How to visit holland

When you have found one or more interesting boats or yachts on this website, it’s time for a personal viewing! Luckily, travelling to The Netherlands from Britain or Ireland is easy and cheap. However, we strongly advise you to contact the seller on this YachtFocus-website first by phone or e-mail before travelling to their offices, sales harbours or shipyard. It would be a shame if the shipyard management is not available on the day you arrive or – in case of a pre-owned yacht – the used yacht you wish to inspect is away on a trip or has its home port in another (part of the) country. While preparing your visit, you may wish to make arrangements with other yachting experts in advance such as naval architects or surveyors. Consider also planning a tour to other yards and brokers than just the one of your choice, to compare yachts and make the most of your trip. Conveniently, on the YachtFocus website you are able to search companies from a map.

Travelling to and within Holland

The Netherlands is located directly east of the United Kingdom on the other side of the North Sea, just 100 miles by boat from Norfolk. Travelling to The Netherlands from the United Kindom or Ireland is fastest by plane. Next in line is either a ferry from Norwich, Hull or Edinburgh to one of the Dutch ports like Hoek van Holland or IJmuiden, or a ferry to France or Belgium and then some hours north by car.

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is an international hub with frequent direct flights from any major or even smaller airport in England, Wales, Scotland or Ireland. From London airports, planes on average take off every 5 minutes for Holland. Amsterdam itself is always worth a visit and is located in the heart of the country, close to Schiphol airport. From here, all the companies on YachtFocus.com can be reached by rental car or taxi in less than a two-hour drive. There is also a comprehensive public transport network but typically yachting companies may be located further away from train stations, due to the nature of the product.

Some useful facts before making travel arrangements:

1. Shipyards are open on weekdays, often starting early, and on demand in weekends. Many yacht brokers are open 7 days per week but may be closed on Wednesdays. Most but certainly not all offerings of a yacht broker are moored in a sales harbour near the office.

2. The local currency is the Euro. Nearly all boats have VAT paid for the European Community but always check. On YachtFocus.com you will find boat prices automatically recalculated in British Pound Sterling to the actual rate of today.

3. Rental cars are left hand drive and you drive on the right hand side of the road. The maximum speed is 130 kilometres per hour but most roads have speed limitations.

4. The climate is very much like in the United Kingdom. Mild, with day temperatures around 22° Celsius in summer and as low as -5° Celsius in winter. The prevailing winds are south west and hence the weather in London will most likely reach Holland a few hours later. Although it rains frequently, snowfall in winter is limited to just a few centimetres. The Dutch waterways do occasionally freeze over in winter, bringing a halt to sea trials.

5. Yachts are often laid up under cover ashore during the winter, which may hinder your inspection. Please check with the seller first.

Click here to see boats and yachts for sale in Holland.