Netherlands Sailing Holiday

Sailing Type – Sheltered Water Day Sailing.

I liked everything about it – the places we visited, the sailing, the views through the portholes, the food and that last night anchored in the Markenmeer with a view of two lighthouses. I think I was lucky to be with such a great bunch of people.

Janet

Beginners are welcome on any voyage. If you have never sailed before, more information about what to expect from this sailing weekend is here
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Sail Amsterdam

Trinovante rarely goes to sail festivals but some of our Dutch crew recommended sail Amsterdam so Trinovante went in 2005 and 2010. It was a revelation. We had never imagined so many boats could be on the water in such a small space. Sail Amsterdam only happens every five years. We missed 2015 and are very excited to be going back in 2020.

In 2015 there were 2.3 million visitors. Don’t underestimate the size of this festival.  We suggest you arrive early for this voyage, drop your bags at the boat and get out and about to enjoy the festival. There will be buffet-style food in the evening for those who want it.

All of a sudden the party is over, the ships leave. Trinovante will participate in the leaving ‘Parade Of Sail’ and then head off for some well-earned relaxation sailing around the Ijsselmere and Markenmeer.

The Ijsselmeer and Markermeer are inland seas. This area used to be the tidal Zuiderzee and was home to what were then wealthy Dutch seaports such a Hoorn. Cape Horn was named after this town by Willem Schouten, who navigated the cape in 1616.

 The Zuiderzee ceased to be in 1932 when the dam was built (which created The Ijsselmere and Markenmer) to stop flooding and make what the Dutch call ‘new land’. For us, it provides a huge area of sheltered water sailing.

Apart from the cheese, apple cake and beer we love this area of the Netherlands because the Dutch have so many traditionally rigged sailing vessels.

Each little town is a work of art in itself. Petite historic houses, built of small bricks line the leafy canals.

Walking around the streets is a delight. The Dutch are big on window displays. Often with two matching vases. flowers or art. There are cafes, small shops and markets.

Vollen Dam where we can take a walk to Edam, Medemblik and the old fishing town of Urk are all possible places to visit.

At the end of this voyage Trinvante locks out of the Ijsselmeer into tidal waters again to berth at Den Helder.

Den Helder is a big port and naval dockyard also known for its long beaches and as a Tall Ships Race port. It is an easy train ride from here back to Amsterdam.

All voyage notes refer only to possible itineraries – where we sail, the type of sailing and passage lengths and the places we call into will be entirely dependent on the wind and weather at the time.