rushers
Well-Known Member
We are hoping to go up to Middleburg from Ostend, can anyone advise on the opening times of the lock and bridges on the way up. Probably at the week-end.Thanks.
Walcheren Canal
- Thread starter rushers
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alldownwind
Well-Known Member
I don't think there is a schedule, they seem to open more or less on demand. I've never had to wait long, except perhaps in the rush hour but you said weekend anyway.
R32Stbrigid
Well-Known Member
Likewise, It has always been on demand, with very little wait ....
Stork_III
Well-Known Member
The bridge opening times for the Walcheren Canal are given in Volume 2 of the Dutch only cruising guide, Vol 1 is the regulations which must be carried on board.
From memory the Middleberg main bridge Schonenbrug (?) opens from 6am in summer, times at 27 to 37 & 57 to 07 minutes each hour, but the 7.57 & 8.27 openings do not happen for rush hour. similar gaps at lunch and mid afternoon. Other bridges down the canal are similar but at varing minutes. They may open at other times if called on VHF (ch22?), if not roads not busy.
From memory the Middleberg main bridge Schonenbrug (?) opens from 6am in summer, times at 27 to 37 & 57 to 07 minutes each hour, but the 7.57 & 8.27 openings do not happen for rush hour. similar gaps at lunch and mid afternoon. Other bridges down the canal are similar but at varing minutes. They may open at other times if called on VHF (ch22?), if not roads not busy.
thalassa
Well-Known Member
There is not a schedule as such, but a series of "not recommended" times. Here:
Kanaal door Walcheren (in Dutch )
It basically says they like to wait for at least five boats to go through, and then they will try to keep them "going" through adjacent bridges.
The "bloktijden" means: ROAD traffic has absolute priority during these times.
Kanaal door Walcheren (in Dutch )
It basically says they like to wait for at least five boats to go through, and then they will try to keep them "going" through adjacent bridges.
The "bloktijden" means: ROAD traffic has absolute priority during these times.
AJB43
Well-Known Member
Was there last week .The Keersluisbrug at Vlissingen opens 0600-2200 mon to sat, 0900-2100 Sun 15/6 to 16/9, then 1000-1900 Sun 16/9-15/6. The bridges between Vlissingen and Middelburg then open pretty much on demand except for the Stationbrug at Middelburg which seems to open at specific times, but the VHF operators are very helpful in telling you how long you have to wait. If you ae going further up, to the Veerse Mere (fantastic place) be aware that the Veere Schutsluis lock seems to be undergoing maintenace at the moment and has a long wait between openings - not sure how long this was due to go on for. I have left my boat in Middelburg for a month with a view to returning and then finding somewhere nearby to overwinter as it is such a fantastic cruising area.
johnalison
Well-Known Member
Just don't turn up after closing-time as there is absolutely nowhere to stop in the canal, as we found out in 1980 when following our esteemed commodore into no end of trouble. He got his come-uppance when a barge tried to moor up against him.
heerenleed
Well-Known Member
If you turn up after closing-time there also is no more traffic. emergency-mooring at the dolphins near bridges...Between first (vlissingen) lock and first bridge is a marina, so no prob; and after the last bridge (opposite the Middelburg Railway station, there is the marina of YC De Arne...
As a local, I never learned why one is kept waiting for no obvious reason. Anyway, the longest I have ever taken to pass all bridges is 2 hours, the shortest about one hour...
If you arrive early evening, it makes much more sense to stay overnight in Vlissingen, either in the Koopmanshaven (quite expensive for the Netherlands) ,or the small marina just before the first bridge on your stbd side. (cheap but a long walk to town).
Anyway: enjoy, as the Walcheren canal is the doorway into one of the best Dutch cruising grounds, with many sheltered corners and - especially out of season) many gems to visit...
cheers
As a local, I never learned why one is kept waiting for no obvious reason. Anyway, the longest I have ever taken to pass all bridges is 2 hours, the shortest about one hour...
If you arrive early evening, it makes much more sense to stay overnight in Vlissingen, either in the Koopmanshaven (quite expensive for the Netherlands) ,or the small marina just before the first bridge on your stbd side. (cheap but a long walk to town).
Anyway: enjoy, as the Walcheren canal is the doorway into one of the best Dutch cruising grounds, with many sheltered corners and - especially out of season) many gems to visit...
cheers
happydart
New Member
[ QUOTE ]
Just don't turn up after closing-time as there is absolutely nowhere to stop in the canal,
[/ QUOTE ]
There are pontoons and walls on the canal everywhere today,some you can use for the maximum of 3 days.
The Veerse Meer has a lot of pontoons on the island's they are free for 24h...
Just don't turn up after closing-time as there is absolutely nowhere to stop in the canal,
[/ QUOTE ]
There are pontoons and walls on the canal everywhere today,some you can use for the maximum of 3 days.
The Veerse Meer has a lot of pontoons on the island's they are free for 24h...
Phoenix of Hamble
Well-Known Member
second that.... loads of places to stop when we were there 3 weeks ago....
Took us 1.5hrs Vlissingen to Middelburg.... worth pushing on IMHO, as Middelburg is a lovely place to stop, while Vlissingen is a nice marina but there's not much else to keep you occupied....
Even the Walcheren canal itself its nice as its such a massive contrast from the open sea of just a few minutes earlier that it seems very wierd.... and the left turn into Middelburg is one of my favourite sailing experiences as its a very pretty entry.... excellent chandlery as well.... Jos Boom Winkelschip
Took us 1.5hrs Vlissingen to Middelburg.... worth pushing on IMHO, as Middelburg is a lovely place to stop, while Vlissingen is a nice marina but there's not much else to keep you occupied....
Even the Walcheren canal itself its nice as its such a massive contrast from the open sea of just a few minutes earlier that it seems very wierd.... and the left turn into Middelburg is one of my favourite sailing experiences as its a very pretty entry.... excellent chandlery as well.... Jos Boom Winkelschip