[jameswilson29]

I hope to sail up to eastern L.I., N.Y, R.I., Mass., this summer from the Chesapeake Bay, probably from Norfolk to Block Island, R.I.

The plan is to meet my wife and son, who will drive up in our minivan to embark on a short cruise in the area - Greenport, Gardiner's Bay, Block Island, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, etc. I don't plan to be in the N.Y.C., Sandy Hook, eastern N.J. area and I don't want to take my wife and son too far away from land.

What would be the best place for my wife to join me in far eastern N.Y., Conn., R.I., considering ease of travel, limited time avail., minimal expense, ability to load and unload, and availability of vehicle parking?

 

[zeehag]

i dont have a great embarkation point, but when you are around marthas vineyard and cape cod, please make a point of going into laura and tonys kitchen, have sunday brunch and say hay to my cousins whom i havent seen in ages and who own the place.
have a wonderful brunch.

 

[tempest]

James, I've dropped people off and picked them up in Old Saybrook Conn. From there it's an easy daysail to Block. Essex further up river is another possibility.

It's also on the NE corridor line and a short cab ride from the train to the Conn. river. If she'd rather not drive.

I've dropped folks off and picked them up in Port Jefferson where they've made train connections home. But it sounds like PJ is too far West for your plans.

If you're sailing to directly to block, they could take a ferry to block and meet you there..
They can catch a ride from New London or Montauk. I've picked up crew from both directions. You wouldn't want them to miss Block Is.

Sorry, I can't speak to the parking situation or costs. I'm sure someone here will know the best park and leave it places.

Edit, I just read your loading and unloading requirement. If lugging stuff on the ferry is problematic for them, consider packing their shipboard needs before you leave so it's on the boat when they get there. I've done that for friends who were flying in. They shipped me their bag in advance, then we shipped it back.

http://www.blockislandinfo.com/getting-here

 

[jsaronson]

James,

Sounds like an awesome trip! Have not been to Block since I was a kid.

I'd check out Mystic. You have the Seaport and Aquarium. The current in Fisher's Island Sound is brutal, so you will have to time your trip through there.

Joel

 

[eherlihy]

I suggest meeting them in Point Judith - the boat ramp would probably be best. There is good overnight parking, and easy access to your boat if you tie up.

 

[outbound]

Second the suggestion on Old Saybrook. Have used that harbor for that purpose. Not so much for Port Judith as can be difficult getting in and out with longterm parking more of an issue.
Going up the East River is a trip your family should not miss and is surprisingly easy. ( seems scary to me planning it but once done no biggy). Why not pick her up in the little marina on west side of tip of Manhattan or in Staten Island or even N.J.
Your big decision is outside L.I. ( much faster) or daysail up the sound (more fun and more to see). If you get up to R.I. shoot a PM maybe raft or hang out.

 

[tweitz]

Nice plan. There are lots of places to drop off and pick up, parking may be an issue at many of them. You could call marinas about parking. I know there is a big parking garage in New London, right near the train station and ferry terminal. If you decide to pick them up in Block, they could take the ferry over. The commercial dock in Three Mile Harbor has parking on it and the boat ramp there might be good for pick up. Sag harbor is great, but parking is tricky. I don't know where you could stop on Shelter Island, though the yacht club would work if you have a reciprocal membership. Greenport is pretty crowded, and I am not sure exactly where you would pick up. Keep us posted on your plans.

 

[CalebD]

I was thinking about the 3 Mile Harbor town dock area myself Ted. I'm not sure about overnight parking in the paved lot though. Around the back of the 3 Mile Harbor ships store is a haul out area for boats where I bet you could find an unobtrusive parking spot.
Three Mile Harbor Marina - A Full Service Marina and Boat Yard in East Hampton, New York
I'd call the above place and ask, although I'm sure you'd do better in person.

There are a few marinas in 3 Mile Harbor though. I would think that you could use nearly any of them to pick up wifey & son, including overnight parking, if you payed for a 1 night transient stay.

 

[tempest]

There are plenty of options....but the devil is in the logistics

To me, It's just a long A** drive up from Richmond, unless she's planning on taking it in two days.
That's why I might consider easy access to I-95 and possibly a more relaxing Amtrak Ride. ( you can close your eyes)
Then you don't have to worry about parking. I've taken the train and a bus, to hop on boats in Newport. You could also pick up and drop off at a different location. IE Pick up in Old Saybrook and drop off in Newport. Just a thought.

Saybrook Point Inn and marina is a very nice facility: pool, laundry, tiki bar. They also have a free Van Service that will take you in to town to meet her train.
Slip fees run about $4.00/ft, but hey you're on vacation, and everyone needs to be happy. There's a restaurant on-site and a nice place next door on the river, The Dock & Dine.

The more I think about it, driving, parking and taking a ferry to block would be a lot of traveling for one day, if it's even doable. So a mainland pick-up might be more prudent.
If you land in Block..from offshore, get a days rest, then you can hit any number of mainland pick-up points from block in a day.

 

[tweitz]

If you are doing the train New London is a pretty good option. The Long Island railroad goes to Greenport right near the dock also, though I suspect Amtrak to New Lindon is better. I will be in East Hampton this weekend and will look at the parking situation in Three Mile Harbor and report back.

