I was also very unimpressed with Roompot Marina, one of the few Dutch places I avoid. On a previous visit we were allowed to overnight on the sluis waiting pontoons this is no longer allowed at most locks. There was also an excellent fish and chippy under the Roompot road bridge.
Where did you check in/out?
Interesting. We were there in May 22. we filled in the online form for Belgium before leaving Ramsgate. On presentation at the police station they knew nothing about online forms! But, very nicely, they took our passports away and came back ten minutes later all stamped up and ready to go. Worst thing was that we arrived late at night and went to the marina on the other side; it's about a twenty minute walk from there (as opposed to two mins from the other marina).
That's interesting. In the past we have stayed overnight at Roompotsluis and Krammersluis waiting pontoons, but last visit the man came and shooed us away. I think it is still allowed at Volkerak sluis. I hope it has gone back to being allowed, it was a handy option.
How easy is it to check in at Ijmuiden?
We used that route several times on the way to the Baltic or Frisian islands. I haven't looked it up lately but the only obstructions at the time were the odd gas rig. Although there are shipping lanes I never found them a problem. In average conditions we would leave Lowestoft at 6am and get to the other side and be berthed by 11pm, leaving us ready for a night's sleep and able to move on the next morning, unlike the longer crossings where we would have to take a day off to recover.
We came back to NL from Lowestoft to Ijmuiden this last summer. We telephoned the Marechaussee on arrival in the marina, and they told us to call again when we were waiting for the lock. A quick return call after a bit of rest, and as we came out of the lock on the Noordzeekanal side, there was a small car waiting for us. We stepped off, my brother got the stamp he needed, and we left about a minute later. Excellent service! They did say it would have been different if they had had a big ferry or cruise ship to deal with. And how it will work once it all goes electronic is unclear. But it was very easy last July.
Pre-Brexit I was boarded just off the port, boarded the same day in the marina, and asked to stop the next day in the place you describe! So I take it the marina don't make the arrangements. Presumably they will come out to the marina if heading up to Den Helder instead of entering the canal? Is this the correct page with the contact details? - Contact the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee
Yes, I think that's where we got the number from. I should say we're a Dutch yacht, so won't necessarily attract so much attention. They do make it clear that it's everybody's duty to check in, even if they're Dutch. But I'm not sure how many people currently do that.
Zeeland is many East-coasters' first or early experience of abroad, and has the merit of giving the crew, often young, a sheltered week or two. I agree that Ostend would make a better starting-off point, as we first did in 1980. If the weather is right then Breskens or Flushing would be better, though I am out of touch with access to eurononsense. My general rule is that Holland, as I choose to call it, gets better the further north you go, and also that it makes for a more relaxing cruise to go as far as you want as early as possible and make your way home slowly. However, Middleberg is a nice place and a good place to get into the Dutch mood. The Versemeer can get a bit trippery but a night or three on one of the islands can be very relaxing. I don't know the Grevelingen well but have enjoyed a few nights there. The Haringvliet is more interesting to my eyes and there are several interesting places there. Willemstad has character, and the older marina is where we have always stayed. Not often visited, Middleharnis has great charm and is comparable to the larger Goes mentioned above, It is yonks since we went to Hellevoetsluis, but we used to enjoy going there.
When negotiating Zeeland there are numerous bridges and locks, so it makes sense to get all the information about opening times to hand. There is something of an art in getting through these potential obstructions without being trampled on by the locals, but you'll lear knowing ones air draught is very usefull/ ressuring
Cpn site
Thr further north oe travels iteventully turns into Holland the dutchperfer to call their country der nedrlnds dankuwell
As others have said, Zeeland is lovely. There's lots of variety and good sailing. For tidal waters, the Dutch tidal atlas HP33 is absolutely brilliant. Detailed tide times for the whole country, and even better, really clear tidal stream diagrams for the key areas. It is now available for free as a digital application (NLTides - HP33D (English)) but I will also be buying a paper copy again this year. You should be able to find it reasonably easily once here... not sure if you can get in in UK.
For info on bridges and locks, including closures/problems etc then you can check www.vaarweginformatie.nl. Click on the English translation button, top left, and then click waterways and objects, and it will take you to an interactive map. You can check each specific bridge etc that you're interested in. Check all the various notifications - sometimes closures etc are a bit hidden away. EuRIS - Actual Notices to Skippers on map is also useful but gives ONLY notices out of the ordinary, so you won't find regular openings etc there.
For charts, the ANWB series is very useful. You may need quite a few of them to cover the whole of where you might go but they're hard wearing, and intuitive to read. If you prefer digital, then Waterkaart Live | App met Nederlandse waterkaarten is worthwhile but can be rather cluttered if you're trying to find specific info. The Imray book 'Inland waterways of the Netherlands' is still useful.
My destination tip: Zierikzee on the Oosterschelde is very nice. It can get very crowded, but that's true of everywhere... We managed to get a berth at the sailing club that's before the town centre free-for-all, simply by ringing them up. And if you're planning a loop, and perhaps are up for some industrial scenery, then you could try and get to Doordrecht (you're now in Zuid Holland not Zeeland). Or simply head from the Haringvliet up the Spui (tidal so be aware) and head out via the Maas. Maassluis is a great place to stay the night and then head down past Hoek van Holland/Europoort.
Enjoy the planning!if going the spui route, b aware you neen tobinform maas traffic control of ur movements
