Maybe off Topic, Buzzards Bay Launch Points

[billh]

Hello,

Well, not sure if this is off topic or not. However, what I am searching for is a launch area for Buzzards Bay area.

I am an inland sailor only to date, Cruise ship does not count So, this summer I would like to start making my way out of the inland lakes and go to the big water.

Cape Cod seems a likely place to start, straight shot for me to get to via highway, only a few hours drive east. I have heard people mention Buzzards bay and then sail around to Martha's Vineyard and or Nantucket. I have been to Cape Cod many times over the years via auto, as well as Nantucket but only via Ferry Boat. I am excited about doing this on my O'Day 26.

I am looking for a decent place to launch and leave the truck and trailer for a week. I can launch from the trailer on my own, so I guess I am looking for a public launch or a marina that has a good ramp.

Also any pointers regarding this trip, maybe tide, I have no idea about that, and anything that might cause issues on this trip. Looking for what Chart would best address this area as well.

Like he said in What About Bob, "Baby Steps".

Thank you.

Bill H.

 

[Joe11688]

Hello,

Well, not sure if this is off topic or not. However, what I am searching for is a launch area for Buzzards Bay area.

I am an inland sailor only to date, Cruise ship does not count So, this summer I would like to start making my way out of the inland lakes and go to the big water.

Cape Cod seems a likely place to start, straight shot for me to get to via highway, only a few hours drive east. I have heard people mention Buzzards bay and then sail around to Martha's Vineyard and or Nantucket. I have been to Cape Cod many times over the years via auto, as well as Nantucket but only via Ferry Boat. I am excited about doing this on my O'Day 26.

I am looking for a decent place to launch and leave the truck and trailer for a week. I can launch from the trailer on my own, so I guess I am looking for a public launch or a marina that has a good ramp.

Also any pointers regarding this trip, maybe tide, I have no idea about that, and anything that might cause issues on this trip. Looking for what Chart would best address this area as well.

Like he said in What About Bob, "Baby Steps".

Thank you.

Bill H.

Bill,
The only place that I knew of where you could leave your vehicle and trailer for that length of time is in Matapoisett off off Route 6.
Heading toward Marion from fairhaven, you take a right on to Main St. The ramp is down the end of the street on the right, but you can't leave your vehicle and trailer there over night. There is a large parking lot at the corner of Depot St. and Railroad Ave. next to the American Legion Hall. Depot Street is off of Main St and you'll see it on the right as you head down Main St. toward the town ramp. Go to Google Maps and check it out.

My wife and I used this ramp for years and we used to park at the Depot St parking lot free of charge. The parking lot is a lengthy walk from the ramp, but it was well worth it back them. We parked our car and trailer in this lot and left it for a week. Nobody ever messed with it back then but I really don't know how it is today. A lot of things have probably changed since we last used that ramp about 20 years ago.

That harbor is absolutely beautiful. You could sail out from Nye's Ledge and cross Buzzard's Bay and be over to Wood's Hole and the Elizabeth Islands. From there you could either go up toward Cuttyhunk Island, or through the Hole toward Martha's Vineyard. We used to sail to Vineyard Haven after we left Cuttyhunk Island.
I suggest that you stop in Hadley's Harbor near Uncatena Island and drop the hook for the night. That place is absolutely beautiful in there. Bring a couple of kayaks and paddle the many tributaries. Bull Island is the only island that you can walk on though. Most of these islands are private and off limits to everyone except the locals who live there.
Before you haul your rig to this ramp, check and make sure that the parking lot and ramp facilities are still available. Contact the Harbormaster first and get the scoop.
The ramp was always great at all tides. I used to set up my mast in the parking lot next to the ramp. After I got her launched and tied to the pier, I'd leave my wife with the boat, park my rig on Depot St and walk back.

Here's a pic of of yours truly getting the mast ready to go up at the Matapoisett boat ramp. I think my wife is sitting in the Olds reading a magazine.
You're going to love Buzzard's Bay Bill. We did.
Joe

 

[Shoaldrafter]

Bill, You are at the right place

Hello,

Well, not sure if this is off topic or not. However, what I am searching for is a launch area for Buzzards Bay area.

I am an inland sailor only to date, Cruise ship does not count So, this summer I would like to start making my way out of the inland lakes and go to the big water.

Cape Cod seems a likely place to start, straight shot for me to get to via highway, only a few hours drive east. I have heard people mention Buzzards bay and then sail around to Martha's Vineyard and or Nantucket. I have been to Cape Cod many times over the years via auto, as well as Nantucket but only via Ferry Boat. I am excited about doing this on my O'Day 26.

I am looking for a decent place to launch and leave the truck and trailer for a week. I can launch from the trailer on my own, so I guess I am looking for a public launch or a marina that has a good ramp.

