Anyone dock their boat in New Bedford. Have you sailed to M.V.? Is there passage through the Elizabeth Islands to MV or do I need to sail by Falmouth Harbor? Any suggestions welcomed, thank you.
- Status
From New Bedford
Follow the channel out of NB and directly across Buzzard's Bay. Pass thru Quick's Hole and the into Vineyard Sound. The tides in VS can be tricky so plan to go with the tide, not against it. Once thru QH stay on the left side of VS past Naushon Island. Follow the channel and eventually a starboard turn towards Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluffs or Edgartown. OB is OK, but you must take a mooring and you could end up with someone you don't know. There is no anchoring. VH can be rocky due to the busy traffic in VH (ferries from Falmouth). From NB, it should take about 5-6 hours. NOTE: IF YOU PASS THRU WOOD'S HOLE INSTEAD, ONLY DO SO AT COMPLETE SLACK TIDE WITH A SAILBOAT. THE CURRENTS CAN SET YOU INTO THE ROCKS. That's why I favor Quick's Hole, but watch the tides/currents there, also.
Follow the channel out of NB and directly across Buzzard's Bay. Pass thru Quick's Hole and the into Vineyard Sound. The tides in VS can be tricky so plan to go with the tide, not against it. Once thru QH stay on the left side of VS past Naushon Island. Follow the channel and eventually a starboard turn towards Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluffs or Edgartown. OB is OK, but you must take a mooring and you could end up with someone you don't know. There is no anchoring. VH can be rocky due to the busy traffic in VH (ferries from Falmouth). From NB, it should take about 5-6 hours. NOTE: IF YOU PASS THRU WOOD'S HOLE INSTEAD, ONLY DO SO AT COMPLETE SLACK TIDE WITH A SAILBOAT. THE CURRENTS CAN SET YOU INTO THE ROCKS. That's why I favor Quick's Hole, but watch the tides/currents there, also.
MV
The tidal currents running through Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound could be extremely tricky. Make sure you get local advice on them- they typicaly run opposite of each other. The passage through Quicks Hole is tight but not too difficult. Plan your trip according to the tide...not your schedule. Otherwise you will be fighting 4 kt. currents! Marhta's Vineyard is a lot of fun. There are achorages availabe at Vineyard Haven outside the breakwater but it could get rocky if you have an easterly wind. Inside the BW you can get a mooring for about $35 per night. VH is a dry town but you can bring-your-own to a restaurant. There is also an bay you can access (check your charts for that one) just south of the breakwater. OB is fun and draws a younger, lively crowd if thats what you looking for. Paul is right about the moorings there....I've seen 3-4 boats on 1 hook! Eadgartown is worth seeing too but I did not sail into the harbor- rode our bikes from Vineyard Haven. You can access all 3 towns by bike, bus or cab. This weekend is Jaws Fest...they filmed Jaws there 30 yrs. ago along the beaches on the eastern seaboard! Have fun...wish I was heading back there!! Rob
The tidal currents running through Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound could be extremely tricky. Make sure you get local advice on them- they typicaly run opposite of each other. The passage through Quicks Hole is tight but not too difficult. Plan your trip according to the tide...not your schedule. Otherwise you will be fighting 4 kt. currents! Marhta's Vineyard is a lot of fun. There are achorages availabe at Vineyard Haven outside the breakwater but it could get rocky if you have an easterly wind. Inside the BW you can get a mooring for about $35 per night. VH is a dry town but you can bring-your-own to a restaurant. There is also an bay you can access (check your charts for that one) just south of the breakwater. OB is fun and draws a younger, lively crowd if thats what you looking for. Paul is right about the moorings there....I've seen 3-4 boats on 1 hook! Eadgartown is worth seeing too but I did not sail into the harbor- rode our bikes from Vineyard Haven. You can access all 3 towns by bike, bus or cab. This weekend is Jaws Fest...they filmed Jaws there 30 yrs. ago along the beaches on the eastern seaboard! Have fun...wish I was heading back there!! Rob
One More Thing...
Rob mentioned the bus. For a one-time fee (last time it was $5) you can ride the bus system all over the island. It's worth considering because the walk is long to every town. And renting bikes is tiring. The bus (school bus) was worth it. Visit OB, Edgartown, Black Dog (Vineyard Haven) and Gay Head for spectacular views.
Rob mentioned the bus. For a one-time fee (last time it was $5) you can ride the bus system all over the island. It's worth considering because the walk is long to every town. And renting bikes is tiring. The bus (school bus) was worth it. Visit OB, Edgartown, Black Dog (Vineyard Haven) and Gay Head for spectacular views.
