Block Island from Boston

[JV II]

If I were to make a split trip between MV and Block, how would you chart out your voyage? South of the Elizabeth chain or Buzzards Bay? Block first or MV? Who do I need to contact for a mooring on Block? Are there any transient slips there?

 

[ziekman@cox.net]

JV, there is a town mooring field in the Great Salt Pond. There is an anchorage (can be very deep from what I hear), and nightly rentals ($45). You can stay on the rental as long as you like; in fact, some stay all summer. They are in very high demand especially over 4th of July, Labor Day, and the peak summer time (July - Aug).

There are 3 marinas in the Pond, each one has it's own personality: Block Island Boat Basin, Champlin's, Paynes. I don't believe Paynes takes reservations. Champlin's has a resort like feel, with some nice amenities like a pool, bar, food; but they do "raft" multiple boats, to maximize their real estate during peak times. The Block Island Boat Basin takes reservations, and doesn't raft boats. There is a great restaurant there, called "The Oar", which is favorite to many.

You can walk to town from any of these marina's. Champlin's in the farthest out, might be a stretch to walk, but can be done. We stay at the Block Island Boat Basin, and always walk to town - about 15 minutes or so.

So, these 3 marina's, and the mooring field are all in New Harbor. Old Harbor is where town is. This is where the ferry landings are. There are some options for anchorage/transient docking in Old Harbor, but I'd say 95% of boats coming in, stay in New Harbor.

Here is a good link for general information: http://www.blockislandinfo.com/harbors-and-boating.

Marina information: http://www.blockislandinfo.com/harbors-and-boating/marinas

Paynes: https://activecaptain.com/quickList...s_New_Harbor_Dock_Block_Island_RI&i=728092175

Champlins: http://champlinsresort.com/

Block Island Boat Basin: http://blockislandboatbasin.net/ They also have a nice Facebook page, where you can pickup a reservation form.

 

[JV II]

Very much appreciated. A trip is in order this summer. Planning starts now.

 

[Alex F]

Mike,

When planning your trip keep in mind about this:
[h=3]CSR Northeast Flotilla 2014[/h]

 

[Ididntdoit]

If you hit block first - (I believe you're homeport is Boston) I would run buzzards bay to BI sound - depending on when you go and how long you plan to stay you have a lot of options - the prevailing winds are southwest so for a short visit its very comfortable anchored outside the old harbor breakwater as opposed to going inside (which is doable if you luck into a spot in the very small marina or dont mind joining "the raft") - again, if the wind is going to swing to the east, you dont want to be outside the breakwater. old harbor puts you right in town and close to the beach. New Harbor or "the Pond" is where most people go, especially for an extended stay - do not go there planning on picking up one of the town moorings the limit on the green ones is 50' but the harbormaster does not measure - the green and orange ones are the only available and its first come first served - again - dont count on it - the anchorage is great though and its not that deep - the holding ground is fine - just let out enough scope - problems happen on busy weekends when too many people dont let out enough scope and they drag....you want to go as far in as possible, past the town and private mooring field and near the big white "tent" on the bluff - farther out, closer to the entrance the aforementioned southwest wind will make your stay uncomfortable (theres a pretty good fetch across the pond out there and no significant land mass to stop it) Even though there is a launch service you need a dinghy - beach it "where everyone else does" and follow the wooden path to the beach (my favorite in new england) or take in a movie at champlins - there is now a water service to fill you up as there are no showers you can use close by. If you dont want the hassle of anchoring, or your not bringing a dinghy, get a slip. Champlins along the main pier is fine, the boat basin is probably better - Paynes works a little differently - you just show up and call them when your out front (no radio) you tell them how big you are and how long you want to stay and they'll tell you if they want you or not. chances are you will be boxed in and rafted, but its far cheaper than the other two.

I know our floatilla will hit Block - hopefully MV too - if the date works out I can tell you you will have fun.

From block to MV I would deffinately run vineyard sound (south of the elizabeth islands) the opposite is true also, should you decide to hit MV first.

 

[mjmason1]

Block Island is one of my favorite places to go. If you are confident in anchoring, the anchorage area has plenty of room. I haven't tried anchoring yet, but may this year. If you do anchor, Boat Basin has a fresh water hookup for filling portable tanks for free. Also dumpsters behind the store. As for the moorings, they are first come first serve. If you show up anytime from Friday 11ish on you probably won't get a mooring. Boat Basin is a good set up for dockage. You are close enough to get anywhere on the island. We walk to town for the exercise. At the Boat Basin your shower is in the basement of the Oar, so there isn't any privacy. Standing there naked with little kids around makes me nervous these days. Payne's is a pain and very noisy in the summer, but they are some talented dockhands. The showers are crap and they pack you in like sausages. I haven't stayed at Champlin's but I her they pack you in as well. Now you must get a mudslide from the "Oar". Also try their BLT. Also don't miss "Aldo's". :grin:

 

[Alex F]

If I were to make a split trip between MV and Block, how would you chart out your voyage? South of the Elizabeth chain or Buzzards Bay? Block first or MV?...

