Sailing with Marius

Makkum – Harlingen – Vlieland / 24 nautical miles / 6 hours

This year again, Marius gave me the opportunity to join him for a cruise on SY Maranea. This year, too, I was more than happy to answer his call.

The plan is to sail Maranea (live map) from Makkum in the Netherlands to Kristiansand (or Mandal) in Norway. Weather permitting, there will be about 310 nautical miles to sail north, preferably in one stretch to give us some time to sail the southern coast of Norway we heard so many sailers rave about. So the route is set, the “exotic” food items stowed aboard, and the first hearty meal digested. Off we go…

The first stop after casting off in Makkum is the sea lock in Kornwerderzand, which separates the IJsselmeer from the Dutch Wadden Sea. From Kornwerderzand we then set course in the buoyed fairway towards the Frisian harbour town of Harlingen. Before reaching Harlingen, we turn left to follow the “Pollendamm” towards the fairway “Blauwe Slenk”.

Special care is needed at the “Pollendam”, because the fairway (a navigable part of a bay or harbour) becomes very narrow here. And also because there is a lot – I mean a lot – of maritime traffic. If we make the best possible use of the tidal current from now on, we will make good time in the fairway “Blauwe Slenk” towards Vlieland where we spend another quiet night before 3 days at sea.