Harwich to IJmuiden and on to Wadden islands.
- Thread starter stu9000
- Start date
MK101
Well-Known Member
Yes, that's the one. Sorry, I should have been more clear. There's no blockage on the North Sea Canal. I'm planning on going that way next weekend. But the standing mast route south from IJmuiden/Amsterdam essentially isn't available at the moment (the Amsterdam night convoy route is also blocked, because of failed repairs on another bridge).Hi,
can you help me identify the bridge that is "out of action" please?
Not to doubt you, but I cannot find any notices about it.
Using Google Maps because it shows the crossings clearlySome are tunnels, I think
Is this the bridge you are referring to?
View attachment 195279
I read your article on this, and found the link very helpful.
https://www.theca.org.uk/system/files/SMR info sources_1_0.pdf
So much so I have just applied to join the Cruising Assoc.
As I understand it, coming up from the south via Vlissengen is out of the question, but I can still get to Amsterdam and to the
stu9000
Well-Known Member
I am just musing on a few points.
My plan is to depart the Blackwater on Sun 6th July, following the tidal stream northward to Harwich.
We will hole up in Shotley for a few hours, then jump off for Ijmuiden.
I am assuming the weather is playing ball. Currently winds are looking a bit light, and on the nose, but it is still a little early to know what is going to happen.
If I leave Shotley at 1600 on Sunday evening I have to stem the tide as I head north up the UK coast, which will slow me down (HW @ Felixtowe Pier is 2047).
But I get into IJmuiden at 2000, in daylight (assumes an average speed of 5 knots)
If I leave Shotley at 2000 I get the favourable tide going up the Sledway, but I get into Ijmuiden at around midnight.
I have not been to IJmuiden before, but it looks fairly straightforward. I assume it is manned 24 hours?
The other point I have been considering is what do do once I get to IJmuiden.
I was thinking that Texel could be the next stop, but (partly because of this thread) I am quite liking the idea of taking the North Sea canal to Amsterdam and staying at Sixhaven Marina.
This is a 3 hour motor, i believe. Some have suggested it is good to push on into the canal as we arrive, but I have a feeling we will be tired and want to moor up at Seaport Marina for a few hours.
So, departing 2000 from Harwich, arriving at IJmuiden at around Midnight Monday.
A few hours kip at Seaport, then through the lock and onto Sixhaven the next morning.
Tuesday night in Sixhaven, then probably on to the Markermeer.
My plan is to depart the Blackwater on Sun 6th July, following the tidal stream northward to Harwich.
We will hole up in Shotley for a few hours, then jump off for Ijmuiden.
I am assuming the weather is playing ball. Currently winds are looking a bit light, and on the nose, but it is still a little early to know what is going to happen.
If I leave Shotley at 1600 on Sunday evening I have to stem the tide as I head north up the UK coast, which will slow me down (HW @ Felixtowe Pier is 2047).
But I get into IJmuiden at 2000, in daylight (assumes an average speed of 5 knots)
If I leave Shotley at 2000 I get the favourable tide going up the Sledway, but I get into Ijmuiden at around midnight.
I have not been to IJmuiden before, but it looks fairly straightforward. I assume it is manned 24 hours?
The other point I have been considering is what do do once I get to IJmuiden.
I was thinking that Texel could be the next stop, but (partly because of this thread) I am quite liking the idea of taking the North Sea canal to Amsterdam and staying at Sixhaven Marina.
This is a 3 hour motor, i believe. Some have suggested it is good to push on into the canal as we arrive, but I have a feeling we will be tired and want to moor up at Seaport Marina for a few hours.
So, departing 2000 from Harwich, arriving at IJmuiden at around Midnight Monday.
A few hours kip at Seaport, then through the lock and onto Sixhaven the next morning.
Tuesday night in Sixhaven, then probably on to the Markermeer.
johnalison
Well-Known Member
My usual preference is to race to my furthest destination and then work my way home slowly, but with your long overnight passage I think that the quieter trip to Amsterdam makes sense. We used to spend a night nearby and make for the Sixhaven mid-morning, but I have an idea that they don't want newcomers until after midday, but in any case it is a good idea to get there fairly early. The Aeolus a short way on is also very cosy and near the better supermarket.
Ijmuiden has an easy entrance though you need to watch out for shipping. One thing to beware of at night is the marina's has some awkward fingers with wooden posts where you might not expect them, so approach carefully especially if you are tired. The visitors berths are right round the far side as you go in and the pontoons are deceptively long, so it is a good idea to go as far as possible to avoid what can be a long walk.
Ijmuiden has an easy entrance though you need to watch out for shipping. One thing to beware of at night is the marina's has some awkward fingers with wooden posts where you might not expect them, so approach carefully especially if you are tired. The visitors berths are right round the far side as you go in and the pontoons are deceptively long, so it is a good idea to go as far as possible to avoid what can be a long walk.
Pye_End
Well-Known Member
The canal is 24 hour. The marina manning is office hours. However it is well marked, especially with the help of a chart plotter it is straight forward. Some of the channel marks into the marina are not lit, so take not to clonk them. Turn left when you get in and follow the fairway for ages to find a berth. There is a sign up indicating which piers are for which size boats, but perhaps easy to miss. Familiarise yourself with the layout beforehand, and head for the fairway at the opposite side to the entrance. There were plenty of space a few days ago. The berths have a QR codes on them, so you can scan and register/pay without having to go ashore. You then get emailed with a QR code which you use on the main gate and the facilities block.
I have not gone in at night, but with plenty of ambient light around the marina, and modern electronics for the harbour, it should be easy enough.
