Day 8-9 Night sail to Rendsburg in the Kiel Canal
After a day hanging around Borkum, we set off around 9pm, we had to leave so late because it was important to make our run into the Elbe in daylight. So we set off initially enjoying a bit of tide, the seas were still moderate but at least this time we were going with the wind but soon we were against the tide and it all picked up again. I went off watch at around 1am when Graham and Alistair took over. I wasn't able to get much sleep as the conditions were rough so at 3am I came back on deck to find the boat doing more than 10knts… My passage plan was for 7.5knts average to arrive at Kiel No1 at slack, at this rate we would hit foul tide in the entrance of the Elbe. We reduced sail. Alistair said it was fun whilst it lasted and went to bed.
The tide changed again at about 5,30 which seemed to be too early, I guess the strong wind must have had an effect. However as we approached the entrance to the Elbe it seemed to have corrected it self and was following Reeds.
We called the lock keeper at the Canal entrance to let him know we were going to cross and would the light still be white when we got there or should we go to the holding area… "Full steam ahed lease the lock is open". We were not going to ignore that particular instruction. We entered the lock and rafted against a Swan 65.
Once through the lock we had about 40 miles to go to get to Rensburg. The ships in the canal are simply awe-inspiring, to see such large ships inland is really strange. We reached Rensburg and found a lovely marina but we were sure that the post on the boxes were set 4.5m apart and we are 4.7m wide, not wishing to get stuck, nor to damage my boat I declined. "The big boats go around the back" a woman shouted at us from another boat, but when we took a look it was impossible the piles for the dock were n the outside, you needed space hopper sized and shaped fenders which I didn't have. After spending 30 minutes trying to find a space we headed out, when I spotted a small boat yard on the left with a one empty creaking wooden dock(It had to be seen to be believed). I proceeded with caution, I don't think Graham could bear to look as we only had 0.9m under the keel.
We tied the dock to our boat and went to the old town for a meal and to explore.
The tide changed again at about 5,30 which seemed to be too early, I guess the strong wind must have had an effect. However as we approached the entrance to the Elbe it seemed to have corrected it self and was following Reeds.
We called the lock keeper at the Canal entrance to let him know we were going to cross and would the light still be white when we got there or should we go to the holding area… "Full steam ahed lease the lock is open". We were not going to ignore that particular instruction. We entered the lock and rafted against a Swan 65.
Once through the lock we had about 40 miles to go to get to Rensburg. The ships in the canal are simply awe-inspiring, to see such large ships inland is really strange. We reached Rensburg and found a lovely marina but we were sure that the post on the boxes were set 4.5m apart and we are 4.7m wide, not wishing to get stuck, nor to damage my boat I declined. "The big boats go around the back" a woman shouted at us from another boat, but when we took a look it was impossible the piles for the dock were n the outside, you needed space hopper sized and shaped fenders which I didn't have. After spending 30 minutes trying to find a space we headed out, when I spotted a small boat yard on the left with a one empty creaking wooden dock(It had to be seen to be believed). I proceeded with caution, I don't think Graham could bear to look as we only had 0.9m under the keel.
We tied the dock to our boat and went to the old town for a meal and to explore.
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Keil canal -
Ships that pass... -
Space found -
We tied this pontoon to our boat -
Wow -
There has to be at least one resturant open? -
A well deserved meal