Planning for next year!

[AntarcticPilot]

Lots of food for thought here. I received the "Inland Waterways of the Netherlands" by Louise Busby and David Broad this morning; again, lots to think about! I'm beginning to wonder about the possibility of going through to Amsterdam, then the IJsselmeer and Markermeer up to Den Helder, then back from there. That looks like there would be plenty of interesting spots on the way, and although Den Helder is an industrial port, it does happen to have some memories for me - I joined a seismic vessel there in the 1970s!

 

[Tradewinds]

Lots of food for thought here. I received the "Inland Waterways of the Netherlands" by Louise Busby and David Broad this morning; again, lots to think about! I'm beginning to wonder about the possibility of going through to Amsterdam, then the IJsselmeer and Markermeer up to Den Helder, then back from there. That looks like there would be plenty of interesting spots on the way, and although Den Helder is an industrial port, it does happen to have some memories for me - I joined a seismic vessel there in the 1970s!

If you're going that route (& no reason why not IMO), Medemblik is a nice place to stop. Choice of various town marinas or the more modern (& soulless) Regatta Marina outside. Lots of dinghy action out of Regatta though which is quite nice to see.

 

[johnalison]

If you are going to Den Helder, which is fine if not exciting, you could take the short hop across to Oudeschild on Texel, which is quite jolly. It gets busy at weekends, like all the islands, and I seem to remember the fingers are short, but there are good cycling possibilities, and the best beer in the Netherlands.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

If you are going to Den Helder, which is fine if not exciting, you could take the short hop across to Oudeschild on Texel, which is quite jolly. It gets busy at weekends, like all the islands, and I seem to remember the fingers are short, but there are good cycling possibilities, and the best beer in the Netherlands.

Some people are going to hate me for this, but saying "best beer in Holland" isn't saying much for my tastes! A Norwegian colleague and I on a post-conference evening out in Holland decided that the best beer we came across was, in his words, "approaching beer-like qualities" (you have to imagine a Norwegian accent to get the full impact). But both he and I prefer dark beers - in Germany I order dunkel beer; in the UK bitter or brown ales. However, if everyone liked the same thing, the world would be a poorer place.

 

[westhinder]

If you are going to Den Helder, which is fine if not exciting, you could take the short hop across to Oudeschild on Texel, which is quite jolly. It gets busy at weekends, like all the islands, and I seem to remember the fingers are short, but there are good cycling possibilities, and the best beer in the Netherlands.

+1
It does get busy in season, but unless you have a good reason to go to Den Helder, I would always prefer Texel. If you’re going to cross back to the East coast from there, that is perfectly possible, and you will have fewer TSS to deal with.
If you are coming out of the IJsselmeer, you could do worse than head for Harlingen and go on to Terschelling and/or Vlieland. The Wadden Islands have a special atmosphere and are not to be missed. If you do not have the time for this detour, do stop at Texel to get a taster, I’m pretty sure you will want to go back for more.

 

[westhinder]

Some people are going to hate me for this, but saying "best beer in Holland" isn't saying much for my tastes! A Norwegian colleague and I on a post-conference evening out in Holland decided that the best beer we came across was, in his words, "approaching beer-like qualities" (you have to imagine a Norwegian accent to get the full impact). But both he and I prefer dark beers - in Germany I order dunkel beer; in the UK bitter or brown ales. However, if everyone liked the same thing, the world would be a poorer place.

I have to agree with you. My advice would be to sail across to any Belgian port and try some of the beers here. There will be one or two to your taste, maybe more...

 

[sailorman]

All good advice re IJmuiden and locks.
The Noordzeekanaal IJmuiden-Amsterdam poses no difficulties. In Amsterdam I would now advise the Amsterdam Marina, nice big berths, first rate facilities and reasonably quiet, rather than the Sixhaven, which is small and often tightly packed with rafts, so you can only leave when all the others have cleared out. Both Sixhaven and Amsterdam Marina have a free ferry running to Central Station, very frequently until late at night.
Once you’re out of the Oranjesluizen and into the Markermeer/IJsselmeer the choices are bewildering. Hoorn is one of my favourites, as is Hindeloopen. If you want a quiet place on the Markermeer, De Bloq van Kuffeler is a nice spot, and of course the new artificial archipelago of the Marker Wadden, Dutch nature building at its best.

