To Amsterdam?

Champagne Murphy

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What's the 'best' route to Amsterdam from the Orwell during the summer months? Toying with the idea at the mo. Rather enjoy sailing into cities, the last one was Antwerp and that was great.
 

MoodySabre

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Best? Well the quick route is Lowestoft, Ijmuiden, Amsterdam.

We went there last year through the inland seas/canals via Flushing. Lots of stops at interesting places, particularly Dordrecht and Haarlem. Then further north.

Coming home the intention had been to come back through Amsterdam and Ijmuiden but in the end the weather was against us. With the good Mr Full Circle as crew we pottered back through the canals to Rotterdam and came out through the Hook of Holland. The Hook is not a tourist destination unless you are also a ship-spotter and like a bit of excitement.

I must say though that Rotterdam was more interesting to traverse by boat than Amsterdam and there is an excellent city centre marina. Regrettably we didn't have time for exploring beyond the restaurant, supermarket and fuel pontoon. I'd like to go there again but not through the Hook.

Holland is a great country to visit. The Standemast Route is online for download. Nothing against Amsterdam and Sixhaven Marina is perfectly placed with free ferries into Central Station.

I have some sufficiently recent charts, marina guide etc etc if you'd like to borrow any.
 

MoodySabre

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Amsterdam
holland2013068.jpg


Rotterdam
holland2013107.jpg
 

johnalison

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Harwich > Ijmuiden

Not for those of us over a certain age. Lowestoft-Ijmuiden can be done in a day in medium sized boats and you don't lose your beauty sleep. Both the stand mast routes are fine but you may well be doing that on the way home by force of weather. From Ijmuiden it is easy to time your approach to Sixhaven for mid-morning in the hope of getting a decent box. You can also do your Schengen thing at the Ijmuiden harbour office if you have a mind to.
 
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johnalison

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Wifi in Ijmuiden is e5.95 for 50 minutes. Ouch. However, it's a useful place for an overnight stop though the posts make approaching the fingers difficult at times.
 

FullCircle

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It's still a dump and even half price is expensive. It was deserted last June with more than 50% of berths empty and only a handful of visitors.

The anus horribilis.

Question to nice lady in marina office: Where is the best places to go in Ijmuiden?

Laconic answer, dead pan: Amsterdam.
 

jerrytug

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Wifi in Ijmuiden is e5.95 for 50 minutes. Ouch. However, it's a useful place for an overnight stop though the posts make approaching the fingers difficult at times.

Free wi-fi with a coffee, toilets, free biscuit, in the bar overlooking the marina. And stunning waitresses ;)
 

Andy61

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What's the 'best' route to Amsterdam from the Orwell during the summer months? Toying with the idea at the mo. Rather enjoy sailing into cities, the last one was Antwerp and that was great.

I, too am pondering Amsterdam from Walton. I have been recommended the Lowestoft to Ijmuiden route. Have you thought when you might go? What about getting a group/fleet together? I'm retired (mostly) and can go pretty much any time. I wonder what the weather gods have in store for us this season!
 

Champagne Murphy

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Dates etc would be a work of fiction at the moment! And even if I knew, past experience has taught me to have four possible plans available on arriving at the mouth of the Orwell; 1. Turn left. 2. Turn right. 3. Go ahead. 4. Turn back
Whatever I decide could well be negated by family anyway!
 
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