Last week when sailing up the Connecticut River we stayed at the Saybook Point Marina at a slip for the first time for one night. My boat is a Catalina 30. The cost was $90.10 (including electric) for one night. We had to supply our own lines, and due to the tide we had to adjust our fenders three times as the stanchions and rubrail kept hitting the pilings and fixed walkway. In addition a very large boat named Outrageous was a nightclub (the boat's name Outrageous was actually a neon type sign) with VERY loud music into the wee hours. Should I expect this if I stay at slips? Whenever we cruise we have always stayed at moorings or anchorages.
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Not Always So.
Unfortunately, you got a bad slip. I have cruised the CT River many times and always go further up the river past the bridges. My favorite, Brewer's Dauntless, is about 5 miles up-river. But it is a great ride with lots of places to walk in Essex, CT. The cost will be about the same, but you will have peace. For a cheaper night, proceed about 1/2 mile past Essex to Hamburg Cove on the stbd side. Don't let the entrance fool you, there's plenty of water. Just pay attention to the channel markers. Grab a private mooring (but you will have to give it up if the owner arrives) or drop a hook. Quiet, no wind or waves but there are mosquitos (anywhere on the river).
Unfortunately, you got a bad slip. I have cruised the CT River many times and always go further up the river past the bridges. My favorite, Brewer's Dauntless, is about 5 miles up-river. But it is a great ride with lots of places to walk in Essex, CT. The cost will be about the same, but you will have peace. For a cheaper night, proceed about 1/2 mile past Essex to Hamburg Cove on the stbd side. Don't let the entrance fool you, there's plenty of water. Just pay attention to the channel markers. Grab a private mooring (but you will have to give it up if the owner arrives) or drop a hook. Quiet, no wind or waves but there are mosquitos (anywhere on the river).
We stayed at Saybrook Point on our way back from the third annual ODay rOnDAYvous and agree that it is VERY pricey. We were installed on a floating dock behind the gas dock, never had to adjust lines, the dock girl actually brought us a shore power cord and our ice, and the facilitites were certainly first rate. We stayed there because the first marina wouldn't take us (too small) and the fog was thicker than you could believe. We will try Hamburg Cove in the future, though. Bill Coxe, O28 Kukulcán, New London, CT
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