Connecticut side of the Long Island Sound

[SVRocinante]

Good day folks!

Well, it's that time of year for us, starting to plan our trip North.
Traditionally, we've always made our way north along the Long Island side of the Long Island Sound. We lived on Long Island for a bit over 15yrs, so simply new it well and enjoyed all our local stops.

This year, we'd like to head up the CT side, but not being familiar with that coast, we'd appreciate any local knowledge on places to stop.

We're looking for places where we can anchor for a few days to a week that has an accessible dinghy dock and a supermarket within say 1.5-2 miles... water & pumpout would be nice, but we can always pop into a marina along the way for that if need be, so not critical.

Figure a starting point of the Throgs Neck Bridge and Cuttyhunk as the endpoint.
Again, our order of preference would be anchorage, moorings, marinas.

We draw 6.5'

As always, Thank you!

[skipmac]

Don't have details on dinghy docks in most places but places that I have stopped.

CT River. Essex has dinghy docks (next to the boat ramp) and town is close. Anchor across the river next to Noll island.

Mystic. Must visit but anchoring I think it limited.

If you have time to detour you should explore Narragansett Bay. Newport has gotten very touristy but still worth a stop. Also Bristol (dinghy beach at the NE corner of the harbor) including the Herreshoff Museum (that has its own dinghy dock) and one of the biggest 4th of July celebrations in the country.

[Shrew]

There are Public Moorings in Downtown New London, CT.

There is a very small anchorage up past the Mystic Shipyard in Mystic. You could anchor at Rams Island just outside of Mystic.

Anchorage in Watch Hill. It has a Dinghy Dock, but you will need to Cab/Uber to a grocery store.

Block Island; Newport, RI.

[SVRocinante]

Originally Posted by skipmac

Don't have details on dinghy docks in most places but places that I have stopped.

CT River. Essex has dinghy docks (next to the boat ramp) and town is close. Anchor across the river next to Noll island.

Mystic. Must visit but anchoring I think it limited.

If you have time to detour you should explore Narragansett Bay. Newport has gotten very touristy but still worth a stop. Also Bristol (dinghy beach at the NE corner of the harbor) including the Herreshoff Museum (that has its own dinghy dock) and one of the biggest 4th of July celebrations in the country.

Thank you Skipmac.
I can track down the dinghy docks, appreciate the input!

No real schedule to speak of, so will definitely explore Narragansett Bay as suggested. We've stayed in Newport at the Goat Island Marina on prior trips north, but never really ventured further up the bay.

We accidentally had an amazing fireworks experience last year while anchored in West Harbor (Fishers Island) - barge shows up and anchors a couple of boats in from us; I think it's someone just stopping for the night!

Turned out to be a full-blown fireworks display right in front of us - Amazing!

Anyway, will throw all your suggestions on the list - Thank you!

[SVRocinante]

Originally Posted by Shrew

There are Public Moorings in Downtown New London, CT.

There is a very small anchorage up past the Mystic Shipyard in Mystic. You could anchor at Rams Island just outside of Mystic.

Anchorage in Watch Hill. It has a Dinghy Dock, but you will need to Cab/Uber to a grocery store.

Block Island; Newport, RI.

Thanks for the input Shrew.
Will add New London & Watchhill to the list - we'll just make sure we don't need a grocery store before we hit watchhill

Looked at Ram Island in the past, but don't like how open it is from just about every direction... might be a nice day stop though... we'll see!

Thanks again!

[skipmac]

If you're going as far as Cuttyhunk then you'll have to cross the sound to Martha's Vineyard. They just dredged the channel into Lake Tashmoo so easier entrance. Like Block Island it does fill up on nice weekends but you can usually find a spot in the south end of the harbor. Large dinghy dock on the east side of the harbor, very obvious when you get there.

About a mile walk to downtown Vineyard Haven where there's a Stop and Shop, restaurants and shopping (bring your big wallet if you're looking at the fancy little boutiques).

If you want a shorter walk you can anchor in the main harbor at Vineyard Haven but it's filled with moorings close in and more open so a longer dinghy ride and less protected anchorage.

Falmouth is nice and has a town dock you can stop at for a couple of hours, no need to anchor out. Call the harbormaster on 16. Also fills up on weekends and holidays so get there early to get a spot. Very short walk to town and several nice restaurants. The one with the best name (and good food) is Crepe Cod. There's a great bakery, Maison Villatte that also has sandwiches.

Hyannis also has a free town dock you can use for lunch stops.

You could spend the next few years cruising the area.

[SVRocinante]

Originally Posted by skipmac

If you're going as far as Cuttyhunk then you'll have to cross the sound to Martha's Vineyard. They just dredged the channel into Lake Tashmoo so easier entrance. Like Block Island it does fill up on nice weekends but you can usually find a spot in the south end of the harbor. Large dinghy dock on the east side of the harbor, very obvious when you get there.

