Westbrook, CT to Martha's Vineyard

[saleen8927]

Has anyone made the trip from CT to Martha's Vineyard? Anything I should know before I go? We are thinking about stopping at Block Island first. This would be the most aggressive trip we've made so far, so any insight is appreciated. We have a 30' power cruiser.

[skipmac]

Well there's the obvious things: get charts, don't run into any of the rocks in LI Sound.

First, what do you plan for a cruising speed? Depending on what engine you have, in a Chaparral 30 that might be 20-30 kts. If 20 kts then it could be done in one long day. 30 kts it could be an easy day. All assuming good weather allowing max cruising speed.

If you exit LI Sound south of Fisher's Island you will pass through The Race. The water from the sound blows through there at ebb a flood pretty fast and it can get choppy where the current picks up.

In a power boat probably not too big a factor but the tide could add or subtract a knot or two to your speed depending on what stage you catch.

If you decide to stop over at Block Island be aware that Salt Pond can get really crowded on weekends and holidays and holding isn't especially good.

Lots of other places to stop and see if you want to make a more leisurely trip of it.

Where do you plan to stay at MV? Anchor, mooring or marina?

[cruisersfarm]

A million times.

There is strong current that can either be great, boosting you to block island faster, or terrible, making you suicidal wishing you could go faster against it. That's at the Race and Buzzards Bay. Try to time these well.

The only tricky bits are:

1) Current

2) Trying to find a spot to anchor in Great Salt Pond on Block (crowded)

3) When entering Buzzard's Bay from Newport or Pt Judith, it's deceivingly a lot less sharp of a port side turn that you feel like you should be making. Big old round turn into Buzzard's. But your mind wants to take a tighter one. Keep it wide. Lots of fish nets and gear close to shore, as well as ledges.

4) More current. Going through that little slot by Woods Hole and Nauchon island is very strong current. Just be aware.

[saleen8927]

Thanks for the replies! We have done Block Island once before, and it was a fairly easy trip at 30kt+ the entire way. We stayed at the Boat Basin, and would likely do the same this time as that worked out well. In MV we're not sure where to stay - we would go to a marina, but not sure which ones are in the best areas, since we've never been. Any suggestions?

[skipmac]

Haven't used the marinas yet but have visited all the places since my daughter lives there. Can't tell you what docking and rates are like but can give you the layout.

As I recall there are marinas in Menemsha, Vineyard Haven,Oak Bluffs and Edgartown. Menemsha is a small town and small marina on the west end. The biggest area for stores and restaurants is Vineyard Haven. Several options there.

Oak Bluff and Edgartown are both cool places to visit as well. If the marinas are full you can take a mooring and they have a shuttle to shore.

[misfits]

Go to Oak Bluffs. You can tie up at the seawall & the town is right there.
We used to go down there yearly to fish in the shark tournament. Great place to go to have fun.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by misfits

Go to Oak Bluffs. You can tie up at the seawall & the town is right there.

If there's space available. Weekends and holidays I have driven by and it was totally filled. Maybe good idea to call in advance to reserve a slip.

Originally Posted by misfits

Great place to go to have fun.

[skipmac]

To make reservations at Oak Bluff. Oak Bluffs Marina | Martha's Vineyard

The website says the are already booked up Aug 19-20. For a 30' boat $97.50 plus tax per night.

[Sailorlady323]

Get a copy of Eldridge. It has the charts of the currents at the Race and the currents in Vineyard sound. Study them and the times and time your trip accordingly. Much better with the currents in your favor than against you.
Also wind against current will make you life less than pleasant.
Enjoy.

[ztsf]

Since you've been to Block, you understand timing the ebb and flow at the Race. Buy yourself a current copy of Eldridge ( if you don't already have one), and read the section on navigating the southern coast of Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Those tips should help your trip along.

[MichaelKMP]

I've been to MV many times, lost count long ago. I prefer edgartown for restaurants and nightlife and Also quick ferry to chappy.
Keep in mind vineyard haven was a dry town up until recently. Restaurants now serve beer and wine.

[Scrimshaw4]

Route Planning: Even with all the electronic chart systems out there I still use the Eldridge Tide and Chart Pilot book for planning. It's the best source for tide and current flow data. That said, the areas of concern for tides to MV for you would be The Race and then either Vineyard Sound or Buzzards Bay & the Woods Hole Cut.
Destination: I like stopping at Cutty Hunk before I get to MV. Usually lower fuel prices than on MV and great lobster dinner brought to your boat. Contact the Harbor Master to reserve a mooring and for info on the lobsters. Slips at Oaks Bluff require advance reservations, moorings are on a first come first served basis with up to 3 boats per mooring if busy. No fuel in Oaks Bluff. Edgertown has limited slips but lots of moorings. Best to reserve via the Harbor Master in advance. Hope that helps.

[Capt Gary]

My favorite place on the Vinyard is Menemsha! Quaint little village where they filmed a lot of the original Jaws movie. Hundreds of people show up on the beach each night from all around just to watch the sunset! You can get bus service to anywhere on the island. Advance reservations aren't taken, but if you call early in the morning you plan on arriving (I think by 7:30 or 8:00) you can usually get a slip for however many days you want. They also have some moorings just outside the harbor if you get shut out, but they can get a little rolly depending on the weather.

[annsni]

We like to stay in Edgartown on Martha's Vineyard although this year we're staying at the dock at Oak Bluffs for one night after staying in Edgartown then getting a mooring in Nantuckett for a few days. We'll need a dock and while Oak Bluffs is kind of VERY busy - more than we like, it will be nice to be able to plug in and recharge. Dockwa is how you do most of the mooring/docks nowadays.

Cuttyhunk is a great place as well and the docks there are really not too bad if you want to stay on a dock although there's not much to do there. Moorings inside the harbor fill up fast and the outside moorings are nice but roll-y during the day when boats are coming in and out. But you get a nice roar of waves from the other side of the dunes there! You can't reserve moorings here - it's all first come first served in both the harbor and just outside.

[saleen8927]

Some great feedback - thanks, everyone!