XTE
Member
JohnAlison, yes, first visit, so I will start with traditional stuff, which I guess is as you suggest - Middleberg, Veere and Goes.
Such tremendous help here. Thank you all.
Such tremendous help here. Thank you all.
SYH to Holland
- Thread starter XTE
- Start date
XTE
Member
I have been told that it is preferable to to head straight to Breskens because the trip north from Ostend can be bumpy beacause of the sand backs. True or false?
sailorman
Well-known member
never found a problem, you are inside the banks, a fair tide & normally a s/w wind
Kukri
Well-known member
My first trip was Walton to Flushing, in an 18 footer, in 1976. I’ll stick with my suggestion that it’s best to arrive around sunrise, so you can sort the lights out when it’s still dark. The trip up the canal to Veere is absolutely worth doing and you are following in the track of Arthur Ransome.
Marmalade
Well-known member
It can get lumpy around Zeebrugge - obviously depends on Wind / Tide. Nothing too hairy unless you're bashing into a Northerly. It all depends on whether the longer haul direct to Breskens bothers you. If not - then going straight there saves you a day.
XTE
Member
I agree about the comfort of seeing the lights at night, which makes navigation easier in some respects and I have sailed many nights, especially on the ARC some years ago, but I will have my wife with me and she is a very nervous sailor, so I am keen to make it as comfortable and short as possible. Night sailing may be good for navigation, but not great if something goes wrong and you are tired. The chartplotter and AIS will look after our navigation.
sailorman
Well-known member
Sounds like you have it covered then , have a good & safe trip
johnalison
Well-known member
Contrary to what the 'experts' say, the whole area north of the Belgian Coast does tend to be bumpy for those that venture out in anything but a flat calm. This is often noticeable on the way home, when it can be necessary to soldier on for an hour or two before getting near the shipping-lanes, when it all becomes much smoother. Nothing to be afraid of, but just something else to take into account.
Here is the West Hinder bank, in just such a flat calm.
Here is the West Hinder bank, in just such a flat calm.
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westhinder
Well-known member
It is not the sandbanks, as you will be inshore of them, but you will find that the sea off Zeebrugge is always more agitated. The harbour sticks out a fair distance from the coastline and the current pushes a great volume of water around it, which makes for a bumpier ride than between Oostende and Zeebrugge.
With a SW to NW wind the waves will be pushed into the mouth of the Westerschelde and will build up as you approach Breskens or Vlissingen. A lively Westerly over the ebb out of the Westerschelde makes for tall following waves.
But do not let that put you off, it is simply a matter of judging the weather correctly.
Much of the advice given above is sound: As it is your first time, go to Breskens, which has an easy entrance, no lock and a big visitor’s pontoon. If you want to shorten the trip, or you would arrive against the ebb, stop at Zeebrugge or Oostende, two easy entrances at all states of the tide. It allows you to rest and take the tide with you to the Schelde.
The Kanaal van Walcheren from Vlissingen via Middelburg to Veere is perfect for a first visit, going up the Westerschelde to Hansweert or further to Antwerpen is surprisingly beautiful. Around the Oosterschelde you will be spoilt for choice, but Zierikzee and Goes are not to be missed. Back home via the Roompotsluis.
Enjoy!
wingdiver
Well-known member
Don't forget there is a fixed brige over the lock here.... Not sure how I know this.....
sailorman
Well-known member
Don't forget there is a fixed brige over the lock here.... Not sure how I know this.....
Mike has a deal with the lock keeper, he lowers the water for him
sailorman
Well-known member
The main thing t affect distance i sail s compass courae from lsh not using waypoints that will add to the distanceby fighting the tide. I leave lsh steer 125to potter about to 130depending tidal oset req farriving oostende oostede uptide and up wind. tie deg
sailorman
Well-known member
Go via oostend thrn coast hop.thi will give you time to arrive in the svheldt in the fliid tide
RivalRedwing
Well-known member
as I recall there is a new guide coming out for N. Sea crossings and the Netherlands penned by Kieran Flatt, does anyone know more or am I going mad?
update....no I'm not
From Oct 2020:
Kieran Flatt is a freelance writer, senior partner of Mainstay Media and former YM editor.
He sails a 28ft Twister, and has cruised extensively in Biscay, the Irish Sea, English Channel, North Sea and Baltic.
He is writing a new pilot book for The Netherlands and Belgium, to be published by the Royal Cruising Club Pilotage Foundation and Imray.
update....no I'm not
From Oct 2020:
Kieran Flatt is a freelance writer, senior partner of Mainstay Media and former YM editor.
He sails a 28ft Twister, and has cruised extensively in Biscay, the Irish Sea, English Channel, North Sea and Baltic.
He is writing a new pilot book for The Netherlands and Belgium, to be published by the Royal Cruising Club Pilotage Foundation and Imray.
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sailorman
Well-known member
I usr sdmiralty chsrt1406 for sll southern north aea crossings
Cantata
Well-known member
Kieran is doing a pilot book for 'over there'. For 'getting over there' the old North Sea Passage Pilot (Brian Navin, now deceased) is to be replaced for Imrays with a brand new version by Garth Cooper.
RivalRedwing
Well-known member
any feel for timescales of release?
Cantata
Well-known member
er no, sorry. The lockdowns screwed up the schedules for this, not sure if Garth now needs to repeat some of his research. Won't be this year, I'm sure.
michael_w
Well-known member
Please not full of pretty but useless aerial photos. I'm navigating at sea level not 500m up! Another favorite is the view of the harbour looking out to sea, they're only good for advance reconnaissance by hire car ...
