Running from Clinton Ct to Wickford in CD 2—Love Some Advice

[Thomasbowie]

Hi all, New member, thrilled to now own the 78 CD 25 Windsong, formelly owned by a member of the group. Running it up to Wickford RI from Clinton Harbor CT this week and wondered if anyone had any route or other advice for me. Have the week, leaving Monday 6.11. Thanks! Tom

[mgphl52]

Hey Tom! No "local knowledge" advice... I live if Florida, but just had to wish you a great trip!
Especially since you're heading out on my birthday... I turn 42 Monday (but only if you know hexidecimal...)

[Jim Walsh]

Helpful info here http://www.capedory.org/board/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=35809

[Thomasbowie]

Thanks!

Anybody have a sense of a good place to stop midway between Clinton Ct and Fishers?

Enjoying the anticipation!

[Cathy Monaghan]

Hi,

We cruise from NJ to New England every year and we stop at Clinton, CT every year. From there we will either take a short trip to Essex, CT on the Connecticut River, and spend the night there; or we'll head straight for Fishers Island Sound. There are 4 places we like to visit on Fishers Island Sound, so we may stop at any of them. I've listed them below.

Pine Island Bay, Groton, CT. The town of Groton maintains 2 moorings at the entrance to Pine Island Bay. They are located inside the small breakwater north of Pine Island and west of RN#2. Do not venture between RN#2 and Pine Island. That buoy marks a rock ledge that extends from the island to the buoy. Anyway, the moorings are free, so just pick one up. Or you can get a mooring or slip from the Shennecossett Yacht Club.

Stonington, CT. You can anchor in the gap in the mooring field or get a mooring from Dodson's Boat Yard or the Stonington Harbor Yacht Club.

Napatree Beach, Little Narragansett Bay. The entrance to Little Narragansett Bay is east of Stonington, CT. It's long and narrow and shallow in some places, but your CD25D will have no problem with the depths. Follow the channel eastward towards Rhodes Point then head in a southwesterly direction towards R#2 Fl R 4s, then head west and anchor north of Napatree Beach.

Fishers Island, NY. There are two nice anchorages on Fishers Island: West Harbor and East Harbor. Both offer good holding and protection from the prevailing southwesterlies.

From Fishers Island Sound you can make it all the way to Dutch Harbor, Jamestown, RI. Dutch Harbor is located on the west side of Conanicut Island and is protected by Dutch Island. If you think that's too far stop at Point Judith. You can either anchor in the Harbor of Refuge and deal with the strong currents or head up into Point Judith Pond. There are marinas in Jerusalem on the western shore or follow the channel northward all the way to Gardner Island and pass RN#24. Go north of the island and head around it travelling southward between Gardner and Beach Islands. One you're past them, you can anchor in the Pond. If you don't want to anchor in the Pond, you can anchor outside the moorings at Smelt Brook Cove.

From Dutch Harbor it's an easy ride to Wickford.

[Thomasbowie]

Postscipt: took off from Clinton on Monday at 9:30 dropped anchor at Fisher’s West Harbor around 3 that afternoon after a tough but good test for my boat, with a 15-20 k wind right on the nose, piling up some lumpy seas against the running tide; still netting me around 5 knots. But more importantly, I never felt in jeopardry; setting the stage for day two.

Took off at 7:30 on Tuesday morning, motored easily through Fisher’s going east and about 5 miles east of the tip of Fisher’s a light wind off the stern came up, i rolled out my 130 Genoa ((with my 6hp 4-stroke at max) and with wind picking up slowly but steadily, i blasted right past Port Judith, a “Long Island/Block Island/Narragansett Bay Sleighride” that brought me into Apponaug Harbor Marina and my new home around 4:30 PM Tuesday afternoon. I went over 45 miles in one day with my Navionics having me surfing down the following sea waves at up to 10.2 knots! (have 9.2 documented on video.)

Crazy, right?

Burned 5.5 gal of gas; refueled 3 gal tank with gallon tanks with new catch trigers en route.

One of the sails of my life. I took some video I’m going to stitch together - will post link when its ready.

Thanks all. And yes, I have the perfect boat for me. I’m simply delighted.

[Chrisa006]

I'm going to miss that boat Tom but she has a great home with you!! Enjoy her.

[mgphl52]

Congrats Tom! Can't wait to see the video.

[steve poulin]

Nicely done, Tom. I hope to see you out on the Bay this summer. I'm in a CD 27 (Fair Winds) up in East Greenwich.

Steve Poulin