leaving for buzzards bay Sept 4th for a weeks sailing on my H240 and seeking local knowledge, suggestions!!!! expect the anchorage to only be busy on the sunday/monday night. launching at Mattapoisett and plan to go to Quisset or West Farmouth for the first nights anchorge (no i do not enter new areas a night) , then Cuttyhunk, woods etc weather / conditions allowing, Vinyard via woods or quicks hole. Have read are reading Childress guide and have all the new charts and eldrigde etc. Usually sail block island the past few years and keen on exploring the "buzz". local knowledge, suggestions greatly appreciated!!!! thanks
Buzzards Bay Info
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Tides, wind and fog.
In Buzzards Bay/Winyard Sound expects lots of wind. waves, strong tides and lots of fog. During the afternoon Buzzards Bay get significantly more wind/waves than Block Island Sound. That and the strong tides/currents make for spireted sailing. Tides. If this is your first time only go through Woods Hole at slack tide. The current is so strong it can pull cans underwater and throw unsuspecting boats on the rocks. Quicks Hole is much easier, and can be navagated against the current. In Vinyard Sound the tide can cause a current of 3-5 knots. If you want to go someplace time accrdingly. Or you can sail backwards if you are not careful. Waves. In addition to normal waves (they build every afternoon in Buzzards Bay) you need to be aware of the wind direction vs tidal current. If the wind is going against the tide you can build 4-6 foot square waves, not alot of fun. ecpecially an issue in Vineyard Sound. Wind. Buzzards Bay is a natural funnel for the SW winds that build almost every day. Lots of fetch so lots of waves. On average take Block Island Sound times two. Fog. Similar to Block Island Sound, maybe a litle worse. Anchorages on Memorial Day Weekend. Expect anchorages to fill up early all weekend. At Cuttyhunk it will be hard-impossible to be inside the breakwater. Russell
In Buzzards Bay/Winyard Sound expects lots of wind. waves, strong tides and lots of fog. During the afternoon Buzzards Bay get significantly more wind/waves than Block Island Sound. That and the strong tides/currents make for spireted sailing. Tides. If this is your first time only go through Woods Hole at slack tide. The current is so strong it can pull cans underwater and throw unsuspecting boats on the rocks. Quicks Hole is much easier, and can be navagated against the current. In Vinyard Sound the tide can cause a current of 3-5 knots. If you want to go someplace time accrdingly. Or you can sail backwards if you are not careful. Waves. In addition to normal waves (they build every afternoon in Buzzards Bay) you need to be aware of the wind direction vs tidal current. If the wind is going against the tide you can build 4-6 foot square waves, not alot of fun. ecpecially an issue in Vineyard Sound. Wind. Buzzards Bay is a natural funnel for the SW winds that build almost every day. Lots of fetch so lots of waves. On average take Block Island Sound times two. Fog. Similar to Block Island Sound, maybe a litle worse. Anchorages on Memorial Day Weekend. Expect anchorages to fill up early all weekend. At Cuttyhunk it will be hard-impossible to be inside the breakwater. Russell
Cuttyhunk
I was just at Cuttyhunk several weeks ago. It does fill up fast and not everyone knows how to anchor properly. I have attached a photo of inside the breakwater. It looks like lots of room left, however, if you look at the chart, there is a small dredged area that is deep enough to anchor a sailboat in -- everything else gets too shallow.
I was just at Cuttyhunk several weeks ago. It does fill up fast and not everyone knows how to anchor properly. I have attached a photo of inside the breakwater. It looks like lots of room left, however, if you look at the chart, there is a small dredged area that is deep enough to anchor a sailboat in -- everything else gets too shallow.
the buzz
Thanks Russell, Steve, I am now wondering why sail this area, so far all i read is shallow water creating short period steep chop and tides and forget the sailing in the afternoons as the wind builds and so does the chop..and the crowds... throw me a bone anyone!
Thanks Russell, Steve, I am now wondering why sail this area, so far all i read is shallow water creating short period steep chop and tides and forget the sailing in the afternoons as the wind builds and so does the chop..and the crowds... throw me a bone anyone!
Buzzards Bay
Yes the southwesterlies can really get humming in the afternoon around here in Buzzards bay. And just like everywhere else if the tide is going out against the wind it can build a steep chop. There are alot of out of the way anchorages around the Elizabeth Islands. I usually sail out from New Bedford and have a nice Reach accross the bay to Kettle Cove. Eat lunch and then run back to New Bedford, not once having to use my motor or even have to change my course to avoid anyone. Especially this time of year as most of the Yahoo's are starting to get off the water. I used to sail mostly Narragansett bay when I lived in Rhode Island and it had much more boat traffic than Buzzards Bay. In short I do enjoy sailing in Buzzards Bay.
Yes the southwesterlies can really get humming in the afternoon around here in Buzzards bay. And just like everywhere else if the tide is going out against the wind it can build a steep chop. There are alot of out of the way anchorages around the Elizabeth Islands. I usually sail out from New Bedford and have a nice Reach accross the bay to Kettle Cove. Eat lunch and then run back to New Bedford, not once having to use my motor or even have to change my course to avoid anyone. Especially this time of year as most of the Yahoo's are starting to get off the water. I used to sail mostly Narragansett bay when I lived in Rhode Island and it had much more boat traffic than Buzzards Bay. In short I do enjoy sailing in Buzzards Bay.
Cuttyhunk - not only that
The previous poster noted that only part of the pond is dredged at Cuttyhunk. This is true, but the perimeter of the pond (east side and north side) is well-marked as "No Admittance". This space is saved for a float plane (shuttle) that makes several runs a day to the mainland and needs the area to takeoff/land. I have seen people try to anchor on the edge of this area (at a higher tide) and then get run off by the Harbormaster.
The previous poster noted that only part of the pond is dredged at Cuttyhunk. This is true, but the perimeter of the pond (east side and north side) is well-marked as "No Admittance". This space is saved for a float plane (shuttle) that makes several runs a day to the mainland and needs the area to takeoff/land. I have seen people try to anchor on the edge of this area (at a higher tide) and then get run off by the Harbormaster.
Yes, the Buzzard can get choppy
That is why there has been a saying coined about the tides in the Buzzard: "If the Buzzard doesn't get you going, it will get you coming - one way or the other".
That is why there has been a saying coined about the tides in the Buzzard: "If the Buzzard doesn't get you going, it will get you coming - one way or the other".
Try Narragansett Bay
Try this for a bone. Rather than the buzz try Narragansett Bay. Less wind/waves/tide and lots of places to anchor. Dutch Harbor, Potters Cove, Third Beach are all well known anchorages. The best kept secret in the bay is that there are three free moorings just inside the breakwater (off to port, orange balls) in Wickford, first come first server. Russell
Try this for a bone. Rather than the buzz try Narragansett Bay. Less wind/waves/tide and lots of places to anchor. Dutch Harbor, Potters Cove, Third Beach are all well known anchorages. The best kept secret in the bay is that there are three free moorings just inside the breakwater (off to port, orange balls) in Wickford, first come first server. Russell
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