My wife and I are planning our first real trip from Noank to Block Island in our 1985 Catalina 30 TR.We have done 4 or 5 miles along the coast to Watch Hill but this will be different. Looks to be about 4 to 5 hours in somewhat open ocean. Any advice on what we can expect for weather sea state etc would be appreciated. I know folks take this trip all the time but it is a first for us and we want to be cautious. Thanks Marc
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Derek Rowell
It;s a very easy trip,...
and thoroughly recommended. You have a choice: either tackle The Race around the west end of Fisher Island, or take Fisher Island Sound to Watch Hill. I think for a first trip I would opt for the inside passage, but either way make sure you have good charts and tide/current tables. Off Watch Hill take one of the marked passages to avoid any rocks (propably easiest to take Watch Hill Passage between Red "2" and Green "3" right off the point). Then its a straight run of about 14 nm at 130 Deg M. If the weather is good there shouldn't be any problem with sea-state. Just keep an eye/ear on the weather radio for the approach of a cold-front or pop-up thunderstorms. You won't be alone on the trip! The trickiest part will probably be finding a mooring or anchorage in the Great Salt Pond. It gets very crowded on the weekends. Get a detail chart and decide where you are going. The pond is 30+ feet in the middle and anchoring can be problematic. There are town moorings available but you've got to be there early to grab one, otherwise I generally anchor on the east side up near the head of the harbor in about 9 feet(if there's room). Remember - no discharge in the pond - there is a pump-out boat available. Enjoy! Derek
and thoroughly recommended. You have a choice: either tackle The Race around the west end of Fisher Island, or take Fisher Island Sound to Watch Hill. I think for a first trip I would opt for the inside passage, but either way make sure you have good charts and tide/current tables. Off Watch Hill take one of the marked passages to avoid any rocks (propably easiest to take Watch Hill Passage between Red "2" and Green "3" right off the point). Then its a straight run of about 14 nm at 130 Deg M. If the weather is good there shouldn't be any problem with sea-state. Just keep an eye/ear on the weather radio for the approach of a cold-front or pop-up thunderstorms. You won't be alone on the trip! The trickiest part will probably be finding a mooring or anchorage in the Great Salt Pond. It gets very crowded on the weekends. Get a detail chart and decide where you are going. The pond is 30+ feet in the middle and anchoring can be problematic. There are town moorings available but you've got to be there early to grab one, otherwise I generally anchor on the east side up near the head of the harbor in about 9 feet(if there's room). Remember - no discharge in the pond - there is a pump-out boat available. Enjoy! Derek
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John Rich
Just a little planning
Marc, Just a little planning and you will have a great trip. Get an advanced weather report. Check your radio and safety gear out. File a float plan with your yacht club or the Coast Guard. I'd make a reservation for a berth or mooring so that you know you have a place to tie up when you arrrive. Block can get very crowded in the summer. If the weather is reasonable clear you will always be in sight of land but make sure your charts are up to date and do some basic piloting along the way, especially as you approch the island. The entrance channel to Block is restricted so my reccomendation is that you get your sails down and power on before you begin your final approach. In general on a fair weather day you will have long gentle swells and should be comfortable. I've made the trip singlehanded a dozen times in a Cape Dory Typhoon (eighteen ft. plus)without a problem. Have a great trip John
Marc, Just a little planning and you will have a great trip. Get an advanced weather report. Check your radio and safety gear out. File a float plan with your yacht club or the Coast Guard. I'd make a reservation for a berth or mooring so that you know you have a place to tie up when you arrrive. Block can get very crowded in the summer. If the weather is reasonable clear you will always be in sight of land but make sure your charts are up to date and do some basic piloting along the way, especially as you approch the island. The entrance channel to Block is restricted so my reccomendation is that you get your sails down and power on before you begin your final approach. In general on a fair weather day you will have long gentle swells and should be comfortable. I've made the trip singlehanded a dozen times in a Cape Dory Typhoon (eighteen ft. plus)without a problem. Have a great trip John
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Paul
Block Island Tips
There are three deep-water marinas in Great Salt Pond. Each very different... 1. Payne's dock does not take reservations, you motor up to the fuel dock and shout that you would like to tie up. Get there by Friday morning or forget it on most weekends. Call before you leave for a report, they answer the phone--not the VHF. Cheap, primitive, but all the essentials are there. Dick's is the closest restaurant, my personal favorite. My friends Barb and Dick say that, for them, "Payne's *is* Block Island." 2. Champlain's is the largest marina, and will not say no to anyone who wants to tie up. You might be the fourth boat out on a raft, and your shore power may not work, but they'll take you. Never bother with a reservation here, it's a hassle (you have to pre-pay!) and 30-foot sailboats always get the worst spots anyway. They have a pool and tennis courts, it's a scene at Champlain's. The restaurant does not have a great reputation, but the dockside bar is fun. 3. Boat Basin is the only marina with floating docks and real slips. Therefore, they're usually booked into the next millenium. It's nice if you can get it. The Oar is the closest restaurant, everyone likes it. Since you'll be rafted or next to piers at any marina but Boat Basin, take a fender board. Holding is awful in Salt Pond. Dragging at anchor is a real problem. I hear you need to get into Salt Pond by Thursday night to find a free mooring. I am suspicious of that assertion, except on big holiday weekends. In any event, moorings are first-come, first-served. There's a launch, so you don't have to take the dink if you don't mind waiting. (Click the "related link" for their excellent web site, and remember to follow the NOAA weather link for the daily Block Island Sound marine weather forecast. )
