Fun Trip!

[Converse48]

My buddy just bought a 2003 40 Sedan Bridge in Plymouth, MA. It has the 450 Cummins and looks really clean! Anyway... as soon as the ice clears from the hahhhbahhh, he and I will bring the boat to Rock Hall, MD via the inside route (CC Canal, LI sound, Hell Gate, NYC, NJ coast, Cape May, that hateful Delaware Bay, C&D canal and the Chesapeake Bay). I've measured the trip at ~ 425 nautical miles.

Unfortunately, we're not going to have time to do any sightseeing as we're going to try (weather permitting) to make the trip in three days.

So, my questions are:

1) Is there a logical place to stop in the western half of the LI sound? "Logical" meaning easy to navigate, with transient facilities and fuel that is not too far from the sound.

2) Other than possible fog, and currents at both ends of LI sound and the canals (I have some cool current mapping software to help with that), are there any other local navigation variables that we should be aware of along the way? Particurly in the portion of the trip from Plymouth to to NYC. I've done the NJ to Chesapeake run many times.

3) We will bring tools, an EPIRB and spares of anything we can think of... Any other general words of wisdom?

We'll take and post pics!

 

[osd9]

I should be in the water by the end of the month. As you go by NJ, just give a shout if you need anything and I'll do what I can to help....sounds like fun...enjoy the trip.....I'll PM you my cell...

 

[jackson]

trip

Not sure about LI Sound, but if you plan on staying close to shore after the CC Canal and stay inside of Block Island, Newport is a good stop. The harbor is just inside the entrance to Narraganset Bay and has aything you need.

 

[out-n-aboat]

I live 35 minutes from Plymouth. Plymouth Harbor is tricky beacuse you come out of a narrow chanel. But is well marked. Cape Cod Cannel is a non issue, and in a boat that size Buzzards Bay will seem like a lake. No worries. Have a nice trip.
If you have any questions let me know.

 

[penbroke]

Has your buddy seen your post in the "Strangest Boating Experience" thread? :wink: :wink:

Just kidding! It sounds like a fun trip. Hope you have a great time and I'm looking forward to hearing about it.


Frank

 

[jg300da]

There are many full service marinas on both sides of the sound. On the Long Island side once you have Danfords in Port Jefferson, Brewers in Glen Cove and Hempstead Harbors as well as Brewers on the Connecticut side at Stratford and Stamford.

 

[Skip]

It would be really useful to have a sense for the condition of the fuel system. If the previous owner took care of the tanks and the fuel filtration system, the 450 Cummins will hum all day long. Just in case, I'd carry spare racor 30 micron elements and 2 gallons of fresh diesel in the event you have to swap out the racors at sea.
I also carry spare belts, impellers, fluids, etc. The T-stats in my '03 450s also became a problem..slow to open, causing a temp spike to 200 degrees when the turbos spooled up. New T-stats took care of that. Have the engines had the 300 hour/3 year service? This includes adjusting the valve lash.

Have a safe trip..sounds like fun

regards
Skip

 

[Sea Gull]

This is going to be a great trip.

I am not sure about fuel docks in Plymouth, but the fuel dock in Sandwich, at the eastern end of the CC canal usually has very good prices and is easy in and out.

Try to hit the canal with a fair current - it will mean the difference between a 45 minute trip and a 2 hour trip. You are limited to no wake and/or 10 knots through the water.

Buzzards Bay can be rough, but usually not until the afternoon when the southwesterly breeze fills in. Again check current tables as you will save fuel and time by having the current with you past Newport and through the Race.

I would recommend stopping in Connecticut rather than NY because there are more choices. Brewers in Stratford is my home marina and a good place to stop. There is fuel at Knapps Landing near the mouth of the Housatonic River. Brewers is a couple of miles up river, but has good facilities and a restaurant. Captain's Cove in Black Rock Harbor would be another choice. Not quite as nice, but they have fuel and an active bar. If you want to be a bit east I would recommend Saybrook on the CT River or Westbrook and a bit west I would recommend Norwalk or Stamford.

From Stratford/Bridgeport you could easily make Atlantic City or even Cape May on Day #2. Again, current can be your friend though Hell Gate and the East River.

I've never been South of there, but hope to get to the Chesapeake this summer. Then I'll be looking for advice. Let me know if I can provide more detail on the MA - NY portion. We travel those waters all the time.

 

[Converse48]

Really great stuff guys... thanks a million!
Tim