Nil Desperandum

The Nil Desperandum was built in 1894 as a sailing freighter for voyages on the Rhine, Maas and Zuiderzee. The cargo then included potatoes, sugar, beets, fertiliser and peat. In 1992, the ship was converted into a large three-masted schooner; a stable, practical and safe ship with a shallow draught. Today, the Nil Desperandum is equipped for up to 30 people to experience an unforgettable sailing trip on the IJsselmeer or the Wadden Sea. Whether you are an experienced sailor or have no sailing experience at all, everyone is welcome!

From a day’s sailing on the IJsselmeer or the Wadden Sea to visiting several Wadden Islands, everything is possible. You can cook for yourself or book a trip with full board. We offer various arrangements for small and large groups, as well as for individual travellers. Send us your request with your wishes so that we can make you a tailor-made offer.

The Nil Desperandum has three 4-person and eight 2-person cabins, providing the ship with room for a total of 28 people. Two of the 4-person cabins are actually equipped for 5 people, allowing for up to 30 people on school or youth trips. All cabins have private washing facilities with hot and cold water and a 220V socket.

In the open kitchen, you will find everything you need to prepare a delicious meal. There is a 6-burner gas cooker, an oven and a fridge freezer. You will also find a bar with its own beer tap on board.

There are also three large showers and three toilets at the Nil Desperandum.

Ship Type
Three masted schooner
Ship type
Flat-bottomed ship
Sailing area
IJsselmeer, Wadden Sea

Prices for groups (for max. 30 persons)

You can hire the Nil Desperandum for a group trip on the Wadden Sea and IJsselmeer from Stavoren. Prices shown are the rental for the entire ship on a self-catering basis for the 2025 season. A price surcharge may apply for 2026 and 2027.

Send us your request with your desired travel period. From a day to a week... anything is possible.

DescriptionPrice
Weekend (Fri. 20:00 to Sun. 15:00)€ 4.620
Week (Sat. 10:00 to Fri. 15:00)€ 9.625
Midweek (Mon. 10:00 to Fri. 15:00):€ 6.828
School week (Mon. 10:00 am to Fri. 3:00 pm)€ 6,695 (excl. duvets)
Day trip (max. 50 persons)€ Price on request

Included in price

Personnel costs for skipper and sailor
Bed linen (not on school trips)
Port charges and tourist tax
Engine hours
Insolvency insurance (VZR Garant guarantee fund)
Final cleaning
VAT

Not included in price

Catering
Travel to/from the port of departure
Tracel/cancelation insurance
Towels

Interior

Cabins
  • 8x 2-bed cabins and 3x 4/5-bed cabins
  • Sink with hot and cold water
  • 220V sockets
  • Spacious beds (210x80cm)
Saloon
  • Central heating
  • Board library
  • Games
  • Bluetooth Box
Kitchen
  • Gas cooker with 6 burners
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Freezer
  • Coffee machine
  • Beer tap
Sanitation
  • 3 toilets
  • 3 showers
Extras
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer

Exterior

Ship Type

Schooner

Year Built/Yard

1894, Duijvendijk

Length/width/depth

36m / 6,25m / 1,20m

Masts

3

Sail Area

450m²

Standard Sails

6

Engine

DAF 1160 TURBO, 250 PS

Extras
  • Electric sword winches
  • Swim ladder
  • Rain canopy
  • Binoculars
  • Barbecue

Reviews

Skipper and crew with heart and soul ;-)

26 September 2025

It is an experience to feel the ship, hoist the sails, and glide across the sea.

Despite his young age, Jerke is an experienced skipper and knows the ship like no one else.

He can cast off and dock with his eyes closed, and at all times Jerke conveys the sense that one can feel safe on the Nil Desperandum.

You can sense his love for the ship, and new investments to make it even more modern and beautiful are already planned.

For those who have not yet had any experience with a sailing ship of this size, I can highly recommend this vessel.

BoekingsserviceBooking serviceBuchungs- und Beratungsservice
InformatievoorzieningInformation provisionInformationsmaterial zur Reise
AccommodatieAccommodationUnterkunft (Kabinen):
Algemene indruk van het schipGeneral impression of the shipGesamteindruck des Schiffes
HygieneHygieneSauberkeit
CateringCateringVerpflegung
BemanningVrewCrew
Prijs / KwaliteitPrice / QualityPreis-Leistungsverhältnis

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