I will be sailing my new Ericson north this weekend. I cannot enter the Canal(going East) until 1pm and expect to be at Sandwich by 3. What is a good stop going north from Sandwich that is about 3 hours? The boat is 35ft. with 6ft. draft. I am looking for a harbor that is easy to get in and out at any tide. Prefer to moor but will anchor or get a slip if I have to. Tim R.
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Sandwich Marina...
...at the East end of the canal. Call for reservations ahead of time. I stayed there when I brought my boat to Maine one time. Showers and 2 good restaurants to choose from.
...at the East end of the canal. Call for reservations ahead of time. I stayed there when I brought my boat to Maine one time. Showers and 2 good restaurants to choose from.
You don't have a lot of choices
Due to your draft, you have to rule out: Barnstable, Sesuit, Rock & Green Harbors. Plymouth Harbor 18 nm from the canal exit on the bay side. Not bad. Deep water, Services, Old History town. Long driveway though. It's another 7 nm. from Gurnett point to the breakwater so it turns out to be 25 nm total. Provincetown harbor 22 nm from the canal exit on the bay side. Deep water harbor. interesting place. check it on the web just in case. My favorite is Scituate. 26 nm from the canal exit on the bay side. Turn S/W after the breakwater and grab a mooring. Deep, plenty to do. I prefer the "don't ask don't pay" mooring method myself.
Due to your draft, you have to rule out: Barnstable, Sesuit, Rock & Green Harbors. Plymouth Harbor 18 nm from the canal exit on the bay side. Not bad. Deep water, Services, Old History town. Long driveway though. It's another 7 nm. from Gurnett point to the breakwater so it turns out to be 25 nm total. Provincetown harbor 22 nm from the canal exit on the bay side. Deep water harbor. interesting place. check it on the web just in case. My favorite is Scituate. 26 nm from the canal exit on the bay side. Turn S/W after the breakwater and grab a mooring. Deep, plenty to do. I prefer the "don't ask don't pay" mooring method myself.
Cape Cod Anchorage
I 2nd the other responder, I've lived in Plymouth most of my life, it's a bit of a long haul into the harbor but very beautiful with many things to do historical and otherwise. There are many boats so practice caution. If you need dockage I would consult with either Brewer's Marina or the Plymouth Yacht Club and the Sandwich Marina is another good idea at the mouth of the canal.
I 2nd the other responder, I've lived in Plymouth most of my life, it's a bit of a long haul into the harbor but very beautiful with many things to do historical and otherwise. There are many boats so practice caution. If you need dockage I would consult with either Brewer's Marina or the Plymouth Yacht Club and the Sandwich Marina is another good idea at the mouth of the canal.
Day 2
Dependng on your departure point, Smith cove in Gloucester is very nice. The moorings across from Wingersheek beach in Anisquam are easy to get to and fairly protected with quick access to the rest of your trip. Newburyport is Ok, watch the tide/current/Bar. I would be reluctant to enter at low water if it is rough. Something different, Isles of shoals.
Dependng on your departure point, Smith cove in Gloucester is very nice. The moorings across from Wingersheek beach in Anisquam are easy to get to and fairly protected with quick access to the rest of your trip. Newburyport is Ok, watch the tide/current/Bar. I would be reluctant to enter at low water if it is rough. Something different, Isles of shoals.
Tim go for the Isles of Shoals
I have sailed up from the south many times and usually head straight for the Isles of Shoals. A couple of yacht clubs have moorings there and there is usually one you can pick up mid week. It is the most direct shot. Also Peprill Cove on the Kittery side of the river is near the mouth and there is always a mooring or two in there. York Harbor is a tough spot to find moorings..
I have sailed up from the south many times and usually head straight for the Isles of Shoals. A couple of yacht clubs have moorings there and there is usually one you can pick up mid week. It is the most direct shot. Also Peprill Cove on the Kittery side of the river is near the mouth and there is always a mooring or two in there. York Harbor is a tough spot to find moorings..
I second Isle of Shoals, for day three though...
I go north often and the Isle of Shoals is perfectly placed for me. It is a reasonable sail from there to Portland, Casco bay or even Boothbay areas. I think that from the south side of the Cape Cod Canal to Isle os Shoals may be a long day though. A quick check of the map shows it around 90nm. Three possible day two's: Salem, MA - You can pick up a mooring for **free** at Misery Island. There are harbors on both sides depending on winds you have options. I have stayed here many times. The island is intersting to explore though it is owned by a nature preservation organization (The Trustees of the Reservation I believe) so they might charge you a nominal fee to explore the place. Salem, MA Option 2 - Hawthorne Cove Marina - you can get a slip or a mooring. Salem has much to do on shore as well. Hail on Channel 8 or call ahead for a slip. Manchester Marine in Manchester by the Sea - They have 7 or 8 transient moorings and a nice downtown area. Aside from Northeast Harbor on Mount Dessert Island this is one of my favorite harbors in New England. Hail on Channel 68 or call ahead. I believe the will they will let you stay overnight on their long dock as well. As previously mentioned Gloucester has much to offer as well. All of these places are convenient jump off points for the Isle of Shoals.
