This Saturday I will be sailing my CD25 from Niantic to Block Island. This will be my first time going through the Race. Anyone from the area have any tips/techniques for what I understand is a 5 knot current.
Thanks in advance.
carrd@erols.com
Block Island tips..
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Leo MacDonald CD30K
Re: Block Island tips..
Don,
I go through Fishers Island Sound then out through the 'Eastern Gap' to Block Island Sound. At the 'Eastern Gap' the water is 'confused, tossed us around a little. Also the wind shifted about 170 degrees as we exited Fishers Island Sound. Due to channel width, I'd recommend having the engine warmed up and idling first time you do the 'Eastern Gap.'
We went out TO the race once, quite a sight, appears to be like a standing wave 3 foot or so. Channel width, however, is not a problem a problem. We sailed out and back without starting the engine. Interesting seas. Enjoy.
Anchoring at Block Island may be the biggest problem. Have a connection, a reservation, or get there EARLY.
The water taxi was great. Aslo Sunday morning a coffee and danish boat made the rounds.
Leo MacDonald, CD30K Heather Ann, Groton CT
macdore@aol.com
I go through Fishers Island Sound then out through the 'Eastern Gap' to Block Island Sound. At the 'Eastern Gap' the water is 'confused, tossed us around a little. Also the wind shifted about 170 degrees as we exited Fishers Island Sound. Due to channel width, I'd recommend having the engine warmed up and idling first time you do the 'Eastern Gap.'
We went out TO the race once, quite a sight, appears to be like a standing wave 3 foot or so. Channel width, however, is not a problem a problem. We sailed out and back without starting the engine. Interesting seas. Enjoy.
Anchoring at Block Island may be the biggest problem. Have a connection, a reservation, or get there EARLY.
The water taxi was great. Aslo Sunday morning a coffee and danish boat made the rounds.
Leo MacDonald, CD30K Heather Ann, Groton CT
macdore@aol.com
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Ted Lynch
Re: Block Island tips..
When I lived in CT., I made the trip from Branford, CT. to Block 5 or 6 years in a row in my CD25. With one exception, I made the trip via Fisher's Island sound with little or no difficulty. If you decide to go this way, you should plan your departure so that you exit the eastern end of the sound when the current is either slack or ebbing, I would not recommend the trip in an unfavorable current.
Once you exit the fisher island sound the remaining part of the trip to Block will take roughly 4 to 5 hours under favorable wind conditions. I would plan on using Point Judith as an alternate- just in case the weather and/or visibility deteriorates while underway.
Enjoy, I miss making the trip!
Ted Lynch
1979 CD25 Calypso
Swampscott, MA.
ted.lynch@teracorp.com
Once you exit the fisher island sound the remaining part of the trip to Block will take roughly 4 to 5 hours under favorable wind conditions. I would plan on using Point Judith as an alternate- just in case the weather and/or visibility deteriorates while underway.
Enjoy, I miss making the trip!
Ted Lynch
1979 CD25 Calypso
Swampscott, MA.
ted.lynch@teracorp.com
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D. Stump, Hanalei
Re: Block Island tips..
Don,
I hail from Noank, and make the passage to Block quite often through the year. We do not go around Fisher's Island! We generally go through Wiccopisset(sp) Passage at the Eastern end of Fisher's Island or through Watch Hill Passage by Watch Hill light. Watch Hill passage is wider than Wicopisset, but both are not a problem(watch your navigation and know where the center of the passage is). If the tide is against the wind (called: blondes against the redheads!), any passage can be a bumby ride. Tide against the wind in the Race is another story! It can get as high as 6' standing waves out there. I was coming through the race a year ago in like conditions, and was turned 90 degrees in the blink of an eye! From Noank, on a beam reach, with 15-20 knot winds and favorable tide, I have made Block in just over 2 1/2 hrs! If I remember right, it is about 12-14 miles from Noank. This is a tough weekend to go to Block, everyone will be there! Get in Friday if you can, get a mooring, and relax. If you can't get a mooring, anchor, at the left side of the fairway going in to New Harbour - check with harbourmaster for proper area, and keep a good anchor watch (not of your anchor, watch the other guy!). Remember, New Harbour is a no discharge zone, they do have a pump-out boat cruising aroung the harbour. The bread/roll/muffin boat in the morning is a plus. If you are inclined, you can rent motor bikes to tour the island, can get them right at Champlain's Dock I think, or for sure at the Oar resturant. Fair winds and following seas....
