Captain for the first time
Houseboat newcomer
Don’t be afraid of big boats – the KUHNLE-TOURS fleet is perfectly equipped so that even beginners can steer and maneuver the boats very well. State-of-the-art joystick technology, stern and bow thrusters make every mooring a breeze. So you can enjoy your vacation on a houseboat even if you’re completely new to houseboating!
Captain for the first time
Houseboat newcomer
Don’t be afraid of big boats – the KUHNLE-TOURS fleet is perfectly equipped so that even beginners can steer and maneuver the boats very well. State-of-the-art joystick technology, stern and bow thrusters make every mooring a breeze. So you can enjoy your vacation on a houseboat even if you’re completely new to houseboating!
Houseboat cruising
Can I do that too?
A houseboat is big
That’s right, our largest Kormoran is 15 meters long and 4.35 meters wide, yet easy to steer and maneuver thanks to the bow thruster. A lock is about 40 meters long and 5 meters wide. You’ve already parked your car in smaller parking spaces, haven’t you? So don’t be afraid and enjoy the size of the boat!
Are there many other boats on the water?
Compared to road traffic, there is nothing going on on the water. Almost everyone moves at the same pace as you. And it is not uncommon to find yourself alone on a secluded canal with a few gray herons and beavers.
Do you have to be able to navigate?
No. You get informative map material on board. So it is virtually impossible to get lost on the Mecklenburg and Märkisch waters or in Berlin and Brandenburg. If you can cope with normal road traffic, you can do the same on board. It tends to be easier there because everything is much slower on the water.
And if I don't react quickly enough?
Take it easy, everything on the houseboat is much slower than you are used to. You are traveling at ten kilometers per hour, so there is always time to think again. And if you need a little longer? Just pull over.
I don't know the regulations on the water!
Fortunately, boating was invented before bureaucracy: The rules of the road are usually based on logic and reason, so that they are self-evident with common sense. You can also take a look at the sticker on the driver’s cab. All traffic signs are illustrated there and their meaning is explained briefly and concisely.
A houseboat is also small
True, compared to a house, a houseboat is smaller. But you will be surprised how much space you have on board. Standing height almost everywhere, lots of easily accessible lockers, large beds, a foredeck, an aft deck, space to retreat even when fully occupied.
Can I prepare for a houseboat vacation?
Of course! For beginners we recommend the
charter guide
from Quick Maritim. The small book was created in collaboration with our guides and introduces you to the world of boating in a good mood for €7.80.
Beginner boats
Which boats are suitable for my boating vacation?
All our houseboats are also suitable for houseboat novices, as they are easy to maneuver and specially developed for charter operation. Almost all of our houseboats have a hydraulic bow thruster (some also have a stern thruster and joystick steering) and are therefore ideal houseboats for all beginners, even without a boating license. So you can choose your houseboat according to your personal wishes.
Get a taste
For one night
To get your first impressions of life on the water and enjoy the maritime ambience, we offer you the opportunity to rent a cabin on one of our boats moored in the harbor. After this stay, you will have had a taste of a boating vacation and will certainly be able to better assess whether this type of vacation suits you.
Our recommendations
Areas for beginners
With us you can start your vacation on a houseboat in Germany and the French Alsace-Lorraine. What’s special is that you can go boating in all these areas without a license!
Especially in the Mecklenburg Lake District, most waterways can be navigated without a license with a charter certificate (included with KUHNLE-TOURS). The Mecklenburg Lake District with its many lakes and rivers is therefore particularly suitable for houseboat newcomers.
In France, you can also discover nature without a license and enjoy the freedom of your houseboat cruise. From the charter base in Niderviller, close to the German-French border, you can also expect exciting monuments such as the boat lift in Arzviller or the up to 2 km long tunnels on the Rhine-Marne Canal.
Find great
Offers
Current travel ideas for your boating vacation.