20181014

For our last trip of the 2018 season we launched Hatseflats from Marina Muiderzand to sail on the Ijsselmeer. It was blowing an S4 or SW4. It took us a little while to row Hatseflats out of the marina and find a spot to hoist the sail. After 40 minutes we put in our first reef in the lee of Pampus island. Then we continued on a broad reach along the west coast of the Ijsselmeer to the Marken lighthouse at 5kn. We put in our second reef 4.2kn from the 'Paard van Marken'. Instead of stopping at the beach we crossed to the eastern shore of the Markermeer. On the upwind leg to Almere we stayed between the eastern shore and the shipping lane. When we reached Almere the wind decreased to a F3 and later F2. Before returning to the marina we rowed under the 'Hollandse Brug' to have a look at the Gooimeer. It was a nice trip. Hatseflats handled the conditions well but we needed the two reefs to keep the boat dry.