New London CT Sailing Destinations

[illiniphoenix]

Hello all,

I recently purchased my first sailboat, and I'm pretty stoked! I just moved to New London, CT from the midwest, and so I don't know the area well. I'm looking for advice/input on your favorite sailing destinations in the area. I'm especially looking for secluded anchorages that can be reached within a few hrs of sailing, but locations that are further out would also be great to know about.

Also, I'd appreciate any guidebooks on sailing in the area that you would recommend.

Thanks for your advice,

Andrew

[AfterHoursNLCT]

The NY/CT/RI/MA coast has tons of sailing destinations. I think you need to pickup a cruising guide for these waters and check out activecaptain to fine tune those trips. Napatree Point is an easy sail for starts or you could visit Block Island, Narragansett Bay & Newport, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket Island and that's just the start east of New London. Head down to the local marinas in New London and walk the docks and ask the sailors where they go to on the weekend. New London is a very busy harbor......LL

[Cormorant]

Sail across the Sound to Orient Point and just inside there is Hallock Bay -- a really sweet secluded anchorage with nature preserve around it. Then if you have another day, visit Coecles Harbor on Shelter Island. You've got more possibilities than we could enumerate here. . . . Troll a lure as you pass through the Race and Plum Gut -- good fishing all over.

(I grew up in Waterford and love getting back there when I can . . . on the water.)

[skipmac]

Also, from New London it's not far to Waterford and the outlet store for Defender Industries, one of the best marine stores in the country.

[mrohr]

There is a reason that E. LI Sound is included in" 50 Great Places to Sail befere you Die"

True, its difficult to find isolated anchorages in mid summer (esp. weekends) but week days and after labor day they are plentiful ;meanwhile fine resturants, rich history, maritime musuems and great sailing make this area truly ledgendary.Now is the chance to see if salt water is in your blood.

[Opie91]

Andrew,

Welcome to the area and congratulations on your first boat purchase.

I think you will find the Fishers/Long Island area full of places to visit. As mentioned above Block Island, Mystic, Fishers Island, Shelter Island all within a 1/2 day sail of New London. Try Active Captain it is full of all kinds of great info and better than just about any Cruising Guide you can buy.

Good luck!!!

[hugosalt]

Welcome Andrew, Few hours west is the Ct. River...Essex is 6-8
miles up river, great town. Hamburg Cove great early or late in the season..crowded on summer weekends.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Andrew.

[SaucySailoress]

Welcome aboard - and now you need to post pics of your new sailboat...

[Cotemar]

illiniphoenix,

Go to activecaptain Interactive Cruising guide to find all the good paces to go in Long Island sound.

Fishers West Harbor is a great close sail and lunch stop for you.

PM me if you need any local knowledge. I can also give you routes to all the good spots.
Welcome aboard the CF.

Mark

[SailFastTri]

I agree with all the other posters in this thread. You're in a great area! Explore the charts, look at activecaptain and get a Maptech cruising guide.

Another important tip -- make sure you pay attention to currents, which can be strong at certain times and places. (Buy a copy of Eldridge or carry other current tables so you can time it.) Wind-against-current can make for a very steep chop in even moderate winds, so time your passages accordingly. If you ignore this advice your Admiral will let you know.

[gboase]

I'll blow my own horn here.

I recently started a website that answers your question. I'm posting new destinations almost daily for anchoring, docks and moorings that offer either free or discounted. Anchoring of course is always free, but the places I list also have shore facilities for anchored yachts.

Either of these would be a bit of a sail for you, but I would recommend either Wickford Harbor or Greenwich Cove / Goddard Park. I have reviews on both on the website.

Wickford Harbor has free moorings for 24 hours and a free town dock for shorter stopover. Goddard park is a GREAT place to anchor if you have kids. Great place to anchor even if you don't.

Newport Harbor has extensive anchorage areas and all yachts are serviced by Old Port Launch service. Seamen's Church Institute has heads, showers and other goodies for anchored seamen. The Ann Street Wharf has a touch and go dock for short term free dockage for yachts less than 40'.

I love Block Island. You can read an article I recently wrote on the Block on New England Magazine New England Magazine - Vacations, Travel, Trips, Sports, News, Art, and more! and of course on my website Sailing the bay and Islands with a cruising sailor.

One word of caution here, do not go to Old Harbor to anchor, stay with New Harbor. There's not much room in Old Harbor whereas New Harbor has plenty. Contact the harbormaster on entry for advice on where to anchor.

If you need help on "how to" anchor, I'm about three weeks away from finishing my newest book "Anchoring with Style, Plain and Simple." Contact me and I'll be happy to send you an advance copy in ebook format before it goes to the publisher for printing for free.

Later this summer, my last book, "The Guide to the Marinas" (New England Edition) will be out in bookstores and ships stores. Sorry, I can't give those away since there's another author involved in the MA marinas. I do have a couple of copies though I can comp a few people with. You can also find it on DVD on the Atlantic Cruising Club website. The book comes with a copy of the DVD too.

Active Captain is also a GREAT source of information on anchorage harbors. I use them often myself. Jeff provides an incredible resource for boaters.

Fair Winds and Happy Sailing!
George Boase

[illiniphoenix]

Thanks everyone for your helpful responses. I have much to explore! George especially, thanks for the advice. I'm not sure if you got my email, but I would definitely like to take you up on your offer of an advance copy of your book. Your website also looks like a great resource. I'll stay tuned.

SaucySailoress, I actually won't officially get my boat until this Friday, so pics will have to wait until then

Thanks again everyone!

[gboase]

Hello, yes I got your message. I'll let you know the minute the book is out.

Not to blow my own horn, but the website was created by what I consider a great missing section of the yachting market. It's going to take me a while to fill it all out with information, but rest assured I'm working on that everyday and I appreciate repeat visitors. Thanks for staying in touch!

If you use facebook, every time I add a destination to the site I post it on my wall. My facebook page can be found by searching "The Cruising Sailor." Just "like" it and you will be sent email telling you of the new piece there.

Fair Winds
George