LI Sound Destinations

[Converse48]

We're planning a cruise from the Chesapeake to Nantucket via the Jersey Coast and LI Sound in early August. I have the itinerary mostly planned, but I have a "placeholder" destination that ideally should be about halfway through LI sound. It could be on the north shore of LI, or in CT. Whichever is better.

We'll be coming from New York on the way out and I have two nights that we can stop at destinations between NYC and Block Island. Is there anything at Sag Harbor or around the tip of LI?

On the way back we'll have one night to stop between MV and NYC. I was thinking this might be Mystic. Before you tell me that this is a lot of ground to cover, let me say I know that, BUT we once made it from Stamford, CT to Rock Hall, MD in one day, so we're not afraid of long runs.

Yes, I also know that whatever itinerary I plan will be subject to the whims of mother nature...

I will be travelling with the Admiral and the "crew" which will be 11 (boy) and 9 (girl) and 9 months (Jack Russell) at the time. So destinations should be kid/dog friendly.

Any advice / local knowledge appreciated.

 

[osd9]

I'll defer the details to the locals, but we spent two nights in Port Jefferson on the north shore of LI and it seems to fit your list of requirments. You just need to be prepared for the early morning Ferry wake up call.

Quaint small sea shore town with restaruants and shops all in walking distance...think St. Michaels.

Along your way, if you need a spot to drop in along the Jersey Shore, you have my cell....

 

[Turtlesboat]

Sweet, sounds like a great trip. I'm still fairly new to the Sound so I won't make many suggestions, But there are a lot of great places on the tip of the Sound. You can check out our little CSR Greenport trip from last year. There isn't much from Port Jefferson to the end on the North Shore, so I would go along CT if you wanted to stop somewhere in that area and didn't want to go all of the way to the end.

Dancin Dave and I were planning to do a Block Island thing this year in Aug, So hit us with some dates and maybe we can meet in BI.

 

[Weave]

I love the Mystic/Noank area.....also have Watch Hill and Napatree in the same area.

 

[Converse48]

Dancin Dave and I were planning to do a Block Island thing this year in Aug, So hit us with some dates and maybe we can meet in BI.

As of now... 8/4 & 8/5 (Tues & Weds) are when we plan on being at Block.

It seems strange to sound so definitive about a date eight months form now... sitting here on a cold January morning... but that is the current plan.

I did this same basic trip, on a sailboat no less, in 2004. On that trip we actually had excellent weather, favorable currents and a 100% hit rate on our planned itinerary. So I figure the chance of that happening again are slim and none. But we must plan for success!

 

[osd9]

Do you need a pool for the kids? If so, Port Jeff didn't have one...at least not when I was there back in 2001.

 

[Converse48]

Do you need a pool for the kids? If so, Port Jeff didn't have one...at least not when I was there back in 2001.

Excellent point Dom... YES! we need a pool. In fact, after an exhaustive search in 2004, we found the ONE marina in Newport, RI with a pool.

Ideally, wherever we stop will have a pool.

 

[Turtlesboat]

I think Dave pretty much lives at Block Island during the summer so I'm sure you'll see him if I'm not there on those dates. I think you should check out Mitchell's in Greenport, kid friendly and dog friendly. Nice little town too. You can go over to Shelter Island by dinghy. Then it's a short cruise to Block from there.

edit: oops, I see you need a pool. I have no ideas then. I don't think I've seen a pool yet.

 

[Four Suns]

I recommend traversing Woods Hole at maximum ebb, going to Block when a tropical storm is sitting a few hundred miles away, and traversing LI Sound with severe thunderstorms along it's length. Oh... and Newport, RI when tornados are passing overhead.... and leaving RI (whatever that river is called) when there is a hazardous seas warning makes interesting relationships with the family.... can't imagine you having any weather delays.

I wish we spent a few more days exploring some of the CT side of LI sound (like Essex) but didn't. I've been to Sag Harbor by car... rich people used to live there (they are all broke now).

Your kids will love Mystic... and so will the dog.

