Legislation
Everything you need to know about sailing regulations in Switzerland and on Lake Neuchâtel.
In Switzerland, recreational boating is strictly regulated. A sailing licence (category D) is mandatory as soon as the boat’s sail area exceeds 15 m²
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As our Maxus 21 sailing boat has a sail area of approximately 21 m², a sailing licence is strictly required to rental and sail it. A motorboat licence (category A), however, is not required, as our outboard motor has a power output of less than 6 kW (8 hp).
Perfect! If you hold a sailing licence (category D) issued by the Swiss Federal Office of Navigation, you can rental our sailing boat. When you make your first booking, we will ask you to provide a photo of your licence.
As a visiting tourist (without residence in Switzerland), the authorities generally recognise the qualifications required in your country of origin.
However, as France does not require a licence for sailing boats at sea, there may be an administrative gap. If you do not hold a licence, we require a detailed nautical CV proving your experience as skipper on live-aboard sailing yachts, or an International Certificate of Competence (ICC) with a sailing endorsement. We reserve the right to assess this experience when you take charge of the boat.
If you are moving to Switzerland, you have 12 months to exchange your foreign licence or obtain a Swiss licence. Please check with your canton.
As regulations may change, we advise you to consult the relevant authorities for any specific queries or to validate your foreign licence. The harbour of Cheyres is located in the canton of Fribourg.