Dave Stump
Captain Commanding
s/v Hanalei CD-30
Noank, CT
I hail from Noank, and make the passage to Block quite often through the year. We do not go around Fisher's Island! We generally go through Wiccopisset(sp) Passage at the Eastern end of Fisher's Island or through Watch Hill Passage by Watch Hill light. Watch Hill passage is wider than Wicopisset, but both are not a problem(watch your navigation and know where the center of the passage is). If the tide is against the wind (called: blondes against the redheads!), any passage can be a bumby ride. Tide against the wind in the Race is another story! It can get as high as 6' standing waves out there. I was coming through the race a year ago in like conditions, and was turned 90 degrees in the blink of an eye! From Noank, on a beam reach, with 15-20 knot winds and favorable tide, I have made Block in just over 2 1/2 hrs! If I remember right, it is about 12-14 miles from Noank. This is a tough weekend to go to Block, everyone will be there! Get in Friday if you can, get a mooring, and relax. If you can't get a mooring, anchor, at the left side of the fairway going in to New Harbour - check with harbourmaster for proper area, and keep a good anchor watch (not of your anchor, watch the other guy!). Remember, New Harbour is a no discharge zone, they do have a pump-out boat cruising aroung the harbour. The bread/roll/muffin boat in the morning is a plus. If you are inclined, you can rent motor bikes to tour the island, can get them right at Champlain's Dock I think, or for sure at the Oar resturant. Fair winds and following seas....
Dave Stump
Captain Commanding
s/v Hanalei CD-30
Noank, CT
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Lee H. Hodsdon
Re: Bread/roll.....
Does the bread/roll/muffin boat do road trips?
Sounds simply wonderfull,
Lee
lhodsdon@nh.ultranet.com
Sounds simply wonderfull,
Lee
lhodsdon@nh.ultranet.com
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D. Stump, Hanalei
Re: "Andeamo" !!!
Lee,
Early in the morning, at anchor or mooring, out of the fog,in New Harbour on Block Island you will hear someone shouting "Andeamo" ! I think that means "let's go" in Italian, but I may be spelling it wrong. A quick toot on the signal horm and a small skiff will come alongside, and you may purchase fresh bread, rolls, muffins, and pastries from the vendor. It's a very nice touch, and yes, I guess you could say he's "on the road" or maybe it's a SEA trip!
Dave Stump
Captain Commanding
s/v Hanalei CD-30
Early in the morning, at anchor or mooring, out of the fog,in New Harbour on Block Island you will hear someone shouting "Andeamo" ! I think that means "let's go" in Italian, but I may be spelling it wrong. A quick toot on the signal horm and a small skiff will come alongside, and you may purchase fresh bread, rolls, muffins, and pastries from the vendor. It's a very nice touch, and yes, I guess you could say he's "on the road" or maybe it's a SEA trip!
Dave Stump
Captain Commanding
s/v Hanalei CD-30
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Don Carr
Re: BI Tips- Thanks for the info
Thanks for the advice based upon experience. Because the weather is forecasted to be 10-15 knts NW->W with seas running from 2-5 ft, I have opted to run out about 8 miles passing Fisher's Island to port. At approx 8 miles on a course of approx. 135 mag make a turn to 109 mag and hopefully run all the way to the Great Salt approach buoy may even get to go wing on wing. My timing of course will have to synchronize reasonable tide flow at the race. I prefer open water to narrow approaches. I'll let you all know how we make out. Have all the waypoints plugged into the GPS.Don Carr wrote: This Saturday I will be sailing my CD25 from Niantic to Block Island. This will be my first time going through the Race. Anyone from the area have any tips/techniques for what I understand is a 5 knot current.
Thanks in advance.
carrd@erols.com
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Bob
Re: "Andeamo" !!!
