Kiel canal advice wanted

It's also verboten to sail at least without the motor on. I went down it with 20-something knots wind from behind, left the engine in gear and running but also hoisted the genoa, so technically motor-sailing. I also hoisted a motoring cone. But though I think we were within the letter of the regs (according to Macmillans anyway), it didn't stop some official shouting unintelligible in German at us through a megaphone as we passed. But then again maybe he was just admiring the cut of the genny.
 
There is a sort of lay-by about 10 miles to the west of Rendsburg, where you can moor to piles for a quiet night. I think there are other similar ones to the east, but more exposed. Rendsburg is a lovely place to stop - 3 changes of trains to get to Lubeck, but an easy enough journey. There are several other Kiel marinas than the British one - the Olympic one is massive and there's another almost next to it. The Brunsbuttel "marina" is noisy and bumpy from the boats passing, but will do at a pinch. It's another 10 or 15 miles down the very crowded Elbe to Cuxhaven for anywhere else to stop.
 
Those pile stopping places looked a bit bleak and uninviting especially as they all appeared to be damaged by ships. Do yachts actually stop at those?
There is an interesting looking lake approx halfway between Rendsberg & Kiel where you can anchor. A nature reserve, but you can anchor within a marked area. It looked interesting, has anybody stopped there?
 
I don't know. We only stopped at the one with a decent bay behind the piles, where there were small yacht-sized piles to moor bow and stern. I can't remember the name of the place, and my charts are at home. There was enough shelter to just get a slight wash from the ships that passed in the night. I don't remember the nature reserve lake.

I enjoyed the Kiel canal. It was a stress-free, quiet interlude when it really didn't matter what the weather was like.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I enjoyed the Kiel canal. It was a stress-free, quiet interlude when it really didn't matter what the weather was like.

[/ QUOTE ]
Yes, though the River Eider is MUCH prettier and more interesting - and spits you out not far-ish from Helgoland. It takes an extra day though.
 
Practical tips:
1. Journey from Brunsbuttel to Cuxhavn takes 2 hours with tide. Be sure to go with tide - Elbe is just about the most serious piece of tidal river navigation in Europe!

2. Locks at Brunsbuttel are geared for commercials. You may have to wait outside with no pontoon for an hour or more, then be waved in to moor opposite large vessel. Daunting. At least you will be let out first!

3. Brunsbuttel marina is immediately on left leaving locks - good place to overnight etc

4. Rendsburg is 66 km north of Brunsbuttel at end of long inlet on LH bank - the first practical stop with marina facilities. Good stopover! Train station to Kiel, then Hamburg and Lubeck is just 5 mins easy walk from Rendsburg marina. Easy ride. For Ryanair connection, train to Lubeck, then bus (number 6 every 20 mins) to airport.

5. Holtenau lock at N end of Kiel canal is where you pay - at office high over central reservation between locks. Expect 18 Euros for 11m boat, each way. Bargain! Beyond locks is wide variety of marinas, Laboe is 4 miles and has all facilites, including cheap ferry back to Kiel. Much better choice than isolated British Kiel Yacht Club.

6. Both locks have massive floating wood platforms that you stand on and moor to - be prepared, can be slippery, and sling fenders low to prevent damage to hull.

Kiel Canal is fascinating piece of engineering - look down over fields as you pass along! Also it's the greenest piece of waterway I can think of, and interesting to watch seagoing vessels passing by at almost armslength distance. Baltic waters are mainly undiscovered by Brit sailors - go on get up there, and be wowed!

PWG
 
[ QUOTE ]
2. Locks at Brunsbuttel are geared for commercials. You may have to wait outside with no pontoon for an hour or more, then be waved in to moor opposite large vessel. Daunting. At least you will be let out first!

[/ QUOTE ]

Both ends have the smaller (but still huge) Old Locks which are mainly used by leisure vessels, and the New Locks which are used by commercial vessels. Occasionally for various reasons you can be directed to the New Locks along with the ships. Here's a piccie of us tucked behind a freighter inside the New Lock at Holtenau - you can see its massive scale! We weren't let out first. I was a little concerned about what would happen when the freighter in front turned on his prop, but a word with the crew and the captain kindly promised to go gently and not to blast us out of the water. In fact, there was no problem:

K2.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top