a few random thoughts on Netherlands

Next week we are bringing our Oyster 406 out to the Netherlands from Portsmouth. We now live in the Dutch mountains (Limburg province, max altitude 300m) but will be keeping our yacht in Wemeldinge on the Oosterschelde. Planning to come across in easy steps and to enter the Netherlands at Vlissingen (likely having stopped in Dunkerque and Zeebrugge) and then take the canal North into the Oosterschelde. Any hints and tips most welcome - we've been here for a year so we've got the living side of things squared away, it's just the sailing we need help on!

Many thanks

Neil
 
Next week we are bringing our Oyster 406 out to the Netherlands from Portsmouth. We now live in the Dutch mountains (Limburg province, max altitude 300m) but will be keeping our yacht in Wemeldinge on the Oosterschelde. Planning to come across in easy steps and to enter the Netherlands at Vlissingen (likely having stopped in Dunkerque and Zeebrugge) and then take the canal North into the Oosterschelde. Any hints and tips most welcome - we've been here for a year so we've got the living side of things squared away, it's just the sailing we need help on!

Many thanks

Neil


Hi Neil - I presume you are a Dutch Speaker? Have a look at this site... Stacks of Guides, Pilots and charts....some cash involved however.

http://www.anwbwatersport.nl/de-site-voor-watersporters.html

Apart from that, some targeted Googling will reveal loads of information and on this forum if you ask a specific question then there are a several forumites who will be more than willing to help. Personally, I'm a Rookie having only done a couple of weeks with some friends on the inland waterways, but in the end we just did it and solved the problems as we went along, but there weren't many problems really..... :)
 
Hi Neil - I presume you are a Dutch Speaker? Have a look at this site... Stacks of Guides, Pilots and charts....some cash involved however.

http://www.anwbwatersport.nl/de-site-voor-watersporters.html

Apart from that, some targeted Googling will reveal loads of information and on this forum if you ask a specific question then there are a several forumites who will be more than willing to help. Personally, I'm a Rookie having only done a couple of weeks with some friends on the inland waterways, but in the end we just did it and solved the problems as we went along, but there weren't many problems really..... :)

I wish I was a Dutch-speaker - I can order beer but not too much more. It's not normally too difficult to read Dutch provided you have some context. I'm out here with work for 3 years - fantastic country and really friendly people. Looking forward to getting some sailing in. One specific question - do you/did you change your VHF to ATIS when you entered the canal system?
 
Going in a Flushing gives you the enjoyment of MIddelburg and the Versemeer but it would be a lot quick to Wemeldinge to carry on up the Westerschelde and take the Canal door Zuid-Beveland straight to your destination.

I change my VHF to ATIS but have hardly ever used it in the Netherlands.
 
Going in a Flushing gives you the enjoyment of MIddelburg and the Versemeer but it would be a lot quick to Wemeldinge to carry on up the Westerschelde and take the Canal door Zuid-Beveland straight to your destination.

I change my VHF to ATIS but have hardly ever used it in the Netherlands.

Just come down from Wemeldinge to Breskens and as long as you catch the tide right takes about 4/5 hours. Depending on the locks and bridges.
 
i do not have atis & also didnt use it.:)

No doubt you still have a Marconi set.....:D
_59459394_dsc_0166.jpg
 
I wish I was a Dutch-speaker - I can order beer but not too much more. It's not normally too difficult to read Dutch provided you have some context. I'm out here with work for 3 years - fantastic country and really friendly people. Looking forward to getting some sailing in. One specific question - do you/did you change your VHF to ATIS when you entered the canal system?

As a visitor ATIS not really needed. But if you are staying 2-3 years, you would be advised to get it. Channel 31 is also useful, though you need a Notice of Variation of License to legally get it programmed in.
 
I was under the impression that you didn't pay to transit if you were stopping overnight. That's my excuse anyway!

I believe that is what the lady in the havenkantoor told me, but I made the mistake of saying that I was trying to practice my Dutch. She corrected me to say I was trying to speak Nederlands, and then refused to speak English. Judging by the hilarity from her colleagues I think I must have made an improper suggestion about how many people we could get in one shower.:o
 
As a visitor ATIS not really needed. But if you are staying 2-3 years, you would be advised to get it. Channel 31 is also useful, though you need a Notice of Variation of License to legally get it programmed in.

There is a page on the RYA website explaining ATIS

http://www.rya.org.uk/infoadvice/boatingabroad/Pages/atis.aspx

if your set is not ATIS converted then a new range of frequencies covered by the RAINWAT arrangement can be programmed and selected in the same way that you would change to USA Channels... Henry at Foxes organised my upgrade .... ICOM radio dealer and Agent (about £30). You can apply online on the OFCOM website for a notice of variation.

Most people appear not to bother or have never used ATIS - I suppose it depends on whether you feel the need to comply with the rules or not :)
 
There is a page on the RYA website explaining ATIS

http://www.rya.org.uk/infoadvice/boatingabroad/Pages/atis.aspx

if your set is not ATIS converted then a new range of frequencies covered by the RAINWAT arrangement can be programmed and selected in the same way that you would change to USA Channels... Henry at Foxes organised my upgrade .... ICOM radio dealer and Agent (about £30). You can apply online on the OFCOM website for a notice of variation.

Most people appear not to bother or have never used ATIS - I suppose it depends on whether you feel the need to comply with the rules or not :)

I have seen 1 cone hoisted, he "was" motoring yes indeed he was, a german with no sails aloft :cool:
 
Having just returned from a few weeks jaunt to Holland. Unlike previous trips we were surprised how few British yachts we came across
 
Having just returned from a few weeks jaunt to Holland. Unlike previous trips we were surprised how few British yachts we came across

we said just the same thing, too many scaremongers on here for starters putting good folk off a super family boating area.its also inexpensive at the present time £14 a night all in. Woolverstone would be £30 for us
 
we said just the same thing, too many scaremongers on here for starters putting good folk off a super family boating area.its also inexpensive at the present time £14 a night all in. Woolverstone would be £30 for us

I'm not sure I've seen any scaremongering with regard to Holland and the Netherlands, I'm off on a tour at the end of August but as previously stated I won't be entering via Belgium until they clarify the position one way or the other, inexpensive Marina fees is not top of my list of reasons for going, but the thought of a 500 Euro fine, whether a remote chance or not, is quite a good reason not to go to Belgium. Shame really 'cos Antwerp is one of my favourite continental Cities.....
 
Top