a drink at one of the four tables which are surrounded by benches. The large deck hatches provide sufficient fresh air and light. Tall stories are being told at the bar next to the trophy cabinet. The cabinet houses many prizes, plates and bowls that the Alida won during various sailing competitions, such as the Pieper race, the Brandaris race, the Beurtveer, the Wadden race and the “Slag in de Rondte”.
The fully-equipped kitchen provides everything for cooking for the entire group. Or do you prefer a fully-organized trip including meals?!
The twelve double cabins guarantee a comfortable stay. All cabins have a port hole or a deck hatch, a wash basin and central heating.
Facilities on the Alida
History of the Alida
In 1907, the keenaak 'Alida' was launched as a cargo vessel at shipyard Van Aller in Hasselt. Ever since, it has had a long and adventurous life. Due to its unique ‘hard chine’ construction method and enormous “folding gate” helm she is the last of a generation of river boats. All of this, can be read in the book ‘100 years Alida’, published in 2007. In 1990 she was converted into a charter ship and became a commercial sailing vessel once again. In the winter of 2009 / 2010, the cabins, kitchen and sanitary facilities were renewed.
