Nord Kanaal Ijmuiden to Amsterdam

Fr J Hackett

Fr J Hackett

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Can anyone give me some info re getting through the lock at Ijmuiden is it just a matter of calling up on VHF 61 on entry to Ijmuiden (would prefer not to stop in the marina but go straight on to Amsterdam) and ask for openning times?
 
I've never called them up when arriving or leaving - they seem to be pretty aware.

There is a waiting area (seaward side) on the starboard side where you can tie up - it's just before the lock itself.

The lock operates all hours I think - I've been there early am. You can wait 20 mins sometimes - just tie up & wait for the red over green & then get ready to move - if you're lucky its straight in.

HTH
 
I try to get to Amsterdam as early as possible - most (Dutch) yachts leave the marinas around 10.30am. By 2 o' clock it starts to get hectic at Sixhaven with arrivals & by 4 you'll be able to walk across the boats from one side to the other!

The harbourmaster is very good & will usually shoehorn you in somewhere - look out for a man on a bike with a captain's hat & a whistle. I have been turned away mid-afternoon but hardened Dutch seem to squeeze in (perhaps when he's not looking).

If the weather's lousy they may not leave their berths at all which really makes things awkward.

The other marina is Aeolus a couple of hundred metres further on. A small friendly place next to a big Dirk supermarket. They now have a light system indicating places or not - you see this as you turn into the narrow, long basin. It's on the end of the 1st berth. We've squeezed in prior to this system but last year (the weather was lousy) we were turned away at noon by grumpy individual who wanted to know why we ignored the red 'full' light (cos my wife told me to :D).

Both marinas have good access to the ferries into A'dam - Aeolus is a little further to walk.

Enjoy it - we always do.

PS You can always moor up in the entrance to the canal immediately adjacent to Sixhaven (there are mooring bollards on both sides) - it will be subject to wash & I wouldn't leave a boat unattended there. It's a waiting place really - but some yachts overnight (I would think it could get a bit rowdy). Some of the big Dutch barges moor up there overnight (Ferry side).
 
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Tradewinds said:
I try to get to Amsterdam as early as possible - most (Dutch) yachts leave the marinas around 10.30am. By 2 o' clock it starts to get hectic at Sixhaven with arrivals & by 4 you'll be able to walk across the boats from one side to the other!

The harbourmaster is very good & will usually shoehorn you in somewhere - look out for a man on a bike with a captain's hat & a whistle. I have been turned away mid-afternoon but hardened Dutch seem to squeeze in (perhaps when he's not looking).

If the weather's lousy they may not leave their berths at all which really makes things awkward.

The other marina is Aeolus a couple of hundred metres further on. A small friendly place next to a big Dirk supermarket. They now have a light system indicating places or not - you see this as you turn into the narrow, long basin. It's on the end of the 1st berth. We've squeezed in prior to this system but last year (the weather was lousy) we were turned away at noon by grumpy individual who wanted to know why we ignored the red 'full' light (cos my wife told me to :D).

Both marinas have good access to the ferries into A'dam - Aeolus is a little further to walk.

Enjoy it - we always do.

PS You can always moor up in the entrance to the canal immediately adjacent to Sixhaven (there are mooring bollards on both sides) - it will be subject to wash & I wouldn't leave a boat unattended there. It's a waiting place really - but some yachts overnight (I would think it could get a bit rowdy). Some of the big Dutch barges moor up there overnight (Ferry side).
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Beware the s/mkt trolleys lock a wheel if you move beyond their boundary ;)
guess how i found out:D
 
Many thanks for all the helpfull answers but just for clarity which of the 3 locks does a yacht use, the main Northern lock ( Noordersluis ) the middle one or the South (Kleine Sluis) .
 
petehb said:
Many thanks for all the helpfull answers but just for clarity which of the 3 locks does a yacht use, the main Northern lock ( Noordersluis ) the middle one or the South (Kleine Sluis) .
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If I recall correctly, there is a big board with 'SPORT' written on it, indicating the correct lock.
 
Wunja said:
If I recall correctly, there is a big board with 'SPORT' written on it, indicating the correct lock.
Click to expand...

Yep - that's right. Most locks have this sign which essentially means leisure craft.

Petehb - I've never yet (in the last 5 years) used my VHF to call any lock.

They do like to use their loudspeaker though - usually telling you to move up just when you've got your lines secured & sorted :rolleyes: .

Also the Dutch enter all locks at about 5 knots, regardless of how busy it is - unlike we Brits who enter with caution on tickover.
 
Tradewinds said:
Oranjesluizen on a weekend is the place to be!

Don't hang back then - you'll never get in :D

(but it's usually quietish before 10 & after 5 ;) )
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+1

I had to wait through two lock cycles to get through Philipsdam yesterday at 6pm - definitely the Dutch Lock Grand Prix when the red light turns green!

Actually, at that lock a lot of boats used the commercial lock though I don't know how that works as there were still barges using it.
 
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