Block Island to Martha's Vineyard

[rcangemi]

Hi All -

I will be sailing my Beneteau 40 from Greenport to BIRI and spending a few days on the island. From there my wife and I and a couple of friends will be continuing on to MV. While I will be at a dock on BIRI, I will be dropping the hook in MV. Any suggestions on where to anchor up in MV? One recommendation I had was Edgartown. Another was Katama Bay, a bit south of Edgartown, but Katama Bay does not look like it has a lot of depth to it in many places. I should note that we will be on BIRI from 6/29 to 7/3. The plan was to leave BIRI early 7/3 and spend the evening of 7/3 on MV and depart (probably) the morning of 7/5. Other than an anchorage, any other tips or advice would be welcome.

Best,
Bob

 

[Stu Jackson]

Bob, you HAVE considered that's it's July 4th weekend, right? Might be a little tight anywhere at MV...

 

[shemandr]

Have you been to the dock on BI you're planning to stay at?

 

[Marc14857]

Block Island to Marth'a Vineyard

Make the same trip almost every year from Mystic, CT though we usually run from either Block or Mystic and stop for a day or two at Cuttyhunk. From Cuttyhunk on through Quicks Hole into Vinyard Sound. Make sure you check the tides as we have gone both with and against the tides and with the tide is obviously a better ride. Where to stay on the Martha's Vinyard is a matter of personal preference. We found Edgartown to be enjoyable but a bit snooty and pricey. Oak Bluffs has a lot of nice restaurants and a lot of tourists. Way more then Greenport.You can get a mooring in the harbor and often will be rafted up with other boats sharing the same mooring. Oak Bluffs can be a little loud and crowded. Also a lot of ferry traffic. Our favorite spot is Vinyard Haven. We have stayed at the Black Dog Dock in the Inner Harbor and have also picked up a mooring just outside of the breakwater. You can dinghy into town or launch service is available. Nice restaurants (reservations should be made if possible) and good shopping on the main street downtown. Need to watch out for the ferry's that enter the inner harbor but was really not a very big problem.

 

[Bob S]

Edgartown's outer harbor. There will be lots of boats as the fireworks barge is there. I've done it a few times. A bit of a dinghy ride to town. lots of restaurant There is no overnight anchoring in Katama Bay. Good holding but it can get bumpy if it's blowing from the north. Menemsha or Vinyard Haven are your other choices.

 

[Bob S]

There is no anchoring in Oaks Bluff. Crazy busy! I like to ride our folding bike there for dinner. The Island has a good transportion system. I think it's 2.00 per person to anywhere on the Island.

 

[seadaddler]

Docking

Have you been to the docks at BI before,kind of crazy and really crazy July 4,I have anchored there many times and dinghy in to town and very busy summer but never on a holiday too crazy.
We loved BI and MV and now live in Fl
Nick

 

[RonRelyea]

MV on the Fourth??

Bob, you HAVE considered that's it's July 4th weekend, right? Might be a little tight anywhere at MV...

C'mon Stu ... "Nobody goes there any more. Its too crowded" with thanks to Yogi.

 

[Rob19574]

Bob -

Good points here thus far. Basically, at MV's - Vineyard Haven is quieter and I believe it is a dry town (also your first port on approach from the sound). Oak Bluff is more happening if you want restaurants, bars and activity on your doorstep - totally a personal preference on what your looking for. Transportation is VERY easy though; mass transit bus runs along the entire coast and/or if you bring your own bike or rent - its a nice bike ride to all the above mentioned ports / towns. Make sure your plan/time you trip accordingly with the tides and currents through Vineyard Sound. You can easily loose up to 4 knots on a head current through the Sound. Cutty Hunk is a good stop-over but very remote and quiet.

I wrote a blog on this area that you may find useful to review: http://cruisingguide.blogspot.com/2005/12/new-england-marthas-vineyard.html

Have fun and good luck!

- Rob

 

[Bob S]

Rob,

Vineyard Haven is no longer a dry town. You can get a bottle of wine with dinner now!