New England – Points of Interest

[Alex F]

Does anyone know if Menemsha take reservations for mooring or is on the first come first serve basis? I keep calling the number they have listed for Harbormaster (508) 645-2846 but they never pick up and there's no voice mail.

 

[Alex F]

I've heard that it's tricky to get to Watch Hill, RI and Napatree Beach. Can someone provide local knowledge and best way to approach the anchorage?

 

[Ididntdoit]

I've heard that it's tricky to get to Watch Hill, RI and Napatree Beach. Can someone provide local knowledge and best way to approach the anchorage?

It is marked very well, the entrance to the channel is a bit deceiving as it seems like you pass on the "wrong" side of the bouy - between it and a sand bar - but there is plenty of water there..... as you go down the channel, you will see the anchorage off to starboard - do not leave the channel and cut across - wait until you round the corner (with watch hill directly ahead) and then cut over parallel to the shoreline - I will try to find some pics or look at the charts to give you somthing better to go on - one of those deals where its hard to explain and a pic is worth a 1000 words.....

 

[ChuckW]

I've heard that it's tricky to get to Watch Hill, RI and Napatree Beach. Can someone provide local knowledge and best way to approach the anchorage?

It is marked very well, the entrance to the channel is a bit deceiving as it seems like you pass on the "wrong" side of the bouy - between it and a sand bar - but there is plenty of water there..... as you go down the channel, you will see the anchorage off to starboard - do not leave the channel and cut across - wait until you round the corner (with watch hill directly ahead) and then cut over parallel to the shoreline - I will try to find some pics or look at the charts to give you somthing better to go on - one of those deals where its hard to explain and a pic is worth a 1000 words.....

As said, it's well marked and stick close to shore as you make the bend on the northern sided of the west end. Here are my tracks from 2009 having run it several times.

 

[Alex F]

Thanks for the pics, Chuck.

Is my understanding correct regarding the anchorage area?




Mike,

Is this what you mean don't cut across the sandbar and follow the channel?

 

[Russ Calasant]

That's correct Alex, you will actually be approaching Stonington Harbor, around Sandy Point to Napatree. Being in our back yard we spend many weekends there. Also there are two good restaurants in Stonington Harbor to visit by boat, Dog Watch at Dodsons Boat Yard and Skippers Dock, give me a call I can fill you in on the area. When are you going? After Block? We may be there also.

 

[Alex F]

That's correct Alex, you will actually be approaching Stonington Harbor, around Sandy Point to Napatree. Being in our back yard we spend many weekends there. Also there are two good restaurants in Stonington Harbor to visit by boat, Dog Watch at Dodsons Boat Yard and Skippers Dock, give me a call I can fill you in on the area. When are you going? After Block? We may be there also.

I'm glad I was on the right track, Russ. Thanks for the tip on restaurants. We're actually planning to make the stop at Stonington Harbor. Based on Mike's recommendation it sounded like a good place for dock and dine. I was thinking to spend some time chilling at Napatree Beach and then head to Stonington for dinner, unless we find something else in Watch Hill. I was planning to spend the night on the hook by Napatree Beach, so it looks like I'll need to revisit my plan so we don't do too much running back and forth between SH and WH. I guess, if we'll decide to dine at SH we can just spend the night there. If all goes as planned we're scheduled to be there on Sun, July 8th. Are you going to be around?

 

[Ididntdoit]

Thanks for the pics, Chuck.

Is my understanding correct regarding the anchorage area?

View attachment 25307


Mike,

Is this what you mean don't cut across the sandbar and follow the channel?

View attachment 25308

Yes - Exactly and Ditto on the anchorage area - as far as staying in stonington harbor for the night, I'm not so sure there are any slips or moorings available nor a place to anchor. But then again I have never tried......

 

[Russ Calasant]

We will be in New London on July 6,7 and 8 (Sunday) for sailfest, tall ships and fireworks. I highly recommend it, great time. Monday the 9th we will be back in Mystic and to work. We are actually leaving June 28 going to Block then leaving Bloc for New London on Friday July 6.
Ididntdoit, your right there is not much in Stonington to stay although I think you can at Dodsons, they have moorings. But I think Alex was going to stay at Nap and dink in to Stonington.
Alex WH has limited food and not great, Stonington is worth the ride back- Dogwatch in particular.

 

[Alex F]

We will be in New London on July 6,7 and 8 (Sunday) for sailfest, tall ships and fireworks. I highly recommend it, great time....

Oh man...now you got me scratching my head. Do you think it's worth switching to New London instead of going to WH on Sunday? Where are you staying there?

 

[Alex F]

I’m trying to come up with nice itinerary for one of our summer trips north. I usually would like to have a mix between relaxing and somewhat busy/good site seeing destinations.

