Using a sailing boat on lakes in europe

[Stevemr]

I am thinking of buying a topper or tinker sailing boat to take on holiday.

In the past I have taken a wind surfer and canoe and thought nothing of using it on pretty much any bit of inland water in Europe.

Are there any restrictions though, am I supposed to have a licence?

[telford_mike]

You'll be fine with a small boat like that. There are local rules e.g. on Lake Constance, sail area over 12 square metres. Email the local tourist office for your destination.

It's motor boats that they hate in European lakes....

[LFB531]

Do they?

Was planning to take my 18' ski boat down to the Lac d'Hourtin in the Gironde next summer, from what I can see as long as you pay the inevitable fees, it seems ok. I've been before without the boat and plenty of motorised stuff there which was where the idea came from.

Warmer than the Solent anyway!

[telford_mike]

LFB531 said:

Do they?

Was planning to take my 18' ski boat down to the Lac d'Hourtin in the Gironde next summer, from what I can see as long as you pay the inevitable fees, it seems ok. I've been before without the boat and plenty of motorised stuff there which was where the idea came from.

Warmer than the Solent anyway!

You may well be ok in France - the Swiss and the Germans are not at all keen on powerboats (Swissies not that keen on cars either!)

[jamiebae]

telford_mike said:

LFB531 said:

Do they?

Was planning to take my 18' ski boat down to the Lac d'Hourtin in the Gironde next summer, from what I can see as long as you pay the inevitable fees, it seems ok. I've been before without the boat and plenty of motorised stuff there which was where the idea came from.

Warmer than the Solent anyway!

You may well be ok in France - the Swiss and the Germans are not at all keen on powerboats (Swissies not that keen on cars either!)

Loads of powerboats on Lake Zurich. They do have to be registered though, and the wait for a mooring is phenomenally long. If you have a canoe or similar you're not allowed more than 400m from the shore, so even though the lake is 3k wide you can't paddle across it!