beneteau_305_553
Well-Known Member
I'm planing to cruise the dutch canals next year. What is the best cruising guide , charts, etc. ?
Also do UK boats or crew need a licence?
Also do UK boats or crew need a licence?
Dutch Canals?
- Thread starter beneteau_305_553
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alldownwind
Well-Known Member
There's a new Imray book that I've flicked through, 'Inland Waterways of the Netherlands'. Only published about a month ago so at least it should be fairly up to date.
AliM
Well-Known Member
You need a CEVNI endorsement on an ICC, I believe, but I have not been asked for it at any point. You also need to have the book of regulations (in Dutch, even if you can't read it) . Buy it when you arrive - all chandleries have stacks of them. (Again, I've not been asked for it). What I have been asked about is the Schengen form - again, pick it up and fill it in when you arrive. Others have had to justify red diesel in their tanks. Keep receipts for the last few fill-ups before you go.
The Dutch charts are super (at least of the IJselmeer and Waddensea, where we've been) and cheaper than british ones. The Brian Navin guide is OK, I expect there are better ones, though.
Enjoy it - it's a super boating area, and the people are lovely.
Ali
The Dutch charts are super (at least of the IJselmeer and Waddensea, where we've been) and cheaper than british ones. The Brian Navin guide is OK, I expect there are better ones, though.
Enjoy it - it's a super boating area, and the people are lovely.
Ali
ditchcrawler
Well-Known Member
The Brian Navin Cruising Guide To The Netherlands is good but the new book Inland Waterways of The Netherlands by Louise Busby & David Broad does look very comprehensive & should be right up to date.As well as Vol 1 of the Wateralmanak which as mentioned above you need to carry, Vol 2 is worth having as it lists all the opening times of the bridges & locks(in Dutch but times are easy to understand)
In Holland & Belgium if your boat is British registered not longer than 15 m nor capable of more than 20kph then you do not require An ICC so the CEVNI qualification does not apply in this instance.
In Holland & Belgium if your boat is British registered not longer than 15 m nor capable of more than 20kph then you do not require An ICC so the CEVNI qualification does not apply in this instance.
PeterGibbs
Well-Known Member
A couple of hints:
1. Dutch waterways are marked in a professional manner that puts us to shame: they have a great system of marking shallows for small boats - small sticks, red and green, mark the 2m contour outside the commercial tracks whch are conventionally marked. These help us to sail the full width of the waterway with safety.
2. In locks, it is vital to get the stern line attached first. Then you can motor ahead to line up with the walls. If your enthusiastic crew tether the boat like a horse, head first, you will be all over the shop!
Sooner or later you will glance behind you and find several hundred tonnes of barge, possibly laden to semi-sinking, roaring up silently on you. Keeping a good watch is vital. And tuning your VHF to the local channel is obligatory.
Apart from the Schengen immigration form - available on the RYA site - there are no formalities. Get your charts there -much cheaper. Most bridges on smaller waterways open on demand - just position yourself in view of the cameras! On major routes, bridges open about hourly - times hardly change and are well marked in the standard pilots. No need to buy anything in Dutch!
Great place Holland. The Dutch are great sailors and welcoming hosts. Some other flags one could mention are known to be more aggressive: last summer one of these foreigners roared up on me and swung in just 2 meters in front of my bow. Fortunately I was able to redirect him in his own language... so, achtung mein Freund!
See you there!
PWG
1. Dutch waterways are marked in a professional manner that puts us to shame: they have a great system of marking shallows for small boats - small sticks, red and green, mark the 2m contour outside the commercial tracks whch are conventionally marked. These help us to sail the full width of the waterway with safety.
2. In locks, it is vital to get the stern line attached first. Then you can motor ahead to line up with the walls. If your enthusiastic crew tether the boat like a horse, head first, you will be all over the shop!
Sooner or later you will glance behind you and find several hundred tonnes of barge, possibly laden to semi-sinking, roaring up silently on you. Keeping a good watch is vital. And tuning your VHF to the local channel is obligatory.
