I'm always interested in other opinions as to the best sailing areas in the U.S. My vote would naturally be for Southeast Florida because of year-round sailing weather, no freezing winds or cold water, and close proximity to the Bahamas and Florida Keys. I know this is fairly subjective, but what do other sailors think?
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Where there's good cruising grounds ----
There is good sailing. Nothing, whatsoever makes sailing good or great other than having those wonderful coves and anchoring holes. What is the use of sailing if you can't enjoy it at the end of an evening secure and snug in a gunkhole. Where at the end of a good days sail you can take a dip, relax with a beer in one hand and a steak on the grill. Where there are many ports to visit with history and depth and substance. So I guess that puts Florida on the list. But I think the Northeast has to be in the top 2 or 3 places with The Chesapeake , Coast of Maine/New Hampshire/Mass and last but not least the Long Island Sound. Priceless location and everywhere you visit you feel a sense of salty nautical history in the air. Plus I think they appreciate it more up there because they have less of a season to enjoy it.
There is good sailing. Nothing, whatsoever makes sailing good or great other than having those wonderful coves and anchoring holes. What is the use of sailing if you can't enjoy it at the end of an evening secure and snug in a gunkhole. Where at the end of a good days sail you can take a dip, relax with a beer in one hand and a steak on the grill. Where there are many ports to visit with history and depth and substance. So I guess that puts Florida on the list. But I think the Northeast has to be in the top 2 or 3 places with The Chesapeake , Coast of Maine/New Hampshire/Mass and last but not least the Long Island Sound. Priceless location and everywhere you visit you feel a sense of salty nautical history in the air. Plus I think they appreciate it more up there because they have less of a season to enjoy it.
So Fla
Let's see, year round sailing, year round swimming (if you can stand 72* in January), a big protected bay, the Keys and Bahamas a day's sail away... hmmm that's a tough one. See ya out on Biscayne Bay Peter. What's the name of your boat? Bryan "Island Girl" '88 L35
Let's see, year round sailing, year round swimming (if you can stand 72* in January), a big protected bay, the Keys and Bahamas a day's sail away... hmmm that's a tough one. See ya out on Biscayne Bay Peter. What's the name of your boat? Bryan "Island Girl" '88 L35
Anywhere... Any time...
.....if you have fair winds and good weather everything else just falls in place.
.....if you have fair winds and good weather everything else just falls in place.
Biased, of course...
First consider our limited season (May thru October). This is the only drawback. Being on Narragansett Bay is nice in itself. We have Newport and the surrounding bays and islands. But if I want to leave the bay I have a tough decision. Do I go East to Buzzard's Bay, Cape Cod Canal, Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket? Or do I go South to Block Island? Maybe I can go West to Long Island and the Peconic Bays? Or maybe on to the Connecticut Coast? The decisions are monumental because this is the greatest sailing locale in the country. So what do I do? I sail Narragansett Bay all the time on weekends and venture to Block Island on long weekends. But each year we alternate which direction to go and take two weeks to do it. If you continue North of Cape Cod thru the canal, then you have Boston and on up the coast to Maine. Such a wonderful dilemma!
First consider our limited season (May thru October). This is the only drawback. Being on Narragansett Bay is nice in itself. We have Newport and the surrounding bays and islands. But if I want to leave the bay I have a tough decision. Do I go East to Buzzard's Bay, Cape Cod Canal, Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket? Or do I go South to Block Island? Maybe I can go West to Long Island and the Peconic Bays? Or maybe on to the Connecticut Coast? The decisions are monumental because this is the greatest sailing locale in the country. So what do I do? I sail Narragansett Bay all the time on weekends and venture to Block Island on long weekends. But each year we alternate which direction to go and take two weeks to do it. If you continue North of Cape Cod thru the canal, then you have Boston and on up the coast to Maine. Such a wonderful dilemma!
Our favorite place
Our favorite place is where the our hearts are warmed by the companionship of one's favorite friend, surrounded by the living art of great sailing waters. Hoping this is your place too! ... WOW Mike D
Our favorite place is where the our hearts are warmed by the companionship of one's favorite friend, surrounded by the living art of great sailing waters. Hoping this is your place too! ... WOW Mike D
No Contest
Sorry Folks, but there is really no contest. Great winds, protected waters, hundreds of beautiful islands with great anchorages, state marine parks, views of high mountains all around, seals, otters, dolphins, orca whales, and no heat and humidity to make below decks time uncomfortable---the San Juan Islands of Washington State and Gulf Islands of British Columbia!!! But don't tell anybody.
Sorry Folks, but there is really no contest. Great winds, protected waters, hundreds of beautiful islands with great anchorages, state marine parks, views of high mountains all around, seals, otters, dolphins, orca whales, and no heat and humidity to make below decks time uncomfortable---the San Juan Islands of Washington State and Gulf Islands of British Columbia!!! But don't tell anybody.
Long Island Sound
I have to cast my vote for Long Island Sound. There sare so many wonderful spots to anchor and enjoy. The Sound is full of history and romance! Places like Mystic, Stonington, Essex, Greenport and Montauk are wonderful. You have history at your doorstep, as well as vineyards on the North Shore to visit. Yopu can spend years sailing this area and never be bored. Charlie Gruetzner S/V Angels' Grace
I have to cast my vote for Long Island Sound. There sare so many wonderful spots to anchor and enjoy. The Sound is full of history and romance! Places like Mystic, Stonington, Essex, Greenport and Montauk are wonderful. You have history at your doorstep, as well as vineyards on the North Shore to visit. Yopu can spend years sailing this area and never be bored. Charlie Gruetzner S/V Angels' Grace
Looks like a consensus, so far
We all love our own sailing grounds, so, that means everywhere/anywhere we are all happy.
