Yesterday evening it was a puzzle with current. What time to leave IJmuiden and when to arrive in Den Helder, especially because of the strong (2 knots) current in Marsdiep. We decided that the current over longer time in the Northsea was most important for the plan. This meant to leave as early as possible … (4:36 HW Hoek van Holland). We didn’t like that idea. However early start it should be whatsoever, because with about 35 NM it is a long journey in any case. In the end I skipped the shower in the morning and we left the marina at 8:10, not too bad.

It feels great to be back on sea, after three years. The weather feels a bit unstable, but with online predictions (4G reception) that the wind would not become bad, I trust full sails and even to boom the genua. Fortunately the past days the wind didn’t build waves. So with a relative calm sea (but waves from behind), we sailed up north. From time to time it started pooring rain. Only 1 NM visibility was noticed, because another yacht was approaching on AIS. The made a bear off course (to prevent gybing) from coast to us and back. Actually not a bad idea. I was impressed by the autopilot, which didn’t steer very well with waves from behind in the past.

During the rain we are inside. I trust the AIS and from time to time visual. Fisherman tend to turn off their AIS (it should be made impossible, dangerous indeed). Apart from them, I don’t expect the Russian shadows, nor Navy, neither small boats from shore this way into the sea, especially with bad (wet) weather. But to install a (new) radar is on my wish-list.  This is the first long run on my new battery configuration. 1% per hour with all navigation equipment, VHF and autopilot (and my self-installed refrigerator of course). That is nice, I expected the autopilot to consume more.

We have a hot meal on sea about midday, that tastes perfect and is a lot better than at the end of the day to get hangry when you arrive at the destination just too late. Bad luck that the only ship (yacht) around tries to hit us with bad visibility. I see them, but do they see us. These amateurs don’t reply any VHF calls. At the end they pass behind and follow us.

All the time with sail melkmeisje (no English word I know: sails on both sides) with a STW of 4 knots. The wind is barely there, so I don’t complain. After 2,5 hours the current begins to reverse as calculated. The SOG drops to 3,4 … mmm, this will take some time. Fortunately the wind increases a little. The fun part however is that close to Den Helder, the current will flow into the Waddenzee when the water is rising. Just after we pass Callantsoog it looks the current changes again, first I don’t realise. First we see the Lange Jaap (highest cast iron lighthouse in Europe and Dutch cultural heritage), together with (former) Coast Guard Tower of Huisduinen. I almost forgot to report sector arrival on VHF 62.

When we change course, more to the coast we sailed broad reach. That helps, but even closer to Den Helder it feels like someone pulls Folly very strong. In a short time we go from 3 to 7 knots. With all the sails up, a dark wind/rain cloud on the horizon, the TESO (ferry to Texel) the fun is only half an hour. I lower genua and the mainsail. By engine and a strong 2 knots current we enter the royal marine port and it’s yacht club. The wind increases, but on the other side of the pier along the yacht club, the Coastguard ship was moored. That means a wall that blocks all the wind, very nice.

• Departure: 03-05-2026 08:10 (IJmuiden)
  Arrival: 03-05-2026 18:15 (Den Helder)
• Sailing time: 9.5 h
• Engine time: 0.5 h
• Sailing distance: 35.7 NM