Also any pointers regarding this trip, maybe tide, I have no idea about that, and anything that might cause issues on this trip. Looking for what Chart would best address this area as well.

Like he said in What About Bob, "Baby Steps".

Thank you.

Bill H.

Bill,

You found the right place to ask your question.

Have you considered just going to a bigger lake? Lake Champlain? To gain some experience?

Alternatively come south ... Delaware Bay, Chesapeake Bay, Albamarle Sound, Pimlico Sound, Charleston Harbor, you know where he water is not solid...

Ed K

 

[Joe11688]

Most of the town ramps up the Cape are for resident use only which is a real shame because these ramps were built with state and federal money through fishing license sales. There are some ramps like Bourne Marina which is located near Buttermilk Bay near Onset close to the Cape Cod Canal but a lot of boat traffic comes through there all the way out to the end of the Hog Island Channel. There are two private ramps near the Bourne Marina that you could launch from. I don't know what the status would be for parking your vehicle and trailer for the week.
Most of the places on the Cape don't allow dogs and that's a turn off for me. This is why I chose Mount Hope and Narragansett Bays.
The area that I pointed out is about mid way up the bay. On a clear day you can see the Elizabeth Islands about 15 km on the other side of the bay. Check out this link: http://www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/13230.shtml I would get a cruising guide of the area that you want to sail and study it. Above all, make sure you have the charts for the cruising areas also.
Joe

 

[peterbud]

If you want to sail in cape cod bay you could launch at sandwich marine shich is the town ramp. There is a small charge not sure how much. Plenty of parking. If you want vineyArd sound I launch at princes cove in marstons mills easy ramp to get in.

 

[Joe11688]

Peter,
Do you know of a place where he could park his truck and trailer for a week in Marston Mills? That is a nice area with a great ramp. Perhaps he could make arrangements with a nearby resident to keep his rig in their yard for some kind of a fee. It would probably be worth it. I think that the Buzzard's Bay end of the Canal offers more protective coves as well as scenic views.

 

[Tom J]

Peck's Marine on Rt. 28 in Cotuit might park the truck and trailer for extended periods. You'd need a ride back to Prince Cove, but I'm sure John or Rory would give you a ride. Once you've launched, the ride down the creek to North Bay is very scenic, with several Osprey nests and classic Cape Cod homes to view. From the Bay, you'll turn left, through the Osterville drawbridge, across another bay, and through Osterville Cut into Nantucket Sound. Follow all markers closely, the waters throughout this area are very shallow. Even in the Sound, you should navigate carefully, since it abounds with shoals. Once in the Sound, you'll see Marth's Vineyard off to the right. This is a wonderful area to sail and cruise. Have fun!

 

[peterbud]

Peck's Marine on Rt. 28 in Cotuit might park the truck and trailer for extended periods. You'd need a ride back to Prince Cove, but I'm sure John or Rory would give you a ride. Once you've launched, the ride down the creek to North Bay is very scenic, with several Osprey nests and classic Cape Cod homes to view. From the Bay, you'll turn left, through the Osterville drawbridge, across another bay, and through Osterville Cut into Nantucket Sound. Follow all markers closely, the waters throughout this area are very shallow. Even in the Sound, you should navigate carefully, since it abounds with shoals. Once in the Sound, you'll see Marth's Vineyard off to the right. This is a wonderful area to sail and cruise. Have fun!

Pecks would be a good option for parking for a week. I have my boat on a mooring and pull my inflatable on a trailer. I have lelf my trailer for a week with no issues over by cotuit off of ropes beach. If you want you could anchor with no issue. If I am not on my mooring you could use it for a day or two to get setup. It is a 300lb with a 50 lb shaft weight. If you are going to go to the Vineyard it is a 10 mi run only because you need to go around the shoal. If interested contact me and we can see if it will work.

 

[Joe11688]

I've boated this area and it is a beautiful place to put it.

There you go Bill H.! What do you think?
Joe

 

[billh]

Thank you all for the responses! Yes, I have sailed Champlain before and with a much smaller boat to boot Love Champlain and it is on my radar this year as well. I am looking for some salt water I guess. Love the Cape, been there many times via auto, so seems natural to get there by sea at some point.

I will take a closer look at the area's mentioned, I have been using google earth to scope them out, and have sent a few emails out to the Park Service and there was a web posting about possibly using the Naval Academy lot as well. So, hopefully by the time summer is hear I will have a solid place to launch.

@Joe, that looks promising the area you mentioned as well, and certainly will have our Kayaks with us.

The issue is keeping the vehicle, worst case, I have a niece who lives in Boston as well as a friend so there might be a way to get a MA permit through one of them.

Thank you all again for the input, I am working through the Leeds

 

[peterbud]

Thank you all for the responses! Yes, I have sailed Champlain before and with a much smaller boat to boot Love Champlain and it is on my radar this year as well. I am looking for some salt water I guess. Love the Cape, been there many times via auto, so seems natural to get there by sea at some point.

