I'm in need of a trip this coming week, and was thinking of Block Island. It's a pretty good haul from Huntington. Anyone with any experience sailing and staying there? I have no reservations, but would a few days mid-week be do-able? No dinghy either, but the Maptech guide says launch service is available.
- Status
Block Island
I have stayed at both the town dock in old harbor and the boat basin in new harbor. As long as you avoid the weekend, you shouldn't have a problem finding a slip in new harbor or a spot against the bulkhead in old harbor. I advise you call for a reservation to make sure there is a spot for you. The link below provides some information on the Block marina services.
I have stayed at both the town dock in old harbor and the boat basin in new harbor. As long as you avoid the weekend, you shouldn't have a problem finding a slip in new harbor or a spot against the bulkhead in old harbor. I advise you call for a reservation to make sure there is a spot for you. The link below provides some information on the Block marina services.
Moorings, anchoring, apple pie
There are town moorings available, located in the general marina area in New Harbor. You'll be able to get one if you come mid-week, they're usually gone by Friday afternoon. They're the best deal in town, hail the harbormaster. There is a launch service, very dependable and accomodating. You can anchor in New Harbor, but some people have a lot of problems with insufficient scope and poor holding. I've anchored successfully there by avoiding the deepest part of the anchorage and sticking to the areas under 20 feet. The Marinas are fair, Boat Basin is the only place with floating docks (for sailboats). Time your trip with the tides, they are very strong along your route. You can save 3-4 hours round-trip with perfect timing. You might want to stop along the way, Duck Island near Clinton, CT has a decent anchorage. There are also good spots on the north side of Fisher Island, and even in New London Harbor... though the trains and ferries disturb the peace there. Be prepared for fog or rough conditions in the Race and Block Island Sound. About 1/3 of our trips there have involved memorable meteorology. Try the caramel apple pie at the Mohegan Cafe in town. I've been trying to duplicate the recipe--unsuccessfully--for the past two years. Dick's is another favorite of ours. Paul sv Escape Artist h336
There are town moorings available, located in the general marina area in New Harbor. You'll be able to get one if you come mid-week, they're usually gone by Friday afternoon. They're the best deal in town, hail the harbormaster. There is a launch service, very dependable and accomodating. You can anchor in New Harbor, but some people have a lot of problems with insufficient scope and poor holding. I've anchored successfully there by avoiding the deepest part of the anchorage and sticking to the areas under 20 feet. The Marinas are fair, Boat Basin is the only place with floating docks (for sailboats). Time your trip with the tides, they are very strong along your route. You can save 3-4 hours round-trip with perfect timing. You might want to stop along the way, Duck Island near Clinton, CT has a decent anchorage. There are also good spots on the north side of Fisher Island, and even in New London Harbor... though the trains and ferries disturb the peace there. Be prepared for fog or rough conditions in the Race and Block Island Sound. About 1/3 of our trips there have involved memorable meteorology. Try the caramel apple pie at the Mohegan Cafe in town. I've been trying to duplicate the recipe--unsuccessfully--for the past two years. Dick's is another favorite of ours. Paul sv Escape Artist h336
Block Island
Gregg, I bought my Catalina 30 last year from a marina in Huntingon and sailed it to Mattituck, LI- where I keep it. Bit of a sail but if you have the time do it. BI is my favorite place to sail, a real getaway! Stay in the new harbor as that will also be your 1st approach from the west. I usually anchor in the new harbor but you could get a town mooring if available. There is a dingy dock with a restaurant adjacent called The Oar- good place to see the sunset overlooking the harbor. The launch service also comes into that dock. If your into biking either bring them or rent them when you get there. The main BI villabe is a 15 min walk from the dingy dock or launch service, 5 minue bike ride or 2 minute cab ride. Cresent Beach is on the east side of the Island and is a great place to relax and swim. You will certainly figure out the rest when you get there. PS. Aldo's bake shop has a boat out early every morning in the new harbor (the driver yells Adiamo!)...flag him down from your boat if you want coffee and such. Good luck Rob
Gregg, I bought my Catalina 30 last year from a marina in Huntingon and sailed it to Mattituck, LI- where I keep it. Bit of a sail but if you have the time do it. BI is my favorite place to sail, a real getaway! Stay in the new harbor as that will also be your 1st approach from the west. I usually anchor in the new harbor but you could get a town mooring if available. There is a dingy dock with a restaurant adjacent called The Oar- good place to see the sunset overlooking the harbor. The launch service also comes into that dock. If your into biking either bring them or rent them when you get there. The main BI villabe is a 15 min walk from the dingy dock or launch service, 5 minue bike ride or 2 minute cab ride. Cresent Beach is on the east side of the Island and is a great place to relax and swim. You will certainly figure out the rest when you get there. PS. Aldo's bake shop has a boat out early every morning in the new harbor (the driver yells Adiamo!)...flag him down from your boat if you want coffee and such. Good luck Rob
Block Island
