Best time to sail to holland?

[rich201283]

Hi
When the best time to sail from the uk to holland?

We sailed it in july last year but we are thinking of going in june this year. Do you think this is a bit early as we would prefer to not have a rough crossing?

 

[FullCircle]

09:36

 

[sailorman]

we normally go the last 1 or 2 wks in june for 3 weeks its not normally that busy as skool hols start towards the end of our stay.
as 2 weather 4 the crossing that anybodys guess. 2 times ago ( 2005 ) we had 42.5 kts /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[ralf2]

when the exchange rate improves!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Gwylan]

Whenever you go keep your latest UK 'red' diesel receipt!

 

[ccscott49]

Anytime! June should be good, dont go today or tomorrow!

 

[Amulet]

If I do it, it'll be around midsummer for the daylight.

 

[cnh]

I'm intending to go across in the middle of next month!

Nicholas Hill

 

[PeterGibbs]

I often look out east from the vantage point at Harwich and see a gentle sea and light breezes - almost any time of the year. The number of days when I feel I'm glad not to be out there is few indeed.

You wouldn't want to strike out east if there's a NE blowing, on the other hand if you were prepared to make for Belgium first or even Dunkirk you would have a great beam ride.

So much depends on where you are starting out, and sadly, you do not reveal this vital piece of data.

PWG

 

[cnh]

In my case: starting from Ramsgate, and heading almost exactly NE. Den Helder would be the first stop [160 miles], but I would press on if conditions are right. Destination: Kiel Canal.

 

[Tugw]

Ill be doing something very much the same around the end of April or the first week in May,From Ijmuiden to Shotley.Lets hope the weather doesnt bugger the idea for a second year /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[PeterGibbs]

Got the full picture now.

Ramsgate to Helder direct - 3, maybe 4 tides with favourable wind. Two probs:
1. loads of shipping from south of Westerschelde to Maas entrance - not a place to navigate at night in poor conditions - fallback to port and sleep it off I say.

2. Maas northwards - low lying land and shallows/difficult entrances if weather forces brief retirement.

ie Plan where you'll be at night, it makes a big difference.

Alternative plan:

Use north going tides to stage the trip -

Rams-Harwich
Har-Lowestoft
Lowest - Helder (cross tides- easier ride in case of stiff breeze)

This way you're in Helder in 3 days - easy and rested, going with elements.

Not possible in strong N-NE winds of course, but then neither course is.

After Maas - problem is low coastline - well lit but shallow waters and rough in any wind.

Advice from Helder Northwards:

Helder has no attractions - just useful harbour.
Oudeschilde on Texel is much nicer and leads via Harlingen (v nice) or "over the top" route to West Terschelling - also v nice
Or take sea route northwards.

W Trschelling to Borkum (staging post only)

Borkum to Norderney (v nice - crew will want to stay!)

Norderney direct to Cuxhaven. Tempting to go to Helgoland for cheap Diesel - big disappointment. Helgoland is tip - and crossing TSS in German waters hazardous - police like to take money off sailors. If you do it stay well away from commercials and go 90 degrees stright, no deviations!

Cuxhaven to Brunsbuttel - just over two hours on tide. The Kiel Canal and bliss - getting through the lock is like entering another world. Do stop at Rendsburg for the night, fuel up if required and eat at the marina cafe - first class. Pay for canal dues at office block in centre of locks at Baltic end.

Good luck!

PWG