I am a retired docent (mechanical engineering en informatics) born in Germany, now living in The Netherlands with my Dutch wife. Healthy, fit and agile I enjoy my retirement.
Experience in boating on the inland waterways of Europe (e.g., Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Berlin, Paris, Hamburg, Brussels, Basel, Strasbourg) and the Baltic Sea (German coast, Denmark, Sweden, Poland).

And a remark in advance: if you have only sailed in a sailing boat so far, this might be an opportunity to sail on canals and rivers in Europe - sometimes together with commercial shipping - and to practice numerous lock maneuvers and also to expand your motor skills.

My boat is built in 1950 as a tug (type kotter) by and for the shipyard 'van Grevenstein' in Rotterdam (13 m, 21 t, double-ended cutter), later reconstructed by the owner of the shipyard as his private cabin yacht.

- Two cabins (double-bed in the for cabin; four single berth's in after cabin). Normally we are with 2-4 persons on board.
- Bathroom with toilet and bathtub with shower, pressure cold and hot water via boiler.
- Galley with gas hob 3-burner, microwave/grill/oven and refrigerator with freezer compartment.
- Wheelhouse with double-glazed windows, interior in teak wood.
- Sitting there you have a beautiful all-round view.
- If it should be cold in the evening there is a warm water heating.
- Sitting on the aft-deck with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine you can enjoy the nature and the passing towns and villages.
- With AIS on my boat your family or friends can follow your route at home.

In the past years I have explored the Baltic Sea with the Danish islands and the German, Swedish and Polish coast.
Since the summer 2017 I sailed again on the European inland waterways from Holland via the Belgian and French rivers and channels to Paris and then to Basel in Switzerland.
In summer 2018 we sailed via the French channels, the rivers Rhine and Main up to the Danube.
Summer 2019 again from Venlo/NL over Berlin to the Baltic and the Island Rügen.

With the Covid-lockdown in The Netherlands and all the surrounding countries (Germany, Belgium, France) I adjusted my summer tours in 2020, 2021 and 2022 and stayed in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Here my plans for summer 2024:

I will start the summer-trip in the harbour of our club in Venlo at the River Maas.
Venlo can be reached perfectly by Flixbus or by train from Airport Düsseldorf, Frankfort or Schiphol

Starting about 15 July 2024 I will sail in about two weeks over channels and rivers from the south to the north of the Netherlands, visiting interesting cities and smal harbours. If you have special requests, we can e.g. moor in the heart of Amsterdam or Haarlem or...
This first stage ends in Groningen. From there you can take the train to go back to Schiphol or...
Then my wife came on board and we two will sail further to the northern part of Germany.

Maybe in the autumn I sail a week or weekend trip to Maastricht or Liege (B) or Amsterdam or Rotterdam.
Exact dates can still be agreed together.

I am happy to welcome on board individuals or couples who, like me, want to enjoy this private cruise without haste or stress.
If you are interested in accompanying me sign in and send me an email.

easy-goingenthusiasticfit & healthyfriendlyrespectfultrustworthytravel light (little luggage)positive outlookopen mindedcan pay own expenseswill not bring a pet

If you are a complete novice on boating no problem. I will teach you to handle the ropes and to steer a boat on the rivers and channels also among the commercial barges.
And if you want to learn more about technology and (motor) boating, I would like to pass on my experience.

We have three bicycles on board so if we moored in the afternoon, you can take the bikes and with or without my guidance explore the region.
Any type of diet is not a problem. If you like, you are welcome to take over the galley.
I expect the crew to pay an agreed share per person (s. above). This includes daily costs for the boat (i.e. fuel, fees for the marinas, tourist taxes, waterway vignette in France etc.).

But most important is that you enjoy the living on the water and the atmosphere of these "private river cruise".

If you like, I can also give you references from other findacrew members who have been my guests in the past years.