Crossing Netherlands to Uk

[sailaboutvic]

Within the next couple of weeks we hoping for a good 24 hour weather window to cross from the Netherlands to the UK .
So far there not been a clear weather window.
It's going to be the first Northern Europe winter sail in 13 years after being away cruising Southern Europe.
A shock to the system I think.
Although we are no strangers to night or long distance sailing
with just 7 and a half day light hours to keep us warm I have to admit I'm not looking forward to it .
the weather so far hasn't been great ,SW 6/ 7 most days with the odd few hours of lighter winds and as our heading will be W by SW its not an option unless we want to head north ,so no thanks.
have I left it too late ?
one option is to work our way down the inland waters ways to Vessingen added a week on the trip but at less we on the move rather then waiting in a marinas for a window,
it will also cut the crossing by 3 hours,
It will also give us the option to do short day sails to Belgium not needing such a big weather window .
what your option ?

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Take the inland route and get as much southing as you can but you knew that didn't you. Having been in the same / worse predicament but without the luxury of time I can confirm that it's not a pleasant sail.

 

[mattonthesea]

If it helps your planning I've just looked at the Jetstream forecast and it looks like the wind will be from the SW for some 10 days or so before turning West! So maybe day hops in the gaps?
M

 

[Tradewinds]

Take the inland route and get as much southing as you can but you knew that didn't you. Having been in the same / worse predicament but without the luxury of time I can confirm that it's not a pleasant sail.

That's what I'd do with the luxury of time on my side. Ijmuiden/Den Helder to UK can be a tough (ie v.unpleasant) passage sometimes.

 

[johnalison]

Although it is nice to do it in one hop from Ijmuiden it will be close to 18hrs just to Lowestoft. This was something I only achieved in many years of trying, and that in August. It looks as if the first decent weather will be around Saturday, so you should have time to get south for a shorter trip from Breskens or thereabouts. Another advantage is that you will at least be on the move rather than sitting in a hole and listening to the wind.

 

[DanTribe]

Within the next couple of weeks we hoping for a good 24 hour weather window to cross from the Netherlands to the UK .
So far there not been a clear weather window.
It's going to be the first Northern Europe winter sail in 13 years after being away cruising Southern Europe.
A shock to the system I think.
Although we are no strangers to night or long distance sailing
with just 7 and a half day light hours to keep us warm I have to admit I'm not looking forward to it .
the weather so far hasn't been great ,SW 6/ 7 most days with the odd few hours of lighter winds and as our heading will be W by SW its not an option unless we want to head north ,so no thanks.
have I left it too late ?
one option is to work our way down the inland waters ways to Vessingen added a week on the trip but at less we on the move rather then waiting in a marinas for a window,
it will also cut the crossing by 3 hours,
It will also give us the option to do short day sails to Belgium not needing such a big weather window .
what your option ?

Where is your final destination?
In September we did a similiar trip via Vlissingen / Nieuwpoort / Ramsgate / Burnham, which allowed short day sailing trips
We waited on the Veersameer for a promising window. Free staging mooring near a fast food place. Then on to VVW Schelde in Vlissingen, next to Keersluisbrug, so we didn't waste time waiting for the Blue Wave. Friendly small club, not picturesque surroundings but convenient.
Then sat in Nieuwpoort waiting for the wind to ease. Never really stopped in Nieuwpoort before but found lots of things to amuse us.

 

[Mudisox]

Short hops South if the weather suits, or you are able to stay inland. Rather depends where in UK you want to arrive.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Short hops South if the weather suits, or you are able to stay inland. Rather depends where in UK you want to arrive.

The two obvious destinations are Lowestoft and the Orwell, anything in between will be tide dependant and possibly not to inviting in a SW 6 /7, after that it is again day sailing.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

You have not left it too late. October is always like this. In November you will get a high building and light winds, if you time it you will get northerlies as the low moves out and the high builds, usually. In fact, November sailing can be lovely in the northern areas, but cold. I would wait until November if you want more certainty.

 

[sailaboutvic]

Take the inland route and get as much southing as you can but you knew that didn't you. Having been in the same / worse predicament but without the luxury of time I can confirm that it's not a pleasant sail.

Leaning towards inland route to get us as south as possible given us a better angle for sailing over

 

[sailaboutvic]

Although it is nice to do it in one hop from Ijmuiden it will be close to 18hrs just to Lowestoft. This was something I only achieved in many years of trying, and that in August. It looks as if the first decent weather will be around Saturday, so you should have time to get south for a shorter trip from Breskens or thereabouts. Another advantage is that you will at least be on the move rather than sitting in a hole and listening to the wind.

Not quite ready for the coming weekend waiting on a part .

 

[sailaboutvic]

Where is your final destination?
In September we did a similiar trip via Vlissingen / Nieuwpoort / Ramsgate / Burnham, which allowed short day sailing trips
We waited on the Veersameer for a promising window. Free staging mooring near a fast food place. Then on to VVW Schelde in Vlissingen, next to Keersluisbrug, so we didn't waste time waiting for the Blue Wave. Friendly small club, not picturesque surroundings but convenient.
Then sat in Nieuwpoort waiting for the wind to ease. Never really stopped in Nieuwpoort before but found lots of things to amuse us.

Destination is Orwell and findings a reasonable winter berth .
Thanks for your thos but Coast hopping won't really help , with any SW we just be banging into it.

But if we can get south enough , even with a SW we be able to point up enough to make the crossing.

 

[sailaboutvic]

You have not left it too late. October is always like this. In November you will get a high building and light winds, if you time it you will get northerlies as the low moves out and the high builds, usually. In fact, November sailing can be lovely in the northern areas, but cold. I would wait until November if you want more certainty.

If be Nov before I reckon we make the crossing ,
There not many days left this months and we waiting on a part .

 

[sailaboutvic]

Of cause the other problem with inside route is Nov times of bridges are not so regular and some only opening once or twice a day we finding out now .

 

[sailaboutvic]

After 6 months cruising the Netherlands I have to say I be sorry to leave it .

 

[Daydream believer]

One needs to study the bridge times very carefully. Plus, make sure no locks are closed for maintenance, as happened to me. This forced me to turn round & exit at Ijmuiden. Then into severe weather on the nose, on the way to Lowestoft, which took 25 hours instead of the expected 18.
I would definitely get as far south as possible to get a better angle. Flushing, Breskens, 30 miles to Ostend, then , 85 mile reach to the Orwell in 16 hours if prevailing winds are SW. Alternatively, 60 miles to Ramsgate using the tide- 10 hours. & then head 50 miles to the Orwell- 10 hours using the tide as much as possible again.

How are you dealing with the 90 day limit?

 

[westhinder]

Just adding another vote to the general advice: go to Vlissingen via the Staande Mastroute, then move on to Oostende or Nieuwpoort, and depending on the weather situation at the time, either one hop to the Orwell, or a number of short hops via Dunkirk, Ramsgate and onwards.

 

[LadyInBed]

I would also favour a few hops and a jump!
Plus a hot water bottle stuffed down my jacket ?

 

[Daydream believer]

I would also favour a few hops and a jump!
Plus a hot water bottle stuffed down my jacket ?

Is it really that cold at the minute?
Lot of warm weather coming from the south at the present.
Get down the canals a bit sharpish, then get ready for the next batch of southerlies bringing up some warm air.

 

[dgadee]

After 6 months cruising the Netherlands I have to say I be sorry to leave it .

Don't! Winter there.