Copenhagen to London

Vagabond

Vagabond

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Joined
22 Feb 2005
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Auckland, New Zealand
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Hi All,

I'm picking a boat up from Copenhagen at the end of August and sailing her back to London and I was wondering if anyone had any tips or advice on sailing her back.

I'm planning on coming back via the Kiel Canal.

Thanks,

Clive.
 
We did Aarhus to Burnham last year - much the same, because the Baltic bit is easy, with loads of harbours, friendly and very helpful boat-loving natives. Buy decent charts for the Baltic bit (in Denmark) though because there are lots of shoals.

We did it in day hops, except the first/last. On the way to Denmark:
Den Helder, Vlieland, Borkum, Wangerooge, somewhere 1/4 along Kiel canal
(left boat in Rendsburg to go back to work) then Kiel, ... and 2 days to Aarhus. Back:down to Kiel, Cuxhaven, Spiekerooge, Borkum, into canals emerging Harlingen, Den Helder and home.

Kiel canal - you are supposed to have the book of regulations (in German). We couldn't find them, but it was fine - just stop if you see 3 red lights. If you need to stop overnight in the canal, go to Rendsburg - nice friendly harbour, or stop in on of the lay-bys. The Cuxhaven harbour is good. Don't attempt the Elbe against the tide (it is strong) and wind against tide if more than F4 is nasty. Wangerooge is only if you have a shallow draft and strong nerve, but it's a weird island. Spiekerooge is a bit better, but decent restaurants. Access to either of them in strong winds between the islands is worrying - we did it in a F6, and it was ok, but wouldn't like to do it in stronger wind. Borkum has a horrible marina but a super marina restaurant. The small vessel route just north of the islands is easy, well buoyed, and pretty empty except for fishing boats. Vlieland was a bit twee, but good restaurants again. Den Helder is good.

If you go into the dutch canals, you need the book (we didn't have it though) and an ICC (we did have that). Have lots of 1euro coins for the bridges in some of the canals, and lots of patience.

If you decide to go through the Waddensee, get decent charts. It's possible around high water, we were told, but there's an awful lot of sand/mud if you get it wrong.

The Brian Navin book on Denmark and Germany (pub Imray, I think) was useful, and there's another one about the Nethrlands which I've just bought to go there this summer.

PM if I can help further.

Enjoy it.

Ali
 
If you are for something else than daytrips, I would suggest Copenhaguen-Aero (small island in kattegat)-Skagen-Thyboron-(Esbjerg-)Helgoland- and then the wadden islands... but the trip will be longer and there are quite few sheltered ports on the westside of Danmark....
Or, if you do not feel like rounding Skagen, try the Limfjord, depending on your air draught.

Holger
 
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