Repeating the Volkerak Circuit

The Volkerak has featured a lot on this sailing season. But last weekend, with a forecast of good weather and moderate westerly on Friday and easterly on Saturday and Sunday, the Volkerak was again the place to go.

Friday 25th of September: Single handed to Dintelmond
Friday I got on my motorbike and rode to Bruinisse. It took some time to get Mekicevica ready, and it was well past 1pm when I got under way. First on motor to the Grevelingen lock and then under the small jib only on a broad reach up the Kramer. There were not many boats around, so I could sail past the breakwaters and almost into the lock. Unusually, there was a ship coming out, so I hurried to start the motor to get out of its way, and went into the lock without waiting and with no other boats. Immediately out of the lock I raised the main sail, which was enough to power Mekicevica at a good speed. Anyway, we were too close to a straight downwind run for the small jib to be of any use. But as our course turned from southeast to due east I could unfurl the jib. The extra sail was very welcome to power us across the busy shipping lane.
From then it was all plain sailing, with the wind progressively calmer and the sun lowering behind us. Mekicevica's sails were so well balanced that I could leave the tiller unattended and go below to put on warmer clothes. It is definitely not summer anymore.

Single-handed, fair winds, mellow late summer, late afternoon light. Sailing cannot get much better than this.

Exactly at sunset, I was sailing through the breakwaters at Dintelmond, on a run under main only. As I was folding the sail, the light on the lock turned green and I could motor into the harbour. As I was manoeuvring into a vacant space I had the surprise of seeing First Mate waiting to help me with the lines. Such a perfect day called for a celebratory dinner out.

Saturday 26th of September: Dintelmond to Oude Tongue in the sunshine

Exactly as forecast, Saturday morning was sunny and with a gentle NR breeze, but a bit chilly. It took some time for the morning dew to dry. We changed headsail to the big genoa and motored out of the harbour, past the lock and hoisted sails before the breakwaters, sailing out with full main and genoa. The rest was an easy sail on a broad reach, jibbing the main a few times to keep away from the shipping lane. It was very busy, but we could find a lull in the traffic to cross.

Our typical sailing waters: big skies, wind turbines, yachts and ships.

Once in front of Oude Tongue we needed to go straight into the wind. Since we were early, and to allow First Mate to continue relaxing, I started a series of tacks under main only. Progress was really slow, as the wind was weak and shifting a bit, so eventually I tired of the game and started the motor.
We arrived well in time for some reading, a few beers at the clubhouse (where there was a party) and dinner aboard by candle light.

One nice thing about the shorter days is that we can create a pleasant atmosphere in Mekicevica with a candle.

Sunday 27th of September: More sunshine on the return to Bruinisse

Another brilliant day. The wind is more easterly, which suits us fine. Again we had a late start to allow for the morning dew to dry and the temperature to rise a bit. Immediately out of the lock we unfurled the genoa. It was really easy going and the only manoeuvres we had to do was a gybe when turning east after the Oude Tongue channel, and then furling the genoa right in front of the Kramer lock.

After the lock we continued sailing under genoa only. Passing the lock was a slow affair. The lock master refused to start until all the boats were packed in. Then a group of unexperienced sailors in a big Bavaria messed thing up and ended sideways in the lock. When we finally arrived in Bruinisse I didn't have much time before riding to Dintelmond to get the car.

The end of the season is approaching, but we may be able to get one more weekend of sailing.