Escaping Amsterdam

Yellow Ballad

Yellow Ballad

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If you really had to?

I’ve been asked to crew for a friend on a delivery trip from Amsterdam,Lelystad on his new to him 47 footer. We don’t want to be hanging around so this will more then likely involve a trip through the canals. We’ll have a few days getting use to the boat beforehand, once out I’m pretty happy it’s the getting out bit I’m concerned about.

I haven’t looked at the charts yet. I’m out but thought I would get the ball rolling in this thread but could I ask the forum for tips, advice regs etc.

Sorry for the lack of detail, it’ll be the first time I’ve sailed out of uk waters and want to get a bit more clued up just incase Skip falls ill or the like.

Many Thanks in advance
 
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The first problem will be the Markermeer, the southern Ijselmeer, which has a problem with weed. This is worst near the western shore. This weed can stop a boat motoring and in fact slowed us down markedly when under sail. Otherwise, this is a handy place to get the sails up for a couple of hours, though a day going north into the Ijselmeer might be worth doing. One way round the weed is to stick to the buoyed channel, but this is where the barges go and I don't recommend it.

Amsterdam is easy enough. You will probably want to come home via the North Sea canal, Ijmuiden and the open sea but if the weather is horrendous there are two, or rather one and a half canal routes south to the Delta. You could write a book on how to do this, in fact several people have!
 
I'm not quite sure of your question. If you want to do Lelystad to UK, 1st leg Lelystad to Ilmuiden is do able in one hop, about 40 odd miles, only two locks, easy days journey. If you want to do the canals, turn south at Ilmond and go through Haarlem etc. Many more locks and bridges, probably take two additional days to get to Stellendam or Roompot or Vlissingen. All fairly straightforward, dont sweat.
At 47 feet, mast height might need to be considered through the canals though.
 
Thanks for the replies, Lelystad to Ilmuiden then the big blue is the bit I'm interested in really. Unfortunately no time for sightseeing on this trip. Really it's information on going through, do locks need booking, permits? Do's and don'ts.

Thank you on the weed issue, I'll look into this a bit more.

This is my first port of call so to speak, I've not had chance to have a google just yet but it's nice to hear from people that know.
 
Alternatively, if the boat is located north of the lock in the IJsselmeer go Lelystad to Den Oever then pit stop at Den Helder and then out into the North Sea that way.

Options, options :)
 
The locks do not need booking and they have a traffic light system, you or your skipper should have the inland waterways endorsement on your CC. The test can be done on line and there are practice questions it will give you all the information that you need to navigate the 40 miles and couple of locks and also make you "legal"
 
I don't think that route counts as inland waterways and don't think you need an ICC or endorsement.
Assuming you are coming from the North of Lelystad there are 3 locks and 1 bridge. At Lelystad you may have to share the lock with barges, Orangesluis and Ijmuiden have dedicated yacht locks. For your length I would probably call the lock on VHF to check they have room, they often pack the boats in when busy.
The bridge East of Orangesluis doesn't open in winds above force 7. All locks and bridges on your route are free & operate 24/7. The weed shouldn't be a problem if you stay on the main channel Lelystad to Amsterdam, the barges cut through it. If planning on stopping overnight I would recomend the marina at Seaport Ijmuiden outside the sea lock, gives more flexibility for a quick exit to sea. Amsterdam Marina is pleasant and convenient but 12 miles inland.
You should really carry Wateralmanak Deel 1. A legal requirement that all Dutch yachts have to carry, so should visitors. Can be bought in any chandlers in Netherlands or can be downloaded for free, but remember you are getting free use of their locks and bridges.
 
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I don't remember it's a long time since I did the inland waterways test but I always thought that once you passed the 1st sea lock you came under the inland waterways regulations and certainly from Amsterdam which ever way you go you will be subject to them.
 
I once got caught out (going the other way) by the fact that the bridge at the Eastern side of Amsterdam (the Schellingwouderbrug?) does not open during the rush hour.