Apart from the Schengen immigration form - available on the RYA site - there are no formalities. Get your charts there -much cheaper. Most bridges on smaller waterways open on demand - just position yourself in view of the cameras! On major routes, bridges open about hourly - times hardly change and are well marked in the standard pilots. No need to buy anything in Dutch!
Great place Holland. The Dutch are great sailors and welcoming hosts. Some other flags one could mention are known to be more aggressive: last summer one of these foreigners roared up on me and swung in just 2 meters in front of my bow. Fortunately I was able to redirect him in his own language... so, achtung mein Freund!
See you there!
PWG
cnh
Well-Known Member
I did have one slightly odd experience.
I was singlehanded, going into Dokkum lock. Not many other boats about. Got a hold onto the wall. There was a space in front, but I looked back, and the lock was only half full. Rather than move up, I hung on.
As the lock filled, the lock keeper's voice came booming over the loudspeaker: 'English boat, you have left a space in front of you. I do not understand such behaviour!'
I looked back at the half empty lock, wondering what his problem was. Everyone else averted their eyes. Feeling like a wally, I hung on until the gates opened, then motored away.
I was singlehanded, going into Dokkum lock. Not many other boats about. Got a hold onto the wall. There was a space in front, but I looked back, and the lock was only half full. Rather than move up, I hung on.
As the lock filled, the lock keeper's voice came booming over the loudspeaker: 'English boat, you have left a space in front of you. I do not understand such behaviour!'
I looked back at the half empty lock, wondering what his problem was. Everyone else averted their eyes. Feeling like a wally, I hung on until the gates opened, then motored away.
john_morris_uk
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
I'm planing to cruise the dutch canals next year. What is the best cruising guide , charts, etc. ?
Also do UK boats or crew need a licence?
[/ QUOTE ]The last time I was there, we bought the local charts that the Dutch produce. They were excellent. I am not sure if they are available in the UK. We went to the first chandlers we found in our first port of call in Holland.
Cruising the Nederlands inland waterways/canals is a wonderful experience. We keep meaning to go back, but somehow end up in S Brittany each year.
I'm planing to cruise the dutch canals next year. What is the best cruising guide , charts, etc. ?
Also do UK boats or crew need a licence?
[/ QUOTE ]The last time I was there, we bought the local charts that the Dutch produce. They were excellent. I am not sure if they are available in the UK. We went to the first chandlers we found in our first port of call in Holland.
Cruising the Nederlands inland waterways/canals is a wonderful experience. We keep meaning to go back, but somehow end up in S Brittany each year.
Emjaytoo
Well-Known Member
Agree with everything above. We have just bought the new Imray book. A bit pricey at £30 but packed with information. Watch out for some of the striped channel markers they are on the 1.5m contour - it will tell you on your dutch charts.
We think the place is wonderfull, the people absolutely charming and wouldn't keep our boat anywhere else.
See the Blog for lots of pictures of sailing in the Netherlands.
We think the place is wonderfull, the people absolutely charming and wouldn't keep our boat anywhere else.
See the Blog for lots of pictures of sailing in the Netherlands.
sailorman
Well-Known Member
[You need a CEVNI endorsement on an ICC]
i havnt got one / either in 30 yrs of cruising De Nederlands never bin asked either
its a Length / Speed thing
i havnt got one / either in 30 yrs of cruising De Nederlands never bin asked either
its a Length / Speed thing
PeterGibbs
Well-Known Member
Just occurred to me - you could buy the Strom atlas when you land there - it's the tidal atlas for the whole country. Explanatory notes in English too - wht more could you want?
Not expensive, but it gives you great detail on how the water moves around the sea-linked inland waterways and saves you facing adverse currents when you expected the water going the other way - lots of that sort of thing in Holland, adds to the charm!
PWG
Not expensive, but it gives you great detail on how the water moves around the sea-linked inland waterways and saves you facing adverse currents when you expected the water going the other way - lots of that sort of thing in Holland, adds to the charm!
PWG
Frankklose
Well-Known Member
I am German. Sorry to hear about the unfriendly German sailor. The trouble is that most British sailor are not used to locks . I try to give as much room as possible to any British sailors since they panic very fast, because they are not used to such small spaces and usually can not navigate accurate to 5 cm.
