The Lower Elbe is undoubtedly one of the most interesting and exciting German recreational boating areas. The combination of a broad tidal current, calm tributaries, idyllic anchorages and bathing spots, lively harbour life and impressive large-scale shipping can be found in no other German area. And Hamburg and its river need not shy away from international comparison. Hamburgers are certainly familiar with "their" area, but I would be willing to bet that you will also find one or two tips on the next 20 pages new.
pages will be new to you. My advice to all other skippers: Come to Hamburg. Whether on your own keel, by trailer boat or as a charterer of a hire boat; Hamburg will surprise and captivate you in every respect. In terms of navigation, the tidal area between Geesthacht and Cuxhaven is considered moderately challenging. However, if you take our tips to heart, you will have no problems.
THE TEN BIDS FOR PLEASURE CRAFT IN THE PORT OF HAMBURG
1 Hold right
In the harbour area, the entire water surface from shore to shore is considered a fairway. Always keep to the right-hand side.
2 Note the water level
Anyone travelling on the Lower Elbe needs an up-to-date tide table showing the high and low tide times. Boats with a greater draught (over 1 m) and clearance heights of over 3 metres in particular need the water level information for trip planning on the side waters. For slower boats, the tide information helps with current planning.
3 Maintain speed
The speed limit in the harbour area is 22 km/h (12 knots), but only 8 km/h in the side waters, such as the Speicherstadt or the Doveelbe.
4 Give priority
Vessels on the main fairway have priority. Anyone coming from a secondary fairway must observe this.
5 Tugs and ferries
Even if you have right of way with your boat, do not insist on it. Commercial shipping, especially smaller vessels such as tugs and ferries, can be quite fast and cannot always react immediately. If you want to be on the safe side, keep well clear and let them pass if necessary.
6 Sea state and swell
The quay walls of the harbour facilities reflect the waves of commercial shipping. This sometimes results in cross seas with astonishing wave heights. The boat should therefore be in "seaworthy" mode (hatches closed, loose items firmly lashed down, life jackets on).
7 no-go areas
The tanker harbours (marked) are off-limits to pleasure craft.
8 VHF radio
If you have VHF on board, you can listen to channel 74, where commercial shipping announces its manoeuvres and exchanges information.
9 Locks
The Hamburg locks are subject to a charge. If you are staying longer, you can buy an annual pass at the first lock (35 euros). Short holidaymakers pay for each lock passage individually.
10 Prudence
There is a lot going on on the Elbe, especially at weekends. Launches, ferries, excursion boats, pleasure craft and sailors share the water. Always expect unforeseen manoeuvres by other road users - good seamanship dictates this.
Almost allBOOTE employees call Hamburg and the Lower Elbe their home territory. Here thepersonal tipsof some of our editorial team members:
"Torsten Moench"For me, the Dove Elbe with its small islands and bathing bays is one of the most beautiful
areas of Hamburg. It offers ideal conditions for a little weekend holiday in between."
"Christian TiedtMy tip is Cuxhaven. Sure, it's a place with a rather rugged charm and nowhere near as cosy as some of the "green holes" along the Lower Elbe. But between Alter Liebe and the Kugelbake you get a real North Sea feeling - and the beach isn't far away either."
"Susanne StachelrothMy favourite place is Borsfleth harbour at the mouth of the Störmündung. It's a charming place where you can find peace and relaxation. You order bread rolls from the harbour master and pick them up the next morning from a converted construction trailer, which also contains a small lending library."
"Ralf Marquard"The trip through the port of Hamburg also works with small planing boats from about 4 metres. The important thing is to keep the bow as high as possible using the trim and throttle."
"Gernot Apfelstedt:It doesn't always have to be a big city. With smaller boats, you can reach picturesque places such as Stade (Schwinge) or Buxtehude (Este) in the Altes Land region via the tributaries. "
Elbe islandsThe islands, such as Schweinesand shown in the photo, offer beaches and idyllic anchorages. Especially at the weekends, water skiers and swimmers will also find an ideal spot here. However, it is important to check the tide table. At low tide, passage between the islands and the south bank of the Elbe is hardly possible.
TheHamburg marinaWith around 2000 berths, this harbour is the largest of its kind in Germany. Even at low tide, the water depth is around 2 metres, making it easy for larger boats to dock. However, it should be noted that currents in the harbour basin can affect mooring and casting off. Services range from WLAN, workshops and catering to a boat filling station that offers both diesel and petrol.
BlankeneseIf you lie in front of Schweinesand, you have the best view of Hamburg's posh Elbe suburb of Blankenese. However, the old pilots', captains' and fishermen's houses are no longer home to "normal earners". The Süllberg with its Michelin-starred restaurant towers above (top right in the picture).
Big pots, small dinghiesHamburg's Elbe sailors are a very special breed. They are not afraid of commercial shipping or the changing currents characterised by the ebb and flow of the tide.
These guys and girls really come to life in situations that take the breath away from normal motorboat drivers.
Falling dryIf the boat is suitable (flat bottom, folding drive), you can easily fall dry behind the Elbe islands. However, beginners and newcomers to the Elbe should talk to fellow anglers who know the area beforehand to avoid any nasty surprises and waking up in the middle of the fairway the next morning.
TributariesThe seven tributaries of the Elbe offer an interesting alternative to the big river. You can often moor and stay overnight at small club piers.