Can't comment about your tidal plan - me, in my boat, would leave Blackwater Marina at high water, stay the night in the Harwich area and look to leave first high water of the following day, but every boat, situation, crew, weather etc is different, and is really your decision. Having said that, I did Ijmuiden to Maylandsea in one go in a Sonata when rather younger - but learnt some very valuable lessons from that experience!
stu9000
Well-Known Member
Current forecast has weather on the nose 
. Might slog over to Shotley under engine and then wait 24 hours, depending on what is coming through. Nice wind for France of course, but my crew have the smell of Dutch beer in their nostrils.
. Might slog over to Shotley under engine and then wait 24 hours, depending on what is coming through. Nice wind for France of course, but my crew have the smell of Dutch beer in their nostrils.
stu9000
Well-Known Member
I did the Exe to the Channel islands in a Caprice "when rather younger". Great for the learning curve, but my Dad would not speak to me for a week. He was generally very good with that sort of thing but I think that one scared him as I was a couple of days late getting home (pre mobile phone).
stu9000
Well-Known Member
Just been re reading your helpful posts ahead of departure Sunday morning.
My plan is to head to Shotley Sunday morning. Wind forecast better than shown in previous post. I'm hoping to test my refurbished spinny pole. We will wait a few hours and then depart from Shotley just before HW. I will go north of The east Anglia one wind farm as going under it didn't save time and seemed busier in terms of shipping.
I will then head east following a compass bearing and letting the tide push me north and south , rather than sticking slavishly to a e chart route. No doubt you guys do this already. It will be interesting to see how much time is saved compared to when I went to Sheveningen in 2019. Yes I will watch out for oil rigs
An average speed of 5k compared to an average speed of 6k makes quite a bit of difference to the journey time. My ETA Ijmuiden is between 1800 hrs (assuming 6k) or 2300 (assuming 5k). Of course the average speed will vary depending on tide and conditions. I tried to calculate this in a spreadsheet varying the average speed on legs and that has me getting in at 2000. We shall see. Even a night arrival at Seaport marina is ok I think.
From there I think I fancy the canal route to Amsterdam. It's a nice change of pace after a longish sea crossing. The CAptains Mate crusing association app reports boats getting blocked in at Sixhaven at peak season. It paints quite a picture!. However, it might be fine as the schools have not yet broken up but I like the sound of the small marina in the east side, if they have spaces. After Amsterdam the IJsselmeer beckons. Depending on how hard we want to push we might go for Terchelling, perhaps stopping at Enkhuizen and Makkum en route. If that feels a bit tight for a 10 day trip we can either turn round or head back to Ijmuiden via den Helder or Texel.
Ideally I want to be at Ijmuiden by day 7 as our port of exit, then back to Shotley, and possible not stopping, onto the Blackwater if the tide is favourable. But I'm expecting to stop in at Shotley for a few hours, then home.
I will let you know how it went.
Cheers all.
My plan is to head to Shotley Sunday morning. Wind forecast better than shown in previous post. I'm hoping to test my refurbished spinny pole. We will wait a few hours and then depart from Shotley just before HW. I will go north of The east Anglia one wind farm as going under it didn't save time and seemed busier in terms of shipping.
I will then head east following a compass bearing and letting the tide push me north and south , rather than sticking slavishly to a e chart route. No doubt you guys do this already. It will be interesting to see how much time is saved compared to when I went to Sheveningen in 2019. Yes I will watch out for oil rigs
An average speed of 5k compared to an average speed of 6k makes quite a bit of difference to the journey time. My ETA Ijmuiden is between 1800 hrs (assuming 6k) or 2300 (assuming 5k). Of course the average speed will vary depending on tide and conditions. I tried to calculate this in a spreadsheet varying the average speed on legs and that has me getting in at 2000. We shall see. Even a night arrival at Seaport marina is ok I think.
From there I think I fancy the canal route to Amsterdam. It's a nice change of pace after a longish sea crossing. The CAptains Mate crusing association app reports boats getting blocked in at Sixhaven at peak season. It paints quite a picture!. However, it might be fine as the schools have not yet broken up but I like the sound of the small marina in the east side, if they have spaces. After Amsterdam the IJsselmeer beckons. Depending on how hard we want to push we might go for Terchelling, perhaps stopping at Enkhuizen and Makkum en route. If that feels a bit tight for a 10 day trip we can either turn round or head back to Ijmuiden via den Helder or Texel.
Ideally I want to be at Ijmuiden by day 7 as our port of exit, then back to Shotley, and possible not stopping, onto the Blackwater if the tide is favourable. But I'm expecting to stop in at Shotley for a few hours, then home.
I will let you know how it went.
Cheers all.
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Blue Fox
Well-Known Member
Instead of the always crowded Sixhaven you could also go to the Amsterdam Marina. You'll find it a a mile or so before the Sixhaven on your port side. Restaurants and shops around. There is also a free ferry to the (South) centre of the city.
johnalison
Well-Known Member
I’ve only once been into Amsterdam marina, when they declined to give us a berth, so my opinion is a bit jaded. From what I can see, it is a perfectly good option, with facilities and connections, but a bit bland and less fun than the others. You would be unlucky to be blocked in at the Sixhaven but it does get busy in the season, to say the least, but they are brilliant at sorting people out and it has a great atmosphere. As I have mentioned, the Aeolus is also quite charming, and you will get a berth there if the red lights at the entrance are not lit. I don’t know if the brewery a hundred yards away is still going but open nights there are great fun. I think it was called the Elephant brewery, source of some very strange beers.
