Standing Mast Route in Holland

[careka]

We want to do the Route from south and up to Amsterdam, and if there is time, we can keep on going on the Canals, all the way up to Germany.

The mast-up route -

We are doing this whit a 6,53m wide cat, and we know it will work, 7m is the limit.

But what about marinas, or do you just find a place to go longside and stay until nexst day, or is there places where you can stop. ?

[jim_thomsen]

There are marinas, but many may not have space for a cat. There are also many places you can tie up to the shore. The guide books are really good so with a little planning it should work. You can call all the mainas by mobile phone in advance of arrival.
Here's some pictures from our trip from Antwerp to the island of Texel Home Page

[careka]

Thanks Jim, i did look for Guidebooks in a big shop in Hamburg, but they did not have on, so i just have to try to find out as i start entering the system of Kanals.

[jim_thomsen]

You will be able to find the Staande Mastroute guide in most marine shops in the Netherlands. It's good to have since it will list the opening times of bridges and their phone numbers. Some bridges only open a few times a day and then for a short time.
It's a great trip! Enjoy.
Maybe we will do it again someday...on our way to Norway.

[Kimmo]

Hello.

We are at Delfzijl currently, heading down south via the Standing mast route. Currently waiting for the weather to get a bit better, so we can actually see the canals from the rain

I bought the Wateralmanak 2 from Geografische boekhandel Pied a Terre in Amsterdam. They were very helpful and posted the books to my home.

The book despite being in Dutch is very useful, due to the times when bridges and locks are open.

Don't forget to buy the Wateralmanak 1 too, as it's required in the canals. Legal text in Dutch, doesn't matter if you understand anything from it, but it needs to be onboard.

Delfzijl itself is currently quite crowded, but I'm sure cat will fill in alongside here. It's 50% extra charge for cat, but the marina fee is to us at least quite modest, 1,20 euros per meters.

[Eric50]

Hi Kareka,

Sorry to miss you in Cherbourg...heavy schedule these last weeks, anyway we just updated our blog (link at bottom) with some views on a cruise made in Holland few years ago...FYI.

Navigation is very easy, you should find some places for the cat (may be more at mooring than in literally "downtown" marinas that are sometimes very narrow.

The Inland seas in Zeeland are perfect for your boat for example...

[careka]

Hey Erik,
i where down at your boat 2 times. in May and now in june.
We are now up in Holland, Breskens. to start the kanal tour. we had a rainshower, and more is comming, the habourmaster told us, winds around 100-120 km/h, so he told us to stay until it is over.
One big differens is how to pay in the harbours, in France they all took Mastercard. here in Holland/Breskens they want cash. and you have to run out and put 50cent on the powersupply every now and then. (anyoing)
now we have to do some shopping.

[Kimmo]

Hello Careka

I think I saw you at the Gouda railway bridge on 1st of July, or at least there was another Norwegian catamaran.

I was the dude who stared you for a while

I was about to say something, but with twenty boats heading north and another twenty to south it was a bit hectic.

[careka]

Yes Kimmo it was us.
We did the hole trip from south to north. the last part of the route into Amsterdam was nice and the 2 lakes. and also the last part up north ending in a Marina Oostermahorn,
We also did Eider kanal that ends up down in Kiel kanal that one is also very nice.
We are now in Kiel. and will cont sail up into Danmark. in August.

[careka]

Her is our blogg from the trip in Holland. on the canals.

Lagoon380 Careka

[Moki]

All information concerning this route can be found in:

ANWB Wateratlas Staande Mastroute
ISBN: 9789018028138

[TassieBloke]

At least with a Cat you wont run into problems with your draft in the canals between the Ijsselmeer and Groningen (inland through Friesland).

Friesland is such a beautiful place to sail, in between fields and watching sheep & cows less than 20m away

All the best up through there.

[careka]

Some of the narrow spot up north is not more the 7 meters wide,
Small Bridges
We are 6.53 m wide, so its just to have some speed and full control going through. there is not room for fenders on the side,
But it is no problem. it can be if there are strong sidewinds.

[MacG]

http://www.rijkswaterstaat.nl/images...174-240024.pdf

In this link you will find more specific information, some of it printed in English.

Under normal conditions, it will take you within 24 hrs from Zeeland to Amsterdam.
From Amsterdam, you have to cross the IJsselmeer, Lelystad-sluizen, then to Lemmer-Groningen-Delfzijl passing the Prinses Margriet kanaal.

It will take you a few days but will give you a nice idea of what sailing/dieseling in Holland is or means.
You do not need per se marina's en route. There are enough spots to lay up for the night w/o using costly marina' s.
Specific info you will find in the link. Or just ask here.

Fair winds
MacG