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playbook

IJsselmeer day with a trailer boat

IgniteLiving

Automatically translated · View original (Dutch)

Early in the car, slipway in Lelystad. A long day on open water calls for checking the wind and keeping the VHF radio ready.

10u

duration

€ 80–200

budget

Ignite

pace

The IJsselmeer is not a lake in the ordinary sense. It is an inland sea. On a calm morning it lies flat and within half an hour it can turn rough. The first time I took a trailer boat out on it, I thought I'd just get it done. Near Urk the wind had picked up and we spent four hours pounding into the waves.

Since then I always check the KNMI app three days ahead and again half an hour before departure. No more than wind force 4 for a small boat. And always keep the VHF radio on, because on the IJsselmeer you can go an hour without seeing anyone. It is the training ground for anyone who wants to go to sea. The scale model of real sailing.

Checklist

0 of 7

Vaarbewijs 2 in zak
Voor open water
KNMI gecheckt 3 dagen ervoor
KNMI gecheckt halfuur voor vertrek
Brandstof dubbel ingeschat
Marifoon op kanaal 16
Reddingvest aan, niet in de kast
Iedereen aan boord
Aanlegplek Urk gereserveerd
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Klein vaarbewijs 2 (open water) · veiligzeilen.nlAanbevolen→

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Atmosphere

Lelystad · via Wikipedia

Urk · via Wikipedia

by PlayTryBe team

Three days before the sailing day: check the weather forecast. If the wind is above force 4, you pull the plug, no discussion.

0Suggestion: The IJsselmeer is not a place to fight the weather in a small boat.

One day before: fill up on fuel (for the car and a jerry can for the boat), buy provisions, check the life jackets.

Departure time 6:30 from home. Launch at Lelystad-Haven at 7:30. Starting early is essential, wind always picks up in the middle of the day.

Lelystad-Haven, slipway10

Head via the IJmeer pier towards the north. The channel to the open water is clearly marked. VHF radio on, channel 16.

Suggestion: Keep at least 100 metres distance from cargo ships, their bow wave can capsize a small boat.

pause

Halfway across to Urk: put the engine in neutral. Stop, turn 360 degrees on the spot. No land for 5 kilometres in any direction. That is a big lake.

Entering Urk: the old fishermen's houses along the harbour, the vessels you pass, the smell of fish. This is a real fishing village, not a tourist harbour.

Lunch at a fish restaurant in Urk. De Boontjes or De Zeebodem, both classics. No reservation needed, just walk in.

Restaurant in Urk haven30

Back to Lelystad. Don't leave any later than 16:00, otherwise you won't make it out of the water before dusk. Headwind costs an extra hour.

The IJsselmeer is a test for anyone who wants to go to sea. What works here on a small boat will work on the Wadden later too. What breaks here will break there as well.

For anyone copying this

Do as we did

PaceIgnite

Duration10u

RouteFollow the route

Budget€ 80–200

Suggestions

Check the KNMI app three days before and half an hour before departure. No excuses when the wind is above force 4.
VHF radio on channel 16, plus the local channel of the harbour authority.
Life jacket on for everyone, not just left lying on board.
Double your fuel estimate. The IJsselmeer burns through fuel when you're heading into the wind.
Book a mooring in Urk in advance, especially on weekends. Otherwise you'll have to keep going.

Variations

- Tweedaagse versie: overnacht in Urk of Stavoren, terug op zondag. Veiliger qua weer.
- Met meer ervaring: oversteek naar Lemmer of Volendam.
- In het laagseizoen (mei): rustiger water, koudere wind, mooier licht.
- Eerste keer: niet alleen, neem iemand mee met meer ervaring.