Crossing Netherlands to Uk

[DanTribe]

Don't! Winter there.

Do you speak from experience?
I was very tempted to do just that.

 

[MoodySabre]

If you want to skip the lovely but slow route through the Veersmeer/Middleburg then take the Hansweert canal into the Westerschelde and then go straight to Breskens. Get the tide in the Westerschelde on the ebb.

unless you need Vlissingen to “sign out”

 

[Daydream believer]

If you want to skip the lovely but slow route through the Veersmeer/Middleburg then take the Hansweert canal into the Westerschelde and then go straight to Breskens. Get the tide in the Westerschelde on the ebb.

unless you need Vlissingen to “sign out”

Very easy to sign out in Blankenburg- The customs office is on the wall of the harbour near the bend as one turns to exit between the piers near the chandlery. It has been said that the immigration officials will come to the boat if the HM requests.
But if working one's way along the coast, Ostend is easy enough to sign out. Just involves a short walk to the railway station.

 

[sailaboutvic]

If you want to skip the lovely but slow route through the Veersmeer/Middleburg then take the Hansweert canal into the Westerschelde and then go straight to Breskens. Get the tide in the Westerschelde on the ebb.

unless you need Vlissingen to “sign out”

Sign out? Sign out from where? This life ,
Not sure that be much help ,
Vlissingen is convenient ,
as if a window open up we make Orwell in a SW
If not a 20 mile sail even if we have to beat will put us in Belgium and a better run at getting back.

 

[dgadee]

Do you speak from experience?
I was very tempted to do just that.

In 1983 I lost a mast in the north sea after inversion. Landed on a beach at Katwijk an See. After problems with insurer I got everything sorted but it meant a winter over there which then allowed having the following summer to do more cruising. So my experience is only a tiny bit relevant.

Flying back and forward would be much easier than that winter Harwich/Hook of Holland ferry.

 

[sailaboutvic]

Do you speak from experience?
I was very tempted to do just that.

We was thinking of just staying here , the fees are half of the UK for a winter contract , but we need to sort stuff out back home .

 

[sailaboutvic]

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?

Yes more we looking into it the more bridges problems we finding .
After 1st Nov some bridges are only opening with 24 hour notice and if you miss your slot then it's another 24 hour wait .
Other only opening once a day .
That can be a problem getting any miles in .
Add to that day light ,
Could be an interesting trip .
Still holding out that by the time we get to Amsterdam a window will open up so we can sail straight over .

 

[[2574]]

We was thinking of just staying here , the fees are half of the UK for a winter contract , but we need to sort stuff out back home .

Presumably Schengen rules that out?

 

[Daydream believer]

Sign out? Sign out from where? This life ,
Not sure that be much help ,
Vlissingen is convenient ,

Is Vlissingen convenient? One has to park up either at the Michael Ruyter marina, or the Schelde one, just inside the lock. That one sometimes has no room. I have only stayed once & was not exactly welcome, due to lack of space for visitors. One could possibly park up near the first bridge perhaps. There is nowhere else as other places have signs warning vessels to keep clear. At least that is my impression. Then one has to get to the immigration office , which may not be nearby. I am not sure, but it may involve a taxi, or cycle ride. Certainly from the outside marina.
One may need to research first.

 

[MoodySabre]

Sign out? Sign out from where? This life ,
Not sure that be much help ,
Vlissingen is convenient ,
as if a window open up we make Orwell in a SW
If not a 20 mile sail even if we have to beat will put us in Belgium and a better run at getting back.

Haven’t you got to get your passport stamped as you leave the EU? Or have you just been in the EU for a long time and ignored the rules?

 

[westhinder]

Is Vlissingen convenient? One has to park up either at the Michael Rutter marina, or the one just inside the lock. That one sometimes has no room. I have only stayed once & was not exactly welcome, due to lack of space for visitors. One could possibly park up near the first bridge perhaps. There is nowhere else as other places have signs warning vessels to keep clear. At least that is my impression. Then one has to get to the immigration office , which may not be nearby. I am not sure, but it may involve a taxi, or cycle ride. Certainly from the outside marina.
One may need to research first.

