Orient To Block Isalnd

[bmjnyc]

Hello,

I'm planning to sail my new Contessa 26 from Orient Village, Long Island to Block Island next week. My plan is to sail west from Orient through Gardiners Bay and north of Gardiners Island towards Block Island.

This route seems straight forward but I've also heard that some people go through Plum Gut and then turn east towards Block Island.

Any input would be greatly appreciated..

Thanks!

[Tempest]

I haven't done this route, but it would seem to me that you'd need the current with you to go through the gut...but if it were...you'd have it against you once you turned east.
Unless you could time it such that you went through at slack before the turn

[OasisII]

I have gone both ways many times. My logs are on the boat so I can't give you exact times, but it has always taken longer to go through the gut.

Time your tides going through The Race.

Mike

[tommays]

I have always gone the dirrect route there BUT even in gardiners bay it will take a really long time IF you dont go both ways with the current as there will be times you would be lucky to make 3 knots

[RobGallagher]

Originally Posted by bmjnyc

Hello,

I'm planning to sail my new Contessa 26 from Orient Village, Long Island to Block Island next week. My plan is to sail west from Orient through Gardiners Bay and north of Gardiners Island towards Block Island.

This route seems straight forward but I've also heard that some people go through Plum Gut and then turn east towards Block Island.

Any input would be greatly appreciated..

Thanks!

Assuming you leaving from the south side of the Plum Gut, there does not seem to be any reason to go through plum gut. It's a straight shot to BI. That being said, you must have a fair current. If it's against you, they I guess you could go north through the gut then around the north side of Plum Island, but that just seems like killing time. If I'm wrong, someone please set me straight.

If you are north of the gut then, depending on the current, visibility, weather etc. you might consider the race.

If you don't yet have Eldridges Tide and Pilot Book... get it now.

[bmjnyc]

Thank you all for confirming my thoughts, I will check my Eldridge. So essentially I need leave Orient when the tide is going out?

[RobGallagher]

Originally Posted by bmjnyc

Thank you all for confirming my thoughts, I will check my Eldridge. So essentially I need leave Orient when the tide is going out?

You leave Orient when the CURRENT is going out (Ebb). The times of high tide/low tide and the times the current changes are NOT the same.

Again, invest in Eldridges.

If you leave Orient at high tide you will be sailing against the flood.

Did I mention Eldriges? lol

There are some free sites/Iphone apps that will tell you the time of the current change as well. The maps in Eldridges are very helpful and I don't know where to find them online.

Does anyone know a site that gives details and maps for the whole year like eldridges?

[bmjnyc]

thanks, looking at my Eldridge now

[BarryL]

Hello,

I did that trip last year. As you wrote. it's a straight shot and very easy to navigate. I ran just north of G 1GI at Gardiners Island and then just north of G 9 at Cerberus shoal. It's a little over 30nm from Orient By The Sea Marina to Block Island Boat Basin.

Do keep your eyes open because I encountered a lot of powerboat traffic that had a similar course. Next time I would try to stay further north to avoid them.

Good luck,
Barry

[CalebD]

If you study the tidal current charts for the Race and LI Sound you should be able to figure out an optimal time for leaving (just before the current changes in your favor). It is about 30 n.miles so should take about 6 hours at an avg. of 5 knots, assuming the current is with you. If the current is opposing you it could knock your average speed down to 3 knots making the 30 n. mile trip take 10 hours.
Have fun.