Volvo Boats in Newport

Don S/V ILLusion · May 6, 2018

We think so. My son and I are going up for that weekend in-port race and watch the start. Taking a boat from Wickford to avoid the usual mayhem of Newport.

ggrizzard · May 6, 2018

Since the boats will immediately go into refit, I doubt you would be allowed to tour.

kloudie1 · May 6, 2018

We saw them in Boston a few years ago (in '09) and had fun poking around the "village" and seeing the guys working stuff on the boats.. no one from general public was allowed on the boats .. but we could walk the docks close to where they were moored.. We had fun gawking..

BobbyFunn · May 6, 2018

Don S/V ILLusion said:
Wickford

Thats pronounced as "Wickfid" in case you are wondering. Went to wickford middle school. Great place to grow up.

Mark Maulden · May 6, 2018

We were in Auckland when they were there. Boats were on the hard and sticks pulled. Interesting seeing the work done and walking throught the sail/rigging lofts. You won’t be able to tour any boats..

Don S/V ILLusion · May 7, 2018

BobbyFunn said:
Thats pronounced as "Wickfid" in case you are wondering. Went to wickford middle school. Great place to grow up.

We used to live in RI.

Don S/V ILLusion · May 10, 2018

shemandr said:
So last Wednesday didn't work out and now I'm going Sunday/Monday. Does anyone know when the in-port race is and if there is a viewing area? Tickets needed?

I be.ieve the in-port race is the following Saturday, may 19

Pat · May 10, 2018

We think so....we've been going to the Newport Boat Show for several years. The show is great fun, well-attended and we seldom come home empty handed....plus, you get the great fun of Newport in the fall....We often go the Tennis Hall of Fame to dine.....and also to the Black Pearl. I believe it has closed permanently though so that may be a sad note...plus the Thames Street shops seem to re-invent themselves yearly.....I think you should go and have fun! Patrick in Wichita

Pat · May 10, 2018

We visited Wickford on our last visit....on our way from Newport to New Canaan, Ct....Wickford is a beautiful little town....I should live there....and the drive to New Canaan is worth the cost of admission. Pat

Scott T-Bird · May 11, 2018

shemandr said:
I found some info here: https://www.volvooceanrace.com/en/ports/newport.html
So I won't be there for the in port race. Phew!
They mention free parking but I couldn't see where. I'm wondering if I should park downtown and take a bus out to Fort Adams, or if there will be parking at Fort Adams. Anyone?

Surprising if they don't outline the parking situation on their web site. It appears that there are at least a couple of sizable parking lots in Fort Adams. When we went to the Fall boat show, the recommended parking was at Easton Beach and they had busses running at all hours for a free ride downtown. We started from there to do the Cliff Walk and to walk into town is not any different. In fact it is less than 1.5 miles from there to downtown. That's only about 25 minutes at Sue's pace, which I struggle to keep up with.

I suspect Easton Beach may be their option if they think the parking in Fort Adams is going to overflow (or if Ft Adam's parking is reserved for VIP). We parked on the streets in town one evening and it was very difficult to find a parking spot. Our walk was not close at all to the center of town, either. Besides, it looks like about a 3-mile hike out to Fort Adams from the center of town, so I don't think it would do any good to seek parking in town.

My guess would be not to worry about the parking and just follow the herd, if there is one. I'm glad you brought this up ... I had forgotten all about it and it might be a good opportunity to visit again for the in-port race. Sue and I planned to stay at the Easton Beach area for our next visit. There seem to be more reasonable rates than the downtown hotels.

CharlzO · May 11, 2018

When I was up for the In-Port last edition, we just drove into Fort Adams and they had parking on site for people. Early would be key to beat traffic but even though we had gotten there late enough that the fleet was on the water getting ready for the start, we had no issues getting in or finding a place to park.

Pat · May 11, 2018

We stayed at an older hotel right on Easton's Beach (I think between Newport and Middletown and literally drove straight down Memorial each day and parked right on Thame's Street very near, i.e. across from the old armory building...walked less than 1/2 block to the show entrance near Banister's Wharf.....do you know if the Black Pearl has closed for good?
Patrick in Wichita

Don S/V ILLusion · May 11, 2018

Pat said:
..do you know if the Black Pearl has closed for good?
Patrick in Wichita

It closed last Jan for about one month. Open now.

Scott T-Bird · May 11, 2018

Here is some info on parking and events. This is a better website than the Volvo website for Newport related activities.
http://www.volvooceanracenewport.com/parking-information