Advice on cruising to Martha's Vineyard

[cwiert]

Hey Dean,
Glad that you had a great trip to MV. We also did MV for the first time a few weeks ago. We left Westbrook, CT on 8/20 and spent 2 nights at Block. We left Tuesday morning for MV and stayed on a town mooring in Edgartown. We followed the recommendations of many on this thread (special thanks to Scott for all his insight) and had a wonderful time. We dinghyed to South Beach at high tide, we also went inside Cape Poge Bay (on Chappaquiddick Island) via dinghy and had a great day in there. Lots of beaches, nice people clear (warmer) water. It was great.

We biked to Oak Bluffs, kids jumped off the Jaws bridge. We loved Oak Bluffs. The gingerbread cottages, nightlife, East Chop lighthouse (biking that road was amazing), was all spectacular. If the harbor was a bit bigger and didn't raft boats on moorings, I'd prefer to stay there. They also don't take reservations there. That's my only gripe with OB.

We took the bus to Aquinnah and went to the light house. It was spectacular over there too. Incredible views. Just don't head right if you go down to the beach. You'll be in for a surprise!

We were only on MV for 4 nights. Not enough time. We'll be back. Although next time I may head there without reservations anywhere and see if I can get a mooring to myself in OB. If not, then we'll probably head to Edgertown and anchor out right outside the harbor. The anchorage is well protected with anything except a NE wind (there's nowhere to anchor in OB). Does anyone know if there are any anchorages at all in Edgartown harbor? Even as you head far south into Katama bay?

On Sat we left toward home and broke up the trip with a night in Watch Hill, RI. We really like it there too.

Sad that we didn't get to catch up with the crew at the Floatilla Feast (darn weather). Hopefully next year.

 

[Jeremygavin]

Hey Dean,
Glad that you had a great trip to MV. We also did MV for the first time a few weeks ago. We left Westbrook, CT on 8/20 and spent 2 nights at Block. We left Tuesday morning for MV and stayed on a town mooring in Edgartown. We followed the recommendations of many on this thread (special thanks to Scott for all his insight) and had a wonderful time. We dinghyed to South Beach at high tide, we also went inside Cape Poge Bay (on Chappaquiddick Island) via dinghy and had a great day in there. Lots of beaches, nice people clear (warmer) water. It was great.

We biked to Oak Bluffs, kids jumped off the Jaws bridge. We loved Oak Bluffs. The gingerbread cottages, nightlife, East Chop lighthouse (biking that road was amazing), was all spectacular. If the harbor was a bit bigger and didn't raft boats on moorings, I'd prefer to stay there. They also don't take reservations there. That's my only gripe with OB.

We took the bus to Aquinnah and went to the light house. It was spectacular over there too. Incredible views. Just don't head right if you go down to the beach. You'll be in for a surprise!

We were only on MV for 4 nights. Not enough time. We'll be back. Although next time I may head there without reservations anywhere and see if I can get a mooring to myself in OB. If not, then we'll probably head to Edgertown and anchor out right outside the harbor. The anchorage is well protected with anything except a NE wind (there's nowhere to anchor in OB). Does anyone know if there are any anchorages at all in Edgartown harbor? Even as you head far south into Katama bay?

On Sat we left toward home and broke up the trip with a night in Watch Hill, RI. We really like it there too.

Sad that we didn't get to catch up with the crew at the Floatilla Feast (darn weather). Hopefully next year.

Glad you had a good trip to MV. There is no anchoring inside Edgartown harbor or Katama bay. The only anchorage is the one you described above. Also In the summer don't plan on getting a mooring to your self in OB. It is a busy harbor and it just is very rare that it happens. There are mooring in vineyard haven as well that are easier to get without a reservation especially in the beginning of the week.

 

[cwiert]

Glad you had a good trip to MV. There is no anchoring inside Edgartown harbor or Katama bay. The only anchorage is the one you described above. Also In the summer don't plan on getting a mooring to your self in OB. It is a busy harbor and it just is very rare that it happens. There are mooring in vineyard haven as well that are easier to get without a reservation especially in the beginning of the week.

Yeah, I know that would be rare. We went the last week of August and there were empty moorings in OB. I spoke with the Harbor Master and he said that beginning that week and for the rest of the season (aside from Labor Day weekend), there'd be open moorings. But we already reserved and paid for a mooring in Edgartown, so we just stayed there.

If I want to go to OB with friends (another boat or 2), how do we all raft together? If there's no open moorings, we just have to try to find a single boat on a mooring and then all tie up to the already existing boat? For multiple boats, I wish they'd take reservations. Oh well. I guess it is what it is.

 

[Jeremygavin]

Yeah, I know that would be rare. We went the last week of August and there were empty moorings in OB. I spoke with the Harbor Master and he said that beginning that week and for the rest of the season (aside from Labor Day weekend), there'd be open moorings. But we already reserved and paid for a mooring in Edgartown, so we just stayed there.

If I want to go to OB with friends (another boat or 2), how do we all raft together? If there's no open moorings, we just have to try to find a single boat on a mooring and then all tie up to the already existing boat? For multiple boats, I wish they'd take reservations. Oh well. I guess it is what it is.

I am surprised there are typically empty moorings but i am not there much during the week so it may be so. If non are empty I would jump on a mooring with a single boat and have your friends raft up with you on it. Most likely the lone boat would leave at some point in your stay and you would be good for the rest of the time.

 

[Riptide III]

OB is our go to place. We are there every Thursday or Friday thru Sunday or Monday. If you and your friends get there by early Friday you should rarely have a problem. If not you might have to raft up to a boat you don't know. We have have rafted up to people who have become very good friends. OB is all about behindg social. Glad you enjoyed it. Hope to see you there next year.