More on Gunking
I have nothing to add to the routes in the above threads except I thought someone would add Cuttyhunk, which is at the south end of the Elizabeth Islands. This is a favorite stop over for larger sailboats coming and going to/from RI and LI Sound. Also, at the SW corner of MV is a small fishing village, Menemsha, which most boaters pass up but I love it. You are closer here to the real islanders than anyplace else on MV. Also If you return through Woods Hole (at slack tide only) consider a little harbor called Hadley's. Almost too popular. Naushon and the other islands in the Elizabeth string is owned by the Forbes family trust and opportunities to vacation there are rationed out to family members (including John Kerry. Have a good sail !
I have nothing to add to the routes in the above threads except I thought someone would add Cuttyhunk, which is at the south end of the Elizabeth Islands. This is a favorite stop over for larger sailboats coming and going to/from RI and LI Sound. Also, at the SW corner of MV is a small fishing village, Menemsha, which most boaters pass up but I love it. You are closer here to the real islanders than anyplace else on MV. Also If you return through Woods Hole (at slack tide only) consider a little harbor called Hadley's. Almost too popular. Naushon and the other islands in the Elizabeth string is owned by the Forbes family trust and opportunities to vacation there are rationed out to family members (including John Kerry. Have a good sail !
Tarplin Cove
I moor in New Bedford, one of my favorite destinations for a gunkhole is Tarplin cove. Once you pass through Quicks Hole you'll see it on the chart (Naushon Island) it's a good spot except for South winds, ok for South West and great for everything else. On the North side of Naushon is Kettle cove, good for most everything except a Northerly. I haven't made it to MV yet, but it is on my list of destinations this summer.
I moor in New Bedford, one of my favorite destinations for a gunkhole is Tarplin cove. Once you pass through Quicks Hole you'll see it on the chart (Naushon Island) it's a good spot except for South winds, ok for South West and great for everything else. On the North side of Naushon is Kettle cove, good for most everything except a Northerly. I haven't made it to MV yet, but it is on my list of destinations this summer.
Woods Hole
I have taken on Woods Hole several times, but only when slack or going with the current. I generally have both sail and motor power, as you need to maintain your speed and heading. I saw a 40 foot sloop try to take on Woods Hole opposing the current. The guy had the motor wide open and could only manage to stand still. Did that for about 15 minutes, until finally making some headway. I'd say the peak current thru Woods Hole is generally equal to or greater than hull speed.
I have taken on Woods Hole several times, but only when slack or going with the current. I generally have both sail and motor power, as you need to maintain your speed and heading. I saw a 40 foot sloop try to take on Woods Hole opposing the current. The guy had the motor wide open and could only manage to stand still. Did that for about 15 minutes, until finally making some headway. I'd say the peak current thru Woods Hole is generally equal to or greater than hull speed.
Cutty Hunk
One more thing to add...Cutty Hunk is another good find for a stop-over. Its located just west of Quicks Hole- primarily a fishing town-stop-off but a nice sandy harbor to put down for a night. If you trying to time the currents and want to split the trip considor Cutty Hunk.
One more thing to add...Cutty Hunk is another good find for a stop-over. Its located just west of Quicks Hole- primarily a fishing town-stop-off but a nice sandy harbor to put down for a night. If you trying to time the currents and want to split the trip considor Cutty Hunk.
I've been to all four.
Cuttyhunk - worth the stop. Especially on July 4th to catch the island "parade". Tarpaulin- nice place to spend the night, wait out the tide. Quiet at night and you can hear the shore noises. Strictly limited shore access. Plan on staying aboard. Wood's Hole - self-explanatory. Hadley Harbor - great protection, nice stop. Only thing is to hope you can find a mooring. Not much anchoring room. Never went to Menemsha. I understand it can be tight. But there is great, fresh seafood there. That where Quint's boat slip was filmed in Jaws. Have fun. I'll be cruising Buzzard's Bay from Sakonnet to Plymouth (thru the canal) in the end of June.
Cuttyhunk - worth the stop. Especially on July 4th to catch the island "parade". Tarpaulin- nice place to spend the night, wait out the tide. Quiet at night and you can hear the shore noises. Strictly limited shore access. Plan on staying aboard. Wood's Hole - self-explanatory. Hadley Harbor - great protection, nice stop. Only thing is to hope you can find a mooring. Not much anchoring room. Never went to Menemsha. I understand it can be tight. But there is great, fresh seafood there. That where Quint's boat slip was filmed in Jaws. Have fun. I'll be cruising Buzzard's Bay from Sakonnet to Plymouth (thru the canal) in the end of June.
- Status