-------------------------------------D. Stump, Hanalei wrote: Lee,
Early in the morning, at anchor or mooring, out of the fog,in New Harbour on Block Island you will hear someone shouting "Andeamo" ! I think that means "let's go" in Italian, but I may be spelling it wrong. A quick toot on the signal horm and a small skiff will come alongside, and you may purchase fresh bread, rolls, muffins, and pastries from the vendor. It's a very nice touch, and yes, I guess you could say he's "on the road" or maybe it's a SEA trip!
Dave Stump
Captain Commanding
s/v Hanalei CD-30
Dave if memory serves me correctly that would be Aldo!!! And yes he is Italian which helps when negotiating on the pastries and muffins. Unfortunately from where I hail (south shore LI) it's a 222 mi. off shore passage to Block Island so we usually only get there once a year or so depending upon the weather.
Bob
S/V Ranger 144
CD25D
rmalinka@spec.net
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Lee H. Hosdon
Re: "Andeamo" !!!
Dave,
Actually I was wondering if he would come north! Have a great season.
Lee
lhodsdon@nh.ultranet.com
Actually I was wondering if he would come north! Have a great season.
Lee
lhodsdon@nh.ultranet.com
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John Ring
Re: Block Island tips..
Hi there Ted,Ted Lynch wrote: When I lived in CT., I made the trip from Branford, CT. to Block 5 or 6 years in a row in my CD25. With one exception, I made the trip via Fisher's Island sound with little or no difficulty. If you decide to go this way, you should plan your departure so that you exit the eastern end of the sound when the current is either slack or ebbing, I would not recommend the trip in an unfavorable current.
Once you exit the fisher island sound the remaining part of the trip to Block will take roughly 4 to 5 hours under favorable wind conditions. I would plan on using Point Judith as an alternate- just in case the weather and/or visibility deteriorates while underway.
Enjoy, I miss making the trip!
Ted Lynch
1979 CD25 Calypso
Swampscott, MA.
I have my CD-25 moored off Beverly's Hospital Point. Have you made any trips south of the Cape from our neighborhood? It's not a day trip exactly, so where do you overnight a long the way? How long would a Block Island trip take from here?
John Ring
s/v Sovereign CD-25
Beverly, MA
Ringj@mediaone.net
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Al Levesque
Re: Block Island tips..
We have made the trip several times from Salem and have done it several different ways. If I recall correctly, it's about 50 miles to the entrance of the canal. We have stopped at Sandwich to overnight there or to wait out the current change. We have seen others anchored outside the breakwater as well. (That must depend on the wind.) Since there is good lighting in the canal, it can be navigated easily at night if the current is right and Onset is a good place to stop at the other end.John Ring wrote: I have my CD-25 moored off Beverly's Hospital Point. Have you made any trips south of the Cape from our neighborhood? It's not a day trip exactly, so where do you overnight a long the way? How long would a Block Island trip take from here?
After getting through the canal and the chop on the Buzzards Bay side, we have gone to Cuttyhunk for another overnight and then gone to Block Island from there. Newport or Pt Judith are alternative stops.
When done at the pace I described, we got to Block Island on the third day. Some of the areas south of the Cape can get fog and that can slow the trip down.
PS:I always interpreted "Andiamo! Andiamo!" as "Hurry! Hurry!"
Hope that helps. If I can add further info please let me know.
Al Levesque
CD33, (most of our trips south of the Cape were in our previous CD25)
albert.levesque@cwixmail.com
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Ted Lynch
Re: Block Island tips..
John
If you don't care to make the trip from Beverly to the canal nonstop, you can make a stopover at any one of the following harbors:
Ptown- Easy access, moorings available, room to anchor, a personal favorite.
Scituate- Fairly easy aproach, moorings available, very protected, no anchoring.
Plymouth- More involved approach, slips available, moorings/anchoring?
If you plan it right, you can reach the canal easily and well rested from any one of these sites and take advantage of a favorable current thru the canal.
ted.lynch@teracorp.com
If you don't care to make the trip from Beverly to the canal nonstop, you can make a stopover at any one of the following harbors:
Ptown- Easy access, moorings available, room to anchor, a personal favorite.
Scituate- Fairly easy aproach, moorings available, very protected, no anchoring.
Plymouth- More involved approach, slips available, moorings/anchoring?
If you plan it right, you can reach the canal easily and well rested from any one of these sites and take advantage of a favorable current thru the canal.
ted.lynch@teracorp.com