CA publishes new guide to the Netherlands' Standing Mast Routes

The Cruising Association (CA) has published a new edition of its comprehensive guide to Cruising the Standing Mast Routes of the Netherlands, helping sailors and motor boaters explore one of Europe's most spectacular and rewarding cruising grounds.

The Netherlands has long been a favourite destination for boaters based on the UK’s east and south coasts. Uniquely in Europe, it is the only country to offer extensive cruising opportunities for both mast-up yachts and motor boats, combining coastal passages with a network of inland waterways.

From the picturesque Waddenzee islands and the historic cities of Leiden, Delft and Amsterdam to the beautiful lakes of Friesland, the country offers an exceptional variety of cruising.

Discover the Standing Mast Routes

The Netherlands’ network of Standing Mast Routes comprise more than 1,000km of waterways accessible to yachts with a draught of up to 2.5m and mast height of up to almost 40m.

While many yachts use these routes as a convenient inland passage to and from the Baltic, they offer an unrivalled cruising destination in their own right.

Obtaining up-to-date information on the routes and on alternative cruising areas is vital, as disruptions can be common owing to the number of lifting bridges.

The new edition of the CA's Cruising the Standing Mast Routes of the Netherlands provides all the information and practical guidance needed to help boaters plan their routes, make the most of this extensive cruising network and enjoy a safe visit.

Expert local knowledge and practical advice

Published by the CA’s European Inland Waterways Section (EIWS) and written by Dutch CA members Machiel Lambooij and Remko Sinck, the new edition draws on first-hand local knowledge and cruising experience.

“The Standing Mast Routes are much more than a passage to the Baltic,” commented joint author Machiel Lambooij. >“They are a wonderful cruising destination in their own right. We hope this updated guide will help boaters explore the Netherlands’ remarkable waterways with confidence and discover some of its many hidden gems.”

The guide covers the essential aspects of navigating the Standing Mast Routes, including immigration and customs requirements, sea approaches and access points, navigation and charts, bridges and locks, route distances, tides and currents, weather considerations, refuelling facilities and navigation rules.

Alternative routes and worthwhile detours are also covered, alongside detailed information and photographs of the best moorings and facilities, historic cities and towns, important local attractions and useful transport links.

The 285-page, full-colour A4 guide is published in both print and digital formats. It also includes dozens of hyperlinks to additional online resources and will be regularly updated by CA members cruising in the Netherlands.

Where to buy the new guide

Cruising the Standing Mast Routes of the Netherlands is available in printed and digital editions from the CA shop, priced at £39.95 (plus P&P for the print format).

As with the CA's other inland waterways guides, purchasers can take advantage of a 15% discount on their first year's CA membership when joining online until 31 December 2027.

New members can then download digital editions of all the CA guides free of charge.

Part of the CA's extensive cruising guide collection

The new edition complements the CA’s three other guides covering the Netherlands:

• Through the Netherlands via the Standing Mast Routes - aimed at yachts transiting through the country.
• 50 Great Cruising Routes in the Netherlands - designed for motor boats with a maximum air draft of 4 metres.
• Cruising the Dutch Islands of the Waddenzee - lifts the lid on the attractions of the islands, particularly for motor boaters normally confined to the inland waterways.

In addition, the CA's European Inland Waterways Section also publishes five further guides: An Introduction to the European Inland Waterways, Cruising the Inland Waterways of France and Belgium, Through France via the Inland Waterways, The River Moselle/Mose and The German Rhine, together with a collection of 17 free guides to moorings on French rivers and canals available from the CA shop and 12 free guidance notes.

For more information about the CA's European Inland Waterways Section and its publications, visit the EIWS webpage.