On our website we are preparing a new series about boats in Prague on the Vltava for you. In it, you will gradually learn various interesting facts about the boats that have ever sailed through Prague and that still sail today.
For instance, we will introduce 10 of the newest boats to you, but you will also read about which boats come from Czech shipyards, which were made to order directly for Prague and its sailing conditions.
And we will not skip a small Top 10 ranking of the most attractive boats sailing in Prague today.
Today's 1st episode of the series will introduce boats that were specially built directly for Prague and for the conditions of sailing in it.
1. Vysehrad steamer
The large paddle Vysehrad steamer is the oldest historic steamer in Prague on the Vltava. In order it is already the fourth steamer of this name in the history of Prague steam navigation. The steamer was built in 1938 in the Usti shipyard as a vessel intended for passenger transport and first bore the name Antonin Svehla. Later it was also called T.G. Masaryk or Devin and only since 1952 Vysehrad.
To this day it has gone through 3 reconstructions; the last in 1992 restored its original character. In 2013 it was declared a cultural monument. The Vysehrad steamer has an air-conditioned main lounge, a lower lounge and an open sunny deck, a restaurant, cafe and even a wine bar and bar. The boat fits 350 persons, of whom 200 can be seated inside the boat and 150 on the viewing deck. It is 62 metres long and 6 metres wide and is still the largest boat in Prague. The original steam engine reaches an output of 165 kW (220 hp).
2. Vltava steamer
The second large paddle salon steamer that you can still see in Prague on the Vltava is the Vltava steamer. It was built in 1940 and never changed its name. At first it was deployed on the express line Prague-Stechovice, where it sailed until 1945. Then it was deployed on regular lines. Today it sails on sightseeing cruises and is also rented out.
The Vltava steamer was also reconstructed several times. The last reconstruction from 2009 restored its original character. That is also why it could be declared a cultural monument in 2013. The steamer has its restaurant, cafe, wine bar, bar, lounge and open viewing deck. It is 53 m long and 5 m wide. The capacity of the steamer is 250 persons, of which 100 indoors and 150 on the open deck. The output of the steam engine is 112.5 kW (150 hp).
3. Visla boat
At the time of its production, the Visla boat along with the Odra boat belonged to the two largest motor boats of Prague passenger water transport. It was built by the Polish shipyard Stocznia in Gdansk in 1965. Thanks to its large capacity, the Visla boat replaced the steamers after their withdrawal from regular line operations to Slapy in 1990 and to Troja in 1994.
The Visla boat has two semi-recessed lounges in the lower deck, a sun deck, a dance floor and a bar. During its operation it has undergone several minor adjustments and reconstructions, engine replacements or extension of the superstructure in 2000. Visla measures almost 34 metres long and 6 metres wide. The capacity of the boat is now 200 places, of which 60 are covered seating, 90 places are placed on the sun deck. Visla is mainly used for round-trip sightseeing cruises around Prague.
4. Odra boat
The Odra boat is also of Polish production and comes from the Stocznia shipyard in Gdansk, which made it in 1868. Together with Visla it belonged to the largest motor boats. It was also deployed on the steamer routes after their withdrawal from regular lines to Slapy and to Prague Zoo.
Odra is a two-deck boat with two semi-recessed lounges, a bar on both the upper and lower deck. The main lounge of the boat is air-conditioned and heated in winter. The boat offers complete gastronomic service. The capacity of the boat is up to 288 persons, of which 80 seats are inside and 208 on the open sun deck. It is 34 metres long and 6 metres wide.
The Odra motor boat sails in Prague on the Vltava on sightseeing cruises and cruises to the zoo, as is also evidenced by its exterior paintwork.
5. Luznice boat
The Luznice boat was built as a sightseeing boat in 1984 with regard to operation in Prague on the Vltava. It comes from the Yachtwerft Berlin-Kopenick shipyard and is one of four motor boats of the BIFA III type that were bought at that time. Luznice was built as an extended boat with a capacity of 164 persons. Already at the time of its production the boat was equipped with air conditioning and heating allowing year-round operation.
