Cape Cod and Surrounding Area – Points of Interest

[Alex F]

Great suggestions, Mike. I was considering Monomy as a day stop for out on the hook, swim and enjoy the natural preserve surroundings. But, I completely forgot that just around the corner is the sharks feeding grounds. Watching the whales is one thing, but swimming with the sharks is not my cup of tee.

I'm getting much better idea now and so far my order of ports (as a 1st draft, assuming we're not going further north) looks like this:

LIS -> Cuttyhunk -> Hadley Harbor -> Bassetts Island (Red Brook or Kingman) -> Plymouth -> P-town -> around the Cape to Hyannis -> Lake Tashmoo -> back to LIS

I really liked adding Boston to the itinerary, but then it would make sense to add more northern area ports and it might be just way too much for this trip. Anyway I'll be doing more research and run few options by admiral.

 

[wetpaint]

Alex...If I am around, please come to Bass River........I have a dock, power, etc.

 

[Ididntdoit]

Alex...If I am around, please come to Bass River........I have a dock, power, etc.

Now there's a great offer - stop there after you come around the cape...get a copy of eldridge for fair passage through the canal, pollock rip channel, woods hole etc. Even though our boats can handle going against the current it is safer/easier to run with it. In some places it can run 4+ knots and there is fuel to be saved by running with it.

 

[Alex F]

Thanks a lot guys. John, I'll definitely keep your generous offer in mind, if we make it there.

I'm reviewing this with admiral and (just like I expected) her comment was, if we're so close to Boston why miss the opportunity? So, draft #2 most likely will include at least 3 nights in Boston and move few things around. I'm also looking at activities in Salem and will need to determine if it will make sense to add it to this trip.

 

[tdschafer]

Hey Alex,

Why not swing by Nova Scotia?:grin:

 

[wetpaint]

Take the summer off...You live once!!! Nova Scotia id beautiful.....You can see whales and icebergs

 

[hottoddie]

Great suggestions, Mike. I was considering Monomy as a day stop for out on the hook, swim and enjoy the natural preserve surroundings. But, I completely forgot that just around the corner is the sharks feeding grounds. Watching the whales is one thing, but swimming with the sharks is not my cup of tee.

I'm getting much better idea now and so far my order of ports (as a 1st draft, assuming we're not going further north) looks like this:

LIS -> Cuttyhunk -> Hadley Harbor -> Bassetts Island (Red Brook or Kingman) -> Plymouth -> P-town -> around the Cape to Hyannis -> Lake Tashmoo -> back to LIS

I really liked adding Boston to the itinerary, but then it would make sense to add more northern area ports and it might be just way too much for this trip. Anyway I'll be doing more research and run few options by admiral.

This is the perfect itinerary. If I was coming from the South and had 2 weeks I would do this exact trip.

Also, keep mind to catch the Canal with an incoming tide and before mid day when the SW winds kick up on can make Buzzards Bay pretty rough. There is fuel available at the Sandwich Harbor pf Refuge at the East end of the canal. Usually much cheaper and where I stop when going thru the canal. I Plymouth go the the New World Tavern for great bear and quality casual food. Issac's on the waterfront for more formal food and atmosphere.

I would skip Boston on this trip, too much else on your list. Save it for another trip that would include Scituate, Boston, Salem, Newburyport, Portsmouth NH, and Rockport all within easy reach of each other and with much to do. Once you get North of the canal the water gets colder and for swimming in water above 70* you will have get inside protected water.

 

[Alex F]

Hey Alex,

Why not swing by Nova Scotia?:grin:

Todd,

It's only a matter of time. I will definitely be there some day, but not this year.

This is the perfect itinerary. If I was coming from the South and had 2 weeks I would do this exact trip.

Also, keep mind to catch the Canal with an incoming tide and before mid day when the SW winds kick up on can make Buzzards Bay pretty rough. There is fuel available at the Sandwich Harbor pf Refuge at the East end of the canal. Usually much cheaper and where I stop when going thru the canal. I Plymouth go the the New World Tavern for great bear and quality casual food. Issac's on the waterfront for more formal food and atmosphere.

I would skip Boston on this trip, too much else on your list. Save it for another trip that would include Scituate, Boston, Salem, Newburyport, Portsmouth NH, and Rockport all within easy reach of each other and with much to do. Once you get North of the canal the water gets colder and for swimming in water above 70* you will have get inside protected water.

Great tips, I will keep them in mind. I'll be going over my itinerary many times before it finalized. My idea with most of the trips is to diversify our ports. We like having a contrast of the events between relaxing in quite harbor and then get busy exploring bigger towns. This is why think that if skipping one quite port and adding Boston to the mix might be a good idea. The other thought is that whatever we skip today we can add in the next trip up north.

