Jeff Wrinch is seduced by the old-world charm on offer around the IJsselmeer and Markermeer.
Just 130 miles from Suffolk, hidden behind the expanses of sand along the north-west European coast, lies a cruising gem, home to the graceful Dutch barge, and all but undiscovered by the majority of cruising yachtsmen. The magnificent inland sea, known now as the IJsselmeer (formerly the Zuiderzee), was created by the dykes built in the 1920s to keep out the sea. Now, due to the rivers that flow in from the land, the ‘sea’ is a fresh water lake.
I discovered this wonderful inland sea on my way to visit Amsterdam, returning south from a two-month Baltic cruise aboard Moondance, my Southerly 135. At only 60 miles long and 30 miles wide, the IJsselmeer and the adjoining Markermeer make a fabulous little cruising ground. Distances are small, navigation is easy and character oozes out of every inlet of what was once the coast of the Netherlands. My introduction to the IJsselmeer, however, was a baptism of fire.
An embarrassing start
Denne historien er fra May 2017-utgaven av Yachting Monthly.
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Denne historien er fra May 2017-utgaven av Yachting Monthly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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I WAS THE ONLY SAILOR ON OUR FAMILY CHARTER AND IT HAD TO GO WELL
Crystal waters, cliff tombs and sunken outboards lain Willis wanted to ensure plain sailing for his family’s first charter around Turkey's Lycian Coast
HOW IT WORKS SEAWATER PUMP
The water and oil seals on a water pump shaft will eventually wear with time, leading to pump-shaft corrosion or loss of engine oil.
THOUSANDS OF MILES ACROSS THE INDIAN OCEAN
Floris and Ivar battled severe weather and cross swell to sail from Australia to South Africa, but there were beautiful islands on the way
The secret of yachts with enduring appeal
Fashions come and go, but J-Boats remain a safe choice for great sailing boats, whether you want to own it for ever or sell it
Tragic sinking of Bayesian; Italian prosecutors investigate
The sinking of the Bayesian superyacht in reportedly only 16 minutes and the tragic loss of seven lives has sent a shudder through the sailing community and beyond.
THE ADVENT OF MARINE AI TECHNOLOGY
Fonathon Savill reports on the revolutionary impact artificial intelligence is about to have on all areas of life at sea
IMPROVING SINGLE-LINE REEFING
Martin Watts explains how to reduce the friction on the reefing lines of newer yachts
The secrets of skippering a successful cruise
Setting off on a cruise is easy, but planning a route that keeps your options open and ensures the enjoyment of all on board is more of an art
CRUISING THE KINGDOM OF THE ISLES
Joanna Martin and her husband Mark sail across the Irish Sea to the legendary sea kingdom and to draw the wonderful wildlife there
MOODY DS48
Can a boat built for long-term, long-distance cruising and offering one-level living still deliver an enjoyable sailing experience? Theo Stocker sets sail across the English Channel to find out
