Scheveningen to Stellendam

An early start sees us leave the marina at 08:10. We are cleared out straight away and exit the harbour at 08:20. All being well we should reach Roompot today but if the weather turns we will make for Stellendam.

The wind is WNW F4. We proceed under sail with 2 reefs in the main, staysail and 50% yankee. At 10:30 with the wind now W F5 we alter course to cross the Maas entrance shipping lane and report to Maas Entrance. There is not much traffic and we are soon across and clear.

By 11:00 it becomes apparent that the weather is worsening with winds now gusting W F6. The yankee is furled and we continue under reefed (2) main and staysail. We are being set eastward noticeably eastwards. Stellendam it is.

At 12:30 we are following the approach channel towards Stellendam. It is blowing a good W F6 with very steep following seas and not a lot of water underneath us. Slightly hairy situation and I put a third reef in the main while paying very close attention to the buoyed channel.

At 13:30 as we pass Buoy P4 the seas have started to ease and the channel has become deeper. It is now raining heavily with wind W F6. We continue sailing right up to the harbour entrance and arrive off Goeerese lock at 13:50.

We clear the lock at 14:30 and are all fast in Stellendam Marina (Berth G19) at 15:00.

This is a lovely marina. Shame it seems in the middle of nowhere. The facilities are excellent and I rate it as the best marina I have ever visited. #1! Cost €14.40 with showers and electricity included.

Daily Run 27.8 miles. Engine 2.2 hours. Berth to Berth 6hrs 50min