Gone with the Wynnsvideo
We Accidentally Took Our Boat Into an Ice Field
March 15, 2026 · 31 min · 384K views · Volendam, Netherlands
Aerial view of ice floes broken by a boat's passage.
What this video covers
A 50-foot sailboat unexpectedly encountered an ice field while transiting through a lock in the Netherlands, forcing the crew to navigate through thick, plate-like ice.0:55 The vessel’s speed dropped from seven knots to three knots in the densest sections, requiring high RPMs to maintain momentum and clear a path.4:24 The crew hand-steered the boat due to a malfunctioning autopilot, which they were attempting to troubleshoot during the outing.3:42 After failing to reach their intended marina in Volendam due to ice, they diverted to the harbor in Edam.16:13 The experience served as an unplanned test of the boat's hull and bottom paint, highlighting the challenges of navigating shallow, frozen inland waters.6:50 Additionally, the crew monitored their AGM battery bank, noting a 30% discharge over 24 hours while running high-draw appliances like a water heater and dishwasher without solar or wind input.18:24 The crew also performed radar adjustments to manage clutter in foggy conditions while communicating with Simrad support regarding their autopilot connectivity issues.23:03
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