Durgerdam ( just to port after Oranjesluizen - this lock is very busy on hot w/e) is a pleasant hbr, very quiet, but a shallow approach

 

[sailorman]

useful info here
https://dehavengids.nl/

The Netherlands: Staande Mastroute

Staande Mast Route

 

[johnalison]

I have to agree with you. My advice would be to sail across to any Belgian port and try some of the beers here. There will be one or two to your taste, maybe more...

If you avoid the execrable Heineken, you will find there is something of a renaissance of 'artisanal' beers, with many towns having their own brands, as with Colchester or Maldon. It is often easy to find Belgian beers as well, but don't overlook the often interesting Dutch ones. I have done some research on this important issue.

 

[wingdiver]

We have covered many of the waterways of the Netherlands in the past 20 years.
Den Helder is OK but does have their Navy museum and lifeboat museum for inclement days.
If you don't fancy the trip in your own boat to Texel, you can get a foot ferry from just by the KMJC haven.
Other places in the Ijsselmeer area to consider are Enkhuizen, Hoorn, Volendam, Urk (for it's slight strangeness), Lelystad.
If you go to Amsterdam from Lowestoft, it's not a bad idea to by-pass the marina at Ijmuiden and head straight through the lock to the city. Rather than moor in the sardine packed Sixhaven, go into the newer/bigger marina further west on the north bank.... they even have baths. It's still a short walk to a free ferry to the Central Station.
As Sailorman mentions, consider a trip south on one of the convoy routes. We did the one via Haarlem in thedaytime rather than the night one via Schipol. Either way you'll come out near Gouda and then Dordrecht.
There are some local inland waters charts (ANWB Waterkaart) which are useful up to a point.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

We have covered many of the waterways of the Netherlands in the past 20 years.
Den Helder is OK but does have their Navy museum and lifeboat museum for inclement days.
If you don't fancy the trip in your own boat to Texel, you can get a foot ferry from just by the KMJC haven.
Other places in the Ijsselmeer area to consider are Enkhuizen, Hoorn, Volendam, Urk (for it's slight strangeness), Lelystad.
If you go to Amsterdam from Lowestoft, it's not a bad idea to by-pass the marina at Ijmuiden and head straight through the lock to the city. Rather than moor in the sardine packed Sixhaven, go into the newer/bigger marina further west on the north bank.... they even have baths. It's still a short walk to a free ferry to the Central Station.
As Sailorman mentions, consider a trip south on one of the convoy routes. We did the one via Haarlem in thedaytime rather than the night one via Schipol. Either way you'll come out near Gouda and then Dordrecht.
There are some local inland waters charts (ANWB Waterkaart) which are useful up to a point.

Thanks - my main reason for considering Den Helder is vague memories from about 45 years ago, and I know it's primarily a commercial port. Texel sounds more interesting.

Given that the crew are inexperienced, I think we'll stop at Ijmuiden for R&R after the crossing; it'll be tiring for everyone, and I think it best to tackle the unknown (to us!) of the North Sea Canal while a bit fresher.

There's an app for the Waterkaart; you pay a subscription and it's completely up to date.

 

[sailorman]

Thanks - my main reason for considering Den Helder is vague memories from about 45 years ago, and I know it's primarily a commercial port. Texel sounds more interesting.

Given that the crew are inexperienced, I think we'll stop at Ijmuiden for R&R after the crossing; it'll be tiring for everyone, and I think it best to tackle the unknown (to us!) of the North Sea Canal while a bit fresher.

There's an app for the Waterkaart; you pay a subscription and it's completely up to date.

enc charts Of Belgium & The Netherlands are a free download for Open CPN

 

[Clancy Moped]

I spent a summer in Texel in my yoof, my girlfriend at the time lived there, its a bit boring, but then again I was a yoof, and was more interested in the bright lights of Amsterdam.

 

[johnalison]

I spent a summer in Texel in my yoof, my girlfriend at the time lived there, its a bit boring, but then again I was a yoof, and was more interested in the bright lights of Amsterdam.

There is a notable colony of spoonbills to the west of the harbour but I take it that you were more interested in spooning.