I hear Nantucket has passed new laws on dog poop... but that's just a rumor.

Seriously... Those are not long runs in your boat. We did Atlantic City to Noank/Mystic River in one day. Air conditioned bridge is nice on long runs.

 

[Four Suns]

Excellent point Dom... YES! we need a pool. In fact, after an exhaustive search in 2004, we found the ONE marina in Newport, RI with a pool.

Ideally, wherever we stop will have a pool.

The marina we stayed at in Newport had a pool... nice place... It was the Newport Hotel and Marina I think. Of course we couldn't use it because it RAINED for 3 days.

 

[Converse48]

Gary, your "experiences" last year are why I am so convinced that I will somehow get screwed by the weather.

As far as Wood's Hole, we will do Cuttyhunk for a night after Newport (we stopped there in '04 and just loved the place), so we will cut through the Elizabeth Islands through the next hole over. I don't have my chart handy so I don't remember the name, but it was way more friendly than what I've heard about Wood's Hole.

Plus, I'm one of the poor people... my bridge is not air conditioned.

 

[Converse48]

The marina we stayed at in Newport had a pool... nice place... It was the Newport Hotel and Marina I think. Of course we couldn't use it because it RAINED for 3 days.

Yep, that's THE ONE with the pool. And an indoor pool no less.

 

[dc380]

There are serveral places in that area that are kid friendly. The best in my opinion would be Essex Conn, (Essex Island Marina, or Brewers) Mystic/Noank, Greenport NY, Sag Harbor NY, Montauk NY (Star Marina or the Yacht club), Block Island, (Champlin's), Newport RI, OakBluff (Martha Vineyard). I'm sure there are others, but those are my favorites.

In years past you would need reservation way in advance for all those places, but now I don't think it's as necessary.

The Sound is somewhat protected, but once you head North East of Block, you'll need to watch the weather and Sea's.

It's a great place to cruise, let me know if need more specific information.

Dave

 

[Dancin Dave]

Brewers in Greenport has a brand new pool however a cab will be needed to get to town, also on the Ct side you can go to cedar island marina in Clinton pool and very kid oriented. I guess you will be at Champlins in Block if you need a pool. Sounds like a fun trip!

 

[BobHenry]

A friend runs his 46 footer up from atlantic city up through the
sound through Cape Cod canal to Barnstable avg. trip 14 hours.
w/ twin 410TI's. you want to come up vineyard sound then up
Nantucket sound btwn Cape on to the Harbor...nice trip w/ great stopover points.

 

[jg300da]

OSD9 is correct, Danfords at Port Jefferson has no pool but Mattituck does. And a great restaurant on site. The name of the marina is Mattimar and it's located about halfway between Port Jeff and Orient on the north shore of Long Island. The only caveat is that it's about a 20-30 minute no-wake trip inland from the sound. West of Port Jeff there are several Brewers Marinas all with pools laundry services restaurants etc. The first is Brewers Capri in Manhassett just east of NYC. There's also one in Glen Cove a little further east. There are several just across the sound on the south coast of Conn. at Stratford, Stanford, and Essex. These marinas are impeccibly kept. Any one of these make a great stopping off point if you're heading to Montauk, Block or points east.

 

[Converse48]

Thanks guys... the Brewer's website has proven most helpful. These Brewer's marinas are exactly what I'm looking for! Very helpful info... :thumbsup:

 

[jg300da]

By the way, Sag Harbor is NOT on the North shore of Long Island but rather the north side of the South fork. It requires a trip through Gardiners Bay or Peconic Bay to get there. You'll need to budget a bit more time if you decide to stop there.

 

[Converse48]

By the way, Sag Harbor is NOT on the North shore of Long Island but rather the north side of the South fork. It requires a trip through Gardiners Bay or Peconic Bay to get there. You'll need to budget a bit more time if you decide to stop there.

Got it. Thanks!

 

[Turtlesboat]

All of the Brewer's Marinas that i've seen are great. didn't know they had pools, good info.