If I was doing your trip I would plot it this way:

Boston to MV (via CCC and then via Woods Hole). Take mooring at Etgartown.
MV to Block (via BI Sound and Buzzards bay).



With frequent summer SW winds you want to transit Buzzards Bay going Eastbound, as for the Westbound you'll have to watch the winds very closely. Anything above 15ktsfor the Westbound cruise and you'll remember this one for a long time. Yes, even on your 480.

Use the Islands as much as you can to get extra protection from the open ocean. I had a funny moment coming back from EIs heading westbound. I started off in a light fog out of Hadley Harbor and headed out to Buzzards Bay. It was around 6am the crew was still sound a sleep. I was just trawling at 7-8kts and enjoying the ride. Couple hours later my wife woke up and joined me up on the bridge. Soon enough the wind started picking up and the seas were building up from 2' to more like 3-4'ers. At that time it was clear that going slow is no longer comfortable so, I jumped on plane and she went down below to wake the kids up, so they don't get sea sick. As she went down it was coincident when we were passing by Cuttyhunk. About 5-10min later when she return from the salon back up to the bridge it's like someone tuned a switch (we simply had no more protection from the islands). Her picture changed in those 5min from slightly bumpy/rolling ride to 5-6+'ers, as we pass sailboats all we would see was the mast as the hulls would be hidden behind the waves (remember, we're up on the bridge about 15' above water...LOL). The ride actually not very bad with quartering seas and the wind. But, it was just funny to remember the look on my wife's face and her question "what is this?". :lol:

The wind was 15-20kts and direction was something like NE. But the bottom line is that it had E component and we really felt the moment the islands were no longer protecting us. So, keep the moral here is, use the islands when you can, especially if the wind has E component.

 

[wetpaint]

Agree with Alex. However, if winds are down, go south of the Vineyard to Block…..It is a beautiful cruise with the Vineyard off to starboard. Just a different view than what you had going there….

 

[JV II]

A slip on Block is going to be a demand from the crew. Any problem with that? Should I call and reserve now?

 

[Alex F]

If you're talking about Champlins, then there are couple things you should know.

1- Their cancellation policy is 28days. This is how it was last year and I doubt much has changed.
2- There's always a chance for you be rafted. If it's a "slower" mid week days then you might be fine. But on a busy weekends, it's very likely occurrence.
3- Depending how things work with the rafting, you may have to reposition your boat, in case if you will be the first one out and the other boat(s) plan on staying longer.

So, I would hold off on that reservation for a while and make sure your plans remain solid and this is the marina you'll be going.

 

[Boater_Rob]

Good points so far. I agree with Alex and WetPaint - you don't want to be plowing into the typical Buzzards Bay SW (especially 2 - 6 PM when it usually blows up).

However, are you planning to make intermediate stops? If not, the return trip from Block to Boston is a long haul... especially if the weather turns nasty! A return trip from MV to Boston gives you more options to break the trip up if the weather doesn't cooperate.

Rob

 

[dcpringle]

We are from the other side, we have in the past both anchored and also pulled to the docks in Old Harbor. In the past we would anchor out for a week and be able to be mins to downtown and the beaches. Its completely free and there is both water and pumpout from the old harbor dockmaster. If you want to pull into old harbor dock, it's first come first serve. Includes both water and power and normally not an issue getting out when you are ready to leave. We liked it because we are in the middle of town. The clubs for the night life are a very short walk...

 

[dcpringle]

One other things, Old Harbor is on the east side of the island, which would also save you time and fuel...

 

[JV II]

I decided to do Newport and Block rather than MV and Block. I'll do MV on a separate trip. So, this resolves the issue of choice or routes. It's Buzzards Bay all the way. I'm going to try to time it to met up with CSR on Block during the Floatilla.

 

[dcpringle]

Newport is one of our favorite places to boat. BTW it's approximately 1 hr from Old Harbor to Newport harbor.

 

[Jeremygavin]

I decided to do Newport and Block rather than MV and Block. I'll do MV on a separate trip. So, this resolves the issue of choice or routes. It's Buzzards Bay all the way. I'm going to try to time it to met up with CSR on Block during the Floatilla.

We stayed at the newport harbor hotel last year in a slip for 5 days and it is very nice. It has a nice pool, right in town for shops, restaurants and nice people on the docks. Highly recommend them. I already have a slip reserved there for newport boat show in the fall.

 

[christo15]

We rented a house on the water in Jamestown RI which is right across from Newport. To think we had a private dock and we didn't bring the boat with us...:smt021
Newport is one of the best places to boat hands down.

Here are some pics

 

[Ctsearay]

Wow Nice Dock Christo!

 

[christo15]

Wow Nice Dock Christo!

Thanks. We thought so too!