Where have all the Brits gone?

[CliveG]

During the last week we have spent some time in Ramsgate and Gravelines.
Loads of Dutch boats and lots of Belgium boats.
In Ramsgate we where one of about 3 British visiting boats.
There where at least 20 Dutch boats.
In Gravelines we where the only British boat.

Have we all given up cross channel trips?

 

[Santana379]

Clive,

Santana has been across to the Netherlands twice this year, avoiding Belgium until such a time as there is a formal resolution to the ongoing red diesel saga/uncertainty.

We had a week there early in May, leaving the boat behind in Middelburg for a fortnight due to inclement weather, and a fortnight in late June / early July. We went to Zeeland both times. The second trip was planned to be to the north, but when the date for departure arrived the idea of a 24hr+ dead run to Den Helder or Oudeschild in force seven and rising did not appeal. We headed back to Vlissingen instead, and that crossing was bad enough in a SW7. Both holidays were great, but involved strong winds and warm clothing.

It was a disappointment that we aborted plan A, as we were scheduled to arrived off Den Helder as 30 odd tall ships left in a parade of sail.

Nowadays (the last couple of years) there are lot more German boats to be seen in Zeeland than Brits. Previously that was only the case in the North. That said the Brits we did meet were particularly sociable, (in particular Erin from Orford and Teasel from Lowestoft/Bruinisse),

 

[MoodySabre]

We had a month in Holland from Vlissingen to the top of the Ijslemeer and saw very few British boats. This was in June.

 

[nortada]

Am advised by friends in the trade that many boats are on the market & the list is growing by the day.

Whilst local sailing is still possible, boats on the market can't venture far abroad.

They believe it it the economic situation plus the escalating costs keeping & running a boat are leading them to question their future on the water. They say there is evidence that some are turning to caravans or motor-homes for their recreation; whilst other just can't afford to continue. All very sad.

 

[Otter]

Everywhere we've been this summer has been full of Dutchies, we've never seen so many. Always the friendliest yachties. I don't think we've seen a single Frenchie - do they not do cross channel?

 

[Gitane]

In queenboro on two different occasions this summer, saw lots of Dutch boats and very few british boats.

Gitane

 

[Koeketiene]

Everywhere we've been this summer has been full of Dutchies, we've never seen so many.

Contrary to whatever you read in the UK media, the Euroland economy is on the mend (certainly in Germany and the Low Countries): increased business and consumer confidence, unemployment dropping, ...
Dutch brokers are reporting increased boat sales.

Came across 2 Dutch, 3 Belgian and a German boat on the Orwell on Tuesday.
When we were in Ostend in July there was just one Brit boat there - place filled to the rafters with Dutch, German, Swedish boats - even the odd Belgian.

 

[moonshine]

Take a look on Marine Traffic. There are loads of NL/DE boats in UK waters this summer.

In Boulogne/Dieppe mid-May there was few boats, several UK and NL. Le Harve early June I saw only one other UK registered boat.

Moonshine

 

[Otter]

Take a look on Marine Traffic. There are loads of NL/DE boats in UK waters this summer.

Finally a useful purpose for AIS transponders - monitoring tourist trends in the boating world. Damn sight more useful than their stated purpose.

 

[sailorman]

Contrary to whatever you read in the UK media, the Euroland economy is on the mend (certainly in Germany and the Low Countries): increased business and consumer confidence, unemployment dropping, ...
Dutch brokers are reporting increased boat sales.

Came across 2 Dutch, 3 Belgian and a German boat on the Orwell on Tuesday.
When we were in Ostend in July there was just one Brit boat there - place filled to the rafters with Dutch, German, Swedish boats - even the odd Belgian .

 

[johnalison]

We just returned from Ijmuiden on Thursday and that area of Holland was very quiet, as was Friesland. We saw one red duster in Harlingen and one in Enkhuizen and that's about all in the last month apart from one rather nice Swan in Cuxhaven and some Brits that we arranged to meet. The Dutch predominated among boats returning from the Baltic but were fewer than the last time we were there, maybe because it was a week or two earlier.

 

[Habebty]

The Dutch are taking over!! Boulogne was rammed with Dutch and Belgians, Ramsgate tonight has 40 visiting Belgian boats on top of Ramsgate Week! Only 3 or 4 red ensigns in Boulogne including mine and Vara's. Dover looked like Sixhaven,
Currently sat at the Ramsgate Belgian Cafe with some draft Bruin something or other. God, the local youth are knobs.

 

[sailorman]

The Dutch are taking over!! Boulogne was rammed with Dutch and Belgians, Ramsgate tonight has 40 visiting Belgian boats on top of Ramsgate Week! Only 3 or 4 red ensigns in Boulogne including mine and Vara's. Dover looked like Sixhaven,
Currently sat at the Ramsgate Belgian Cafe with some draft Bruin something or other. God, the local youth are knobs.

Have a Duval for me Pete. The highlight of Ramsgit is the silverware in the RTYC & a trip to Waitrose

 

[xyachtdave]

Have a Duval for me Pete. The highlight of Ramsgit is the silverware in the RTYC & a trip to Waitrose

......what about the beer selection at the Belgium Bar?!





And a sandy beach??




Can't think of anything else!

 

[Vara]

The Dutch are taking over!! Boulogne was rammed with Dutch and Belgians, Ramsgate tonight has 40 visiting Belgian boats on top of Ramsgate Week! Only 3 or 4 red ensigns in Boulogne including mine and Vara's. Dover looked like Sixhaven,
Currently sat at the Ramsgate Belgian Cafe with some draft Bruin something or other. God, the local youth are knobs.

Mine's Blue.

Boulogne was roughly 70/20/5% Dutch, Belgian, British. Enormous numbers of Hallberg Rassys most of them pretty new.

Dover since the middle of June has had similar ratios of visiting yachts.

 

[Cantata]

......what about the beer selection at the Belgium Bar?!
And a sandy beach??
Can't think of anything else!

Thai restaurant in the terrace below the club.
Italian in the row of shops round towards the museum.
Chippie a bit further along the same way.
Er....
Bus trip to Broadstairs?

 

[xyachtdave]

My daughter has just added Pelosi's Ice Cream shop and the chance to go to New Look in the town centre to the 'good' Ramsgate list!

I've also thought of the Granville cinema on the top of the cliff.