However, its current appearance is the work of a major reconstruction carried out in 2011. To this day, Luznice is considered one of the most beautiful boats you can see in Prague on the Vltava. Its interior is panelled in mahogany, which creates a stylish and luxurious environment. Therefore, the exclusive gourmet Sweet Prague cruise sails on the Luznice boat, during which an A la carte menu of top quality is served. The Luznice boat is 32 m long and 5.4 m wide.
6. Hamburg boat
The propeller motor Hamburg boat represents one of four BIFA III type boats made for Prague in the Yachtwerft Berlin-Kopenick shipyard in 1983. Its original name was Pioneer II and renaming to Hamburg occurred after the revolution in 1990. From the beginning the boat was constructed with two comfortable lounges, the smaller one at the front offering an excellent view.
The Hamburg boat is air-conditioned and heated, so it sails year-round. It has gone through several reconstructions and during one of them it was extended by 8.5 m. The last modernisation took place in 2015, during which the boat received a new ecological engine Caterpillar 3056 DITA with an output of 138 KW and new GEP 55 generator units. It is now 37 m long and 5.4 m wide. The capacity of seating inside the boat is 90 persons and 95 persons on the sun deck.
7. Natal boat
The Natal boat was built in 1983 as the propeller motor boat Berounka II; it was renamed Natal in 2006. It was made to order for Prague by the Yachtwerft Berlin-Kopenick shipyard. It is the BIFA III type. Of course, Natal underwent several modernisations during its operation. During one of them it was extended by 8.5 m and its interior was completely renovated.
In 2015 its original engine was replaced with a new ecological Caterpillar 3056 DITA with an output of 138 KW. The boat has a large air-conditioned lounge and a smaller lounge in the bow of the boat. The upper open deck is partially covered by a canopy. The boat's capacity is 180 persons, with a length of 37 m and a width of 5.4 m. The vessel is fully equipped with sound. Today it sails on sightseeing cruises through Prague and is also rented for private cruises.
8. Praha boat
The Praha boat represents already the third vessel of this name in order, the first being the steamer Praha, built as the first boat of the Prague Steamboat Company in 1865.
The Praha III boat was built for our capital in 1983 as the first motor propeller boat of the BIFA III type, originating from the Yachtwerft Berlin-Kopenick shipyard. In type, it was a new generation of passenger motor boats, which were already at that time equipped with air conditioning and had a viewing deck. Praha was overall luxuriously equipped and served as the mayor's boat intended for special purposes, until 1989.
It was deployed in regular operation only in 1991. It underwent a major reconstruction and modernisation in 2004 and the last in 2015, when it received a new ecological engine Caterpillar 3056 DITA with an output of 138 KW. The boat is 37 m long and 5.4 m wide. It seats up to 188 persons, of which 93 inside the boat and 95 on the sunny deck.
9. Bohemia Rhapsody boat
The so far newest and most modern boat, which was built for Prague in 2015, is the Bohemia Rhapsody boat. Its production was commissioned to the German shipyard Bolle in Derben with the requirement that the boat must meet specific criteria for operation in the centre of a metropolis.
From an environmental standpoint its operation is ecological and quiet. From the standpoint of comfort and purpose, the boat is modernly equipped and features a glazed sliding roof. This allows immediate variability of the single boat deck depending on the character of the cruise or change of weather. Powerful air conditioning maintains excellent visibility through the roof even in rain. The boat's capacity is 220 places in total, with a length of 44.97 m and a width of 7.54 m. This boat is an attractive place for company events, parties or various private events combined with catering at a high level.
10. Grand Bohemia boat
On the Vltava in Prague, you definitely cannot miss the year-older sister of the Bohemia Rhapsody, the Grand Bohemia boat. This vessel also comes from the German shipyard Bolle in Derben. It was on the Grand Bohemia boat that the concept of a single deck with a sliding glazed roof was tested, and it proved itself very quickly.
Grand Bohemia has been sailing since 2014 on sightseeing cruises through Prague and is a popular place for company and private events, formal or informal meetings, which are often connected with catering. The boat, which is 37.25 m long and 5.6 m wide, fits 160 persons.
