SailWise

What SailWise does

SailWise is a Dutch nonprofit foundation (Stichting) founded on 19 December 1974 as Stichting Zeilen met Gehandicapten and rebranded to its current name in 2009 after separating from Nebas-NsG. The organization provides multi-day adaptive watersport holidays for people with physical, intellectual, sensory disabilities, and acquired brain injury (NAH/ABI). It operates from three locations in the Netherlands: headquarters and home port of the two-masted clipper Lutgerdina in Enkhuizen (Noord-Holland); watersportcentrum It Sailhûs in Elahuizen (Friesland), which includes accessible vacation homes, group accommodations, and the home port of the wheelchair-accessible catamaran Beatrix; and watersports island Robinson Crusoe on the Loosdrechtse Plassen, provided via free ground lease (erfpacht) from Plassenschap Loosdrecht. The specialized fleet also includes the Tirion21 cabin sailboat, Inclusion catamaran Trude, pontoon boats, and SUP equipment, with rentals offered with or without a skipper.

Activities span sailing, canoeing, waterskiing, and SUP, typically delivered as guided group holidays pairing participants with trained volunteers. SailWise serves approximately 1,400 participants annually with 14 permanent staff and roughly 300 volunteers, supported by an established partner ecosystem including Fonds Gehandicaptensport, Vriendenloterij, Cruyff Foundation, Visio Foundation, and Crohn & Colitis NL. Participant outcomes are documented in 2017 research from Wageningen University, which identified gains in independence, self-confidence, and stress resilience. The organization holds ANBI status, CBF Erkend Goed Doel, SGR travel guarantee membership, and the NOV Keurmerk for volunteer organizations.

Revenue is generated through three streams: rental of accessible vacation homes and group accommodations at It Sailhûs (weekend rates €542–€1,850; weekly rates up to €2,506), adaptive boat rentals (with 15% discount for It Sailhûs guests), and a significant portion from donations, sponsorships, and charitable funds, which keep activities affordable for participants. Go-to-market is community-led and direct: bookings via phone, email, and the Dutch and German websites, supplemented by an annual presence at the REHACARE trade fair in Düsseldorf for international outreach. SailWise operates a legally unrelated but operationally linked subsidiary, Stichting 't Packhuys Zorgbeheer, which holds the ANBI status for It Sailhûs and collaborates with Stichting Watersport Gehandicapten Nederland on facility exploitation.

Name

SailWise

Legal name

Stichting Zeilen met Gehandicapten

Website

https://sailwise.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

SailWise is a Dutch nonprofit foundation, operating since 1974, that provides multi-day adaptive watersport holidays for people with physical, intellectual, and sensory disabilities. It runs three accessible locations in the Netherlands with adapted vessels and facilities, serving approximately 1,400 participants annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adaptive Watersport Vacations

NAICS

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (48721), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (487210), Marinas (713930)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Sailing Experiences (Lessons, Regattas, Day Sails) (THAJAJAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Luxury Sailing Cruises (Windjammers & Tall Ships) (THAEADAB), Shore Excursion Operators (Tours & Activities) (THAEAFAC)

Keywords

• Adaptive watersport vacations
• Accessible sailing holidays
• Disability tourism services
• Wheelchair-accessible accommodations
• Inclusive recreational programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Enkhuizen

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Vacation rental revenue: SailWise generates revenue through renting accessible vacation homes and group accommodations at It Sailhûs in Elahuizen. Pricing varies by season and accommodation type, with weekend rates ranging from €542-€1,029 for vacation homes and €1,256-€1,850 for group accommodations.
2. Boat rental revenue: Revenue from renting adapted boats including the Beatrix catamaran, Tirion21, Trude inclusion catamaran, pontoon boats, and smaller watercraft. 15% discount provided to It Sailhûs guests.
3. Donations and sponsorship: Significant portion of operations funded through donations, sponsorships, and funds. Watersport activities are kept affordable for participants thanks to support from funds, donors, and sponsors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

SailWise provides multi-day adaptive watersport vacations and holidays for people with physical, sensory, intellectual disabilities, and acquired brain injury. The organization operates accessible vacation homes, group accommodations, and a fleet of adapted sailing and motorboats (including the wheelchair-accessible catamaran Beatrix, the sailing ship Lutgerdina, and watersport island Robinson Crusoe), delivering supported holidays accompanied by trained volunteers. The core offering is delivered across three locations in the Netherlands and is partly funded through donations, sponsors, and charitable funds to keep participation affordable.

