Publication date: 04/07/2024
Between the Markermeer and the IJsselmeer, the Houtribdijk
It’s a thirty-kilometer-long dike linking the Dutch towns of Enkhuizen to the north and Lelystad to the south. It is often referred to as the “Houtrib dam“. Since 1976, when construction of the dam was completed, it has separated two exceptional bodies of water – Lake Marken, or Markermeer, and Lake IJssel, or Ijsselmeer.
To the southwest of the Houtribdijk, Lake Marken is an exceptional sailing basin, covering an area of 700 km². With a depth of 3 to 4 meters throughout the Markermeer and a host of attractions, the area attracts hundreds of motorboat and sailboat visitors every year.
See also ⬇️
Sailing on Lake Markermeer: freedom, change of scenery and relaxation
To the northeast, the IJsselmeer is a lake of over 1000 km², or the largest lake in the Netherlands! Beyond this exceptional sailing area, sailors can easily reach the Frisian lakes, the Wadden Sea and the North Sea.
See also ⬇️
Sailing on the IJssel lake from a Lelystad marina
Why go from the Markermeer to the Ijsselmeer, and vice versa?
The Markermeer and IJsselmeer are both well worth discovering on one or more sailing trips. Why choose between the Markermeer and the IJsselmeer? Switching from one body of water to the other will enable you to discover new stopover points and diversify your sailing. As a boater, we bet you love exploring new horizons…
Since the opening of the Houtrib locks in 1975, it’s been very easy to go from the IJsselmeer to the Markermeer by boat, and vice versa. There’s no need to take your boat out of the water, transport it by road and bring it to a new slipway: thanks to the Houtrib locks, you can easily change your place of navigation and discover the whole region.
Looking for a place to moor near the Houtribdijk, before or after the dam?
Two of the Flevoland ports in the Port Adhoc network are located in the town of Lelystad, on either side of the Houtribdijk:
Lelystad Haven, on the Markermeer
On Lake Marken, Lelystad’s marina, or Lelystad Haven, welcomes Dutch boaters and visitors alike. Boaters enjoy 550 berths in a high-quality environment, with several areas dedicated to all kinds of nautical activities, including boat repair and winter storage.
Deko Marina Lelystad, on the IJsselmeer
On Lake IJssel, just a stone’s throw from the Houtrib dam, Deko Marina Lelystad can accommodate up to 400 boats. Laundry, sanitary facilities, restaurant, Wi-Fi or children’s playground… All services are available on site, for the utmost comfort of boaters!
If necessary, sailors can also call on a number of nautical professionals to work on their boat.
See also ⬇️
Sailing from Lelystad: ideas and things to do
Taking the Houtrib locks by boat: what’s involved?
To pass from the Markermeer to the IJsselmeer by boat, or vice versa, the navigator must use the Houtrib lock complex near Lelystad. This consists of two locks and a sluice in the Houtribdijk.
If you wish to reach the Houtrib locks by boat, there are two situations to be aware of and differentiate between. The procedure differs depending on whether you are coming from Lake Marken and wish to reach Lake Ijssel or, conversely, whether you are arriving from Lake Ijssel and wish to reach Lake Marken.
To help you prepare for your next passage, we’ve outlined the various stages involved in reaching the locks from our two ports of Lelystad Haven and Deko Marina Lelystad :
From the Markermeer to the Ijsselmeer
- From the port of Lelystad Haven or the port of Lelystad, on the Markermeer, access the locks via the opening to the south of the port, or via the Oostvaarderdiep (OVD 1 and OVD 2).
- Take into account the size of your vessel: the North entrance, known as the “Yacht Hole”, is only accessible to vessels with a hull length of less than 20 meters.
- Announce your arrival to the relevant services by VHF, Channel 20, then follow the instructions given to you. There are barriers and waiting piers in front of the lock, but no special facilities for pleasure craft.
- Follow the indications given by the isophase light to find out which lock chamber you will be entering. The light consists of a fixed white light at the head of the middle lock, and a flashing white light next to it. Choose the side of the flashing light. Caution: stay on VHF watch to make sure you follow the instructions!
From the IJsselmeer to the Markermeer
- From Deko Marina Lelystad marina, head south towards the locks.
- Keep the Houtribdijk with the green light flashing isophase (4 seconds) to starboard.
- Announce your arrival to the relevant services by VHF, Channel 20, then follow the instructions given to you. In front of the lock, you can take advantage of waiting berths on starboard, if required.
- Follow the indications given by the isophase light to find out which lock chamber you’ll be entering. This consists of a fixed white light at the head of the middle lock, and a flashing white light next to it. Choose the side of the flashing light.
- Warning: stay on VHF watch to make sure you follow the instructions!
Lock crossing between Markermeer and IJsselmeer: what rules apply?
As before any lock passage by boat, boaters are invited to prepare for the various maneuvers to be carried out, to take a few precautions, and to observe several rules:
- Prepare the necessary equipment on board your boat: fenders, hawsers…
- Clear the deck to facilitate maneuvering
- Ensure that each crew member is wearing a Personal Flotation Device (PFD), life jacket or life brace
- Must report to lock services on arrival, by VHF Channel 20
- Stay alert, especially by listening to the VHF
- Follow instructions given by lock personnel
- Staying alert, especially by regularly looking behind you
- Follow a clear course, so that other skippers understand your intentions
- Watch out for large ships
- Staying out of blind spots
- Stop the ship’s course before entering the locks
- Do not hoist or lower sails in the shipping lane
Are you planning to visit one of our ports in Lelystad and would like some help in preparing for your passage through the Houtribdijk? Get in touch with our team, and benefit from our best advice!