I learned to sail in the Solent and when I moved back to Germany after 7 years in Southern England my first visit to a Dutch lock was quite an experience …..( I moved the boat which I had in England back to Germany)
You can dock the boat to a single point by attaching front and stern line to one point...it works.
You only need a license in the Netherlands if the vessel is faster than 20 km/h or longer than 20 meters.
A rubber dingy with a heavy engine or a glider (motor boat) requires a license (faster than 20 km/h)
I learned to sail in the Solent and when I moved back to Germany after 7 years in Southern England my first visit to a Dutch lock was quite an experience …..( I moved the boat which I had in England back to Germany)
You can dock the boat to a single point by attaching front and stern line to one point...it works.
You only need a license in the Netherlands if the vessel is faster than 20 km/h or longer than 20 meters.
A rubber dingy with a heavy engine or a glider (motor boat) requires a license (faster than 20 km/h)
roger
Well-Known Member
CEVNI Endorsement - only needed if you go very fast or have a very large boat.
If you are going to explore the tidal bits you need to have the up-to-date Dutch Charts. They are usually publishe about April. The sand-banks move all the time so even the current charts are soon out of date. Last years could be dangerous.
In 2001 we used 2001 charts approaching Lauwersoog at midnight and cloudy sky. I'll swear we were in channel according to our charts and the GPS. We missed an unlit buoy of enormous size by maybe 5 feet. The fact was that the channel had moved - and so had the buoys.
Dutch barge trains can cut corners going outside channel.
If you are going to explore the tidal bits you need to have the up-to-date Dutch Charts. They are usually publishe about April. The sand-banks move all the time so even the current charts are soon out of date. Last years could be dangerous.
In 2001 we used 2001 charts approaching Lauwersoog at midnight and cloudy sky. I'll swear we were in channel according to our charts and the GPS. We missed an unlit buoy of enormous size by maybe 5 feet. The fact was that the channel had moved - and so had the buoys.
Dutch barge trains can cut corners going outside channel.
sailorman
Well-Known Member
as our boat is an I.O.R. designed 1 tonner ( fat @ max beam ), we always use a "Mid-ships" line to centre cleat. make-off as short as possible, its then easy to steer the boat by the engine / gearbox. after all under control we use a bow line & the centre warp.
PS. dont be in a hurry let others go into locks first onto the wall then siddle-up & tie alongside if possible /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
PS. dont be in a hurry let others go into locks first onto the wall then siddle-up & tie alongside if possible /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
vyv_cox
Well-Known Member
<<<< dont be in a hurry let others go into locks first >>>
You have to move fast to get into a lock before the Dutch!
In summer it doesn't pay to hang back. Many of the smaller locks can be very crowded, perhaps the worst being the Krammersluis sealock between the Oosterschelde and the Volkerak. The locking procedure is complex, as fresh and salt water are kept separate, the locks are small and this is a major route. You can wait literally for hours to get through, so it doesn't pay to adopt an 'after you sir' policy.
You have to move fast to get into a lock before the Dutch!
In summer it doesn't pay to hang back. Many of the smaller locks can be very crowded, perhaps the worst being the Krammersluis sealock between the Oosterschelde and the Volkerak. The locking procedure is complex, as fresh and salt water are kept separate, the locks are small and this is a major route. You can wait literally for hours to get through, so it doesn't pay to adopt an 'after you sir' policy.
DAKA
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
<<<< dont be in a hurry let others go into locks first >>>
You have to move fast to get into a lock before the Dutch!
[/ QUOTE ]
Some of the locks are also road crossings so bridges need to be opened for you to enter the lock.
Once the bridge is up you have to get under quick, they will not wait for you.
Yachts first, then flybridges as the bridge is closing then squat mobos once the bridge is closed.
You must get in ahead of the mobos in the queue and will be instructed to push past even if they were there first.
<<<< dont be in a hurry let others go into locks first >>>
You have to move fast to get into a lock before the Dutch!
[/ QUOTE ]
Some of the locks are also road crossings so bridges need to be opened for you to enter the lock.
