Roller coaster

20 May 2009

first part

A very early wake-up this morning. As our teamleader Sjouke Jan Dijkstra explained the night before, we should not leave later than 07:00 AM from Hindeloopen, in order to enter the Waddenzee just in time to optimize our advantage of the tidal current. Wind increased during the night to a Bft 5 or 6, also being the forecast for the day. No reason for concerns, we thought, but the Harfie crew hesitated because their young dog(s) on board, and decided on last minute not to join the pack. As soon as we left the shelter of the pier of Hindeloopen, we acknowledged this to be a wise decision.

We leave the harbour as the latest one of convoy, and with the St. Jozef vlet staying behind, as the smallest of the group. A kind of frightening view before us, seeing the stirn of most of the Linssen's moving minus 200 to minus 200 (or more) from port to starboard side. Except, of course, the GS 430 of Sjouke Jan and the GS 500 of Jos Kempers, because of their stabilisators, and the a-typical Linssen DS45 of Dick Moerman. At least we could predict what to expect in the next few moments.

Cómplice, still in sheltered waters with Hindeloopen churchtower

The IJsselmeer as such by itself already is rather "famous" for its nasty, short waves. But especially on the low wind site (with the SW wind blowing all the way from Amsterdam) and the shallow coast breaking the waves on our course, in addition to the waves coming in half (port) side, half stirn, such becomes even nastier.

Not a comfortable ride, but after first 15 minutes one gets sort of used to it, not the least because trust increases that even the smallest Linssen can stand the waves without a moment of doubt. But without stabilisators and/or an auto-pilot, it is hard work at the steering wheel to keep her on course.

When we arrive at sluis Kornwerderzand, entering the relative quiet shelter its piers guiding you to the lock, we feel like hero's. We've done it so far, but we would not have done it without the presence of so many companions.

Entering the lock at Kornwerderzand