 

[PeterWright]

+1 for the northern route via Ijmuiden which gives you the opportunity to enjoy the fleshpots of Amsterdam (The Rijks Museum is not to be missed) and thereafter gives direct access to the wider waters of the Marker Meer and Ijssell Meer where you will be mostly under sail whereas further South it seems to me as much motoring as sailing. Hoorn and Medemblik are both charming and in between is the even more charmi g town of Enkhuizen with its fascinating Zuiderseee Museum and a thriving arts scene. Forego the marina and go into the old harbour so you can moor up almost in the town centre. The railway station (a terminus) is just across the road with a direct service to Amsterdam Central whch in turn has a direct service to Schiphol airport, so crew changes are almost as easy here as in Amsterdam itself. If you actually want to leave the boat for more than a day or two, the marina ( not much further from the station) might be a better bet and cheaper than Amsterdam.. You could easily consider leaving the boat in these waters all season.

Peter.

 

[sailorman]

+1 for the northern route via Ijmuiden which gives you the opportunity to enjoy the fleshpots of Amsterdam (The Rijks Museum is not to be missed) and thereafter gives direct access to the wider waters of the Marker Meer and Ijssell Meer where you will be mostly under sail whereas further South it seems to me as much motoring as sailing. Hoorn and Medemblik are both charming and in between is the even more charmi g town of Enkhuizen with its fascinating Zuiderseee Museum and a thriving arts scene. Forego the marina and go into the old harbour so you can moor up almost in the town centre. The railway station (a terminus) is just across the road with a direct service to Amsterdam Central whch in turn has a direct service to Schiphol airport, so crew changes are almost as easy here as in Amsterdam itself. If you actually want to leave the boat for more than a day or two, the marina ( not much further from the station) might be a better bet and cheaper than Amsterdam.. You could easily consider leaving the boat in these waters all season.

Peter.

Sas van Edam is a pleasant spot on the wall ,along side the road to the camp site, clean access + power via coin meter HM comes along in the evening to collect dues & facilities in the camp site along with a restaurant & not far to walk / cycle into Edam

 

[johnalison]

Sas van Edam is a pleasant spot on the wall ,along side the road to the camp site, clean access + power via coin meter HM comes along in the evening to collect dues & facilities in the camp site along with a restaurant & not far to walk / cycle into Edam

The sailing club at Edam is very welcoming too. There is a twenty-minute walk to the town, or a few minutes by bike. The town is attractive and has a couple of interesting museums. You can also buy cheese, which doesn't in the least resemble the stuff you get here.


A word of warning. There is extensive weed in the Markermeer along the shore starting near the entrance from Amsterdam towards Hoorn. If you are not visiting Edam or the other towns, it pays to keep well away. The buoyed channels are said to be clear due to the action of the barges, but you can't hang around there without keeping a good lookout.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

A word of warning. There is extensive weed in the Markermeer along the shore starting near the entrance from Amsterdam towards Hoorn. If you are not visiting Edam or the other towns, it pays to keep well away. The buoyed channels are said to be clear due to the action of the barges, but you can't hang around there without keeping a good lookout.

Had not thought about the possibility of weed! I have a folding propeller, but no cutter on it. Is the folding prop likely to be sufficient to avoid entanglement, or shoudl I consider a simple disc cutter?

 

[sailorman]

The sailing club at Edam is very welcoming too. There is a twenty-minute walk to the town, or a few minutes by bike. The town is attractive and has a couple of interesting museums. You can also buy cheese, which doesn't in the least resemble the stuff you get here.
View attachment 97512

A word of warning. There is extensive weed in the Markermeer along the shore starting near the entrance from Amsterdam towards Hoorn. If you are not visiting Edam or the other towns, it pays to keep well away. The buoyed channels are said to be clear due to the action of the barges, but you can't hang around there without keeping a good lookout.

Very nice spot from the pix, whats the canal depth

 

[sailorman]

Had not thought about the possibility of weed! I have a folding propeller, but no cutter on it. Is the folding prop likely to be sufficient to avoid entanglement, or shoudl I consider a simple disc cutter?

my MaxProp when turning had very square corners @ the root & prone to collect stuff, i do have an ambassador cutter