Winter Sailing in the Netherlands (crazy?)

[NicolasdRW]

We are looking into buying a 8m-10m boat to sail the full year in the Netherlands around the Ijmeer, Markermeer & Ijsellmeer (big lake near Amsterdam).

Is that realistic or a crazy idea? (because of the cold weather/ rain)
Any suggestion on yacht brokers or nice Marinas to have the boat the full year?

Thanks
Nicolas

[HeinSdL]

The Netherlands is nothing special climate wise so you can simply decide for yourself if you're OK to sit on a boat given the temperature, rainfall and wind speed ranges.

I think it could be rather tedious: days to weeks of cold, grey, wet and WINDY conditions. Especially in winter... But there are numerous inland routes which allow you to hang out in many of the pretty towns in the country and use the boat to live on. Moving around the IJsselmeer in eg. January could be very uninspiring (and note the IJ as opposed to Ij, one of the quirks of the Dutch language )

[bobnlesley]

Welcome to the forum Nicholas.
Winter sailing on Holland's meres wouldn't be my cup of tea, they're more than cold enough in summer! So I'd judge it as unrealistic, but not a crazy idea; if you're aiming for the latter, take some downhill skis with you.

[valhalla360]

Aren't the dutch known for speed skating on the canals when they freeze over?

Yes, it's possible but likely not a lot of fun in the winter. We knew people who lived year round in Detroit on their boat. Detroit, January High temp 32F...Amsterdam 42F.

I assume you have residency in the EU?

[Hesti]

Yes, the dutch are known for their ice skating ... .

[sepharad]

A friend kept a boat over winter on a canal. His interior mildewed badly. Apparently heat and ventilation is a must there.

[joopdjumbo]

Nicolas,.

There is a dutch forum with the url zeilersforum.nl

There a people sailing yearround in the netherlands including the wadden islands.

I think you need the right garderobe for that.

Regards chris

[KWISPEL]

We have been sailing around the NL, summer & winter, for the last 10 years... It's a lovely cruising ground, and as long as your boat has a heater you will enjoy it! It hasn't frozen over enough for the Elfstedentocht (ice skating race along the canals to 11 cities) since 1997... Now they do it swimming! If you want more info about harbors, cruising routes, or whatever else, PM me and I will get back to you within a week! Salty greetings!

[B_Wieberdink]

I live in the Netherlands on the IJsselmeer. I sail summer and winter on the IJsselmeer and Wadden in my 31 foot sailboat.
You need a good heating system in your boat, a diesel heater of 3000 Watts is preferred.

Yes, it is cold in winter, normaly not below freezing point, and there are beautiful sailing days in winter.


Greetings Bert

[Tilikum]

Here another wintersailor in The Netherlands. Can be fun, but indeed sometimes wet and windy. If you plan to live on the boat you will - apart from the stove - need a moisture remover (if that is the correct English term?), an electrical device that keeps the humidity low. Works very well.

[boatman61]

No crazier than living aboard and sailing the English Channel in winter..
Some of my best sailing on the S Coast were in January onwards.. brilliant blue skies and crisp cold air.. snug in my sheepskin flying jacket at the tiller.. overnight sails in a blaze of starlight.
Mind, I was younger then..

[Wayne hoath]

As others have said get something with diesel heating and add a dehumidifier. A pilot house yacht makes cold and wet days a lot less troublesome too but to each his own.

[FransvanBuuren]

Sailing in the North demands a boat with good isolation and good heaters ( elelectric and diesel ). You can make daytrips from 10.00 to 16.00 . It only rains 6 z of the year in Holland.
From December 25 till January 5 you have to be on the island Terschelling.
You will meet a lot of Duth wintersailers.