There are three deep-water marinas in Great Salt Pond. Each very different... 1. Payne's dock does not take reservations, you motor up to the fuel dock and shout that you would like to tie up. Get there by Friday morning or forget it on most weekends. Call before you leave for a report, they answer the phone--not the VHF. Cheap, primitive, but all the essentials are there. Dick's is the closest restaurant, my personal favorite. My friends Barb and Dick say that, for them, "Payne's *is* Block Island." 2. Champlain's is the largest marina, and will not say no to anyone who wants to tie up. You might be the fourth boat out on a raft, and your shore power may not work, but they'll take you. Never bother with a reservation here, it's a hassle (you have to pre-pay!) and 30-foot sailboats always get the worst spots anyway. They have a pool and tennis courts, it's a scene at Champlain's. The restaurant does not have a great reputation, but the dockside bar is fun. 3. Boat Basin is the only marina with floating docks and real slips. Therefore, they're usually booked into the next millenium. It's nice if you can get it. The Oar is the closest restaurant, everyone likes it. Since you'll be rafted or next to piers at any marina but Boat Basin, take a fender board. Holding is awful in Salt Pond. Dragging at anchor is a real problem. I hear you need to get into Salt Pond by Thursday night to find a free mooring. I am suspicious of that assertion, except on big holiday weekends. In any event, moorings are first-come, first-served. There's a launch, so you don't have to take the dink if you don't mind waiting. (Click the "related link" for their excellent web site, and remember to follow the NOAA weather link for the daily Block Island Sound marine weather forecast. )
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Guest
Wow
Those are great responses to the question! On anchoring in the Great Salt Pond (Paul): do many folks anchor? What's the preferred type of anchor? Thanks, jv
Those are great responses to the question! On anchoring in the Great Salt Pond (Paul): do many folks anchor? What's the preferred type of anchor? Thanks, jv
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Dave Johndrow
Lots anchor
As was stated eairlier, the marinas and the town moorings are not a great option. Most people do anchor out and it is crowded at the east end of the pond. Holding for me has not been a real problem but then again I really have never had suspect weather while at Block. Don't hesitate do this trip you will love it. Just a note, If you do go out on the town at night leave a light in the boat on or some way to ID your boat in the dark. You would be surprised on how difficult it is to locate it (particlarly after several adult beverages)
As was stated eairlier, the marinas and the town moorings are not a great option. Most people do anchor out and it is crowded at the east end of the pond. Holding for me has not been a real problem but then again I really have never had suspect weather while at Block. Don't hesitate do this trip you will love it. Just a note, If you do go out on the town at night leave a light in the boat on or some way to ID your boat in the dark. You would be surprised on how difficult it is to locate it (particlarly after several adult beverages)
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Alan Kibbe
Just got back from Block on Sunday. It's always a great trip! All the posted advice is excellent and accurate. Try to avoid the weekend if possible. Town moorings can be had mid-week without too much hunting. They're painted lime green on the West side of the harbor in front of Champlin's. "Check-out" time for the town moorings is in the morning (11am ???), so it's a good idea to cruise the mooring field in the a.m. looking for someone getting organized to leave. Stand by, and when they drop the mooring, you pick it up. Have a great trip!
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Paul
Bottom varies, according to Maptech Guide
According to the Maptech Guide, the edges of the anchorage are hard sand and the middle (deeper part) of the anchorage is mud. That may explain some of the problems people have, since most of us tend to reach for the plow (Delta, CQR) or claw anchors out of habit, where a Danforth type might be better in the soft bottom. My dockmates came back from July 4th week last year with stories about boats breaking loose and colliding with their neighbors. That's the busiest week of the year, so I'm sure adequate scope wasn't the rule. I've been lucky myself, finding spots around the edges where the water is shallow and my Delta holds. But I prefer a marina or a mooring at Block. It spoils my fun to worry about dragging when I'm away from the boat.
According to the Maptech Guide, the edges of the anchorage are hard sand and the middle (deeper part) of the anchorage is mud. That may explain some of the problems people have, since most of us tend to reach for the plow (Delta, CQR) or claw anchors out of habit, where a Danforth type might be better in the soft bottom. My dockmates came back from July 4th week last year with stories about boats breaking loose and colliding with their neighbors. That's the busiest week of the year, so I'm sure adequate scope wasn't the rule. I've been lucky myself, finding spots around the edges where the water is shallow and my Delta holds. But I prefer a marina or a mooring at Block. It spoils my fun to worry about dragging when I'm away from the boat.
