About us

Since 2019, I, Brian Bouwens, have been working as an entrepreneur at Boattours Spaarndam, where I focus entirely on the world of boats. Just like my grandfather, the love for boats runs in my blood! My entrepreneurial journey began with renovating small, old boats with the plan to rent them out. We aimed to make a flying start during Sail 2020. However, we quickly discovered that refurbishing these small, outdated boats that did not meet the required standards was not the right approach. Therefore, we sold these boats and invested in a tour boat, which we offered online for bookings during King’s Day and Sail. The response was phenomenal, resulting in the purchase of a second tour boat.

In preparation for an expected influx of guests, we started strong and laid a solid foundation for our future success. Unfortunately, many of our promising plans were derailed by the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, with Sail playing a significant role. We had to adapt to the new business conditions and saw opportunities in this time of crisis. This led to a focus on the trade of second-hand boats, a market that was in demand during the pandemic. While actively engaged in boat trading, we steadily worked behind the scenes to improve our existing tour boat. For example, we renovated and made our tour boat fully electric.

In 2020, we transformed a bare hull Tjalk, an old cargo ship, into a luxurious accommodation boat for 8 people, available for rent since June 2022. As we saw the end of the crisis approaching in 2022, we focused on building what is now a successful tour company. Every year, we grow, expanding our fleet of boats and building a fantastic team.

At Boattours Spaarndam, our journey reflects resilience, adaptability, and determination to provide unforgettable sailing experiences. Step aboard and explore the waters with us as we create lasting memories.