Crossing Netherlands to Uk

[Poecheng]

We stopped at VVW Schelde.....
The VVW Schelde club is small but made us very welcome, lovely club feel.

Agree, we stopped there in 2018 and it was great. We went into the clubhouse for food and drink and, although there were some spare tables, they sat us at a larger table with another Dutch couple. And the conversation started ....

 

[sailaboutvic]

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

I'm just a mere mortals and make mistake like everyone.

What this Schengen people talk about ,

 

[sailaboutvic]

It turning out that the first two bridges that we need to get through from the 1st Nov need 24 hour notice to open and we have to fit in what ever time they have, which won't be convenient if the slot is too early or too late in the day.
So now the Part we was waiting for as arrived.
to morrow we start to make our way south towards Amsterdam which going to take a couple of days .
We then look at the long range forecaster and make our final decision.
What this space .

 

[ean_p]

It turning out that the first two bridges that we need to get through from the 1st Nov need 24 hour notice to open and we have to fit in what ever time they have, which won't be convenient if the slot is too early or too late in the day.
So now the Part we was waiting for as arrived.
to morrow we start to make our way south towards Amsterdam which going to take a couple of days .
We then look at the long range forecaster and make our final decision.
What this space .

There is an alternative Vic if time at sea doesn't bother you too much (30 hour ish).....exit at either Ijmuiden or if up north Den Helder and head for Grimsby. If the wind backs at all then all to the good as it makes for a more comfortable and shorter reach into Lowestoft. Then make your way south from whichever with day sails down the UK east coast at leisure.

 

[Daydream believer]

Trouble with Grimsby is that it is still 106 M to Lowestoft which is the same as Ijmuiden to Lowestoft in the first place & one cannot rely on Wells as a stopover in winter.
Grimsby to Lowestoft can be a bit of a slog & navigation wise more challenging. Not to mention the pots.

 

[sailaboutvic]

Hey well I think Grimsby out ,
If by the time we get to Amsterdam there a chance in the following days for a window straight to Suffolk we wait and take it which is what we rather do .

If not it's slowly working out way the standing mast route to Vlissingen and hope there a break in the weather and for the wind to swing more northern for the crossing ,
Of cause the problem is there quite a lot of bridges and locks which will all have time change now it winter, so there be lots of waiting around and planning will become difficult.
But hey that's cruising .

lastly it moving on the Belgium where if the no swing in the wind we have a much better angle for sailing over .

What I prefer NOT to do is sit about for long periods of time in marinas we rather keep moving.

Still got to sort out a reasonable berth up the Orwell although space won't be a problem as many will be out of the water .

As I said watch this space

Oh thanks everyone who given their option .

 

[Tradewinds]

Hey well I think Grimsby out ,
If by the time we get to Amsterdam there a chance in the following days for a window straight to Suffolk we wait and take it which is what we rather do .

If not it's slowly working out way the standing mast route to Vlissingen and hope there a break in the weather and for the wind to swing more northern for the crossing ,
Of cause the problem is there quite a lot of bridges and locks which will all have time change now it winter, so there be lots of waiting around and planning will become difficult.
But hey that's cruising .

lastly it moving on the Belgium where if the no swing in the wind we have a much better angle for sailing over .

What I prefer NOT to do is sit about for long periods of time in marinas we rather keep moving.

Still got to sort out a reasonable berth up the Orwell although space won't be a problem as many will be out of the water .

Be aware that Woolverstone is no longer lifting boats out for the winter. In consequence SYH was absolutely rammed last winter. I don’t know whether it will be the same this winter. Cue @Bob@SYH

 

[sailaboutvic]

Be aware that Woolverstone is no longer lifting boats out for the winter. In consequence SYH was absolutely rammed last winter. I don’t know whether it will be the same this winter. Cue @Bob@SYH

Thanks ,
We do need to hual our at some point to fix the rudder bearing but it looking more like a later date as we won't be able to live on board on the hard , we had our fair share of that over the years and its no fun .
So for the foreseeable time we probably stay a float.
How long we stay on board this winter will depend when I can get my house back .
Although we been offered plenty of house sit from cruisers who are not returning to the UK this winter.