 

[Alex F]

After going over the plan with admiral we made some changes and the 2nd draft looks like this:

LIS -> Hadley Harbor (1 night) -> Bassetts Island (Red Brook or Kingman) (1 night) -> P-town (3 nights) -> Boston (3 nights) -> Plymouth (1 night) -> Bassetts Island (Red Brook fuel and lunch stop) -> Cuttyhunk (1 night) -> LIS



A quick question on Boston. We might have company while there and we might want to take a boat trip to a near by cove/beach to get away from the city for few hours. Can you guys recommend something near by? I can imagine that the city has to be beautiful at night, any recommendations on the night cruise routes?

 

[Ididntdoit]

After going over the plan with admiral we made some changes and the 2nd draft looks like this:

LIS -> Hadley Harbor (1 night) -> Bassetts Island (Red Brook or Kingman) (1 night) -> P-town (3 nights) -> Boston (3 nights) -> Plymouth (1 night) -> Bassetts Island (Red Brook fuel and lunch stop) -> Cuttyhunk (1 night) -> LIS

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A quick question on Boston. We might have company while there and we might want to take a boat trip to a near by cove/beach to get away from the city for few hours. Can you guys recommend something near by? I can imagine that the city has to be beautiful at night, any recommendations on the night cruise routes?

look at the boston harbor islands - lots of stuff on the web - neat history - somthing for everyone, coves/beach/walking trails and a great view of the city from the harbor - Boston is a very "boater friendly" large city! If you wanted somthing a little different go about 5mi north to Nahant (great anchorage) Revere Beach is there to - And make sure you stop at Kelley's roast beef while your there...I don't think you'll need 3 nights in P-town, But 3 nights in Boston is very doable - check out quincy market, long wharf (the aquarium) etc. You may want to stay one of the nights on a mooring in the islands! If your route is bringing you through woods hole than do hadly harbor (grab a CG mooring in front of the red shack) If your comming up Buzzards bay, its a little bit out of your way, maybe just do Bassetts...

 

[Alex F]

Thanks Mike.

The freedom trail looks very cool, we'll definitely do it. I'll do more research on the Islands.

We originally had 2 nights for P-town, but added the 3rd just not to rush things. As you can see, we also decided that it might be worth staying overnight in Basset Isl, instead of making it just a quick stop. We're flexible and we'll keep our itinerary flexible as well to make adjustments on the fly based on the weather and the ports we're visiting. I'm planning to make reservations only in two ports (P-town and Boston), assuming that their marinas/moorings get filled quick in mid summer.

Keep the suggestions coming. Every bit helps.

 

[wetpaint]

My opinion.....If you leave Hadley in am and stop at Red Brook for lunch, I would continue on to PTOWN.........I would not stay the night as you might want this night back further down the line.....just my opinion...

 

[Alex F]

I hear you John. Originally I thought doing as you said, but then I got the impression that between Bassetts Isl, Red Brook and Kingman there are things to do and village to explore. My crew usually start their mornings late, but I guess I could just getup early (like I do on bigger legs) and set the course. I'll try to find more info on this area and will keep my options open to have it as a day stop.

 

[mycirus]

If you like fried sea food stop at the marina on the Cape Cod Canal in Sandwich and walk over to Sea Food Sams. Its right behind the Coast Guard station there and its delicious.

 

[katricol]

Three nights in P'town seems too long to me Alex, what do you think John for a trip of this length of only 1 1/2 to 2 weeks?? You have young children if I remember right Alex, and P'town might get old after the first day for them (and you).

 

[hottoddie]

I haven't seen you mention that you have an Embassy Guide. If not it would be a great investment. I also agree with the 3 night in Ptown maybe being one night too much. You can take an afternoon and anchor off the beach across the harbor. Water is clear and warm and you can dingy in to the beach for a picnic. Last summer saw a Harbor Seal swimming around the anchored boats.

In Boston the 2 Marina's you can stay right downtown are Boston Yacht Haven or Boston Waterboat Marina. Yacht haven is more upscale with many very large yachts, waterboat more casual but still nice. They are right next to each other and a short walk to the North End or Fanuel Hall. Restaurants, sightseeing and people watching galore. Both Marinas can be very rocky due to heavy boat traffic during the day but are quiet at night.

If you are yacht club member and your yacht club is member of ABYC check out the ABYC member book and you can get some good deals on slips/moorings and meet some fun people.

