Marthas Vinyard

[smurphny]

Menemsha has a few rental moorings, some outside the harbor. That end of the island might be a little less zooish around the 4th. Vineyard Haven and the popular spots will be overrun. You can anchor outside Menemsha but not in any substantial wind with north in it. If you go there stop in Larsen's Fish Market for excellent take-out. A more sedate spot to avoid the weekend crowds might be Hadley Harbor, just opposite Woods Hole.

[Sunday Driver]

Alternative, shoot for VH as first stop on island, and on way back Tarpaulin, through Quick's, do Cuttyhunk and home. Beach at Tarpaulin and beaches at Cuttyhunk

thanks , I dont know any of those beaches , so all suggestions are great .
im figureing it will be a busy week everywhere so i am ready to roll with what comes .

but i would be planning for next years trip too !!!

We have a roll up air floor dingy with a 6hp
you can zip around with 1 person , 2 is not to bad ..4 its a slow go .

we have been to block island before , so now im thinking to skip it ..

best part of going to town for me is finding the ice cream shops
or shaved ice .
renting bikes is on the list , i heard theres nice paved trails around the Island to ride on ..
we wanted to walk around the ginger bread houses too

[sailingfool]

Originally Posted by smurphny

... A more sedate spot to avoid the weekend crowds might be Hadley Harbor, just opposite Woods Hole.

All these spots will be mobbed on July 4 weekend, Hadley perhaps the worst of all. Off Menemsha (this being the open water of the Sound) has lots of room, but no one wants to be there excepting an excellent weather forecast.

The Vineyard lagoon is the only place I know for MV with the anchorage area (large) to happily handle the demand (low).

[smurphny]

Probably right SF but you can usually find a spot in the outer harbor, weather permitting. There will be lots of traffic everywhere. MV does have a nice bike trail on the east side of the island but it does not go the entire length which is too bad because the ride up to Gay Head is super. Riding a bike on the narrow roads on the 4th weekend would be almost certain suicide. Seriously, many people get hit on bikes. I would not take my family on the roads of MV on bikes under any circumstance. I usually pedal down to Vinyard Haven to get supplies. It is death defying!

[Sunday Driver]

Riding a bike on the narrow roads on the 4th weekend would be almost certain suicide.

Wow right I wasnt thinking of that ..
is there enough trails /bike paths to stay off the roads ?
enough to get some exercice ?

[GMC]

Tons of good paths all over. Roads a bit dangerous.

[alturia]

If you want privacy then Oak Bluffs is not the the place to go. Oak Bluffs requires you to raft on their moorings so you will end up rafted to people you do not know.

[marcberoz]

Best place IMO is Lake Tashmoo. Great holding, dingy dock with potable water and a dumpster. Tree lined shore, well protected and a very pleasant 20 minute walk into Vineyard Haven. It is also a nice, safe bike ride.

[smurphny]

Originally Posted by Sunday Driver

Wow right I wasnt thinking of that ..
is there enough trails /bike paths to stay off the roads ?
enough to get some exercice ?

The best bike path goes from Edgartown to the State Forest area but you have to take roads to get there from wherever your boat may be. The last time I biked it was about five years ago when I was there "boat sitting" for a friend so it may have been extended farther by now. I sailed there last year but did not get the bike off the boat. If you get to the State Forest, you could ride in there. I have not been on all the trails there but they are off the roads. Another note about Menemsha moorings is that, as in Oak Bluffs, they raft boats together. The harbor is small. There is a swift current at the inlet so getting in and out is best done off peak current if you're not familiar with it. The entire area of MV/Elizabeth Islands/Woods has places with dangerous current situations you need to be aware of. You need to be on your toes, especially with heavy boat traffic.

[Minnewaska]

Originally Posted by marcberoz

Best place IMO is Lake Tashmoo. Great holding, dingy dock with potable water and a dumpster. Tree lined shore, well protected and a very pleasant 20 minute walk into Vineyard Haven. It is also a nice, safe bike ride.

Neat place, but even the OP's 3.5 ft draft is an issue getting in there through the beach cut. 2 to 3 feet at low tide, 5 to 6 ft at high.