Which Mystic Marina?

S

Studman

Member
Sep 30, 2011
196
Milford , CT
Boat Info
1985 38' Egg Harbor
Engines
375 HP Cat 3208 TA's
Going to head to Mystic for our very first trip this weekend and need some advise on marinas
Was looking at Fort Rachels and Seaport Marine, thoughts?
Can anyone give me some imput, I was thinking we would like to be in walking distance of most everything
also I was told I should bring the dink, we have never transported the dink before and I am a little worried about having to worry about it for 4 hours (each way) while getting ourselfs to Mystic and then home again. Thoughts?
I do not have davits so I can either try and tie it to the transom, put it on the bow, or deflate it and put it on deck, not sure which is best

Thanks
Scott
 
Seaport Marine is a great option, but you won't need your dinghy. We've stayed there for the last 3 years, and like it a lot. The showers/head are newly renovated, nice and very clean. I have also heard good things about Fort Rachel, but have never stayed there.

Remember, going up the river, there is the railroad swing bridge, then the drawbridge. You'll need to wait at both. Any marina south of the railroad bridge, you'll either want your dinghy, or expect to do some walking. We stayed at Mystic Shipyard West this year, just before the railroad bridge. Not too bad of a walk, but what I really liked was that we weren't stuck waiting for the railroad bridge.

Unless you want to stay at the Seaport Marina, you won't need to worry about the drawbridge, but I've heard staying there is very cool, because you have rights to the Seaport 24/7.

Go to google maps, and find marinas in Mystic. That'll give you a better perspective. It's one of our favorite stops, so I hope you have fun. Keep us posted on what you decide.
 
I was at Seaport Marine for 5 years and moved to Ft Rachel this year. Don't confuse Seaport marine with the Mystic seaport, seaport marine is just north of the train bridge to starboard (east side of the river), directly across from Ft Rachel. Mystic seaport marina is further up river north of the auto bridge which opens at forty past the hour when called. The train bridge you can contact when needed on ch13.
The only thing seaport marine has going for it is the floating cement docks but there is a good chance they will put you on the older fixed docks. Showers are good but a hike and there are a couple good restaurants on the east side but most of town is a little longer walk but not much. The majority of the town is on the west side and closer to Ft Rachel. ft Rachel has older wood floaters but they are fine, no fixed docks, nice facilities with a picnic area and BBQ grills. Ft Rachel is a smaller marina with a warmer "mystic" feel and charm to it. You really can't go wrong with either and there is also downtown marina to consider, very small with few transient slips but very nice, just north of Ft Rachel.
Pm me if you have any questions or want to call me, I will give you my cell. BTW you don't need a dink but it is nice to have, it's a beautiful river. I'm not sure where we are going this weekend but if I leave my dink behind you are welcome to use it.
 
Thanks Guys for the help
I think we will be staying at Fort Rachels
Russ that's very nice of you to offer your dink
Not sure if am bringing mine, I think I have a way to hook it to the swim platform, but I will see.
Russ if you don't go anywhere maybe we could meet up and have a drink
Thanks again
 
If you do stay at Fort Rachels, a short walk up the road is the Captain Daniel Packer Inne, great place to step back in time... Russ failed to mention it because he probably is sick of the tourists taking up all the bar stools!
 
cod said:
If you do stay at Fort Rachels, a short walk up the road is the Captain Daniel Packer Inne, great place to step back in time... Russ failed to mention it because he probably is sick of the tourists taking up all the bar stools!
Click to expand...

Thanks, I will check it out
anymore "insider" tips?
 
If you're looking for a hip place for a drink/dinner, take a look at "Bravo, Bravo". And, you'll pass Abotts and Costellos on the up the river. You'll be in Noank, for a short time. Here, you'll have great lobster rolls, etc.
 
I would add that anyone who cruises these waters should stay right there at the Mystic Seaport Marina and museum at least once. That's what I had always heard and, indeed, found it to be a very special and rare experience when I stayed there last year. It really is remarkable to have run of the grounds after they have closed to the public. The "town" is an easy walk and, IMO, once you've walked it you won't need to do it again. If you're at the mouth of the Mystic River at the top of the hour you'll make the roadway bridge opening at :40 with a bit of pad time to spare. The dockhands we're terrific and will lend you fenderboards if you need them.
 
If a pool is important Mystic Shipyard (willow point) is the best choice - deffinately bring the dink, lots to do/see - +1 on staying at Mystic seaport - easy to plan for the drawbridge and the swing bridge is generally open unless a train is going over it...
 
I vote for staying at Mystic Seaport as well. It's just cool. No pool though.
 
To each his own but if your 6 or younger the seaport may hold your attention for more than 20 minutes, don't get me wrong history is a great but would you want to park your house out behind the shed at the petting zoo?! Great place to visit but wouldn't want to stay there. Maybe it's because I have lived here most of my life but not my choice. If you want to go north of the bridges and be close to the Seaport there is an anchorage right in front of it that we locals call "kitchen little", a great spot. Otherwise stay at a real marina and walk over and visit the seaport if you wish.
Regardless of where you decide -Mystic is great, you will have fun no matter where you dock we have decided to head to LI and will be leaving the dink behind. PM me for my number if you want to use it. Sorry we will miss you for that drink- next time!
 
RAIN SUCKS!

Had to cancel our weekend because of this awful rain

Oh well we will try again in 2 weeks
 
yea I watched the radar all day just hoping we would get a break, but no
and being our first real trip ( like 4 hours) I really wanted a good day
The wife is getting comfortable with the boat and all I need is one bad day and I might never get her back onboard
you know baby steps, so instead we will go to Oyster Bay for one night, maybe we will be better off

Going to try for Mystic in 2 weeks
 
cod said:
Hey Russ, just a FYI, there are fireworks in 3 Mile Harbor tonight. From Greenport it is maybe a 15 minute cruise south.
Click to expand...

I know it thanks. We have a bunch of friends going fro Mystic, we decided not to go. The dock, Greenport and Claudios sounded better.
 
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