Several UK boats have been arriving in the Netherlands this week, taking various routes across the North Sea from the south and east coasts of England. With EU entry paperwork duly stamped for those with British passports at Ostend, Niewpoort and Vlissengen the boats are all on passage towards the rendezvous in Hellevoetsluis. We’re expecting more to leave the UK in the next few days and Dutch OGA members are also on the move to meet up on 3 August.
’Moon River’ and ‘Indian Runner’ both reported poor visibility around Dungeness with plenty of lobster pots to look out for (and a dolphin). ‘Molly of Mylor’ sailed in company with ‘Moon River’ from Dover to Niewpoort. ’Plum’ made the crossing from Ramsgate to Niewpoort in 10.5 hours. ‘East Breeze’ moved on to Blankenberge from Ostend for supper of mussels, chips and mayonnaise. Skipper and crew of ‘Teasel’ are returning to her in Bruinisse next week. ‘Puffin Bach’ arrived in Niewpoort after an uneventful crossing on Wednesday evening. ‘Clytie’ made passage from the River Deben, crossing from Harwich to Vlissingen earlier in the week. She then visited Middelburg before meeting up with Dutch OGA boat ‘Windbreker’ on the Veersemeer. Tonight we hear that ‘Molly of Mylor’, ‘Puffin Bach’, ‘Moon River’ and ‘Plum’ have all arrived in Blankenberge to enjoy a convivial dinner aboard ‘Molly’.
As promised, ‘East Breeze’ shares her log of the Westerschelde:
Although the wind was a favourable force 3 it was from directly astern, so hard to use. We did try jibing downwind but the increased distance and having to keep moving away from the faster tide further out, slowed us down. The bouncy seas and light wind was reduced by a following tide so we turned on the engine. We were recommended to follow the green buoys along the edge of the channel to maximise boost from the tide. You need tidetables showing the flow in the Westerschelde entrance and/or some local knowledge (thankyou, Keith!). Tidetables suggested maximum tides on the Westerschelde from about 16.00 to 19.00, adding a good two knots to our speed. There are recommended crossing lines from Breskens opposite Vlissingen but we were well out at the edge of the channel so I steered from green can Songa direct towards the Vlissingen entrance. The fast ferries were a useful guide to identifying this. I made the COG to be 57° but it was still only 18.00 and the tide was running fast, so I found that steering about 20° achieved the desired COG.
‘Bonita’ has been making her way to Hellevoetsluis ahead of the other UK boats:
With our augmented crew of Toby, D and Allan we were keen to move on from the picturesque town of Zierikzee. The weather was not very encouraging with strong winds and heavy rain showers but the boats rafted up inside us wanted to leave so it seemed we should too. There was a strong wind blowing straight down the mile long canal out of Zierikzee but after that we had a fine sail, mainly under just mizzen and headsails making over 5 knots. Toby had the excitement of going under the immense Zeeland Bridge, which he came over in the bus yesterday. This evening finds us in the marina next to the historic town of Willemstadt. After moving on to Middelharnis we had a sunny day with a pleasant f3 SW breeze exploring the western end of the Haringvliet up as far as the very impressive dam and sluice structure that keeps out the North Sea. There were plenty of yachts out in the fine weather, though we did have to avoid a dinghy crew that chose to practisce their capsize drill right in front of us. In the evening we tied up at a marina in Hellevoetsluis in a berth arranged by Dutch friends Else and Edgar. Here we will leave ‘Bonita’ while the OGA members catch up with her as we need to return to the UK for a few days.
Blog for the yawl ‘Bonita’
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