Cape Cod and Boston area

[stevenit]

Hi Sailors!
As we did two years ago, we're now under plan to get and sail in US next summer.
This time we'd like to sail upper than Chesapeake bay and reach Boston.
The first intention was to get Maine area, but, after reading a lot of information, we decided it not suitable for us: lobster spot are not good for our kind of boat (no skeg, bulb, no possibility to intall a cutter on the shaft, long rudder...) and we do not like fog too much.

So, we are thinking to make our base in Boston and Cape Cod area.

Are there interesting sailing area (Gloucester included) and enough to see from July to October?

Any suggestion are really welcome.

Second question:

During this period we will have to haul for a couple of weeks for antifoulng and year maintenance.
What is the best (price/reliable) shipyard around there?
Are there shipyard that allow to live aboard when the boat is hauled?

Thanks a lot.
Fairy wind.
Stefano

[Telesail]

Hi Stefano

There is no shortage of great sailing in the area from Rockport MA down and around the Cape and the Islands. But, you should know there are a lot of lobster pots in this area as well and fog is far from unknown.

We have a deep keel, no skeg etc but that is not a reason to avoid Maine - we are in the middle of our first cruise around Maine and can honestly say it is worth it even though you cannot relax while keeping a lookout for pots. Also, we are told that the fog is really not much of a problem in September and October compared to July and August. It will almost certainly be cheaper to haul out in Maine than Mssachusetts or Rhode Island. Not sure about living onboard for extended periods on the hard but worth calling some of the yards.

In four months, you could cover the whole East Coast from Naragansett to Mount Desert Island and it would be a shame to miss it. If you want to stay south, however, there is plenty of sailing and places to stop for the night and you could probably spin it out to 4 months if you tried.

[JimsCAL]

The southern New England coast and Long Island Sound has much less fog compared to Maine in early summer. Lots to see from the Cape and Islands, Newport, Block Island, Shelter Island, etc. Then head north later in the summer and fall.