I will take a closer look at the area's mentioned, I have been using google earth to scope them out, and have sent a few emails out to the Park Service and there was a web posting about possibly using the Naval Academy lot as well. So, hopefully by the time summer is hear I will have a solid place to launch.

@Joe, that looks promising the area you mentioned as well, and certainly will have our Kayaks with us.

The issue is keeping the vehicle, worst case, I have a niece who lives in Boston as well as a friend so there might be a way to get a MA permit through one of them.

Thank you all again for the input, I am working through the Leeds

You need a town of barnstable permit to park either at Prince Cove or in Cotuit to park at the ramps or you can park on the street which I do.

 

[Joe11688]

Bill,
If you don't have a Bimini Top, rig up a polytarp to go over your boom and connect to your lifelines to keep the sun off and shed the rain when you're on the hook. I use a smaller tarp over my forward hatch some of the time also.
Years ago my wife and I were sailing back from Vineyard Haven and we stopped in Hadley's Harbor for the night. We got in there just in the nick of time when it just beginning to rain. I set the tarp up and it was close to supper time so we started the baked stuffed Cod in one of our stove top ovens and a pineapple upside down cake in the other oven. We had the hatch rolled forward under the tarp and we watched the people in prams and kayaks visiting each other and gabbing away laughing and joking while the rain was lightly coming down and it didn't seem to bother them one bit. I'll never forget that.
We had bought the fish fillets at the A&P on the island and on our way back across Buzzard's Bay to Matapoisett the next day, my wife caught about six Blue Fish trolling a lure. These are just some of the fond memories that will always stay with me. The Cape is such a beautiful area. I also love Narragansett Bay and we've had many great adventures there as well.
Joe

 

[Sunbird22358]

Peck's Boats used to be an O'DAY Dealer, not the biggest on the Cape (that would have been Arey's Pond in Orleans) but still a pretty active sailboat dealer (they also sold CALs)! The last time I went by there they didn't look too active, so sad!
It is amazing looking through old sailing/boating magazines, I found out that Anchor Outboard in Hyannis used to sell O'DAYs! Other Cape Cod Dealers were: Parker's Boat Yard (Cataumet), Old Mill Boat Yard (Chatham), and Burr Brothers Boats (Marion, well..not truly "Cape Cod", but on the opposite side of Buzzards Bay...... however, that was the dealer that sold SUNBIRD to her original owner).

I guess I should mention that ANCHOR OUTBOARD was purely powerboats back in the mid-1990's when my Sister lived in Hyannis. I'm not sure that they are even still in business.

 

[Joe11688]

I'm pretty sure that Trip's Marine in Westport was an O'Day dealer also. I think that Gouch Bros. Marine in Shrewsbury was the largest around back then. Ron and Don Gouch were twins and their displays were at all the boat shows in Boston back then. Those two guys were the best boat dealers I had ever dealt with back then. They were extremely helpful and treated all their customers great. They also sold Catalina sailboats.

 

[Sunbird22358]

Tripps was a big O'DAY dealer (probably helped that they were the closest Dealer to the factory?) and if you look at some of the early to mid 1980's brochures you will notice that O'DAY used Westport Harbor for the photo shoots. The 1985 EVINRUDE and JOHNSON brochures also have pictures taken in Westport (Tripps was a JOHNSON dealer). Tripps used to be one of the dealers that displayed O'DAYs at the Rhode Island Boat show, and the 1984 price list that I have for the 222 was from their booth. Earlier O'DAY sales brochure pictures were shot in and around Padanaram Harbor in South Dartmouth. 1976-79 they used Newport (RI) Harbor and possibly the Sakonnet River.

There were other dealers over the years for O'DAY, I'll have to look to see if I've got an earlier list...... that could be even more interesting.

 

[peterbud]

Peck's Boats used to be an O'DAY Dealer, not the biggest on the Cape (that would have been Arey's Pond in Orleans) but still a pretty active sailboat dealer (they also sold CALs)! The last time I went by there they didn't look too active, so sad!
It is amazing looking through old sailing/boating magazines, I found out that Anchor Outboard in Hyannis used to sell O'DAYs! Other Cape Cod Dealers were: Parker's Boat Yard (Cataumet), Old Mill Boat Yard (Chatham), and Burr Brothers Boats (Marion, well..not truly "Cape Cod", but on the opposite side of Buzzards Bay...... however, that was the dealer that sold SUNBIRD to her original owner).

I guess I should mention that ANCHOR OUTBOARD was purely powerboats back in the mid-1990's when my Sister lived in Hyannis. I'm not sure that they are even still in business.

Pecks only does hauling now with some small boat sales and brokerage business. The brokerage does not seem very activive. I had my previous boat there for a number of years.