Product overview

SailWise is a Dutch charitable organization offering multi-day watersports vacations and holidays for people with physical or intellectual disabilities. The organization operates a portfolio of four distinct accommodations: watersports island Robinson Crusoe (Loosdrecht), sailing ship Lutgerdina (Enkhuizen), catamaran Beatrix (It Sailhûs, Elahuizen), and the multifunctional watersports center It Sailhûs with accessible vacation homes and group accommodations. Activities include sailing, canoeing, waterskiing, and SUP. The It Sailhûs location also offers boat rentals (with/without skipper) including adapted vessels. SailWise serves approximately 1,400 participants annually with support from 300 volunteers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Robinson Crusoe A private watersport island located in the Loosdrechtse Plassen, offering adapted accommodations and water activities for people with disabilities. Can accommodate up to 23 persons.
• Zeilschip Lutgerdina A two-masted clipper sailing ship based in Enkhuizen, offering multi-day sailing trips on the IJsselmeer and Wadden Sea. Adapted for people with physical disabilities, accommodating up to 20 persons.
• Catamaran Beatrix A wheelchair-accessible catamaran sailing from It Sailhûs in Elahuizen, offering day trips on the Frisian lakes and IJsselmeer. Designed specifically for people with disabilities, accommodating up to 12 persons.
• Watersportcentrum It Sailhûs A multifunctional watersport center in Elahuizen, Friesland, offering accessible vacation homes, group accommodations, and boat rentals. Accommodates 4 to 36 persons with full wheelchair accessibility features.
• Bootverhuur & Tochten Rental of adapted sailing boats and motorboats from It Sailhûs, including the Beatrix catamaran, Tirion21 cabin sailboat, Inclusion catamaran Trude, pontonboat, and SUP boards. Available with or without skipper.
• Begeleide Vakanties (Guided Holidays) Accompanied vacation packages where people with disabilities experience watersport holidays together with volunteers. Includes multi-day sailing trips, island stays, and activity programs.
• Vakantiewoningen (Vacation Homes) Accessible vacation homes at It Sailhûs for 4-6 persons, featuring wheelchair-accessible facilities including lifts, adjustable beds, adapted bathrooms, and accessible kitchens.
• Groepsaccommodatie (Group Accommodation) Group accommodations at It Sailhûs for 13-36 persons, combining vacation homes with group rooms for larger gatherings of people with disabilities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Research from Wageningen University (2017) demonstrates positive impact on independence, self-confidence, and stress resilience of participants
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• VriendenloterijmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported the development of the multifunctional watersport center It Sailhûs. The VriendenLoterij (Friends Lottery) supports good causes focused on health and wellbeing of people.
• Fonds GehandicaptensportcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFund dedicated to making sport accessible for people with disabilities. Has supported SailWise since its early years and continues to be a key partner enabling affordable watersport for all.
• Cruyff FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJohan Cruyff Foundation supports and develops sports activities for vulnerable children. Supports accessible sports opportunities.
• Plassenschap Loosdrecht en omgevingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOwns Robinson Crusoe island which is provided to SailWise via free ground lease (erfpacht). Essential partner enabling the island location.
• Fonds de GavereminorOthersSupports SailWise with contributions toward additional costs for participants from Friesland province.
• Stichting het DiakonessenhuismajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMade it possible in 2022 for participants to sail with catamaran Beatrix at It Sailhûs watersport center.
• Visio FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation supporting people with visual impairments. Partnership enables accessible sailing experiences for blind and visually impaired participants.
• TeleflexminorOthersCorporate partner supporting SailWise operations.
• Waterland Yacht CharterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYacht charter company partner supporting SailWise watersport activities.
• Stichting Beatrixoord Noord NederlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare foundation supporting accessible sports for people in Northern Netherlands.
• Kinderfonds van Dusseldorp StichtingminorOthersChildren's foundation supporting families in need.
• SailWise HavenclubminorOthersHarbor community supporting SailWise through membership contributions.
• Stichting 't Packhuys ZorgbeheercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInitiated It Sailhûs and owns ANBI status. Facilitates watersport activities for people with disabilities through accessible accommodations and organization of care and assistance. Exploitation occurs in collaboration with Stichting Watersport Gehandicapten Nederland.
• Stichting Watersport Gehandicapten NederlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates with Stichting 't Packhuys Zorgbeheer for exploitation of It Sailhûs watersport facilities.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• VriendenLoterij: Dutch charity lottery supporting health and wellbeing causes. Helped develop It Sailhûs. Funding partner rather than peer, but reflects the broader Dutch charitable-finance ecosystem SailWise depends on.
• Fonds Gehandicaptensport: Dutch fund dedicated to making sport accessible for people with disabilities. Long-standing SailWise partner and key capital provider — adjacent ecosystem enabler rather than competitor.
• Het Gehandicapte Kind: Dutch charity advocating for children with disabilities. Operates in adjacent accessible-recreation space and shares referral/donor overlap with SailWise's family customer base.
• Cruyff Foundation: Johan Cruyff Foundation supports sports for vulnerable children. Major SailWise partner. Comparable mission-adjacent funder, not a competitor, but indicative of the Dutch accessible-sport ecosystem SailWise operates in.
• Waterland Yacht Charter: Dutch yacht charter company and SailWise partner. Adjacent to SailWise on sailing experiences in the same Dutch waters but serves general (non-disabled) charter market.

Broad incumbents

• Center Parcs: Large European vacation park operator with accessible accommodations and water-based activities. Overlaps with SailWise on accessible holiday experiences and on-site water recreation, but operates at much larger scale.
• Landal GreenParks: Major Dutch vacation park operator offering adapted bungalows across many locations. Comparable on accessible vacation lodging in the Netherlands, but broader portfolio and not watersport-specialized.

Direct peers

• Wheelyboat Trust: UK charity providing specially designed Wheelyboats and funding for disabled-accessible boating. Directly comparable to SailWise on adaptive boating equipment and charity-funded operations.
• Disabled Sailing Association: UK adaptive sailing charity offering sailing opportunities for people with disabilities. Same target customer and similar volunteer-led operating model as SailWise.
• Sailability: International charity network enabling people with disabilities to sail, operating sailing clubs and events across multiple countries. Closest peer to SailWise on mission (adaptive sailing) and volunteer-driven model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sailwise

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SailWise