Looking for Maine to NY suggestions

orthomartin · #1 (**permalink**) 08-30-2008

We departed Lk Michigan via the St. Lawrence and are now in Halifax NS. Heading this week to Bar Harbor and then working our way down. Need to be in NYC by Oct 12, then Hampton Va by Oct 25 or so.
So...any suggestions for those really "special" places along this route from you eastern seaboard folks? Oh ya, we are sailing a Moody 46 with 6' draft and 66' air draft.
Thanks all

sailingdog · #2 (**permalink**) 08-30-2008

Assuming you take the Cape Cod Canal, rather than go around the outside of the Cape, Basset's Island, in Red Brook harbor is right near the canal and might be a good stopping point after coming through.

Hadley Harbor, near woods hole is another good one, as is Cuttyhunk Island.

Menemsha is probably a bit shallow for you, but Vineyard Haven might be a good place to stop, if the wind isn't out of the North/Northeast/East.

Further north, Rockport Harbor is always a nice stop. I was there last in a C&C 38 that drew 6'+ or so. Great Misery Island, near Manchester Bay/Salem Sound in Mass Bay is a good place to anchor as well.

camaraderie · #3 (**permalink**) 08-30-2008

Block Island is a great place after Labor Day. Port Jefferson on the north shore of LongIsland is a nice harbor and town. Spend some time in Cape May before you turn the corner. Baltimore Harbor, Annapolis, St. Michaels and lots of other nice places on the Chesapeake beckon as well.
Are you heading south with the Caribe1500?

mdidriksen · #4 (**permalink**) 08-30-2008

It's been a long time since I was in Menemsha (20 years) but we did it in a 6'6" draft, so if that still works it's a nice stop. Also second Cuttyhunk.

In Maine, there is almost too much to recommend. Perhaps Matinicus Island (spelling?).

Joesaila · #5 (**permalink**) 08-30-2008

Rockport anchorage is around 1/4 mile from the harbor [north] but a quick dinghy ride to the public dock. The Greenery is a nice place to eat, nice chowda!

JohnRPollard · #6 (**permalink**) 08-30-2008

If you just need a nice harbour for re-provisioning, etc, before heading for the Cape Cod Canal, I'd recommend Scituate (Massachusetts). Laundromat and grocery store are all in the immediate harbour, as well as fuel, movie theatres, restaurants, secure moorings, etc.

Plymouth Harbour has more to offer, sight-seeing wise, but make sure you time the tide right or it can be a much longer trip in and out than it should be.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailingdog

Great Misery Island, near Manchester Bay/Salem Sound in Mass Bay is a good place to anchor as well.

Nice spot, but there's more than one reason they call it "Great Misery" -- get your screens in before sunset or get eaten by mosquitoes!

Safe trip!

tweitz · #7 (**permalink**) 08-30-2008

Sag Harbor is beautiful and plenty of room.

gc1111 · #8 (**permalink**) 08-30-2008

With 66' air draft, you have to go around Cape Ann rather than through the scenic route via Annisquam river and Blynman Canal. There is a fixed bridge (as best I remember about 65' clearance, but check charts). I was coming southbound one year when a northbound boat needing an extra foot hit it just in front of us. Things on the boat broke, not the bridge!

And I hope you are not planning on going down the ICW.

mgiguere · #9 (**permalink**) 08-31-2008

Hello, I have been from Maine to the Chesapeake Bay. If I were you, I would spend more time in Maine and do the long hauls below Boothbay harbor. This is one of the best cruising grounds in the world. Below Maine, Cape Cod has a number of good stopping points--Cuddyhunk in Buzzards Bay, Newport and Block Island would be excellent. Then you have a choice to make. You could go down the East river (inside passage) if you wanted to go through Manhattan, or you could go outside down to Cape May NJ. There is nothing between NY and Cape May. After that, Annapolis is a great stop...Oct 12th is Boat Show time...but there are plenty of places to park outside Annapolis. Bothe the Eastern and Western shore have a lot to offer down to the entrance of the ICW in Hampton. St Michael's, Oxford,and Yorktown are historic with many creeks along the way. Be careful of shallow depts in the Chesapeake, but the good news is that it's primarily mud and there is little tide. Have a good cruise.

Moe

sailingdog · #10 (**permalink**) 09-01-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdidriksen

It's been a long time since I was in Menemsha (20 years) but we did it in a 6'6" draft, so if that still works it's a nice stop. Also second Cuttyhunk.

In Maine, there is almost too much to recommend. Perhaps Matinicus Island (spelling?).

Menemsha only have a few moorings, and the pond itself has gotten pretty shallow... so a boat with a 6' draft might have some issues there... however, since it is post-tourist-idiots season, he might be okay.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnRPollard

If you just need a nice harbour for re-provisioning, etc, before heading for the Cape Cod Canal, I'd recommend Scituate (Massachusetts). Laundromat and grocery store are all in the immediate harbour, as well as fuel, movie theatres, restaurants, secure moorings, etc.

Plymouth Harbour has more to offer, sight-seeing wise, but make sure you time the tide right or it can be a much longer trip in and out than it should be.

Nice spot, but there's more than one reason they call it "Great Misery" -- get your screens in before sunset or get eaten by mosquitoes!

Safe trip!

Depends on the time of year... I actually slept on deck last time I was there.. .was very nice...no bugs... however, I was trying to get the skeeters a nice late season food supply.