Dutch Inland Sea

[rhinorhino]

I am thinking of taking a cruise toward the Dutch Inland sea from the Solent.

Any recent experiences, comments etc would be most welcome.

Probably late August or September, 36 boat.

Advice on any admin issues likely to spoil my day would be most welcome.

 

[Tomahawk]

The Zeeland area or the Ijlesmeere?

Both lovely..
I am given to understand you must keep a copy of the Dutch rule book on board, in Dutch, so no use to you?

Leave the Solent at LW and make 8 kts ov the ground and you can carry the tide all the way to Oostend in one go..
Breskens on the S bank of the Schelde is good, then across to Hooek and into the canals towards Middleberg...

 

[sailorman]

Zeeland or the Ijselmeer
no issues with admin, ticket req for some MoBo`s
free dutch ecn charts are available via the Open CPN website
read the RYA site for more details

 

[sailorman]

The Zeeland area or the Ijlesmeere?

Both lovely..
I am given to understand you must keep a copy of the Dutch rule book on board, in Dutch, so no use to you?

available as a free download & as long as you have a copy on a pc thats ok. to date i have never had one & never been asked for it

 

[EdWingfield]

Have all the documentation at the ready including Schengen List. The cops boarded me on arrival at Den Helder and asked to see it all. A couple of days later I was boarded again. I asked them to check with Den Helder - they did and wished me a happy holiday.

If you decide to sail the shallower waters in the Ijselmeer you can pick up large amounts of weed around the prop. I know.

Probably inappropriate for your cruise but I recommend taking the Nordzee Kanaal to Amsterdam for a crazy voyage. Welcome to your first nervous breakdown! In retrospect you'll love it.

 

[johnalison]

There are few problems in sailing in the Netherlands, in fact, I know several people who have done it and survived. The chief problem is canned Heineken's, which is toxic. I have heard that the Ijselmeer is shallow, but only from people with 3 metre keels. I have tried to teach the natives English but without much success.

 

[thalassa]

There are few problems in sailing in the Netherlands, in fact, I know several people who have done it and survived. The chief problem is canned Heineken's, which is toxic. I have heard that the Ijselmeer is shallow, but only from people with 3 metre keels. I have tried to teach the natives English but without much success.

It is also very well known for kicking up a nasty sea in windy weather.
Avoiding Heineken is excellent advice.

 

[sailorman]

It is also very well known for kicking up a nasty sea in windy weather.
Avoiding Heineken is excellent advice.

The Dutch are fortunate to have Belgian biers but sadly not their food

 

[johnalison]

You can eat sort of OK in Holland, but not as cheaply as 30yrs ago when it was good fun. Pancake houses can be good. They tend to be genteel establishments and the sweet or savoury pancakes, or pannekeuken (approx), are their equivalent to pizzas. Indo-Chinese restaurants can be good value.

One of the delights of the Ijselmeer is that there are colonies of religious nutters in the villages you might stop at. It's best to get your Catholics and Calvinists sorted out before you arrive.

 

[AliM]

Lovely little towns and villages. Excellent bike tracks and you can hire bikes everywhere to explore. Friendly, easy and cheap marinas. Everyone speaks English. It's a relaxing place to sail.

No one has mentioned the locks. Be bold and well prepared with fenders everywhere. The Dutch, while being generally friendly and pleasant people, are pretty determined to cram into that last minute space in a lock, even though you thought that you were there first!

School holidays make a big difference. Within them, everyone is on the water, in term, the canals, locks, marinas, IJsselmeer etc are quite empty.