We all love our own sailing grounds, so, that means everywhere/anywhere we are all happy.
No Sun
You're right. It rains all the time up here in the Pacific Northwest.That's why the forst fire risk on Orcas Island is currently rated "High" by the Park Service. Please pass the word along! Gary Wyngarden ...._/)....
You're right. It rains all the time up here in the Pacific Northwest.That's why the forst fire risk on Orcas Island is currently rated "High" by the Park Service. Please pass the word along! Gary Wyngarden ...._/)....
I have cruised the choices
Nothing is better out there than Biscayne Bay, the Florida Keys and the Bahamas. I wait for the day I can be back home on a mooring at CGSC.
Nothing is better out there than Biscayne Bay, the Florida Keys and the Bahamas. I wait for the day I can be back home on a mooring at CGSC.
Maine
Mid-coast Maine is really great. Anywhere from Portland, ME on up to Halifax, NS & the Canadian Maritime Provinces. Great variety of little towns, rivers, bays, open waters, islands, & the Gulf of Maine.
Mid-coast Maine is really great. Anywhere from Portland, ME on up to Halifax, NS & the Canadian Maritime Provinces. Great variety of little towns, rivers, bays, open waters, islands, & the Gulf of Maine.
Casco Bay, Maine
I agree with Ron! Casco Bay in particular is one of the best sailing grounds in the world. I can sail for days with only very brief forays into unsheltered water, and there is an almost infinite varriety of stuff to explore. Anyone who wants to come for a test sail, I have a guest room.
Justin - O'day Owner's Web
I agree with Ron! Casco Bay in particular is one of the best sailing grounds in the world. I can sail for days with only very brief forays into unsheltered water, and there is an almost infinite varriety of stuff to explore. Anyone who wants to come for a test sail, I have a guest room.
Justin - O'day Owner's WebDon't come to the San Juan Islands
It is good to see all the great places to sail. One of the worst places to cruise is in the San Juan and Gulf Islands and Desolation Sound (Northwest Washington and British Columbia). Frist, it always rains around here--most people do not know what biminis are, we have rain flys to keep you dry and if you don't have a dodger, you must be a Californian who just got here. Second, all boats must have a furnace, forced air or hot water to thaw out the on-deck crew from time to time. It is cold sailing most of the time. When cruising you have to share your anchorage with sea lions, seals, eagles, otters, and other assorted wild life. And the anchorages are quiet, with tall trees and beautiful sunsets. However, the anchorages are mostly deep water so that retrieving your anchor by hand is lots of work. Most boats drag. This is a terrible place to cruise. Another bad thing about this area is there are few resorts in which to tie up to--just last week we had to Mediterranean tie and had to meet nice people from Canada and the US. It's just getting too crowded in the few places that you can go. Another reason not to come here is when you go into Canada, they charge a lot more and they have funny money--it's in color! But the biggest problem in Canada is that they have hundreds of beautiful islands and coves--making up your mind where to go is traumatic. It is not condusive to relaxing at all. No, I agree with all the other comments. There are much better places to go sailing than in the Pacific Northwest. This is a cold, rainy, lonely place. That is why Capt. Vancouver named a part of it, Desolation!
It is good to see all the great places to sail. One of the worst places to cruise is in the San Juan and Gulf Islands and Desolation Sound (Northwest Washington and British Columbia). Frist, it always rains around here--most people do not know what biminis are, we have rain flys to keep you dry and if you don't have a dodger, you must be a Californian who just got here. Second, all boats must have a furnace, forced air or hot water to thaw out the on-deck crew from time to time. It is cold sailing most of the time. When cruising you have to share your anchorage with sea lions, seals, eagles, otters, and other assorted wild life. And the anchorages are quiet, with tall trees and beautiful sunsets. However, the anchorages are mostly deep water so that retrieving your anchor by hand is lots of work. Most boats drag. This is a terrible place to cruise. Another bad thing about this area is there are few resorts in which to tie up to--just last week we had to Mediterranean tie and had to meet nice people from Canada and the US. It's just getting too crowded in the few places that you can go. Another reason not to come here is when you go into Canada, they charge a lot more and they have funny money--it's in color! But the biggest problem in Canada is that they have hundreds of beautiful islands and coves--making up your mind where to go is traumatic. It is not condusive to relaxing at all. No, I agree with all the other comments. There are much better places to go sailing than in the Pacific Northwest. This is a cold, rainy, lonely place. That is why Capt. Vancouver named a part of it, Desolation!
So Fla really bites
I was wrong earlier. Biscayne Bay really sucks. You hear that, yankees? Stay up in Maine.
I was wrong earlier. Biscayne Bay really sucks. You hear that, yankees? Stay up in Maine.
Columbia River
I know I'm in the minority, but I really think the Columbia River has a lot going for it for cruising. First, you have over 100 miles of fresh water (easy on the boat) before you even hit any locks. Then there's a huge number of places to dock or anchor along the way. Also, the wind is frequently brisk (unlike my San Diego experience). The scenery in the gorge area east of Portland can't be beat. Plus, it tests your skills by requiring frequent tacks and a thorough knowledge of the charts (A trusty depth sounder is a must!). It could be even better if more of the small towns along the river catered to sailors more.
I know I'm in the minority, but I really think the Columbia River has a lot going for it for cruising. First, you have over 100 miles of fresh water (easy on the boat) before you even hit any locks. Then there's a huge number of places to dock or anchor along the way. Also, the wind is frequently brisk (unlike my San Diego experience). The scenery in the gorge area east of Portland can't be beat. Plus, it tests your skills by requiring frequent tacks and a thorough knowledge of the charts (A trusty depth sounder is a must!). It could be even better if more of the small towns along the river catered to sailors more.
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