Sail Amsterdam - anybody going? where to moor?

[Rosie1963]

I am thinking of going to this four yearly event. Sadly the Dutch, although they speak perfect English, have not translated the web site.

Anyway, Sixhaven is booked out and I don't feel like messing around bashing into people, rafter 3 deep, and getting walked on in the early hours. Does anybody recommend a nice marina close enough to cycle/dinghy to the action that has a quieter feel and that is less likely to be jam packed and the need for me to be rafted against?

 

[Fossil]

Aww, c'mon!

We stumbled into Sail Amsterdam 2000 quite by accident and had the time of our lives. Moored up six deep in the canal to watch the fireworks with lots of nice kind Dutch people - bottles of every liquor known to man, genever, scotch, brandy passing back and forth between the boats, snacks, poffetjes, sandwiches, waccy-baccy too. As it got dark, we watched an amazing procession of watercraft from kayaks to 100' motorcruisers circulating before us. And when the fireworks were done, our new friends went into the bank, tied themselves up under a No Mooring sign, rafted all their friends and us up to them and continued the party until the wee small hours.

There is only one other marina anywhere near Amsterdam and bet your boots that will be booked out too. So will the canal branch opening alongside the Sixhaven probably be solid with moored craft. If you don't like rafting up and can't take a bit of fun, together with a sleepless night, don't bother taking your boat there!

 

[jerrytug]

Aww, c'mon!

We stumbled into Sail Amsterdam 2000 quite by accident and had the time of our lives. Moored up six deep in the canal to watch the fireworks with lots of nice kind Dutch people - bottles of every liquor known to man, genever, scotch, brandy passing back and forth between the boats, snacks, poffetjes, sandwiches, waccy-baccy too. As it got dark, we watched an amazing procession of watercraft from kayaks to 100' motorcruisers circulating before us. And when the fireworks were done, our new friends went into the bank, tied themselves up under a No Mooring sign, rafted all their friends and us up to them and continued the party until the wee small hours.

There is only one other marina anywhere near Amsterdam and bet your boots that will be booked out too. So will the canal branch opening alongside the Sixhaven probably be solid with moored craft. If you don't like rafting up and can't take a bit of fun, together with a sleepless night, don't bother taking your boat

 

[jerrytug]

!

 

[Sinbad1951]

Have done it twice. Its totally magnificent. Old steam tugs covered in flowers all hooting in different tones. Total strangers passing you champagne. We were crammed into the Sixhaven (never booked) about ten deep but the best mooring is to just enter the North Canal which is between Sixhaven and the free ferry (which runs across to the railway station) terminal. You can tie up to the grassy bank along with lots of others.