NE Trip in '08

[Converse48]

Planning a trip to New England next Summer (it's never too early to get a reservation on Nantucket) and would like some thoughts on the itinerary (there are some holes) from local experts. Must sees are Block, Newport, Cuttyhunk, Nantucket and MV. All else is variable.

The time frame would be 17 days during the last week of July and first week of August. Here's what I'm thinking

Day 1: Rock Hall to Cape May
Day 2: Cape May to somewhere in the vicinity of New York City
Day 3: NY to Somewhere about halfway up the LI Sound (either LI or CT)
Day 4: From Day 3 destination to Montauk
Day 5-6: Montauk to Block for 2 days
Day 7: Block to Newport, RI
Day 8: Newport to Cuttyhunk
Day 9-11: Cuttyhunk to Nantucket for 3 days
Day 12-13: Nantucket to MV (Edgartown? Anywhere other than Oak Bluffs) for 2 days
Day 14: MV to somewhere halfway down LI sound (perhaps opposite shore from the trip out).
Day 15: Day 14 destination to somewhere in the vicinity of NYC
Day 16: Day 15 destination to Atlantic City or Cape May
Day 17: Return to RH

Yes, it's too rushed but I did a similar itinerary in a sailboat :smt017 in 2004, so I'm sure we can handle it!

Thoughts welcome.

 

[B-Rock]

I heard that Menemsha is nice on the Vineyard. We just had some friends from my marina stay a week over there. I plan on making it there before the end of the season. We have been to Oak Bluffs twice already this seaon, and it's time for a change for us on the Vineyard. I do all my crusing in those waters you are looking at....so if you need any info...ask away! I am a big fan of Cuttyhunk as well....nothing to do there....but relax!!

 

[Four Suns]

Looks like fun... want some company? I'll bring a camera and embarass your family (more than I've done already)

I find that with power cruising you generally have to insert a "bad weather day" for every 4 days planned... So I would venture to say you need to havd 4 days of floaters in there. With sailing, you have to insert a weather day for about every 2 to 3 days (wind direction is the issue) but you know sailing also. I think you got lucky before.

 

[Converse48]

B-Rock- I thought I heard that Menemsha pond was shallow and lacking facilities. For where we need to go on land (we're visiting a friend of my wife's) it would be perfect. Local knowledge anyone?

Gary- Completely agree on the floaters, and yes, we were extremely lucky on the sailboat trip. I view the second and third days at some of the stops as designated floaters. Plus we could miss some things... particularly like the as yet undetermined stops in LI sound. Company would be great... as long as they have a boat over 40' :smt001 As far as pictures... keep in mind that I have a D-50 too :lol:

I'm trying to avoid long runs because my crew has the attention span of a... well I don't know... something with a short attention span!

 

[Dancin Dave]

Prodigalson, make reservations early, no later than January. I cruise these waters for 4 weeks every summer. I'm in Nantucket now. Small craft advisory today. So leave extra days for being stuck someplace. Edgartown wont have any slips, mad max has a couple but they go quick and its fishy docks there. 2 day limit on the moorings. The best place on MV is Vineyardhaven marina,West Tisbury.Top notch. Nantucket boat basin and Block island boat basin are your best marina choices, unless you want a mooring. book early. They understand weather delays and will always accomodate with rescheduling.

Sounds like a nice trip! a bit rushed but a very nice trip.

 

[Converse48]

Dancin'-
Thanks for the heads up on Vineyardhaven. Any thoughts for stops in LI Sound?

 

[raffles]

Sounds like a great trip.

If you are looking to stay in New York City, try Chelsea Pier Marine (Marinemax facility) or across the Hudson on the New Jersey side at Liberty Landing Marina. My wife perfers Liberty Landing marina as the view of NYC is great.

On the Long island side Port Jefferson is approx halfway from NYC to Montauk- there is a marina called Danforths (I think the same owners as Montauk Yacht Club). – Also there is a marina called Mattamar in Mattituck which is suppose to be good - I have not stayed at either.

I have stayed many times in Greenport NY but that is pretty close to Montauk. We stay at Townsend marina, which is a short walk to town. There are other marinas in town but we like it at Townsend’s – If you have time it is worth the stop.

On the Connecticut side, I suggest going up the Connecticut River to Essex. Essex Island Marina is where we always stay. Its about 5 miles up the river from the Long Island Sound. Great facility, and the very scenic.

All places I mention have websites, you have lots of time to check them out but reserve early

 

[Dancin Dave]

NYC to mtk should take 6 hours. 2 hrs to ct. if you have to stop or bail due to weather you can hit port jeff on L.I. or Clinton on the Ct side. or for fuel and a nice lunch at Danforths marina in P.J. or Cedar Island marina in Clinton.

When in Cape May I like the Canyon Club. I was just saying the other day that at of all the marinas I have been to, the nicest docks I've seen are Canyon Club, Charleston city marina and the new Mitchell park town marina in Greenport L.I. they are all new and have the floating concrete docks. the first 2 will fuel you in your slip.

We took cover last week in Greenport running from a ct side storm system enroute to Nantucket.

 

[searaycruisn]

On your way out, I would stay at Port Jefferson on the North Shore of Long Island (which is 1/2 way up Long Island Sound). I would consider skipping your stop in Montaulk, and go directly from Port Jefferson to Block Island. Montaulk is all about fishing...that's pretty much it.

Block Island has some great anchorage if you are into anchoring. Just make sure you are comfortable anchoring because some times the winds can really kick up there. Also, you did not mention if you have children...in which case, you should stay at Champlins marina at Block. If no kids, you should stay at the Boat Basin...nice docks, and a restaurant, and convenience store at the marina.

Cutty Hunk is a short run from Block (1 1/2 hours?). Not much going on at Cutty Hunk, really just a stop over on the way to Nantucket, or the Vineyard, but probably doesn't make sense for you. I would run from Block to Nantucket directly. My guess is that is a 3 1/2 to 4 hour run.

Edgartown has very few docks... only moorings. I recently stayed at a marina called Dockside Marina in Oak Bluffs which I liked a lot because it is small, and right near the "main drag". Not sure why you do not want to stay in Oak Bluffs. It can be good, if you stay at the marina above (and not the town bulkhead!).

On the way back from MV, I would stop in Old Saybrook (Saybrook Point Marina). This is about a 4 1/2 hour run. You will be at the mouth of the CT river. I would consider spending a couple of days here, possible go up the river to Essex CT and stay at the Essex Island Marina (about 3 miles or less up the river). They have great facilities, and a pool that overlooks the river.

Let me know if you want to talk on the phone. Really hard to give you all the details here...

 

[Converse48]

searaycrusin-

Great stuff! Very helpful, thanks! I do have kids (9 & 7) so we will heed your advice regarding kid-friendly spots to see/avoid. We did a portion of this trip on a sailboat in 2004 and that's when we fell in love with Cuttyhunk... Yes, I agree there's not much to do there, but for some reason, we (including the kids) had a great time there.

Thanks again!

 

[B-Rock]

Just came back from a couple days in Block Island and the weekend in Cuttyhunk. Absolutely nothing to do in Cuttyhunk.....but people keep going back, and my wife along with my 5 year old son love it there. Nice beaches over there, and plenty of relaxation! A walk up to the top of the hill to watch the sun set is also a must on Cuttyhunk.