Probably off to Ijmuiden again this summer.....

[Boz]

but this time might start across from Lowestoft rather than Harwich. Thinking of using Hamilton dock rather that the RNSYC Marina.

Would appreciate any experiences of either facility please?

 

[ianc1200]

no experience of North Sea crossing, but stayed in the Hamilton Dock for one night this summer. I would describe as functional. Contacted the office by phone on approach, the office is in their other marina on Lake Lothing. They gave us a berth which we found occupied, and the office was then closed. We just picked up another mooring and no issues. Loos/showers in a clean portakabin. Exit in the morning confusing as many small commercial vessels in the inner dock leading to the Hamilton.

 

[Champagne Murphy]

RNSYC is nice. Never stayed in Hamilton.
Take your ships paperwork, last time we were there we are boarded by the police 5 minutes after tying up. Also AFAIK there is no cash machine in the immediate vicinity of the marina, nearest is a long walk

Oops! That should read boarded by police IN IMUIJDEN! Not Lowestoft! Same with the cash machine!

 

[Tradewinds]

Get a tattoo while you're there . . .

:encouragement:

 

[Colin K]

Hello,
We have used Hamilton four times as a springboard to get off early and its been fine. Found it quiet as its away from the town and close to the entrance. Yes there were a fair few sea cats about however they were advised by the HM to watch out for us when they manouvered.
Shower block was fine and clean. Its a bit of a walk around to the town and the RNSYC but their club is very welcoming and food great. I have not stayed on their moorings as the first time I went in it must have been a popular weekend and it resembled sardines in a can, very organised I must say but my nerves cracked and I quickly taught myself how to reverse my old tub.. Ha ha.
I think the town is a little frisky as sat in a small cafe with my 6 year old two burly coppers walked in and sat each side of a chap at a table! Mr nice copper asked him if he was going quietly and off they went leaving his breakfast much to juniors amusement.
I will be using Hamilton this Summer as a stop off going North.

Good luck, Col.

 

[Boz]

Thanks Colin
Might see you there then?
Boz

 

[wingdiver]

In-laws have used the Hamilton pontoons for a few days before and we visited them by land. All reasonably new and decent facilities. Security was pretty good too. As has been said, commercial traffic still uses the access.
Probably less busy and easier to manouver in than the RNSYC but no clubhouse.
Just wondering why you would go from Lowestoft rather than Harwich. It might only save you three hours or so on the North Sea crossing and you'd have to spend an extra day of your hols travelling to Lowestoft too as opossed to leaving from Harwich.

 

[sailorman]

In-laws have used the Hamilton pontoons for a few days before and we visited them by land. All reasonably new and decent facilities. Security was pretty good too. As has been said, commercial traffic still uses the access.
Probably less busy and easier to manouver in than the RNSYC but no clubhouse.
Just wondering why you would go from Lowestoft rather than Harwich. It might only save you three hours or so on the North Sea crossing and you'd have to spend an extra day of your hols travelling to Lowestoft too as opossed to leaving from Harwich.

Agreed, Even an extra night in Seaport marina is better than a night in Lowestoft

 

[Boz]

Agreed, Even an extra night in Seaport marina is better than a night in Lowestoft

I tend to agree with you SM ..... Lowestoft is really just a contingency to give a different angle on the wind if necessary

 

[sailorman]

If you havnt visited Durgerdam, give it a go.
also Jotun a/f is available via mail order ( Del to The Nertherlands & Belgium ) from http://www.marinediscounter.nl/antifouling-jotun-seaforce-5l.html Melvin is a good contact there. deliveries to where ever you visit within 2 days

 

[Boz]

If you havnt visited Durgerdam, give it a go.
also Jotun a/f is available via mail order ( Del to The Nertherlands & Belgium ) from http://www.marinediscounter.nl/antifouling-jotun-seaforce-5l.html Melvin is a good contact there. deliveries to where ever you visit within 2 days

It was on the itinerary for last year, but we were defeated by the late season weather, hopefully try again this year..... just out of interest when do the Netherlands folk tend to have their school holidays?

 

[Tradewinds]

It was on the itinerary for last year, but we were defeated by the late season weather, hopefully try again this year..... just out of interest when do the Netherlands folk tend to have their school holidays?

Here you go

http://www.schoolholidayseurope.eu/netherlands.html#holidayregions-netherlands

 

[sailorman]

It was on the itinerary for last year, but we were defeated by the late season weather, hopefully try again this year..... just out of interest when do the Netherlands folk tend to have their school holidays?

Say hello to Ric the HM from "Jotunman"

 

[Boz]

Here you go

http://www.schoolholidayseurope.eu/netherlands.html#holidayregions-netherlands

That's a really useful link - thanks

 

[Boz]

Say hello to Ric the HM from "Jotunman"

I will SM ----- - no plans for this year yet?

 

[Daydream believer]

I am toying whether to go to ijmuiden or Den Helder then cruise the Ijsselmeer end of May. Never been in the Ijsselmeer before.
Den Helder is a bit of a slog SH from Bradwell due to all the shipping etc but it means I can start from the top & work down canals back to Ostend. Hopefully getting SW winds to blow me west to DH then a reach home from Ostend.
If weather does not play ball then a Lowestoft/Ijmuiden passage should be easier
I was intending to go south down the standing mast route but it seems that the repairs to the bridge at Alphen will take place circa June over 6 weeks
I think that if OP is planning something similar one might check on that bridge progress

Failing that if weather is V windy it will be short hops to Camaret again

 

[Javelin]

So instead of Lowestoft why not come to sunny Southwold?

 

[sailorman]

I am toying whether to go to ijmuiden or Den Helder then cruise the Ijsselmeer end of May. Never been in the Ijsselmeer before.
Den Helder is a bit of a slog SH from Bradwell due to all the shipping etc but it means I can start from the top & work down canals back to Ostend. Hopefully getting SW winds to blow me west to DH then a reach home from Ostend.
If weather does not play ball then a Lowestoft/Ijmuiden passage should be easier
I was intending to go south down the standing mast route but it seems that the repairs to the bridge at Alphen will take place circa June over 6 weeks
I think that if OP is planning something similar one might check on that bridge progress

Failing that if weather is V windy it will be short hops to Camaret again

There are more Rigs than ships out there.
The trip is straight forward the difficult bit is Deh Helder to the Ijsselmeeer

 

[Boz]

There are more Rigs than ships out there.
The trip is straight forward the difficult bit is Deh Helder to the Ijsselmeeer

I wouldn't plan to stay in Den Ouver Marina if I was you, the Marina is OK but a country mile from the town - at least it was for a bloke with dodgy knees

I was intending to go south down the standing mast route but it seems that the repairs to the bridge at Alphen will take place circa June over 6 weeks
I think that if OP is planning something similar one might check on that bridge progress

Failing that if weather is V windy it will be short hops to Camaret again

I'll probably stay in North Holland, there is plenty to see around the Ijseeelmeer, but I quite fancy a day in Texel

 

[Daydream believer]

There are more Rigs than ships out there.
The trip is straight forward the difficult bit is Deh Helder to the Ijsselmeeer

I have done Ijmuiden SH from Bradwell before & became really seasick. i fell asleep in the middle of the night & woke up to find lights all around me. I still find it hard to believe how I missed everything.

Why is it so hard from Den Helder to Ijsselmeer? I would have thought that an easy bit