Experience report SRX30 -Yachtline-: Netherlands
- Boat model: SRX30 -Yachtline-
- Engine: Volvo Penta V6 280 hp gasoline
- cruising area: Netherlands
- crew: 2-6 people
- crew experience: for over 35 years
Our second boating season with our Pluto in 2021 didn’t start until mid-May due to the bad weather and coronavirus. We had temporarily taken a berth in Rees for this, as there were still restrictions in our home port of Plasmolen in the Netherlands due to the pandemic.
We spent the first few weekends exploring the Rhine and quickly realized that we were longing for our home port in the Netherlands. The Rhine was too turbulent for us and, apart from a few dredging holes, we didn’t have that many options there.
So at the beginning of June we decided to transfer our Pluto back to Plasmolen. To do this, we had to sail down the Rhine and the Waal to Nijmegen and then lock into the Maas-Waal Canal and the Maas in Nijmegen. Once we arrived in Plasmolen, we spent a great evening on the mile with its many restaurants and pubs. Over the next few weeks, we kept going back to Nijmegen or chilling out in the Kraaijenbergsen Plassen, a huge recreational area with lots of anchoring options.
The summer vacation should go to the Netherlands again
Planning for the summer vacation was on the agenda. We decided to sail down the Meuse to the Grevelingenmeer. The trip went via Kerkdriel, Heusden, Willemstad to Port Zélande. It is a beautiful area and historic towns such as Heusden and Willemstad are always worth a visit.
Unfortunately, we had some rainy weather in the first few days and heard about the flooding in Roermond on the Meuse in Willemstad. Due to the incoming flood, the Meuse was closed to shipping because there was a lot of floating debris in the water. For this reason, we had to reschedule our trip and spent a wonderful week on the Grevelingenmeer. We had reserved a berth in Port Zélande for this purpose. We visited towns such as Brouwershaven, Middelburg, Bruinisse and Renesse and spent beautiful, sunny days in the harbors on the small islands. A highlight was always the evening sunset on the North Sea, which we enjoyed in various restaurants on the Brouwersdamm.
Late summer on the Meuse with many small cruises
Two weeks go by so quickly. Since the return trip was not possible due to the high water and our home port of Plasmolen was still closed due to the high water, we had the trailer pick us up in Port Zélande. We first brought our Öchsner home to our hall. Two weeks later we went back to Plasmolen, where we spent a lovely late summer on the Meuse with lots of little trips.
We are looking forward to the next season in 2022, hopefully without flooding.
We are still very satisfied with our Öchsner SRX30 -Yachtline- in its second season and always praise the good workmanship. We are happy to recommend them to anyone who is interested. A good decision was the purchase of two folding bicycles, which found space in the storage compartment under the rear seat. (Never thought that would fit!!!)
We are looking forward to the third season with our “Pluto” and wish the Öchsner team a successful season in 2022.
Your Pluto-crew