We’ve been to the islands few times, not sure yet, but perhaps we'll pass them this time. The ports we've been past Cape Cod are P-Town, Plymouth, Boston and Gloucester.

Preliminary I’m looking the following candidates:
Scituate, MA
Salem
Rockport
Newburyport
Portsmouth, NH

Any thought and recommendations are greatly appreciated.

 

[Ididntdoit]

Salem and rockport are really nice - Plenty of moorings in salem - or the old hawthorne cove marina (its a brewers now) Rockport is a bit tight but the harbormaster is really nice and usually will find you room - It would be a shame to go as far as Newburyport or portsmouth and not at least hit southern ME....(unless that will be a subsequent trip)

 

[Alex F]

Salem and rockport are really nice - Plenty of moorings in salem - or the old hawthorne cove marina (its a brewers now) Rockport is a bit tight but the harbormaster is really nice and usually will find you room - It would be a shame to go as far as Newburyport or portsmouth and not at least hit southern ME....(unless that will be a subsequent trip)

Mike, what would you recommend as for must not miss from southern ME?

 

[Ididntdoit]

Alex - I don't have a ton of exprience up there but I'd say in Casco Bay - Portland, Freeport, Jewell Island

 

[Alex F]

Alex - I don't have a ton of exprience up there but I'd say in Casco Bay - Portland, Freeport, Jewell Island

Thanks Mike. It's good enough to get my research started.

 

[wetpaint]

My recommendations, Newburyport, Portsmouth and Portland…Then see what time you have for in between stops like Salem, Rockport, etc

 

[rmasse10]

Cape Cod, ProvinceTown, Hyannis (Cape Cod)...If you hit the cape, martha's vineyard, and nantucket...you should be set

 

[Alex F]

Perhaps you guys can give me few tips on Narragansett Bay area. I'm looking at the following ports:

Newport
Bristol
Wickford
Battleship Cove, Fall River
Jamestown
Warwick
Providence

I'm also considering Sakonnet River and Westport Harbor.

I've been in Newport number of times, but didn't go to the other ports on the list. It's surprising that there's very limited info on docking/mooring in Providence. So far I see that Brewer Cove Haven Marina is the closest decent option. But, it seems to be good distance away. According to AC the town dock is in shallow water and not the best option. Is there any other option for docking/mooring/anchorage there?

Any other tips for destinations and things to do would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Ididntdoit]

Barrington/Bristol are great - nice community and a lot of shops - I would stay on Tyler point - there are a couple of marinas there (Stripers?)

Wickford is a good 1 day/night stop - its pretty tight and I dont think you'd have room at the town docks - try a transient slip at brewers or one of the other marinas and walk into the village, again, great shops and restauraunts

Warwick - dont bother unless you want to party - stay at greenwich bay or in greenwich cove - lively nightlife live bands and a great pool at the main brewers greenwich bay yard

Providence - Time your visit for the "fire water" show and get a slip at the "only" marina - its really rustic - If you go for fire water, find out when they are closing the Hurricane barriers to trap the high tide in....IMHO I would skip this stop

Battleship cove - theres some moorings up there for rent - go if you want to see the navy ships but be warned its kind of a dumpy area compared to everywhere else your considering - my advice - skip is and go see the uss nautalis if/when your in the thames river instead - as an aside, I was just in New London yesterday and the new town docks/moorings are great....downtown/the waterfront is much better than it was, but still has a long way to go.

Jamestown is great - grab a mooring from connanicut marine - easy dinghy ride from or to Newport if your staying at one or the other (the harbor can get a bit rough though, so there is a ferry service too) - The "other" side of jamestown is dutch harbor, a great place to drop the hook - and theres a great little snack bar called "the shack" - back on the "newport" side you can also drop the hook in mackral cove.

Potter's Cove on the back side of Prudence island is also a popular day anchorage....as for the sakonnet river - not much too see, but a nice ride - depending on where your comming from or going too after doing narragansett bay, you could start your trip by heading up the sakonnet and hit the points north....then on the war back down west passage, hit the other stops....a circumnavigation of Aquidneck island if you will....

 

[Less]

Hi, I'm new on the site, don't have a boat yet but thought I'd make a suggestion. I haven't heard anyone mention Falmouth harbor.

I live in Falmouth and we have friends who have brought their boat down. I know there are town slips with full water & power available for rent, that's where they tied up. I don't know the situation with temp. moorings but I beleive McDougals marina has some. The harbor is beautiful. Lots of good food and drink within walking distance and downtown Falmouth (also within walking distance) is both quaint and hip. Lots of great shops, food and drink. Check it out.

I hope to have a boat to by next summer.:smt038