There is a new marina in Vlissingen behind the lock, port side when coming out of the lock, so more convenient for the town centre. If I remember correctly, it is also operated by the Schelde, the club next to the last lifting bridge

 

[DanTribe]

There is a new marina in Vlissingen behind the lock, port side when coming out of the lock, so more convenient for the town centre. If I remember correctly, it is also operated by the Schelde, the club next to the last lifting bridge

I looked at that but the bridge has very limited opening times and it is very open and bleak, no doubt it will improve in time.

 

[DanTribe]

Haven’t you got to get your passport stamped as you leave the EU? Or have you just been in the EU for a long time and ignored the rules?

In theory, yes, but I found it very difficult to get our passports stamped. Most officials just waved us away and didn't want to know. The police station in Nieuwpoort had a notice on the door saying "use the online app", which we couldn't make work, nor could the young guys in the marina office. In case you try to deposit a paper copy the post box was bolted shut.?

 

[sailaboutvic]

Last time we used the marina in the town ,
The walk way bridge open on demind .
But not much space to manoeuvre.
Friendly and helpful we found.

 

[Daydream believer]

[

In theory, yes, but I found it very difficult to get our passports stamped. Most officials just waved us away and didn't want to know. The police station in Nieuwpoort had a notice on the door saying "use the online app", which we couldn't make work, nor could the young guys in the marina office. In case you try to deposit a paper copy the post box was bolted shut.?

You have probably been using the wrong version of the app. If one goes to google & clicks a later version & fills it in properly with the dates, skipper, crew etc it actually works quite well. The first time I tried it was a nightmare, because I had an early version.
I also found that one cannot print it out until later in the process. One needs to fill it in, email it prior to departure, either from UK, or schengan zone ( if returning): then wait for acknowledgement; which includes a printable download. How one deals with unconcerned staff I would not know. At least Ostend operates 24 hours.

 

[Daydream believer]

There is a new marina in Vlissingen behind the lock, port side when coming out of the lock, so more convenient for the town centre. If I remember correctly, it is also operated by the Schelde, the club next to the last lifting bridge

Not shown in Reeds 2023 & I could not see it when there September this year. Are you sure that it is not a holding pen for Amel yachts

 

[westhinder]

Not shown in Reeds 2023 & I could not see it when there September this year. Are you sure that it is not a holding pen for Amel yachts

Yes, quite sure, when I was there in July, the harbourmaster offered me the option to go there. You can clearly see it on their website, it is called Stadshaven Scheldekwartier.
I can’t upload the picture right now, but it is here Jachthavens Schelde Vlissingen – havenmeester: 06-155 38 515 (aanmelden en ligplaats info)

 

[Daydream believer]

Yes, quite sure, when I was there in July, the harbourmaster offered me the option to go there. You can clearly see it on their website, it is called Stadshaven Scheldekwartier.
I can’t upload the picture right now, but it is here Jachthavens Schelde Vlissingen – havenmeester: 06-155 38 515 (aanmelden en ligplaats info)

Thanks for the link.
I have sent it to Reeds, as they seem to have missd that one.

 

[DanTribe]

Yes, quite sure, when I was there in July, the harbourmaster offered me the option to go there. You can clearly see it on their website, it is called Stadshaven Scheldekwartier.
I can’t upload the picture right now, but it is here Jachthavens Schelde Vlissingen – havenmeester: 06-155 38 515 (aanmelden en ligplaats info)

We stopped at VVW Schelde and walked into town past the Stadshaven Scheldekwartier. Have to say it didn't appeal. It is in a vast development area and seems very bleak and open, very little "gezelligheid". I imagine it will get better later with bars and shops are built and hopefully trees planted. The bridge described as a footway is actually a road bridge and only opened a few times per day. The VVW Schelde club is small but made us very welcome, lovely club feel.

 

[dunedin]

Haven’t you got to get your passport stamped as you leave the EU? Or have you just been in the EU for a long time and ignored the rules?

Not sure that vic considers himself subject to Schengen rules that apply to other British mere mortals