"Jeffrey P. Vasquez" wrote in
message . 17...
: Greetings all & sundry,
:
: I am chartering a boat in the Netherlands next April (best weather month,
: I'm told) and looking for tips and advice.

Snip
Too cold, aim for June or July. Longer days and warmer! Check when schools
are out and avoid that time if you can.
:
: 1) My sailing experience is San Francisco Bay, USA (traffic, currents,
: tides, wind conditions, navigation, etc). What are the big differences in
: conditions that are going to trip me up?

Snip
Not much for the Ijselmeer and Randmeren.
Re Wadden and North Sea the tides/current are to be checked.
:
: 2) My boat experience is Catalinas/S2/American-made boats. What are the
: big differences in the local boats that are going to trip me up?

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Not much if you get a Beneteau GibSea or similar vessels. Size?
:
: 3) I haven't done a great deal of investigation yet, but I'm thinking of
: chartering out of one of the places in Monnickendam. Suggestions,
: thoughts, issues?

Snip
Roompot?
:
: 4) Suggestions on gear I should and shouldn't pack?

Snip
If you have a survival suit, bring it along, definetely. My nephews were
laughing their head off until we had a "low" passing over us. They could not
wait to get into my suit to keep warm on their watch :-)

:
: 5) Reading list suggestions?
:
: Any and all advice is extremely welcome and appreciated. Thank you all
: very much!

Have fun and fair winds.
--
c ya Wim
www.cruising.ca/thousand/f-index.html