Amsterdam,Masting

[chrisc]

While we have all these experts from Amsterdam on their computers,
could somebody tell me where the best place to drop my mast (in the vicinity of
Amsterdam) would be ?before proceeding down canals.

 

[Chris_Stannard]

You dont need to drop your mast. If you go towards the sea and turn left down the canal to Haarlem you can get to Vlissingen wouthout dropping your mast. The bridges you have to watch out for are the second bridge from the main Amsterdam canal, which goes under the A6 motorway. That will not open during the ruch hour. Through Haarlem you have to join the South Bound Convoy.
At Gouda the rail bridges only open at 6 in the morning and 2100 in the evening. There are moorings just short of the bridge where you can tie up at night. Incidentally it pays to ring up Gouda in advance (by four or five days) incase there are any changes. But be ready when they open as it is not for long as you are holding up, literally, the Dutch rail network.

The system of lights for all bridges is two reds means we are not ready to open, a green and a red means we are in the process of opening, and two greens means what the hell are you hanging about for.

By law you must carry Deer1, which is the Dutch regulations. Unless you read Dutch you won't understand it, but you have to have it. Deer 2 gives the times of opening of all road bridges, and is published in April. Both can be obatined from the marine booksellers in Southampton whose name I forget. They also stock the canal charts and maps. You also need the English cruising the Netherlands Canals Pilot.

I came through last November and did not find a bridge keeper who did not understand English. It took three days to get to Vlissingen but we were in a hurry and I would have liked to have time to explore. I shall go back in a year or two to do so

Best of luck and if you are in t vicinity of Cowes email me and I will show you all that you need.

Chris Stannard

 

[heerenleed]

There is another option apart from the route via Haarlem.
Southbound from Amsterdam, there is also the night convoy which takes you right through Amsterdam. It joins the Haarlem route. It is not very complicated, especially in summer, where there's always a part of the convoy that does the complete so-called "staande mast-route" (it means what you think it means). Just stick to them and you may get as far as Willemstad in a night and a day. Mind you, the convoy starts moving at about 02.00 AM from the Houthaven. The time is dictated by the a railway bridge some 3 cables down the route. Then all the Amsterdam bridges open one after another being operated by two bridge keepers using a bike to get to the next one. End of the official convoy is when you lock into the Nieuwe Meer just south of Amsterdam, but keep going as the next obstacle is the opening bridge in the motorway near Schiphol Airport. You usually reach this bridge at 5 o'clock in the morning. Some people stop after this bridge (which won't re-open until 6 PM, but there's always a number that continues. It's wise to stay together, as the following bridges do not often open for just one boat. The route is rather narrow and you must watch out for commercial barges coming up from behind, but apart from that, it's pretty straighforward. The next nasty obstacle is indeed the Gouda railway bridge. There's panels indicating the opening hours and nice pontoons to moor. If you have to stay there overnight it's no problem and do visit Gouda which is a nice place in itw own right. But normally you get there in time for an opening and you can go on through the locks which brings you back to tidal waters, then on to Krimpen (opening bridge + locks which are usually open), then via the Noord to Dordrecht (another nasty railway bridge, but if you call Post Dordrecht on VHF (the channel is on the chart) and they give you adequate information. Make sure to stop in Willemstad (it will be fiveish when you get there) because it is one of the most lovely fortified towns in the south of the Netherlands!

Need more info? just send me a mail.
Happy cruising


Peter a/b SV Heerenleed, Steenbergen, Netherlands

 

[vyv_cox]

I have not done this route although I know a lot of people who have (one last weekend) What Peter has not mentioned is that this can be a superb social occasion in the summer months. People stay up to watch the convoy on Saturday nights, leaning over balconies, passing beers, shouting encouragement. Not to be missed, we hope to do it this summer.

Must be said, though, the Haarlem route is very nice, passing through in the dark is most attractive.

 

[chrisc]

unfortunately

It sounds great BUT....I am intending to take canals down through
france (and am also coming from the east) will propobally be in the area
in about 3 weeks time .So I really do need to find somewhere to dismast.

 

[heerenleed]

Quite right, Vyv, but I have also grown tired of windmills and wooden shoes. You'll see, one day you will end up like me if you stay with us long enough....

But seriously, I' ve never used the Haarlem version. Probably it' s got its own advantages and attractions. I' ve never looked upon these routes from the visitors point of view. I have just used them as a shortcut going north or a safe route going south in adverse weather. Our (lee)shores are not very welcoming in a stiff southwesterly, especially going the wrong way (don't we always?)

Peter a/b SV Heerenleed, Steenbergen, Netherlands

 

[heerenleed]

Re: unfortunately

It very much depends on your type of boat. Is the mast deck-stepped or keel-stepped. As many Dutch seem to prefer light and modern boats, many yards have quite some experience in unstepping deck-stepped masts. When I had my (keel-stepped) mast stepped first time here, it all but gave me a heart attack. The mast has seen every corner of the boat's interior and as my partner was handy with pillows we did not suffer any damage inside the boat. But only just......

If you go to Belgium, it might be logical to take the mentioned route first, then into Belgium either via the River Maas (seems to be quite scenic) or else via Antwerp.
That would bring you close to my area, and here I found one who is really good at it. Actually there's two, but one can only handle deck-stepped masts, as his crane is not high enough for a keel-stepped one.

I'm sure there must be good ones near Amsterdam, but I never have had to use them.

Just let me know if this could serve, and how your mast is stepped. I think I could help if you pass through my area.

Peter a/b SV Heerenleed, Steenbergen, Netherlands

 

[chrisc]

Re: unfortunately

we have been planning on a more Maastricht type direction
so I guess that Antwerp would be a big diversion ,but thanks
for offer. boat is deck stepped so I will hopefully not need any
pillows.

 

[vyv_cox]

I was most impressed with the performance of the yard at Middelharnis when they unstepped and stepped my mast last year. They did an excellent job after carrying out all the sensible precautions, like removing wind instruments from a crane cage before starting to lift, etc. Not exactly near Amsterdam, but as the rest of this thread advises, you can get to it from Amsterdam with no problems.

I can get you contact details if you need them.

 

[chrisc]

yes I would appreciate that,thanks-

 

[Viking]

Hi Chris
I have a friend who has his boat is in an Amsterdam marina.
I can give him your E mail address if it will help?
If you can let me have it?

Regards

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by Viking on Wed May 15 11:10:50 2002 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[heerenleed]

Re: unfortunately

As I wrote, from my whereabouts you can go up the River Maas (Meuse) which goes to Maastricht and then on to Belgium.
There's other routes, of course, so just see what you decide. If you need any help after all, just let me know.

Peter a/b SV Heerenleed, Steenbergen, Netherlands

 

[chrisc]

yes please, good ,e-mail is sy_quandary@hotmail.com

 

[vyv_cox]

The yard we used was Offerhaus Watersport, Westhavendijk 44, 3241 LP Middelharnis. Tel. 0031 187 484797. Fax 0031 187 483566

Very good and careful service.

 

[chrisc]

excellent. I shall give them a ring ,thank you

 

[kingfisher]

Standing mast route

Check out www.staandemast.nl, you can see how far south you can get with your mast on your boat. Only in dutch, though.

Obi-Wan
http://sirocco31.tripod.com