About a mile walk to downtown Vineyard Haven where there's a Stop and Shop, restaurants and shopping (bring your big wallet if you're looking at the fancy little boutiques).

If you want a shorter walk you can anchor in the main harbor at Vineyard Haven but it's filled with moorings close in and more open so a longer dinghy ride and less protected anchorage.

Falmouth is nice and has a town dock you can stop at for a couple of hours, no need to anchor out. Call the harbormaster on 16. Also fills up on weekends and holidays so get there early to get a spot. Very short walk to town and several nice restaurants. The one with the best name (and good food) is Crepe Cod. There's a great bakery, Maison Villatte that also has sandwiches.

Hyannis also has a free town dock you can use for lunch stops.

You could spend the next few years cruising the area.

Thanks again Skipmac!

We’re actually shooting for Penobscot Bay this year; made it up to Casco Bay this past summer before turning around to head back south for the winter.

Appreciate the info, will add it to our list!
Last year’s stops included Cuttyhunk, Provincetown, Isle of Shoals, Portsmouth, Rockport (NH), Jewell Island & The Basin.

We’ve been to Vinyard Haven Harbor, but only as a quick overnight stop... Martha’s Vinyard & Nantucket are on our list for this year.

Again, Thank you!

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by SVRocinante

Thanks again Skipmac!

We’re actually shooting for Penobscot Bay this year; made it up to Casco Bay this past summer before turning around to head back south for the winter.

Appreciate the info, will add it to our list!
Last year’s stops included Cuttyhunk, Provincetown, Isle of Shoals, Portsmouth, Rockport (NH), Jewell Island & The Basin.

We’ve been to Vinyard Haven Harbor, but only as a quick overnight stop... Martha’s Vinyard & Nantucket are on our list for this year.

Again, Thank you!

Very welcome. Enjoy the trip. Might see you up there. If all goes as planned I'll be taking my boat to the Vineyard for the summer.

[Cthoops]

West Harbor (which you’ve already been to) and Stonington were two of our favorite stops before we left Connecticut to go cruising. You’d need to Uber to a grocery, but you can anchor in the harbor or get a mooring at Dodson’s. The mooring includes free tender rides and access to clean, private showers. Cute town to walk around in, and the classic sailboats in the harbor are stunning.

[Gravy26]

New Haven Yacht Club has a free guest mooring ( 400 lb) for up to 3 days I believe. Included is free launch service.
There is also a dinghy dock and small grocery store, liquor store and restaurant all within walking distance.


There is municipal bus service into town but not sure of the schedules.

[Symphony]

Milford Boat Works fuel dock in Milford Harbor usually has the best price for genuine ValveTech gas and diesel, also free pump-out and water. discount for cash too. You can't really find anywhere to anchor in Mllford Harbor but just outside is The Gulf with excellent sand/mud holding and protection from swell and wind, either behind Charles Island or up in the northeast corner. Milford YC is near with a great restaurant, bar, and showers pool if you are into that. Convenience store a very short walk away, or take a Lyft into Milford with a StopShop, Shoprite, lots of cafes and restaurants too. a good Chandlery is available at Milford Boat Works, and there's an ice cream shop at the head of the harbor.

[tweitz]

I would consider reserving dock space at Mystic Seaport. Once the seaport closes for the day, the only people allowed in are the boats at the dock, and it is a wonderful place to wander around.

[compassrose88]

Duck Island Roads (off Westbrook, CT) is an excellent anchorage and a short dinghy ride to Pilot's Point Marina. Grocery store approx 2 miles away. I've seen many boats anchor here for sometimes weeks with no problem.
Holding is muddy sand. Can be shallow closer to the island so be careful. the breakwalls offer wonderful protection from angry seas.

[munimula62]

Regarding New Haven Harbor - NHYC is a convenient option as Morris Cove is close to the harbor seawall. If time permits venturing down the channel to Pequonnock YC offers moorings, slips, dingy and fuel dock, full club amenities (showers, bar, restaurants). Cab to Walmart and supermarkets.

For more details see...www.pyc-nh.com

[Dantorch]

I agree with Symphony . . . The Gulf outside of Milford Harbor provides a great anchorage in the Lee of Charles Isle. Great star gazing area with minimal light interference. Shelling on the bar extending eastward from the shore (do not cut in between the Isle and mainland at any tide) at slack tide is enjoyable for kids.

Another, less crowded anchorage with decent holding is in West Harbor, Fisher Island. Watch charts closely for submerged rocks and shoals, but this has always served us well when in need of a quiet, relaxing anchorage "not too far" from the maddening crowd a short reach over in New London, Noank & Mystic.

Dinghy dock at Fisher Island Yacht Club, and everything you need (and are allowed to go . . . . Ha!) is a pleasant walk away.

Capt Dan
S/V Rhapsody
Greenport, LI