Be careful with staying at Champlins Marina in the New Harbor. They have alot of services that you can get elsewhere, and they are extremely rude to the sailboaters that I have talked with. I came back from dinner and saw that they had moved my Zodiac so that it was banging around under the fixed dock on a loose tether. (Rubbing against the barnicles!) They did this so that they could raft up another sailboat against mine. That in itself would not bother me that much, but they did such a bad job ad tying off the other boat that it was banging into mine all night! In addition, the other boat was a charter, and since it did not have the proper fenders, they felt it necessary to take some of mine from between the dock and my boat (for my protection) to use to fend off the other side. None of this was done with my permission, and when I came back from dinner, the dock hands told me that they have the right to relocate any of my fendors at their disgresion. Needless to say, at $100 a night, it was a HORRIBLE and unsafe exterience. However, the rest of my club cruise stayed at moorings with either the town or other marinas, and had a MUCH better (and cheaper) time. -Bill
Be careful with staying at Champlins Marina in the New Harbor. They have alot of services that you can get elsewhere, and they are extremely rude to the sailboaters that I have talked with. I came back from dinner and saw that they had moved my Zodiac so that it was banging around under the fixed dock on a loose tether. (Rubbing against the barnicles!) They did this so that they could raft up another sailboat against mine. That in itself would not bother me that much, but they did such a bad job ad tying off the other boat that it was banging into mine all night! In addition, the other boat was a charter, and since it did not have the proper fenders, they felt it necessary to take some of mine from between the dock and my boat (for my protection) to use to fend off the other side. None of this was done with my permission, and when I came back from dinner, the dock hands told me that they have the right to relocate any of my fendors at their disgresion. Needless to say, at $100 a night, it was a HORRIBLE and unsafe exterience. However, the rest of my club cruise stayed at moorings with either the town or other marinas, and had a MUCH better (and cheaper) time. -Bill
I've never been there on a weekend, but I've done
a few nights during the week. I have never used the marina's and not quick enough - or lucky enough to get a town mooring, where what you need to do is circle around like a vulture waiting for a boat that looks like its going to be leaving
Every time I've stayed I've anchored, and while its got a lot of boats, I have found it to still have plenty of room to anchor -- But then again its not very deep where I anchor & I feel very comfortable with my anchor gear (45lb Spade anchor) . I only draw about 4 1/2 feet so what I do is scoot up as close as I can towards the "dinghy beach" (eastern end of Salt Pond). If I find a place thats 6 feet at low tide its still only ~11 at high which means I don't really have to put a lot of anchor line out. Putting a sentinel on the anchor rode helps too. I have left the boat unattended for a few heavy rain squalls and it was fine (can't say that for everyone) Great place to go - you'll enjoy yourself -- I think the town launch can get you to your boat, but not sure how late they run. OH -- one other thing -- if you go out for the night and imbide in a few cocktails, then I highly suggest putting something on your boat or some light thats distinguishable from the other gazillion boats in the Salt Pond or you'll be zipping around in your dinghy (or launch) for hours looking for your boat .....Don't laugh, it happens all the time...;D
a few nights during the week. I have never used the marina's and not quick enough - or lucky enough to get a town mooring, where what you need to do is circle around like a vulture waiting for a boat that looks like its going to be leaving
Every time I've stayed I've anchored, and while its got a lot of boats, I have found it to still have plenty of room to anchor -- But then again its not very deep where I anchor & I feel very comfortable with my anchor gear (45lb Spade anchor) . I only draw about 4 1/2 feet so what I do is scoot up as close as I can towards the "dinghy beach" (eastern end of Salt Pond). If I find a place thats 6 feet at low tide its still only ~11 at high which means I don't really have to put a lot of anchor line out. Putting a sentinel on the anchor rode helps too. I have left the boat unattended for a few heavy rain squalls and it was fine (can't say that for everyone) Great place to go - you'll enjoy yourself -- I think the town launch can get you to your boat, but not sure how late they run. OH -- one other thing -- if you go out for the night and imbide in a few cocktails, then I highly suggest putting something on your boat or some light thats distinguishable from the other gazillion boats in the Salt Pond or you'll be zipping around in your dinghy (or launch) for hours looking for your boat .....Don't laugh, it happens all the time...;DWhen
Let us know your plans where and when you are going and if I can I will try to hook up. I am limited to weekends and can't do block but maybe greenport or shelter island if you go there,what ever you decide have a great trip. nick
Let us know your plans where and when you are going and if I can I will try to hook up. I am limited to weekends and can't do block but maybe greenport or shelter island if you go there,what ever you decide have a great trip. nick
Thanks for posting
Thanks for posting. I haven't been to BI for a good many years.You've made it clear to me I've got to go this summer. All I've been doing is day sailing in Great South Bay. I've been a north shore boater (Oyster Bay) and have never gone the southern route to BI; any suggestions would be most welcome. Should I creep along in the protected waters or take a run on the ocean? If the ocean should I cut thru Shinnecock or shoot around Montauk (maybe spent the night in Shinnecock Bay)? TIA - Mike
Thanks for posting. I haven't been to BI for a good many years.You've made it clear to me I've got to go this summer. All I've been doing is day sailing in Great South Bay. I've been a north shore boater (Oyster Bay) and have never gone the southern route to BI; any suggestions would be most welcome. Should I creep along in the protected waters or take a run on the ocean? If the ocean should I cut thru Shinnecock or shoot around Montauk (maybe spent the night in Shinnecock Bay)? TIA - Mike
- Status