The
Pénichette is the ideal
vehicle to discover Holland with its
countless canals, rivers and lakes:
Vecht, Zaan, Weesper Trekvaart-Gaasp,
Amsteldrecht Kanaal, Kromme Mijdrecht-Grecht
or Hollandse Ijssel-Merwe-De Kanaal.
Berthing in the centre of Amsterdam
is a unique experience.
One
sees the true nature of the country
on its countless waterways since everything
which is built, whether towns, villages,
mills or bridges , is also mirrored
in the water at its feet. Here you
will find the landscapes of its famous
painters , from the emphatic tones
of Vermeer to the gentler touch of
other masters of the Golden Age. You'll
see the warmth and joie de vivre of
the Dutch in the cafes, on the welcoming
terraces along the water's edge, and
in the shops which nestle amongst the
cellars of the old houses of Utrecht
or of Amsterdam. After crossing the
great "broad" of Loosdrecht
, dotted with untouched islands, you
will follow the course of the river
Vecht and pass through the two great
art centres of Amsterdam and Utrecht.
Further north, near Edam, you cross
the Zaan country, full of windmills
and rich in wildlife. To the south
your cruise unfolds through the timeless
Dutch countryside: lifting bridges,
dykes, and that magic light of dawn
which will surely tempt you into rising
early.
MOORING IN THE HEART OF DUTCH CITIES
At
Amsterdam the marina is very central,
but still quiet. It is just
across the ship canal from the central
station, and is served by a ferry
which runs every 10 minutes night
and day. Taking a Pénichette
through the city's canals is simple
enough with a little care, and it
is the best way of all to see the
place. Good news: The city council
of Amsterdam decided to no longer
charge passage fees for Amsterdam.
Of course, there are still fees for
mooring at the marinas in Amsterdam.
At Utrecht you can directly moor
at the quaysides or opposite the
cathedral. A plan of the city's canals
and the many bridges will be given
to you at the entrance lock, where
you will have to pay a modest toll.At Gouda the marina is in the middle
of the old town.
ADVICE FOR NAVIGATION
In
Germany you can use the waterways and
locks for free. Usually, there aren't
any closures during the season. Clients
that don't have a licence can navigate
in the region between Schwerin, Dömitz
(Elbe) and Liebenwalde (north of Berlin).
The lakes of Muritz and Plau must only
be crossed by the most direct channel
following the signalisation. It is obligatory
to wear a life jacket. Navigation on
the lakes is forbidden if the wind is
stronger than Force 3 Beaufort.
You should be at the base no later
than 3pm on the day you are due to
take the boat in order to have a thorough
initiation concerning all aspects of
navigation. One of the characteristics
of navigating in Germany, on the lakes,
is that you can spend the night tied
up at anchor. It will all be explained
to you in detail during your initiation.
The waterway police controls regularly
the speed limits, especially in areas,
where the speed limit is at 5 kph.
They can also punish illegal mooring,
especially in the touristic areas of
Berlin, Rheinsberg or Schwerin. The
captain of the boat is personally responsible
to pay the fine for any violation of
the rules, even if he didn't steer
the boat himself. By signing the hire
contract, the captain obligates to
respect the navigation rules and to
pay for every penalty.
TO
REMIND
Locks
and lifting bridges are splendidly well
maintained; at many, you will
be asked to pay a small toll, usually
between 4 and 6 €.
The yacht harbours which you will
find in most towns also charge for
overnight stops.
Before 15 April and after 15 October
some canals are closed entirely and
others closed on Sundays. It is essential
to check your cruising plans with the
base during these periods.
Suggested
Cruises in North and South Holland
Cruises -Vecht,
Zaan, Weesper Trekvaart-gaasp, Amsteldrecht
Kan, Kromme Mijdrecht-Grecht, Hollandse
Ijssel-Merwe De Kanaal Circle
Loosdrecht -
1
week - Loosdrecht, Amsterdam, Uithoorn,
Woerden, Gouda*, Oudewater, Utrecht Loosdrecht Length
of Cruise : 168
Km, 14 locks, lifting bridge 48, 5.30
/ day
Cruises - Plauer
See, Müritz Elde, Stör
Wasserstrasse Circle
Loosdrecht -
Loosdrecht, Amsterdam, Edam, Alkmaar,
Zaanstad, Amsterdam Loosdrecht Length
of Cruise: 164
Km, 9 Locks, 4 h 30/ day
Cruises -
Vecht, Weesper Trekvaart-gaasp, Amsteldrecht
Kan, Kromme Mijdrecht-Grecht, Hollandse
Ijssel-Merwe De Kanaal Circle
Loosdrecht -
1 week - Loosdrecht, Amsterdam, Lisse,
Kager Plassen, Alphen, Gouda*, Oudewater,
Utrecht, Loosdrecht. Length
of Cruise: 169
Km, 11 locks, 52 lifting bridges, 5 h
30 / day
Cruises -
Vecht, Weesper Trekvaart-gaasp, Amsteldrecht
Kan, Kromme Mijdrecht-Grecht, Hollandse
Ijssel-Merwe De Kanaal Circle
Loosdrecht -
10 - 11 days - Loosdrecht, Vinkeveense
Plassen, Ouderkerk, Amsterdam, Aalsmeer,
Kager Plassen, Katwijk, Alphen, Gouda*,
Oudewater, Utrecht, Loosdrecht. Length
of Cruise: 225
Km, 13 locks, 76 lifting bridges, 5 h
/ day
Cruises - Vecht, Weesper Trekvaart-gaasp, Amsteldrecht
Kan, Kromme Mijdrecht-Grecht, Hollandse
Ijssel-Merwe De Kanaal Circle
Loosdrechtn -
10 - 11 days - Loosdrecht, Amsterdam,
Edam, Uitgeest, Amsterdam, Aalsmeer,
Kager Plassen, Katwijk, Alphen, Gouda*,
Oudewater, Utrecht, Loosdrecht. Length
of Cruise: 250
Km, 15 locks, 67 lifting bridges, 5 h
15 / day
Cruises -
Vecht, Zaan, Weesper Trekvaart-gaasp,
Amsteldrecht Kan, Noord Holland, Grecht,
Hollandse Ijssel-Merwe De Kanaal Circle
Loosdrect -
2
weeks - Loosdrecht, Amsterdam, Edam,
Alkmaar, Zaanstad, Amsterdam, Aalsmeer,
Kager Plassen, Leiden, Katwijk, Alphen,
Gouda*, Oudewater, Utrecht, Loosdrecht. Length
of Cruise: 315
Km, 16 locks, 88 lifting bridges, 4 h
30 / day
