Houseboat

Manuela and Matthias Boor offer houseboat vacations on their doorstep / "Frieda" is moored on the canal at Gasthaus Peters

They are actually cruise fans. "A vacation on the water is just great. You get a completely different perspective," enthuse Manuela and Matthias Boor. Corona put the brakes on their passion, big boat trips were suddenly no longer possible and the Boors had to think of an alternative. "We love the water, live on the canal ourselves, have a canoe and a stand-up paddleboard." So they got their boating license. The idea of a houseboat was no longer far away.

Swimming in the canal

The "Frieda" has now been moored at Gasthaus Peters since mid-June and is waiting for its guests. A modern houseboat just 9 m long and 3.60 m wide for up to four people. The boat has a bedroom, a bathroom and a living area with a kitchenette where you can pull out a sofa bed. There is a roof terrace and an outdoor shower. "If you've been swimming in the canal, you can shower right outside. That's really practical," says Matthias Boor. "And since the German canals all have drinking water quality, you can jump into the water anywhere."

Bridal suite

The Boors spent a long time looking for a suitable mooring. They didn't even think of Gasthaus Peters. "And good things are so close," says Hendrik Peters with a twinkle in his eye. The berth right next to Gasthaus Peters allows guests to have a bite to eat or a beer before or after casting off. And when the "Frieda" is not underway, Peters can imagine offering the houseboat to his wedding guests as a wedding suite. Or as a location for a candlelight dinner. "We already have a few ideas."

No boating license required

You don't need a boating license to drive the houseboat, which can reach speeds of up to 11 km/h. Harbour master Klaus Flachmeier gives the guests a brief introduction. They practise driving briefly, cast off once and dock again. And off they go. "The canals are calm waters and therefore very easy to navigate. Between Henrichenburg and Münster, you can even navigate a 42-kilometre stretch without having to pass through locks," explains Matthias Boor. "And there are great marinas everywhere where you can moor in between," adds Manuela Boor. You are only allowed to moor in a marina (i.e. in a harbor), at a sheet pile wall or at a waterway rest area. That's why the houseboat has no anchor.

With the houseboat to the Christmas market

In the high season, the "Frieda" can only be rented by the week, but in the low season, short charters of three nights or more are also available. And the Boors have come up with a special offer for December. "Then we'll also be offering the houseboat at weekends so that you can take it to Münster, moor it in the city harbor and perhaps enjoy a mulled wine at the Christmas market." Manuela and Matthias Boor: "A houseboat vacation is a bit like camping on the water. Just totally relaxed!" Nadine Wenge

Info: In addition to the Frieda, the Boors also rent out the houseboat "Emma" (for up to six people), which is located in the Wolfsbruch marina in Brandenburg and is chartered out by Unruh Marine (www.unruh-marine.de).