Block Island July 4th

[Turtlesboat]

Ok, i'm planning my July 4th weekend already :lol:

I'd like to make a week of it with Block Island as my destination. Leave on sat, anchor somewhere sat night, maybe head across the sound and anchor somewhere sunday night, then head to Block Island monday. Spend a few days in the Great Salt Pond on anchor and then head back. Has anyone done this trip before? has anyone done this for July 4th weekend? Maybe cruise up the Conn side one way and the LI side on the way back? Advice, locations, warnings? I've seen pictures of the Great Salt Pond on July 4th and it looks completely crazy, but i'm game.

 

[dc380]

I've made the New York to CT river run in my 380, and I've spent many days in Great salt pond in a 29 Four Winns.

On the way I would stop at Port Jeff, GreenPort then go straight to Block. Anchoring is easy, good holding ground, BUT it gets real windy, so a oversize anchor is best and make sure it's set good, back up on it, 7:1 scope, and if you spin, recheck it. If it's windy on the fouth, lots of boats will be breaking free.
Gas at Block is expensive, so plan to by gas before you get there.

Block is a party place on the holidays!! Lots of bars.

On the way back I'd stop in Mystic, Westbrook, Brandford and then home.

All those ports have good holding ground. And Gas :smt001

Have fun.

 

[Dancin Dave]

Good points dc380, however I would consider getting a good bite as far forward as possible. I have seen it happen many times when anchored boats in front of you break loose and head east, and hit many boats on the way. some unattended. I wont anchor there anymore, there are also boats that meander though the field and get hung up on anchor lines. Try to get on a mooring as soon as you can(40 bucks a nite, launch to town 1 buck to champlins free), the marinas are all booked, however champlins might be able to squeeze you in rafted out 5 times. It is one of our favorite destinations turtle, especially taking the dink to dinghy beach and walking across the street to the beach and ocean.

If you give me a shout I will be up there for a week or so at the sametime.

 

[Turtlesboat]

definately will. hopefully will have those burgee's by then so we can find each other. :lol:

 

[Dancin Dave]

yup, hope so :smt043

 

[Turtlesboat]

In preperation for my block island trip, I'm making a run to port Jefferson this weekend and staying on the hook. anything I should look out for? consider?

 

[Sea Gull]

Port Jeff is one of our favorite destinations. There are two options for anchoring out. After coming through the breakwaters the sand pit is on the left (NE corner of the harbor, marked as spoil area on the chart). This small anchorage is littered with moorings and it may be tough to find a spot to anchor. The anchorage is surrounded by sand dunes which provide endless fun for the kids.

The other anchoring option is to the right as you enter the harbor. This is what we call Conscience Bay, but on the chart it's really just an area inside Old Field Beach. The real Conscience Bay is farther west and very shallow. Again, there are lots of moorings, but plenty of room to anchor too.

The anchorages and rocky beaches are so nice we often just stay there, but for a different kind of fun you can go into town too. We usually go by dinghy, but you can get hourly dockage or a mooring near town too.

We may be there on Sunday so let me know what your plans are.

 

[Turtlesboat]

well never made it to port Jefferson. my GF had to do something on sat so sunday morning we headed out and made it as far as oyster bay. Filled up with gas, took a swim, ate some hot dogs and headed back. LONG day. 9 hours on the boat (counting getting lost, getting gas). Long Island is LONG. The killer is the hour + it takes just to get down the Hudson.

a hugh Yatch threw a wake that was taller than my boat. I saw that sucker coming and we all held on for dear life. I swear my whole boat was under water for a second. I don't mind salt water in my boat, but when it makes me spill a coke on my cockpit carpet, now that gets me pissed. :lol:

 

[jg300da]

If you're willing to go just one click east of Oyster Bay, you can head into Huntington Harbor. Once you get to the back turn west and that's Lloyd Harbor. Beautiful place to anchor there.....if you go east instead, it takes you to Northport harbor. You can tie up at the town dock and walk to great shops and restaurants.