A Friesian ‘skûtsje’ on Leiden’s waterways

max. 30 passengers - Book here

The design for ‘Leiden’s Water Coach’ was inspired by a Friesian skûtsje as old cargo sailer. A boat that fits the image of an old city. A skûtsje (Friesian for small ship or ‘shippy’) is a collective term for the flatboats that served in the early twentieth century as cargo boats on the inland waterways. In line with tradition, our shipping company had ‘Leiden’s water coach’ designed by a real Friesian ship designer. The outfitting of both our ships (the other one being the ‘Cocosmacroon’) was established largely by our own enthusiastic technical crew.

Both ‘shippies’ sail the waterways of Leiden since 2011 and are also used as tourboat on a fixed trajectory, departing every hour from the shipping office at the Apothekersdijk number 5. Also the taxi service between Leiden and Katwijk aan Zee: ‘The Venice of the West’, is operated by a ‘shippy’.

On board you will have ample space and comfortable seating, with sound-equipment wich is compatible with modern digital music sources.

Don’t be surprised if on the way in Leiden you will be shouted at by other boaters with ‘Wattanjuh’?!, which is typical Leiden slang for ‘Whats up man’?!