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Block Island race week: worth going?

1K views 6 replies 7 participants last post by  paulk 
#1 ·
I am planning a LI sound cruise for a week to 10 days this summer with my father and brother. I'm 27 years old, my brother a bit younger. My father never sailed in his life until recently, and now he is REALLY into going cruising (on my boat :D).

I had thought to make the destination Newport, but stopping off at Block Island or maybe even further if time and winds permit (vineyard? Nantucket?)

Is it worth waiting for race week to go to Block Island? (I won't be racing) What is the scene during race week for people my age, and my father's age? Will I have trouble finding a spot to anchor?
 
#2 ·
Big parties, crowded, etc, etc. If you are into that, you should go. You will anchor, probably in 20-30 ft of water. Getting on a mooring or in a slip would be a miracle. No mooring reservations and I assume slips we're booked months ago.

Race week is early in the season, usually about the third week of June. Personally, I avoid it. It then remains crowded out there until Labor Day. You should see the island at some point, if you've never been.
 
#3 ·
Did it for 30 years. Lot's of punishing fun if your racing. The harbor will be very crowded. If you enjoy 20 somethings getting trashed on free rum, then go. Otherwise avoid it. The racring will be a couple miles to the north west of the island. Aside from the round the island event you can't watch from shore and unless you stay well above the windward mark or well below the leeward mark you don't want to be out there in the way.
 
#6 · (Edited)
Besides nobody goes to Block island any more, it's too crowded
Well said..lol. Block Island is slowly losing it's charm IMHO. Getting kicked out of the showers at Champlin's for the first time in my life was a bummer.

Yes, Champlin's showers are for "resort guests" and I stay on a town mooring. However, I rent overpriced bikes there, eat breakfast on occasion, and spend a fortune at the dock bar (well, used to).

I was there for part of race week last summer. Didn't seem as crowded as previous years. From what I understand, attendance is down due to other "big" races overlapping.

Also, as usual, it's busiest on the weekends.
 
#7 ·
Newport-Bermuda race is this year, so many racers will go to that instead of BI. Even so, racers will crowd the restaurants and hotels. That's why they hold it before the hot summer season really starts - to boost revenues before the real crowd arrives. If you're not racing, you won't fit in - and might not even be allowed at the parties. Then you'll have trouble getting reservations at any place that's good. I'd avoid BIRW if I wasn't actually racing.
 
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