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Tom
Anchoring in Block Island
I have been there a few times and have never gotten a mooring, nor used a dock space. Every time I anchored over by the dinghy beach (on the east side kind of across from the boat basin). I have been fine over there but it is not too deep. It is 6 feet MLW for a large area around there. There is about a 3 foot tidal swing. The holding seems fine, its sand and maybe a bit of mud. I draw 4.5 feet on a C36 MKII wing keel so it wasn't a problem. Just don't have an undersized anchor. I used a 45lb SPADE anchor with 15 feet of chain on 5 to1 scope and it held just fine even when a storm blew through (Wind knot meter said that it reached 47 knots @ Max). So don't be afraid of anchoring, just other people possibly. PS...do not be afraid of the trip, its really not that bad, If you are concerned make sure of the weather, even then its not that bad.
I have been there a few times and have never gotten a mooring, nor used a dock space. Every time I anchored over by the dinghy beach (on the east side kind of across from the boat basin). I have been fine over there but it is not too deep. It is 6 feet MLW for a large area around there. There is about a 3 foot tidal swing. The holding seems fine, its sand and maybe a bit of mud. I draw 4.5 feet on a C36 MKII wing keel so it wasn't a problem. Just don't have an undersized anchor. I used a 45lb SPADE anchor with 15 feet of chain on 5 to1 scope and it held just fine even when a storm blew through (Wind knot meter said that it reached 47 knots @ Max). So don't be afraid of anchoring, just other people possibly. PS...do not be afraid of the trip, its really not that bad, If you are concerned make sure of the weather, even then its not that bad.
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Hugh
Tom- I dodn't know you could anchor there...
If you are talking about where I think you are... that sounds very convenient. And, easy to find you boat in the dark! We'll be on Block this weekend- I'll check it out.
If you are talking about where I think you are... that sounds very convenient. And, easy to find you boat in the dark! We'll be on Block this weekend- I'll check it out.
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Hugh
A great trip
First let me say that all the responses so far have been right on- what a good group. The seas of BI sound are actually quite nice most of the time. Barring any inclement weather and winds over 25 kts, I find BI sound more comfortable for sailing than many parts of Narragansett Bay. If you pick your day you will have a great trip. Good luck and have fun.
First let me say that all the responses so far have been right on- what a good group. The seas of BI sound are actually quite nice most of the time. Barring any inclement weather and winds over 25 kts, I find BI sound more comfortable for sailing than many parts of Narragansett Bay. If you pick your day you will have a great trip. Good luck and have fun.
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a.giaccio
tom-its easy and all the info so far is very true.after labor day should be great.use a gps or correct for east/west current in bi sound.fog and available space have been my only concerns.i've done it from new rochelle and east hampton ny in 27',30' and now 38ft sloops.DO IT. tony
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Pete
Routing
Having just come back from our first trip there, I can't add to anything about BI itself. However, if you are considering stopovers along the way, here are my comments. My marina, Brewer's Pilots Point, is very good, but if you don't want to pay for a slip, you can always anchor very nicely north of Duck Island in protected waters. You can probably make it directly to BI from there in 8 hours going through the Race. You have pay close attention to tides going through there because of the strong currents. We went via Fishers Island Sound, which has easier currents if you are going at the wrong time, but about a million lobster pots. (It felt like going through a mine field at times.) We stayed in Mystic at Fort Rachel Marina and in Stonington at Dodson's. Both are good and very easy walks to nice restaurants, but Dodson's was the better of the two overall. On the way back, we stayed at Star Island Yacht Club in Lake Montauk. They are big on fishing boats, and don't seem to know much about sail boats. They didn't know the depth of their slips, and we grounded going into the first one they gave us. A very nice marina otherwise. Have a great trip.
Having just come back from our first trip there, I can't add to anything about BI itself. However, if you are considering stopovers along the way, here are my comments. My marina, Brewer's Pilots Point, is very good, but if you don't want to pay for a slip, you can always anchor very nicely north of Duck Island in protected waters. You can probably make it directly to BI from there in 8 hours going through the Race. You have pay close attention to tides going through there because of the strong currents. We went via Fishers Island Sound, which has easier currents if you are going at the wrong time, but about a million lobster pots. (It felt like going through a mine field at times.) We stayed in Mystic at Fort Rachel Marina and in Stonington at Dodson's. Both are good and very easy walks to nice restaurants, but Dodson's was the better of the two overall. On the way back, we stayed at Star Island Yacht Club in Lake Montauk. They are big on fishing boats, and don't seem to know much about sail boats. They didn't know the depth of their slips, and we grounded going into the first one they gave us. A very nice marina otherwise. Have a great trip.
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