Holland delivery trip pilotage advice

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jmnapier

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Hi
I’ve just bought a Nelson 40 in Medemblik(NW Ijsselmmer). I can leave Holland via the big lock at the Northern end of the IJsselmeer or come south and exit via the Amsterdam canal and Ijmuiden. Does anyone have experience of this choice? Depending on weather I plan to come due west towards, say, Ipswich and then coast hop. The cruise speed is only 12-14 knots and the Nelson hull rolls like a pig at this speed so it would have to be very calm to tempt me down the Continental coast(also a lee shore, probably).
So....north or south out of Medemblik? (Out of interest destination is the Solent)
Many thanks
Jonathan
 
Well, if I was you with an unfamiliar boat, I'd go down to Enkhuisen (easy lock) then via the Oranjesliuzen (easy lock but a opening road bridge before that is closed 1600-1800 LT) to Amsterdam - Amsterdam Marina is easy access and pontoons for an overnight stay - then out via IJmuiden.

The benefit is that there are plenty of options if you have an unforeseen problem - loads of marine facilities, shallow water that you can drop the anchor in, no current .

The problem with the other way via Den Helder is it's tidal and quite a twisty (buoyed) route and facilities to deal with any problem are not as easy to get to.

IMO
 
+1 for Ijmuiden , nice marina there where you can pick your weather window for the crossing, Den Helger been caught out there in bad weather , spent three days hoping that the weather would brake,then left at night thinking wind would be less big mistake, have no plans to revisit
 
That’s good advice, thanks. My main worry is sediment stirring in the tanks at sea and blocking filters so to combat that I am taking 2 spare sets of pre-filters and filters. The owner assures me the tanks have recently been cleaned so it may not be a problem. Also, he & I are spending pre-departure day going through the boat systems together for training.
I was thinking simply in terms of pilotage complications; actual navigation, VTS style control of ships & boats, required radio procedures, local navigation restrictions etc. Part of me thinks go north to minimise those complications, it still gives us half a day prior to actually being in the North Sea.
Of course weather on the trip will play it’s part in decision making.
Thoughts...??
 
Reasonably straightforward Ijmuiden to Harwich.

IMO no advantage leaving from Den Helder.

Route I use Ipswich < > IJmuiden

Ijmuiden-to-Ipswich.jpg
 
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Another option would be to go even further south and west and exit at Vlissingen and then via the Belgian coast to Dunkirk, Calais or Bolougne. From Calais you would have a short trip across to Dover or a longer passage from Bolougne to Eastbourne. This gives maximum shelter from the weather and prevailing winds but at the cost of slower progress through the Dutch Inland waterways.
 
Many thanks everyone. I think final decision will be weather dependent. I hadn't realised how far south you could get in the canals, worth bearing in mind if it all turns nasty!
Thanks again.
 
jmnapier said:
I think final decision will be weather dependent. I hadn't realised how far south you could get in the canals, worth bearing in mind if it all turns nasty!
Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Interesting stuff
Not long come back from the same region in Holland
Went to see a Nimbus 42 Nova
We are wondering if transporting a boat by 'carrier' might be more reliable if not not too much more expensive from that area
Quotes of around 6K from Stavron in Holland to Anglesey
Fuel and my Bar bill will nearly amount to that
Told my Mate!
:D
 
I have done these crossings many times in a Princess V42..
Agree best to head south to Amsterdam and exit via Ijmuiden.
Wait there for appropriate weather window.120 miles to Ipswich (so 9-10 hours motoring. At 12-14 knots).
Should have had enough of a shakedown cruise from Enkhuizen to Ijmuiden.
Lovely trip.
 
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