 

[brokesailor]

JW: I am no expert but I would suggest Mystic, Conn. Great place to spend with the family. You can actually dock at the Mystic Seaport. After it closes you have the place to yourself, very cool. The town is great. Block, Greenport are all a daysail away. How much time do you have? I tried to cover to much ground last year, ended up burning ourselves out!! Smaller scope might actually be more fun.

 

[tempest]

+ 1 on realistic scope. Block to Vineyard Haven is approx. 56 miles and then another 30 to Nantucket, and of course the return trips.

 

[jameswilson29]

Well, if the moon and the stars align, I hope to have about 6 days up there. That assumes 4 days each way to and from Urbanna (roughly 350 n.m.), a total of 2 weeks to carve out of my schedule. My brother is in No. Va. temporarily on a work assignment that ends toward the end of June/start of July so I have an opportunity for tolerable crew who can put up with me in return for free food and drink.

My schedule is unpredictable and beyond my control, as is the weather, so this is all at the planning stage right now. My optimism is demonstrated by the fact that I have purchased extra fuel and water containers already.

 

[brokesailor]

JW: 6 days I would stick to an area and enjoy it. If you want to do MV then go straight up there, fly your wife into MV. You can then do Nantucket, Menemsha. Or go straight to Newport, fly or train wife to Providence (painful to get from providence to Newport) then sail Narragasset Bay, maybe do Block. Or do Long Island Sound. Many towns to visit. You will want to stay a minimum of 2 days each. Mystic, Greenport were our favoorites. Stayed 2 days in each, plus 2 days in Block. Or you can go to NYC> I docked at Liberty landing Marina and took a ferry to NYC. You can spend days there. I think the new 9-11 Memorial Bldg is now open. Also going thru the east River into Long Island Sound is a hoot!
I was going to do MV this year but cancelled so I can do a 1400 NM sail to Colombia instead in Nov. on Song.
Again I am not a NE expert, just my 2 cents.

 

[tempest]

100% agree with Broke.. with 6 days of family time, you'd want to stay within a reasonable day sail/ radius. Your adventure is getting there and back. Once there make it easy and fun. The Mystic, Block, Greenport, loop would fit nicely. You'd get to be in 3 states..in 6 days ;-)

There's plenty of interesting navigation, tide and current sailing there to keep one's interest as well

 

[jameswilson29]

Thank you all for your useful information and advice - Sailnet at its best!

 

[tweitz]

Mystic is a wonderful place. We docked right at the seaport and the only ones there after it closes are the few boats docked there. There is also an aquarium close by for the kids, though not easily walkable if I recall.

 

[Minnewaska]

If you plan to sail direct to Block Island, I would suggest meeting your family somewhere in Narraganset Bay (despite the hometown bias). This allows you the most options. If the ocean is boiling, there are plenty of places to enjoy sailing in the Bay. On the other hand, taking them back to Block Island, CuttyHunk or Menemsha are a day sail away.

If you try marinas on the Bay, you may find one that will allows you to leave a car, if you take a slip on pickup and drop off day. Forget Newport and Jamestown, neither have parking. Point Judith might have parking, but you aren't in the Bay and if the ocean is boiling, its a rough trip back up the Bay. Dutch Harbor is a long shot for parking, but may be worth a shot. Wickford is probably a good choice.

 

[outbound]

Like Minnie's thinking. Brewers in Barrington has parking. It's our home. But if she's doing the train pick her up in stoning ton or mystic. Then depending on weather can duck into Narragansett bay. If lousy spend a day in Bristol and see the museum. If nice do the islands. Kids like cuttyhunk. Not all uppified like MV now. Get a mooring in block. Holding is questionable due to shells but once firmly anchored great place for kids. Remember it's easy going north but often hard to go south.

 

[chef2sail]

James having done this trip many times the most important thing is to not make it a death march. eally two weeks is a very short window from where you are comming from so I would follow the advice of Broke and Tempest and pick an area.

MV and Cuttyhunk are a long reach. Even Newport could be. Attainable, but youll be tired and burnt.

I find it funny as I was Brokesailors cruise director on his outing up there and he loved many of the places we do.

I would go to Block and then Mystic. Join the Seaport and the second day dockage is free. Neat to be in there at night when the tourists are gone. Go restaurants in the walking distance and your son will like th museaum and it can be interactive as well.

From Mystic...go to Greenport...kid friendly...great gazebo. Cheap marina top quality ( Is the city one) and walk to everywhere. From there Sag Harbor or Montaulk. Sag is for the blue boolds...Montaulk is fascinating and has great fishing fleets, beaches, lightthouse trail. Then there is Stonigton and Dotsins with all the Morris's and Hihnkleys and scallops.

Newport is acheivable, but I would want 17 days at least to do that to enjoy it. Old Saybrooke/ Essex nice, but a full day sail into the Sound. new London...run down.

You picked a great area, remember greater potential for fog in june than July than august when cosidering the ocean trip.

Conneticut River is a hurricane bailout. Also great many nice Sailnutters we have met up there on our trips.

BTW we are heading up there starting August 15- Sept 6. We are doing Cape May, Barnegat, Sandy Hook / Atlantic Highlands, Port Jefferson, Greenport, Mmontaulk, Block, Newport, Stonington...then back to the Chessie. Maybe we will cross paths.