Outfitting for 4 weeks on LI Sound

[Russell Egge]

We out outfitting for our first long trip on "Allie Kat" our 376.1. Anchors (I know its like asking out religon and sex) We want to upgrade from the standard Danforth, most of the boats in our marina have cqr's, what about other choices. I don't want to be too cheep, but they are expensive, how about a bruce? We will be anchoring in grass, sand and mud.2. One of the dumb things when we bought the boat was getting a 9.9hp 4 stroke, it weighs 110 lbs. I have a small crane but will the railing hold that much weight, looking at the edson support bracket.Thanks for the help and good sailingRussellS/V Allie Kat

 

[Mark Johnson]

4 weeks!!!...you lucky devil!

I thought my 3 weeks was long...but you have me beat. I have a Delta on my 460 and it seems to do well in both sand and mud. Basically sand and mud is what you will encounter in LIS. As far as your dinghy motor...I have a Yamaha 9.9 for my RIB. I always tow it. Although it only weighs about 60lbs, it's still a struggle to get it off and stored on the stern rail. In long Island Sound during the summer, you won't experience much bad weather, and not much wind either, so towing your dinghy with the motor on shouldn't create a problem. I for one am going EAST out of LIS because of the lack of wind. But,if you insist on cruising LIS, let me know and I can give you some recomendations. Enjoy!

 

[Bob Zolczer]

Cruising LI Sound

I have a CQR and Hi Tensile Danforth. If I had to choose one anchor for the Sound, it would be the Danforth, because of the mud and sand one most often encounters. I keep the CQR on the bow roller and the Danforth in the anchor locker. I use 15' of chain and use a stainless "quick link" to switch back and forth depending on the bottom. I have 300' of rode, but that's probably overkill; 200' would be plenty for most anchorages. I have an additional 150' of rode for use with a kedge if needed when (not if) I run aground in mud or sand. I also use a sentinel, which is a weight(mine is 20#)held just off the bottom. This prevents your rode from wrapping around the keel with the right (wrong) combinations of wind and tidal currents.As a general rule, the Connecticut shoreline offers more places to stop and enjoy in Eastern LI Sound. Both LI and CT/NY have varied places in Western LI sound. Lobster pots are a real hassle in the Western Sound. Embassy's guide and Duncan & Ware offer good guides to the various harbors. Mystic Seaport used to let you tie up in the seaport if you're a member. I think they still do.Go to the Opsail web site to get schedules. The tall ships will be in NY Harbor over the 4th of July and in New London around the 10th (I may be off a little on dates).Enjoy yourself. LI Sound offers some of the most varied cruising in the country from white glove elegance all the way to getting down and dirty.Make sure you tighten the through bolts for your stern rails. I keep my 56# 8 horse on a cheapie mount back there and was surprised at the amount they loosened especially since I used the pulpit seat on the same side.Sorry to be so long winded. e-mail me if you have further questions.

 

[SteveC]

I have a Bruce (33lb.)....

on my Legend 37' and works great. I upgraded from the Danforth, not because it wouldn't hold in a blow, but because I have frequently dragged in very little wind when the tide changed. The pull on the Danforth reverses, pulls out and it doesn't reset. Not so with the Bruce... it resets easily and is secure. Winds are usually light but you get some short nasty blows when afternoon thunderstorms come through..

 

[Paul Akers]

Another Bruce 33

I have used a Bruce 33 for 5 years on my L37. It has never slipped. A worthwhile investment.While in LI sound, don't miss going between the fingers of LI. Stop in Greenport (there's a Brewer's there) for a couple of days. I like the town. We have rented a car there and toured some of the 20 wineries on the North fork.Take a trip around Shelter Island and spend the night in West Neck Harbor or Coechle's Harbor. On the south fork is Sag Harbor and nearby is Three Mile Harbor for a quiet night but it's pricey ashore. Do not pass south of Gardiner's Island - shallow water. Montauk is a good night stop. There are nice restaurants and the children may enjoy watching the catches unload from the charter fishing boats. Pick a marina (Star Island - $2/ft but good amenities for the children, pool, etc.) since getting into Lake Montauk is daunting with its' shallow, winding channel. Holding in the lake can be poor in a blow. We go between LI and Buzzard's Bay on alternate years. This year we go east from narragansett Bay, but I like LI better because of the variety.