 

[sailaboutvic]

@Tradwinds
Do SYH still allow the use of their snubbing post?
One option is to dry out and see how bad the rudder got .

 

[Tradewinds]

@Tradwinds
Do SYH still allow the use of their snubbing post?
One option is to dry out and see how bad the rudder got .

Yes - it has to be booked ahead though as it's quite popular. £34.16 (+VAT) a tide. Power at the post as well as water.

 

[Tradewinds]

 

[DanTribe]

Best wishes for your voyage.
Keep us all up to date when you can

 

[sailaboutvic]

Yes - it has to be booked ahead though as it's quite popular. £34.16 (+VAT) a tide. Power at the post as well as water.

Great it give me a chance to see if the rudder bearing got much worst since April .

 

[sailaboutvic]

What crappy weather , looking 7 days a head and nothing stands out.
12 locks and bridges down only another 44 to go .
Arrived in Haarlem to night and as there no sign of weather to cross there no hurry to move on .
We probably stay a couple on nights here .
The railway bridge just before Kaag needs 24 hours notice now its Nov and only have a 12.00 or 15.00 slot ,
So probably aim for weds or Thursday, then drop the hook in the Kaag .
Return trip much more relaxing, no motor boats Jocking for position to squeeze in locks and bridges .

 

[DanTribe]

I'm sure you know this, but parts of Kaagermeer are very shallow, but t'Joppe is extraordinarily deep, up to 40 metres.
We ran aground while still showing 8 metres on the echo sounder [transducer is behind the keel.]
The route via Braassemermeer to Alphen has marginaly fewer bridges, but don't know about winter opening restrictions.
Love Haarlem, recommend a visit to the Jopen microbrewery bar. Enjoy your adventure.

 

[sailaboutvic]

I'm sure you know this, but parts of Kaagermeer are very shallow, but t'Joppe is extraordinarily deep, up to 40 metres.
We ran aground while still showing 8 metres on the echo sounder [transducer is behind the keel.]
The route via Braassemermeer to Alphen has marginaly fewer bridges, but don't know about winter opening restrictions.
Love Haarlem, recommend a visit to the Jopen microbrewery bar. Enjoy your adventure.

Yes it can be a bit tricky to navigation,
we anchored there on the way up ,
Interesting channel,working our way to Leiden too.
Once Nov set in there lots of changes in bridges opening times,
There quite a few that you need to book a slot the day before where normally they open on demand.

 

[Greg2]

Still got to sort out a reasonable berth up the Orwell although space won't be a problem as many will be out of the water .

Worth noting that marinas are full and as already mentioned, Woolverstone no longer do lift out so that has a knock on effect. I think Ipswich is the only place with vacant berths, but that isn’t a bad spot if you are living aboard as the town is on hand whereas other Orwell marinas have nothing nearby. Tidemill in Woodbridge on the Deben likely to have moorings as plenty have already been lifted out and a good spot for a winter live aboard berth.

 

[sailaboutvic]

12 bridges 16 miles and we only sew one barge all day long ,
What a difference from five months ago when it was mayhem trying to navigate the bridges with 20 other boat jockeying for position.
Good job too with gust of 25 kts even trying to hold the boat straight while waiting for the bridges to open was hard work without a bunch of other boats piled feet from every side .

 

[MoodySabre]

That's why I like to go in mid May and leave before the school holidays. Very few boats and nice long days.

 

[sailaboutvic]

Early start early finish ,
Knowning there was some works going on at one bridge and possibly a delay which ended up being an hour and a half .
another 14 bridges down (46 bridges and locks done ) we arrive in Gouda.
Rain held off but by god its been cold,
Getting here early(1300) give some time to buy fuel and stock up with food ready for the next stage of the trip .
Although we would mind spending a few days here , with a weather window looking promising for the end of next week plus some bridges are not open on Sunday,, it does look like we have to push on.
Joy of out of season cruising.