Cruising Belgium/Holland

[nonitoo]

Planning time again - weather foul, boat out of water.

Can anyone point me at information for cruising (books, maps etc.) in the inland waterways of Belgium and Holland ?

Thanks

Tom

 

[sailorman]

Brian Navin cruising guide to the Netherlands --Imray Norie & Wilson
dont think you will req anything apart from Almanac for Belgium

 

[nonitoo]

Thanks for that.

Tom

 

[BartW]

unfortunotly I can't help you with advice on books,
but from own experience,
in Holland, make sure you can spend a few day's in "Zeeland", Goes, Zierikzee, Brouwershaven, etc....
and in Belgium, visit Bruges,
and cruise along the meuse: Liege, Namur, Dinant, the last part, probably the most beautifull inlandwater of Benelux...

don't hesitate to post questions.

sheers
Bart

 

[ebbtide]

[ QUOTE ]
Brian Navin cruising guide to the Netherlands --Imray Norie & Wilson
dont think you will req anything apart from Almanac for Belgium

[/ QUOTE ]

Wrong unfortunately. Recommend the RYA's Guide to Foreign Cruising Vol 1 where you will find mandatory requirements like entry ports to use and documentation you must have on board.
Know what BPR is? that's just for starters . . .
The UK is a non-Schengen country remember.

 

[segaerta]

Think also there should be some English books on inland waterways in Belgium and Holland.

Zeeland is indeed very nice, you can eaily spend one or two weeks or decide to go up north (eg Amsterdam).
In Belgium, there's more than Bruges, you can follow the Schelde to Antwerp and Gent or Brussels, etc. Even go South to visit the waterways in the North of France and from there back to the French Coast.

All depends how much time you have.
PM me if you want more information.

Cheers,
Alain

 

[sailorman]

i hadnt concidered inland Belgium as we have a 50` mast /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[pheran]

[ QUOTE ]
decide to go up north (eg Amsterdam).


[/ QUOTE ] With respect, whilst Amsterdam is further north (than Zeeland), 'up north' is Friesland, the heart of Dutch inland boating. Fortunately, it is too far for most British boats to make on the normal 2 or 3 week summer trip and has thus retained its character and remained relatively unspoilt. The few Brits we run into are like us and actually keep our boats there. Zeeland on the other hand is do-able and is nice out of season but becomes very busy during the summer months. Still worth a visit if you haven't been before.

We've 'done' the more popular places in Belgium, Gent, Brugge, Brussels etc but the country seems less geared up for private pleasure boating than Holland or France. Anyone venturing there would do well to note that the Schelde is a seriously tidal river. We encoundered one boat at Dendermonde who hadn't realised this and they came seriously to grief!!

 

[kingfisher]

With a standing mast you can get to Ghent, Antwerp and Brussels.

 

[nonitoo]

Thanks Malaprop, very helpful.

The thread drift regarding masts is interesting but with an air draft of 2.2 mtrs not really applicable.

Tom