Cape Cod's Southern Shore

Dick Kobayashi · Post by **Dick Kobayashi** » May 10th, '09, 14:31

I am contemplating gunkholing the southern shore of Cape Cod this summer. There are many bays and estuaries along this stretch - data from charts is sketchy. I wonder if any readers are familiar with the area. I have a 25D, it draws 3 and a half feet.

Thanks.

Bill Coogan · Post by **Bill Coogan** » May 14th, '09, 10:42

I've sailed in to Waquoit Bay, a few miles east of Falmouth, two or three times during September in my CD25. I draw three feet. Last year I was the only human in the harbor. What a peaceful evening!

Follow the chart, turn on your depth sounder, and be careful!

Ray Garcia · Post by **Ray Garcia** » May 14th, '09, 12:27

I'll second Waquoit Bay, I was there quite a few years ago and it was very nice. The water shallows quickly away from the channels. But its a soft touch if you run aground. Go slow if your outside the channel, you will see the bottom by then anyway.

If you have not done already take the Cotuit Bay, West Bay loop. This is just east of Waquoit. You can motor north of the Bay's into Prince Cove. It was the best anchorage on my cruise of the cape. Well worth the trip. There are services available on both Bay's.

trapper · Post by **trapper** » May 14th, '09, 13:25

I grew up spending my summers sailing my beetle cat on Waquoit Bay. The big house at the head of the bay (now a study facility for NOAA) was my grandparents house.

The bay is 8' at the deepest. You are fine through the middle all the way to the head of the bay. You can get quite close at the head of the bay towards the yacht club (left hand side facing in) and in front of my grandparents former house. It is very shallow on the right hand side going in. Also the points out from Washburn Island are sandbars. You can enter the bay either through jetties or from Childs River on the back side of Washburn Island.

If you decide to go ashore, I would hope the Waquoit Bay Yacht Club would welcome you, but you can also go between the 2 large banks at the head of the bay (Whistler's Way) Pull your dink up and walk about 1 mile to the little village. Go Right when you get to Rte. 28.

I wish I could go!

eshanabrook · Post by **eshanabrook** » May 14th, '09, 15:37

Question, is the channel marked into Cotuit Bay from the RW bell?

Ray Garcia · Post by **Ray Garcia** » May 14th, '09, 16:06

It has been a while, but I believe it is. If not, use the West Bay entrance a little further east. I would recommend you use the West Bay entrance if its your first time visit. When I was there last I had a trailer sailor with a keel/centerboard configuration. I drew 2' board up so I wasn't too worried about the depth. I would imagine the Cotuit Bay entrance on high tide would be good to use.

Mind that depth sounder.