TAIPAN

Mon Oct 23 1:31 2017 NZDT
GPS: 52 2.864n 1 8.998e
Run: 141.9nm (256.8km)

Ipswich haven Marina.


Wed May 10 8:21 2017 NZST
GPS: 51 54.44339N 4 28.58024E
Run: 10.2nm (18.5km)

VeerHaven Very tight. Had to be towed in backwards. No bow thruster!!. Long run from Dordtrech. Only 12 miles but current and bridge openings meant a long day.


Mon May 8 0:00 2017 NZST
GPS: 51 48.90384N 4 39.69138E
Run: 12.6nm (22.8km)

Dordtrech. E 23 per night. perfect location to see Dordrecht. Oldest City in Holland. Great Indonesian food up town. Bridges a bit tricky. Hard to pronounce but get the harbour Masters ph no and he will call the bridge for you. The big one outside has opening times and is not manned. just be there!


Fri May 5 0:00 2017 NZST
GPS: 51 41.66065N 4 26.43920E
Run: 21.8nm (39.5km)

Willimstad. A jewel. Dont Miss it. Lovely town. Excellent spot on the old town Dock. Amazing old town. About E30 per night.


Thu May 4 0:00 2017 NZST
GPS: 51 29.54100N 4 3.13311E
Run: 17nm (30.8km)

Yerseke Oyster and Muscle Capital of Holland 1 night. Pick up the Oysters from the sand at low tide. Delicious.


Tue May 2 0:00 2017 NZST
GPS: 51 33.00956N 3 40.13883E
Run: 8.4nm (15.2km)

Veere two nights. App E30 per night. Tight spot but very pretty town.


Sun Oct 16 22:21 2016 NZDT
GPS: 51 26.69738N 3 34.32266E
Run: 307.6nm (556.8km)
Avg: 34605knts
24hr: 830520nm

Sun Oct 16 22:21 2016 NZDT
GPS: 51 26.69738N 3 34.32266W
Run: 414.4nm (750.1km)
Avg: 67810.9knts
24hr: 1627461.8nm

Sun Oct 16 22:20 2016 NZDT
GPS: 57 26.45929N 003 34.53440W
Run: 1895.2nm (3430.3km)
Avg: 5240.2knts
24hr: 125764.4nm

Sun Oct 16 21:59 2016 NZDT
GPS: 34 53.15586N 26 49.71680W
Run: 6091nm (11024.7km)
Avg: 49498knts
24hr: 1187951.2nm

Wintering in Vlissingen Holland. Excellent small facility in the center of a lovely small town with all amenities and close to the railway. The southern most point of the Standing Mast Route, and inland waterway which passes north to Germany and on to the Baltic. navigable by yachts with mast up in waters not less than 3.2m


First we had to go Belgium, an easy 56 mile motor sail across the surprisingly quiet English Chanel from Ramsgate to Nuiewpoort. We had heard stories of the masses of shipping in the  narrow, current affected channel. There were only a handful of ships, all with AIS, and easy to  avoided in the clear crisp autumn sunshine. We only made one course change. Singapore was far worse! 




The Nuiewpoort Marina has over 1000 berths, most vessels look well cared for and there were many out sailing when we arrived. We arrived in the marina comfortably before dark. 




The following morning we pulled out and headed off to Vlissingen Netherlands. Being a Saturday it was as busy as we have seen it anywhere with many sailboats heading out to enjoy the last sunny sailing days of the season. There were boats going in all directions and what a beautiful day. Sailing just on the wind in 15 knots offshore and Taipan was frisky. We clocked great time but arrived way too early and had to cool our heels for a couple of hours before attempting to get into the marina.  As there was insufficient water we made two abortive attempts before successfully passing through the bridges and the very narrow door, (just 6 meters wide,) into our berth.


 


Michiel de Ruijterhaven Marina is right in the centre of a great little town. Everything we need just a short bike ride away. Two and a half hours to Amsterdam by train, Three and a half hours to Paris by train. What more could one want. Ah the price? Just 560 euro for the whole 6 months of winter. Looks like this is where we stop for now.


One of the first things we noticed in the Netherlands is bicycles. Everyone, young and old is riding a bike. The Dutch all look fit and healthy and the local fare is likewise, healthy and lean. Our trusty folding bikes are enjoying a revival here. Not since Asia have they seen so much action. It was a little confronting initially to not don the compulsory helmet but no one wears one here and they all seem quite normal. Bikes are the primary mode of transport round the city and the roads and drivers reflect their priority


The next outstanding feature is the architecture. The variety and creativity in design is evident in both domestic and commercial architecture. What a blessed relief after the US.




There's lots of maintenance to catch up on. Its been a long and hectic sailing year with 9 countries visited in 7 months. We have many small jobs to keep us busy here until it gets too cold, then we will  bolt back to  Western Australia until the Northern Spring.First job off the list will be sealing the toerails. This is a job which we usually do every 5 years but its a little overdue. Not a particularly big job but we need to be alongside a dock to remove the stanchions and bases, remove all the old sealant, repaint and re-seal. 


