Lemmer
Lemmer haven · Lemster sluis · Lemmer jachthaven
52°50.8'N 05°42.5'E
Depth
2–4.5m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
75m
Holding
Excellent
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
75m
75m on excellent IJsselmeer mud in 2–4.5m. No tidal swing. N and NE exposure — IJsselmeer swell from north can reach 1–2m in F5+; use inner harbour in these conditions. Excellent mud means anchor buries well — recovery may require slow pulling.
About This Anchorage
Lemmer is the largest sailing port on the Frisian shore of the IJsselmeer and the principal gateway to the Frisian lakes waterway system. The town (population 10,000) has a large modern marina (Lemster Brekken) and full facilities. The Lemster sluis (lock) connects the IJsselmeer to the Prinses Margrietkanaal — the main waterway through Friesland to Groningen and beyond. The historic pump station (ir. D.F. Woudagemaal, 1920) in Lemmer is a UNESCO World Heritage Site — the world's largest steam pumping station still in operation, used to pump excess water from the Frisian polders into the IJsselmeer. Lemmer is named after the eel (lam/lemmer) — eel fishing has been the traditional livelihood here for centuries.
Protected From
E · SE · S · SW · W
Exposed To
N · NE · NW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Marina fee approx €18–24/night (Lemster Brekken)
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Lemster sluis — VHF 20; lock operates on fixed schedule (check Rijkswaterstaat); commercial barge traffic through lock has priority; speed limit in harbour and approach; outer anchorage only in calm/settled conditions — use marina in N/NE conditions.
Hazards
- !N and NE exposure — IJsselmeer north fetch (40nm); outer anchorage untenable in N/NE above F4
- !Commercial barge traffic through Lemster sluis — large vessels manoeuvre in approach; keep clear
- !Lock waiting times peak season (July–August) — 1–2 hours possible; call VHF 20 in advance
- !IJsselmeer crossing to west coast (Enkhuizen 25nm, Medemblik 30nm) — open water passage; check weather
Skipper's Tips
- →The Woudagemaal (UNESCO World Heritage pumping station, 1920) is worth the 20-minute walk from the marina — the world's largest steam pumping station still in use; operational days in summer with steam demonstrations
- →Lemmer is the best base for the Frisian lakes circuit — lock through the Lemster sluis to the Prinses Margrietkanaal and access Sneek, Heeg, and Sloten within a day's sail
- →The marina (Lemster Brekken) is the largest and best-equipped on the Frisian IJsselmeer shore — good chandlery, fuel dock, and mechanical services
- →Fresh IJsselmeer eel (paling, gerookte aal) from the harbour fish shops — Lemmer has been an eel town for centuries; the local smoked eel is excellent
- →The Lemmer–Delfzijl cycle route (the Friese Merenroute, 420km) starts here — cycling and sailing complement each other perfectly in Friesland
Facilities
Lemmer has full provisions, supermarkets, restaurants, and a ship chandlery in the marina. The best-equipped port on the Frisian IJsselmeer shore.
Nearest provisions: Lemmer town centre (0.3nm)
Best Months & Season
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
May–September. Lemmer is the main Frisian IJsselmeer gateway — busier than Stavoren. July–August sees the most traffic through the lock. The Woudagemaal steam demonstrations are in summer.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 75m
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