I go north often and the Isle of Shoals is perfectly placed for me. It is a reasonable sail from there to Portland, Casco bay or even Boothbay areas. I think that from the south side of the Cape Cod Canal to Isle os Shoals may be a long day though. A quick check of the map shows it around 90nm. Three possible day two's: Salem, MA - You can pick up a mooring for **free** at Misery Island. There are harbors on both sides depending on winds you have options. I have stayed here many times. The island is intersting to explore though it is owned by a nature preservation organization (The Trustees of the Reservation I believe) so they might charge you a nominal fee to explore the place. Salem, MA Option 2 - Hawthorne Cove Marina - you can get a slip or a mooring. Salem has much to do on shore as well. Hail on Channel 8 or call ahead for a slip. Manchester Marine in Manchester by the Sea - They have 7 or 8 transient moorings and a nice downtown area. Aside from Northeast Harbor on Mount Dessert Island this is one of my favorite harbors in New England. Hail on Channel 68 or call ahead. I believe the will they will let you stay overnight on their long dock as well. As previously mentioned Gloucester has much to offer as well. All of these places are convenient jump off points for the Isle of Shoals.
AndyK
I will be spending the first night at Scituate so York/Isle area is reasonable for the second day. Tim R.
I will be spending the first night at Scituate so York/Isle area is reasonable for the second day. Tim R.
Couple of possible options
I have made the trip from Newburyport to Boothbay several times -- so I am more familier with the ports farther North. In your case, if you look at the charts, Cape Anne is directly along the way (as apposed to Boston, Lynn or Salem). Take a look at Gloucester Harbor (48nm - 9 hrs) or Rockport Harbor (52nm - 10 hrs). Both are a long day but are more direct. I am not personally familier with Plymouth (14nm - 3 hrs) or Scituate (26nm - 5 hrs) but they may be options also. In any case, I'd research each port and pick a primary and a couple of alternates. Good luck and fair winds.
I have made the trip from Newburyport to Boothbay several times -- so I am more familier with the ports farther North. In your case, if you look at the charts, Cape Anne is directly along the way (as apposed to Boston, Lynn or Salem). Take a look at Gloucester Harbor (48nm - 9 hrs) or Rockport Harbor (52nm - 10 hrs). Both are a long day but are more direct. I am not personally familier with Plymouth (14nm - 3 hrs) or Scituate (26nm - 5 hrs) but they may be options also. In any case, I'd research each port and pick a primary and a couple of alternates. Good luck and fair winds.
Isle of Shoals
I'd go for the isle of shoals-it's more in a line with your destination, and you can anchor there if you can't find a mooring. York harbor is very full this time of year, and can be tricky to enter (I live there and still managed to hit a rock last year!). moorings there are all town controlled and assigned, if any are available it's first come first served via the harbormaster. Anchoring is not permitted in the harbor. If you choose to go there, call the harbormaster as you pass the isles of shoals to see if there's a possibility-(cell 207-475-2858), and then radio on ch 16 at the entrance bouy. they usually will send a boat out to meet you. watch the current as you enter, and stay nearer to the island on your right. note that as you make the 180 into the harbor the green daymarker on your left is not where it's marked on the charts-it's more ashore on a rock ledge, stay to the right side of the channel or you'll go crunch. that said, it's a beuatiful harbor with good shelter and places to eat!
I'd go for the isle of shoals-it's more in a line with your destination, and you can anchor there if you can't find a mooring. York harbor is very full this time of year, and can be tricky to enter (I live there and still managed to hit a rock last year!). moorings there are all town controlled and assigned, if any are available it's first come first served via the harbormaster. Anchoring is not permitted in the harbor. If you choose to go there, call the harbormaster as you pass the isles of shoals to see if there's a possibility-(cell 207-475-2858), and then radio on ch 16 at the entrance bouy. they usually will send a boat out to meet you. watch the current as you enter, and stay nearer to the island on your right. note that as you make the 180 into the harbor the green daymarker on your left is not where it's marked on the charts-it's more ashore on a rock ledge, stay to the right side of the channel or you'll go crunch. that said, it's a beuatiful harbor with good shelter and places to eat!
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