Once the bridge is up you have to get under quick, they will not wait for you.
Yachts first, then flybridges as the bridge is closing then squat mobos once the bridge is closed.
You must get in ahead of the mobos in the queue and will be instructed to push past even if they were there first.
justdrifting
Well-Known Member
Hollands indeed a wonderful country the Dutch speaking better English than many with British passports today.The brewery's will offer you a case of bier if you visit on your birthday!
Sadly the Dutch waterways have become to popular.I used to live and work in Holland and see the difference today.
There is another very small country called "Belgium" they also have canals some busy commercial others just as crowded with Dutch & German boats as Holland,but they also have miles of canals that are tosmall for commerce and not very busy in summer
Belgium also has far better food!The bier brewed is like wine!Though there are so many biers to choose from it would be almost impossible to try all in just one summer!
The belgium breweries provide tours there often small family run businesses offering bier tasting and the opportunity to buy some also offer a small metal folding table and folding chairs for just 40€ table and 4 chairs ideal for canal bank stops
The Belgium woman are also very friendly helpful and hard working!For once the men (in Belgium)are also hard working helpful and kind but the two havent always a meeting of the minds!The men enjoy supporting the Brewing sector of the economy the woman dont!
When a womans asks if you like the bier and you say "oh yes,but i dont drink much bier"you will be in favor,and perhaps be asked to eat as "she has some friends that evening" If asked GO the dinner will be mouthwatering a cafè would have 6 stars offering such fare!
Dinners are not served with bier but the very very best French wines of the best age for each course.After dinner the walk or bike ride back to the boat is bliss star lite sky the way lite by golden street lamps passing by beautiful buildings on artistly laid cobels
Arrive back at the boat where you sleep very contently as only good food and wine with great company can induce
Later you will certainly be taken sight seeing a part of that will be being introduced to Belgium chocolates! Far better than even Swiss chocolate,you have a choise of working class chocolates middelclass chocolates or those for the super rich! The working class chocolate is just as good as the most expensive
Chocolate producers also provide "tours" and tasteing
One big point against visiting Belgium is that you will stay so long you have to spend winter there!!Thats a hardship thats sofened by the chance of a free place with power and water not far away
Just thought id mention the other canals in case you find yourself in southern Holland
Sadly the Dutch waterways have become to popular.I used to live and work in Holland and see the difference today.
There is another very small country called "Belgium" they also have canals some busy commercial others just as crowded with Dutch & German boats as Holland,but they also have miles of canals that are tosmall for commerce and not very busy in summer
Belgium also has far better food!The bier brewed is like wine!Though there are so many biers to choose from it would be almost impossible to try all in just one summer!
The belgium breweries provide tours there often small family run businesses offering bier tasting and the opportunity to buy some also offer a small metal folding table and folding chairs for just 40€ table and 4 chairs ideal for canal bank stops
The Belgium woman are also very friendly helpful and hard working!For once the men (in Belgium)are also hard working helpful and kind but the two havent always a meeting of the minds!The men enjoy supporting the Brewing sector of the economy the woman dont!
When a womans asks if you like the bier and you say "oh yes,but i dont drink much bier"you will be in favor,and perhaps be asked to eat as "she has some friends that evening" If asked GO the dinner will be mouthwatering a cafè would have 6 stars offering such fare!
Dinners are not served with bier but the very very best French wines of the best age for each course.After dinner the walk or bike ride back to the boat is bliss star lite sky the way lite by golden street lamps passing by beautiful buildings on artistly laid cobels
Arrive back at the boat where you sleep very contently as only good food and wine with great company can induce
Later you will certainly be taken sight seeing a part of that will be being introduced to Belgium chocolates! Far better than even Swiss chocolate,you have a choise of working class chocolates middelclass chocolates or those for the super rich! The working class chocolate is just as good as the most expensive
Chocolate producers also provide "tours" and tasteing
One big point against visiting Belgium is that you will stay so long you have to spend winter there!!Thats a hardship thats sofened by the chance of a free place with power and water not far away
Just thought id mention the other canals in case you find yourself in southern Holland