Anchoring off Norwalk Islands, CT?

[tmalcolm]

Does anyone have some immediate advice on anchoring around the Norwalk Islands? I'll be heading off from Bridgeport tomorrow morning, and was thinking of anchoring between Hanford Rock and Cockenoe Island, about 250' off shore, just north of the side with the 3 campsites. Would that be a good spot?

Anyone know what the bottom is around there? Is it more mud, or more sand? Would I be better off with a Delta or a Danforth?


--Tim.

[JimsCAL]

I've anchored for a few hours on the west side of Cockenoe several times. Decent holding but a bit exposed. Also anchored overnight several times north of Sheffield Island. Good protection from the usual southerlies, but the wake in the morning from the fishermen going out at full throttle can be annoying. Best overnight spot is Ziegler's Cove just to the west. Plenty of moorings to pick up during the week, but not sure about weekends.

[tmalcolm]

Thanks for the advice. I read your post before heading out early Saturday but didn't have time to reply. When I got down to Cockenoe Island on Saturday afternoon, all the sailboats were anchored on the Westport side, and all the powerboats were in the lagoon, so I anchored up with the other sailboats. The bottom on that side (I think) is sand and rock. Holding was good enough that my boat was still there and hadn't dragged after 3 tide changes, a night of steady 10knt winds and really choppy 2ft seas. From shore she looked like a cork with a toothpick stuck in it bobbing every which way!! My wife asked why our boat was swaying more than the other boats out there, to which I replied those other boats were heavier. She was gripped by temporary boat envy.

--Tim.