Anchoring in Brenton Cove RI

[Bob S]

We are debating on taking a long weekend sail to Newport RI. Been planning the trip and it looks like a manageable trip with wind and currents in our favor. I was thinking of anchoring in Brenton Cove. Looks to be shallow and well protected. Any one with local knowledge and advice? Never been to Newport by boat.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Used to anchor there frequently when we lived up north. It's sheltered enough to be comfortable as long as you are good with a very crowded anchorage and a half mile dinghy ride to town (or a looooong walk).

Picking up a mooring in the harbor it much more convenient.

 

[shemandr]

Agreed about getting a mooring closer to the action. But, you may not get one. I haven't been there in 3 years. There are fewer boats out cruising, I think, so maybe. But if you end up in the cove it's not that bad. There are buses that go to downtown and launch service.
When you enter the port you hail Old Port Marine and they will direct you to a mooring.

 

[All U Get]

We stayed there a couple of years back and the fee was $60 a night at Old Port Marine plus a fee for their shuttle. The Harbormaster has some moorings on the northerly end that were either free or cheap (always full). I'm not sure where you can leave a dinghy at either place. It was crowded when we stayed and we felt someone had repealed the rules of Right-of-way and good seamanship.

All U Get

 

[Bob S]

The weather, wind and current are perfect for this trip but I just found out this is the weekend for the Folk Festival. If it a zoo on z regular weekend it certainly will be this weekend. Although it would be pretty nice to listen to some good music.

 

[shemandr]

You'll probably use the launch more than you dingy. I did land my dingy at a designated dock that is just north of Newport Yachting center. I think it's where the launch lands but it was a few years ago and I may be mixed up. Or at Newport Yachting Center on the low down. Same for yacht club.
It seems like every weekend there's something. We have stayed in Jamestown and took the "Ferry" over. Nice mix of busy and quiet. But you have to watch the schedules. There's also a bus but it doesn't run enough to be convenient.

 

[gettinthere]

Is there room there to anchor? I havent been back in there but I suspect it is pretty full with moorings.
We've anchored several times in the designated anchorage off Ida Lewis YC. But on a big weekend that will be packed. We also anchored in the NE corner of the harbor just south of the big bridge. Long dink ride to the dink dock but manageable.