Taipan has 600mm high stanchions with stainless rail around the entire ship. These were installed before we purchased her and although we didn't think they looked great, and we even considered removing them, we are very glad we didn't. They offer immense security when one of us is forced on deck in big seas in dark and dangerous conditions.


There is always the inevitable varnish, gelcoat and paint touch up to do. A boat doesn't do as many miles as Taipan without getting some knocks.


Just after our arrival we heard a knock on the hull and it was Kara and John from Orca, with whom we crossed the Indian Ocean in 2012. They have just purchased another larger yacht here in this small harbour and flew in a few days ago to take possession. It never ceases to amaze us just how small the cruising world is, and how full of inspiring and interesting people.


Winterising Taipan will be a new experience for us. We have been informed that Vlissingen harbour, in which we have chosen to leave the boat, doesn't freeze as its salt water and there is very little snow in this area of southern Holland. We will however take precautions with the fresh water system, including boiler, engine coolant, WC's and of course Water-maker.


So now the weather is holding and the work proceeds.


 




Michael De Ruyterhaven. Marina Vlissingen Holland.
Taipan getting settled for winter.
Sun Oct 16 21:51 2016 NZDT
GPS: 2 6.53392S 113 4.27734W
Run: 7460.5nm (13503.5km)
Avg: 35246.5knts
24hr: 845915nm

Sun Oct 16 21:39 2016 NZDT
GPS: 51 26.697n 3 34.323e

Wintering the yacht till next March. http://svtaipan.blogspot.com


TAIPAN - Going Dutch

First we had to go Belgium, an easy 56 mile motor sail across the surprisingly quiet English Chanel from Ramsgate to Nuiewpoort. We had heard stories of the masses of shipping in the narrow, current affected channel. There were only a handful of ships, all with AIS, and easy to avoided in the clear crisp autumn sunshine. We only made one course change. Singapore was far worse!
The Nuiewpoort Marina has over 1000 berths, most vessels look well cared for and there were many out sailing when Read more...

we arrived. We arrived in the marina comfortably before dark.
The following morning we pulled out and headed off to Vlissingen Netherlands. Being a Saturday it was as busy as we have seen it anywhere with many sailboats heading out to enjoy the last sunny sailing days of the season. There were boats going in all directions and what a beautiful day. Sailing just on the wind in 15 knots offshore and Taipan was frisky. We clocked great time but arrived way too early and had to cool our heels for a couple of hours before attempting to get into the marina. As there was insufficient water we made two abortive attempts before successfully passing through the bridges and the very narrow door, (just 6 meters wide,) into our berth.
Michiel de Ruijterhaven Marina is right in the centre of a great little town. Everything we need just a short bike ride away. Two and a half hours to Amsterdam by train, Three and a half hours to Paris by train. What more could one want. Ah the price? Just 560 euro for the whole 6 months of winter. Looks like this is where we stop for now.
One of the first things we noticed in the Netherlands is bicycles. Everyone, young and old is riding a bike. The Dutch all look fit and healthy and the local fare is likewise, healthy and lean. Our trusty folding bikes are enjoying a revival here. Not since Asia have they seen so much action. It was a little confronting initially to not don the compulsory helmet but no one wears one here and they all seem quite normal. Bikes are the primary mode of transport round the city and the roads and drivers reflect their priority.
Vlissingen is just a small town but has some interesting architecture.
The next outstanding feature is the architecture. The variety and creativity in design is evident in both domestic and commercial architecture. What a blessed relief after the US.
Taipan moored right on the Cafe strip.
There's lots of maintenance to catch up on. Its been a long and hectic sailing year with 9 countries visited in 7 months. We have many small jobs to keep us busy here until it gets too cold, then we will bolt back to Western Australia until the Northern Spring.
Vlissingen city square was once a dock.
First job off the list will be sealing the toerails. This is a job which we usually do every 5 years but its a little overdue. Not a particularly big job but we need to be alongside a dock to remove the stanchions and bases, remove all the old sealant, repaint and re-seal.
Stainless rails round the whole ship!
Taipan has 600mm high stanchions with stainless rail around the entire ship. These were installed before we purchased her and although we didn't think they looked great, and we even considered removing them, we are very glad we didn't. They offer immense security when one of us is forced on deck in big seas in dark and dangerous conditions.
There is always the inevitable varnish, gelcoat and paint touch up to do. A boat doesn't do as many miles as Taipan without getting some knocks.
John Penningtons book Orca available on Kindle is an inspirational read.
Just after our arrival we heard a knock on the hull and it was Kara and John from Orca, with whom we crossed the Indian Ocean in 2012. They have just purchased another larger yacht here in this small harbour and flew in a few days ago to take possession. It never ceases to amaze us just how small the cruising world is, and how full of inspiring and interesting people.
Winterising Taipan will be a new experience for us. We have been informed that Vlissingen harbour, in which we have chosen to leave the boat, doesn't freeze as its salt water and there is very little snow in this area of southern Holland. We will however take precautions with the fresh water system, including boiler, engine coolant, WC's and of course Water-maker.
So now the weather is holding and the work proceeds.

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