Amsterdam - Docking
If wishing to cross the city to/from southern Holland without lowering your mast, it is necessary to use the Staande Mast route (Standing Mast Route: PDF downloadable from http://www.varendoejesamen.nl/?language=en).
Approaching from the North
It is only possible to cross the city using this route once per day, between around midnight to 02.00 a.m. All the bridges will then be raised. Occasionally there can be up to a hundred boats or more in this convoy. The transit through the 11 bridges and a lock takes about 2 hours.
It is necessary to report your participation to the lock keeper at the Singelgrachtbrug bridge on VHF channel 22 before 11 pm. The opening of the bridge is announced on VHF channel 69.
There is plenty of room alongside the canal between Singelgrachtbrug and the railway bridge for mooring and waiting for the convoy to leave.
Approaching from the South
Entering the city from the south, this convoy takes place at around 23.30. p.m. Report to the Nieuwe Meer lock keeper on VHF channel 22.
A useful report on this transit is on the blog from S/v Suwena.
Gouda
This is probably the most popular stopping place along the Staande Mast Route. There is a marina in Gouda, but its surroundings are rather industrial. Also, the water level is very shallow. With a draft over 1.80m, you can expect the keel to drag through some mud.
A much better option is to pass the marina and continue towards the centre of Gouda. Pass the bridge, then the lock and then another bridge. After the last bridge turn right and there is plenty of space on both sides of the canal for mooring. The whole procedure should not take more than 30 minutes. The location is more idyllic and closer to the city centre. Electricity is available on the piers.
The lock to Gouda might be closed on Sundays and if you cannot reach the city, or are planning to continue on Sunday, it is better to stay at the waiting pontoon at the lock. The opening times are posted on a sign at the lock entrance.
Amsterdam Marinas
The port basins in the western port area are not accessible to pleasure vessels, however, the Amsterdam port and surrounding area offer a number of possibilities for visiting yachts.
The mooring situation in Amsterdam was pretty poor before the opening of the new Amsterdam marina, with all the mooring options always completely full and the marina at Sixhaven not able to accommodate yachts larger than 15m.
The new Amsterdam Marina is much roomier than the others with good facilities. It is a 15-minute free ferry ride from the city centre.
Last updated November 2015.
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Port Navigation
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Calor propane bottles can be refilled, while you wait, at Vos Olie & Gas depot on the West side of Amsterdam. Gas is charged by the kg, with 11.5 kgs costing us about €32 today (Jan 2018). They are a bit out of town, but readily accessible by bike using cycle lanes all the way and no problems taking the bottles by the (free) ferry service across the IJ. Propane only – butane is not sold here.
Diesel is available from the floating barge at the east end of the IJ, Northside at the entrance to Zijkanal/ Nieuwendammerdyjk. Yacht berthing is on the inside of the barge, Starboard to when heading East. The outside is for commercial vessels only and must not be used.