Burnham - Stellendam

[Esmerelda]

We are just starting to think about next years cruise to Holland and wondered if anyone had any advice or tips regarding doing Burnham - Stellendam in one hit? We've done Burnham - Vlissingen a few times, but are thinking of aiming higher up the coast and working our way back down via the lakes and canals...

Thanks in anticipation

 

[sailorman]

The approach to Stellendam is only for fine weather, it is a shallow & twisting channel between banks & is not always easy to see the nxt mark.
we came out this year on the hottest day in the Netherlands for years & had a fantastic sail to Ijmuiden with an Easterly breeze, best sail for many a year

 

[johnalison]

I have an idea that Stellendam is not a listed Schengen entry point and that this could be a problem. I have tried to check this but without success, perhaps someone knows?

 

[Cantata]

Can it really be a problem? I've never found any official in Holland to be remotely interested in Schengen forms. I suppose that might change in view of recent events, though.

 

[johnalison]

I've never had problems either, though I have been boarded once or twice off the coast. However, if you get stopped or boarded, it might be one of the things they can use against you if they are in a bad mood, along with the dreaded red diesel and lack of almanac if inland.

 

[sailorman]

I've never had problems either, though I have been boarded once or twice off the coast. However, if you get stopped or boarded, it might be one of the things they can use against you if they are in a bad mood, along with the dreaded red diesel and lack of almanac if inland.

All Shengen forms are downloadable from the RYA site. i carry them but have had no reason to use one these past 15 yrs

 

[Cantata]

All Shengen forms are downloadable from the RYA site. i carry them but have had no reason to use one these past 15 yrs

I was asked for them in Belgium a few years ago, in Nieuwpoort, by a nice young man with a very large hand-gun. I showed him my neatly completed forms which I'd got from the RYA site. "Pfffft", he said, these are very old forms. He produced some more and happily copied all the details off mine while drinking a cup of our tea. Hardly an international incident. But in the Netherlands, never been asked, and nobody I offered them to has ever been interested.
I did tell the RYA when I got back so I'd hope they do have the current versions.

 

[Stork_III]

This is the up to date Belgian form, original is a three part self,carbonated one. http://www.rya.org.uk/sitecollectio.../Boating Abroad/New Belgium Schengen Form.pdf

Also the Dutch one is current I think, http://www.rya.org.uk/sitecollectio...ing Abroad/Netherlands Schengen Crew List.GIF

I have been boarded twice in the pool just after the Flushing lock, by customs. No interest in Schengen crew list. Once boarded in Breskens marina on the berth from a cruising rib by the Immigration Police, they did want Schengen crew list, but not much else. They were happy to fill one in for me although we had been in Holland 9 weeks already and were departing next day for home. They didn't like the Belgian one I already had, 2 copies, the third having been deposited in the yellow customs box in Neiwpoort 9 weeks earlier.

 

[tidclacy]

Burnham to Stellendam is no problem. Went in and out twice this year with ease. Just make sure you have up to date charts and don't just rely on a Chart Plotter. Got this years charts and pilot books etc. PM me if interested.

 

[westhinder]

Stellendam has a well deserved bad reputation in anything over W5. Dangerous seas develop in the long approach channel. It is also shallow. Depends on your draught of course, and the state of the tide. When I went in this summer, two hours before LW, I found two or three areas where there only was 2.4 -2.5 meter water.
If you are expecting a blow and seek refuge in Stellendam and hope to continue via the Standing Mast route, be aware that the Haringvliet bridge near Willemstad does not operate when the wind is above F7. I spent a day anchored near the bridge waiting for the wind to abate, in vain.
Apart from that, the Haringvliet is pretty, with nice places like Hellevoetsluis and Middelharnis, or if you prefer quiet, rural surroundings, try Den Bommel. And when you get past the Haringvliet bridge, Willemstad is not to be missed.

 

[johnalison]

Hellevoetsluis is a nice place with an excellent carillon I seem to remember. We once cause confusion with the natives by playing French cricket on the beach. I agree about the other places too. Middleharnis was a favourite with our club, another undiscovered gem, like Goes at one time.

 

[sailorman]

Hellevoetsluis is a nice place with an excellent carillon I seem to remember. We once cause confusion with the natives by playing French cricket on the beach. I agree about the other places too. Middleharnis was a favourite with our club, another undiscovered gem, like Goes at one time.

the entrance canal is shallow ( < 1.9m )we ploughed up a good bit of it

 

[Stork_III]

the entrance canal is shallow ( < 1.9m )we ploughed up a good bit of it

Never had a problem in that entry canal, perhaps the tide was out. (level does vary with extent of flow down the Maas(?) and Stellandam sluice positions. Middleharnis is a lovely place to stay or just to victual up (free berths until 6pm).