Anchorages near Boston, MA

[cnsutter]

I am interested in everyone's favorite anchorages near Boston, MA. I sail from the north shore and looking for new anchorages to hit. I only really made it to Scituate and Gloucester last season (new sailor). Looking for places to anchor overnight, not marinas.

[brownoarsman]

Have you tried any of the harbor islands? Lots of good places to drop a hook for the weekend.

[Jason Flare]

My fovorite anchorage near Boston is North Palm Beach, FL.




OK. I'm kidding. I'm actually subscribing to this thread because I'm interested in the subject.

Thanks for posting OP.

[Capecoder]

Downtown Boston is not an anchoring friendly place, if you find a spot to drop your hook, good luck finding a spot to land your dinghy.

[Jason Flare]

Originally Posted by Capecoder

Downtown Boston is not an anchoring friendly place, if you find a spot to drop your hook, good luck finding a spot to land your dinghy.

Having lunch at the No Name a few times I always figured I could drop anchor beyond the fishing boats on the pier and dinghy in. Not a permanent anchorage but I doubt anyone would have a problem with it for a few hours. Maybe even one overnight.

[cnsutter]

In the Boston harbor is very tricky due to the traffic and limited areas actually friendly for dropping anchor. I have day sailed in the area and around the islands plenty in the past. I have not considered staying over night at one of the islands but maybe someone who has can comment on where a good spot is? Most of the islands are pretty small and not well protected. And seriousy, Codzilla really gets on my nerves...

Has anyone been to Hull and tried anchoring at World's End? I see conflicting information about whether you are actually allowed to anchor over night there on Active Captain. The city website doesn't seem to provide any clarification.

Areas I am considering so please feel free to comment if you have been there by boat:

Manchester by the sea
Rockport
Newburyport
Hull
Plymouth

[guyrj33]

Misery Island just south of Manchester, MA

[guyrj33]

Provincetown, MA out by the very end of the cape. Or rental mooring in by the pier.

[guyrj33]

Essex river behind Plum Island, some local knowledge is helpful as is shallow draft.

[guyrj33]

Mouth of the Annisquam River near Wingaersheek beach in Gloucester. Very busy on weekends.

[guyrj33]

Sandy Bay Rockport, MA but watch out for weather out of the North.

[cnsutter]

Thanks for the input guyrj33!

[opolily]

I haven't reached it yet but I'm told that there is anchoring space just inside a small island in Magnolia harbor. Depending on weather, the anchorage/mooring area between Big and Little Misery can be very pleasant. Moving up past Cape Ann you can anchor off the end of Plum Island where Ipswich River exits.
Just outside Mass Bay end of Cape Cod Canal is room to anchor not far off a beach and on the other end of the canal Redbrook (Pocasset) harbor is one of my very favorites.
Hoping to make it out to Provincetown myself this year.

[Island Time O25]

Originally Posted by guyrj33

Misery Island just south of Manchester, MA

The northern side is usually a motor boat zoo on weekends but the inside, between Great and Little Misery, is usually quiet, unless you get a southwester then it's rolly.

I've seen some people anchor at the mouth of Salem Harbor but not sure about the dinghy situation at the outer portion.

[dirtloves]

I am moving my boat to Hull, Allerton Harbor specifically, for the first time this year. Once things are in the water I can comment a bit more on that area. Prior to that I've been in Hingham/Weymouth and you can often get a spot in the Weymouth Back River/Hewitt's Cove area and go in for a bite at any of the restaurants in the Shipyard. It's a nice spot.

Otherwise anchorages at the Harbor Islands are my go to, but I'm a relatively novice sailor.