Devil's BridgeThe small harbour is idyllic, but dries out at low tide. Small boats up to around 7 metres can still be moored here, as can the highly recommended restaurant "Dübelbrücker Kajüt". There is a slipway next to the harbour, but pitches are rare.
The Haseldorfer Binnenelbeoffers sheltered anchorages and a small harbour with a snack bar. In the background: Pagensand and the buoyed Pagensander Nebenelbe.
The distance is deceptive: even if the commercial shipping seems far away, you should always keep an eye on it. The ships are travelling much faster here than you would expect from the sections further inland. Displacement pilots in particular should play it safe.
Stade with its beautiful half-timbered town centre is always worth a visit. Here you will find very nice restaurants and pubs that are within easy walking distance of the harbour. The historic "pedal crane" (photo) is located at the old fish market.
Course of the Elbe off Stade with the island of Schwarztonnensand. It is a nature reserve and may not be entered.
Glückstadt inland harbour: The barrier between the inner and outer harbours only opens around 2 hours before high tide and remains open until high tide. The berths behind it are sought-after and quickly filled. There are also plenty of places at several jetties in front of it. It is only slightly further into the city on foot from here than from the inner harbour.
Haseldorfer inland ElbeWhen travelling here, you should always keep one eye on the echo sounder and the other on the tide table. The unique tranquillity of the area and the magnificent views of nature make up for this.
BrunsbüttelFrom here you can reach Kiel and the harbours of the Baltic Sea via the Kiel Canal. Next to the canal locks is the "Old Harbour", which falls dry in the inner area. The locks can be reached on foot.
TheOstem estuary with the water ski centre
The rusticKehdinger "Coastal Shipping Museum" is open daily during the summer months, except Mondays.
Wischhafen: The historic harbour in the moor canal falls dry
Harbour exit OtterndorfFor those coming from the Elbe-Weser shipping route, the so-called Hadelner Canal, the Elbe cruise begins here.
Cuxhaven: The end of the Elbe is signalled by the beacon and the Kugelbake in the background. This is the end of our sailing journal.
Who, where, what?
Where can ISlip, refuel, eat, buy accessories or aFix motor problem leave? Here is a selection of some of Hamburg's businesses along the Elbe.
Boat refuelling stations
Hamburg marina in Wedel,
Diesel and petrol
B and T Shell at Johannisbollwerk
at City Sporthafen, diesel only
Restaurants by the water
Hamburg Yacht Club Restaurant (HYC)
Location: Dove Elbe/Tatenberg
Suitable for: all boat sizes
(Only open on weekends)
McDonalds Eiffestraße
Location: Mittelkanal/Hamm
Suitable for: Boats up to about 7 metres
Various restaurants in the Deichstraße
Location: Nicolaifleet/city centre
Suitable for: Boats up to about 7 metres
(note the tide)
Various restaurants in the "Portuguese quarter"
Location: within walking distance of the city marina
Suitable for: all boat sizes
Lightship restaurant
Location: Elbe/City Sports Harbour
Suitable for: all boat sizes
Buoy 122
Location: Elbe/ Hamburg marina
in Wedel. Suitable for: all boat sizes
Restaurant of the
Blankenese Sailing Club (BSC)
Location: Elbe/Blankenese
Suitable for: Boats up to about 7 metres
(note the tide)
Slip points
Marina Wedel
Deichstraße 19
22880 Wedel
Oortkaten
Oortkatenufer-Wassertreppe 6
21037 Hamburg
Möller marina
Tatenberger dyke 182
21037 Hamburg
Elbpark Entenwerder
Entenwerder
20539 Hamburg
Rüschkanal/Marina Rüsch
Rüschwinkel 7 a
21129 Hamburg-Finkenwerder
Equipment and accessories:
A.W.Niemeyer
Holstenkamp 58
22525 Hamburg
Bauhaus-Nautic-Harburg
Schlachthofstr. 1
21079 Hamburg
Bauhaus-Nautic-Moorfleet
Unterer Landweg 77
22113 Hamburg
Topplicht
Notkestrasse 97
22607 Hamburg
Compass
Kieler Str. 143
22769 Hamburg
Gründl boat import
Nordring 1
25474 Bönningstedt
Yacht equipment Hamburg
Rödingsmarkt 39
20459 Hamburg
Engine service:
Boat Engine Service Bussmann
Harbour road 33
22880 Wedel
Boat engines N. Fritz
Robert-Bosch-Str. 1
25335 Elmshorn
Schlegel boat shop
Langenhorner Chaussee 198
22415 Hamburg
Boat Motor Service Suck
Neuländer Hauptdeich 13
21079 Hamburg
Marx Technology
Wendenstraße 8-12
20097 Hamburg
Schmidt and Seifert
Billwerder Ring 2
21035 Hamburg
Schumann Boats and Motors
Tinsdaler Weg 163
22880 Wedel
Rental and charter boats
in Hamburg
Boat hire Hamburg UG
Sport boats in various sizes on the Dove Elbe in Hamburg Tatenberg
www.bootszentrum-hamburg.de
Motorboat hire Hamburg
Brokerage of hire boats in
Hamburg and Wedel
www.motorbootverleihhamburg.de
Thalmann boat service
Sport boats in various sizes on the Dove Elbe in Hamburg Tatenberg
www.thalmann-boote.de
Yacht charter Hamburg
Motor yacht Greenline 33 Hybrid
www.greenlineholidays.de
Rip Pirates
High-speed ribs (with driver) and events directly in the city sports harbour.
www.rib-piraten.de
