Belgian recs

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Elemental

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Off on a 'boys trip' to Belgium next weekend Fri 25th -> Sun 27th (I hope). Unless, of course, my usual luck with the weather interferes and confines us to the East coast.

Having never been to Belgium, I quite fancy Ostende as the first night, then either Nieuwport or Blankenburgh for the Saturday eve, returning Sunday.

Proximity to good beer is usually a requirement for these weekends, so recs. for suitable marinas in those (or other locations) would be welcomed...
 
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I’ve only been over once, last year.

Mercator Marina in Oostende was amusing to get in. Two road bridges that they only open one at a time. Once in the facilities were literally just a public toilet but you can’t get handier for the town.

Blankenberge (not sure what the name is but the big one on the right as you go in). Hugely overcrowded as half of the pontoons were out for repair but I guess they will be back in now. The marina exit was in the worst possible place so we walked around 4 sides of a pentagon to get a dinner.

It may be out of date info but I’d pick Oostende over Blankenberge if handy beer is the main criteria.
 
I quite like Blankenberg. The sea crossing is easier than Ostend as there are no banks or ferries to worry about. The harbour is not too big to walk round unless you turn sharp right on the way in. For beer, try draught Kasteel at the Ibis bar at the end of the main harbour.
 
I guess if you are motor boat doing 20+kts it will be OK to do 2 marinas in 2 nights.
However, if you are sailing, it is quite a distance either way, and we find a 2 night stay is required to rest iup, have a good night, and hop back again.

Oostende absolutely banged out with choice of eating.....and ermm, drinking.
 
Go to Oostende. Easy navigation and entrance. Turn right, then right again in the harbour to the RNSYC (mentioned above) to avoid locking in to the marina.. Bars and restaurants more than enough for two nights.
 
There is nothing wrong with Blankenberge.
There are numerous yacht clubs within the two 'marinas. All have pontoons so if you don't fancy mooring stern to or going through a lock in Oostende, then it makes sense.
We usually go into the marina straight ahead (rather than the former fish dock to port) and then moor immediately to port in the area run by the Vrije NoordzeeZeilers http://www.vnzblankenberge.be/haven-informatie/. you are then on the town side. Their yacht club (bar/showers) is on the corner of the street the other side of the road/tram track. They have decent bier on draught and a free computer for you to use.
 
We didn't do Blankenberg this year but friends have told me that the harbour has been rearranged and there is much more room for visitors. Coming from the Harwich area, there isn't much difference in journey distance.
 
Last time we were at Blankenberge (a couple of years ago) we did go to the old fish-dock to port, and tied up on the pontoons on the inland side that belong to the club that is perched up above there - the Royal Scarphout YC. We liked it there and I think we would now go there in preference to any of the others, partly because it's by far the closest to the town.
 
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