Ijmuiden marina is huge and rather soulless but makes a good starting point for the crossing. Where are you heading towards on this side? In any case on a 47 footer I expect the crossing should be fairly quick; Ijmuiden to Harwich or anywhere further North is reasonably stress free as there is not too much shipping. You may now be allowed to pass through the windfarm off Ijmuiden, don't go too close to any of the gas platforms (500m) but they are pretty easy to miss.

There are plenty of threads on the East Coast Forum with detail of the crossing (generally described the other way round). Good luck!
 
Minn said:
It’s a long time since I did the “Amsterdam Night Parade” to go South. Is it still a “Thing?” Anyway yes you can get to Vlissingen in two days, but it’s tiring and three is better.
Click to expand...

We had to do the night convoy last year because the drought meant they wouldn't open the lock at Spaarndam. We got stuck in Amsterdam for 2 days because of rail bridge problems. Not a problem for us but some people were on a time constraint. It was fun and much less hassle than I had expected but wouldn't choose to do it too often.
 
There are modest paperback guides to the region, saving the need to waste time and money on pilots. While in Lelystad you might want to find time to visit the museum with the Batavia. There are some interesting sculptures around too. Depending on where you start from, you may have to include the Lelystad locks as well. It is likely that there will be a lot of local yachts around, so you can do worse than just follow the crowd. Local tradition is for very close manoeuvring, but if it is not your boat this won't be your problem perhaps. My routine is to get the stern mooring on first with crew well forward and moved the boat forward to reach the bow, but there are assorted styles as you will see. If possible, tie to a boat already moored. They will all speak English unless they own a traditional boat and have a beard.
 
Thanks again! The boat is located not far from Lelystad Haven so inside Markermeer, I think it'll possibly be more interesting going through the North Sea Canal then round the top, we'll be heading to Portsmouth.

I know the skipper is looking into it his side and had various books/guides. He's not so one for forums hence me doing a bit of digging. I'm sure the previous owner of the boat will be invaluable and will be quizzed on handover.

It sounds like the bridge (Schellingwouderbrug) needs a bit more looking into, when it does and doesn't open. Locks should be pretty straight forward, I assume it's long lines rather then a floating pontoon. Looking into it, it looks like there will be signs showing which VHF channel to use. Follow the other yachts, keep to the right and out of the way of big stuff and we should be ok.
 
The bridge shut hours are 0700-0900 & 1600-1800. Not sure what happens weekend and holidays.

It opens on the hour, then 20mins past and 20mins to.

Edit: Saturday, Sunday and holidays open 24 hrs ( see times above).
 
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The North Sea canal is easy (at least in daylight). You may find the Markemeer rather shallow in such a large yacht though presumably she got in there fine.

If heading down the Dutch coast be aware that you either have to cross the (very busy) Rotterdam entrance close in or far out. If close in I understand that you have to talk to VTS as you cross.
 
Weeds on the Markermeer are only a problem from the end of June and then only on the Western shores. So just stick close to the buoyed channel going to Amsterdam and you'll be fine.
Oranjesluizen in Amsterdam are straightforward. The locks at IJmuiden have a dedicated yacht lock, which is the most Southern lock. Presently they are building the biggest locks in the world in IJmuiden. Impressive to see.
 
The channel into Amsterdam from the Markermeer is buoyed but outside the main channel there is a yacht channel N&S marked by smaller buoys and this should be followed up to the city. There is plenty of jilling room before the bridge and also waiting walls, controlled by lights and necessary in the busy period.

If you have nt been there before, note that the barges can come up very fast and the heavily-laden ones can be quite inconspicuous.

The marina at Ijmuiden as someone said is vast. It is worth following the left-hand channel round to the visitors berths as far as you can, otherwise it can be a long walk to the showers. The arrangement of fingers is a bit random and there are posts in awkward places.
 
Thank you all again, unfortunately I've had a call saying the funds for the boat have been delayed by a week which means I won't be able to crew. I'm gutted as I doubt I'll have a chance to do the trip again (but you never know). The advice is very much appreciated and I'll pass it on to my friend I'm sure he'll be grateful.
 
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