 

[wakeup 19]

Alex, in boston for day boating are plenty of destinations. Not sure of the date of arrival but Aquapalooza is usually 3 weekend in July. Also Spectacle Island is ten minutes from downtown where you will be staying. It is a nicely maintained Natiional park and has great dockage, beach and they do tours of the island. It was re-built from the dirt from the Big Dig. (at least we got something good for being way over budget). There is Worlds End inside nantasket beach is a great spot that a lot of locals go to as well as Cohasset harbor which you will pass on the way to Boston, inside Minots Light. Mark Walhberg and his family have a great resturant in Hingham harbor called Alma Nova that is also a 45min easy cruise. I will be happy to assist you when you get up this way, I keep my boat ten minutes from downtown. I like the South Shore as opposed to Revere/Nahant because it is more protected and warmer water. Both are nice. Sox are in against yankees 7/19 and on homestand till 25th as well.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
good luck, Rob

 

[Alex F]

Three nights in P'town seems too long to me Alex, what do you think John for a trip of this length of only 1 1/2 to 2 weeks?? You have young children if I remember right Alex, and P'town might get old after the first day for them (and you).

Hmm...since you're not the only person stating that 3 nights in P-town might be too much I guess we'll need to take another look at our itinerary. I was under the impression that this place is like Block with all kinds of activities. I'll be doing more research on each port and will revisit the questionable night in Red Brook and P-town. perhaps I'll be able to put one port back to itinerary. We thought maybe adding 4th night to Boston, but I think it might be too much for being stuck in the big city for 4 nights. So far the biggest "selling point" is that it's a boating friendly city and on the nice days we can take the boat to the islands and beach somewhere to mix our activities. If that works well then 4th night in Boston could be an option.

Based on our cruising style lately we've learned that it's best to have a plan but keep the itinerary open for some changes in case we like one port better and stay longer or dislike a port and cut our stay shorter. My primary candidates for advance reservation are busy ports that fall on the weekends, based on our itinerary.

Got to love cruise planning, oh well it certainly helps getting through the winter. :grin:

If you like fried sea food stop at the marina on the Cape Cod Canal in Sandwich and walk over to Sea Food Sams. Its right behind the Coast Guard station there and its delicious.

Thanks for the tip, we love seafood, but just not fried.

 

[Alex F]

I haven't seen you mention that you have an Embassy Guide. If not it would be a great investment. I also agree with the 3 night in Ptown maybe being one night too much. You can take an afternoon and anchor off the beach across the harbor. Water is clear and warm and you can dingy in to the beach for a picnic. Last summer saw a Harbor Seal swimming around the anchored boats.

In Boston the 2 Marina's you can stay right downtown are Boston Yacht Haven or Boston Waterboat Marina. Yacht haven is more upscale with many very large yachts, waterboat more casual but still nice. They are right next to each other and a short walk to the North End or Fanuel Hall. Restaurants, sightseeing and people watching galore. Both Marinas can be very rocky due to heavy boat traffic during the day but are quiet at night.

If you are yacht club member and your yacht club is member of ABYC check out the ABYC member book and you can get some good deals on slips/moorings and meet some fun people.

I have Embassy Guide for the Chesapeake Bay area, but for the Northern region I have Dozier's Waterway Guide. It's few years old, but I thought that for the most part things didn't change much in the Northern area. Thanks for the tips on the marinas, I'll be looking in to those as well. I'd like to grab a mooring, especially if they have good launch service or a dinghy dock. If you know of a marina that offers mooring, please let me know. I'm not a member of ABYC.

Alex, in boston for day boating are plenty of destinations. Not sure of the date of arrival but Aquapalooza is usually 3 weekend in July. Also Spectacle Island is ten minutes from downtown where you will be staying. It is a nicely maintained Natiional park and has great dockage, beach and they do tours of the island. It was re-built from the dirt from the Big Dig. (at least we got something good for being way over budget). There is Worlds End inside nantasket beach is a great spot that a lot of locals go to as well as Cohasset harbor which you will pass on the way to Boston, inside Minots Light. Mark Walhberg and his family have a great resturant in Hingham harbor called Alma Nova that is also a 45min easy cruise. I will be happy to assist you when you get up this way, I keep my boat ten minutes from downtown. I like the South Shore as opposed to Revere/Nahant because it is more protected and warmer water. Both are nice. Sox are in against yankees 7/19 and on homestand till 25th as well.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
good luck, Rob

Excellent info, Rob! It would be cool to make the aquapalooza, but we'll have to see if the dates will workout. So far we're scheduled to be in Boston mid July. I'm taking notes and will do some reading on the places you suggested. They all sound very interesting.

 

[wetpaint]

This is fun for all of us.....lol

I agree a third night might be one night too many where you are looking to create an aggressive itinerary. I could spend a week there....Some people love Ptown (I am one) and some don't (my dad is not comfortable there).......I love the shows, the people, people watching, beaches, history, monument, restaurants, etc......One must remember that this is an openly gay town and this is their town and we are guests. After dark it really turns into an eclectic party and show......Again, I love this destination as a guest.........I have always taken my kids there and when I ask them what they remember......"The candy store and the helena tattoos"...