This cruise balances close-to-home favorites with near-shore excursions some members might not otherwise make on their own; quiet anchorages as well as the popular hustle and bustle seaside towns of Newport and Block Island.
By cruising in a group and timing departures correctly, we hope to make the offshore section low stress, safe and FUN. The longer legs of the cruise go with the prevailing winds. Of course if the weather is not cooperating we will adjust our itinerary accordingly.
Date | Start | End | Mileage (nm) | Evening | VHF | Booking | Est $ | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EYC | 21 | 6 PM - DeWolf Tavern | 68 | 50 | Town moorings also available on Dockwa but BYC is recommend as it comes with launch service. The town has a nice dinghy dock, but the harbor can be choppy for dinghies. Members who cannot make the cruise are encouraged to attend dinner with us via land route. | |||
Bristol YC | Dutch Harbor | 26 | 8 PM Cocktails aboard ? | 69 | 75 | Dutch Harbor is a popular and scenic stop with a quiet anchorage. Its proximity to the mouth of the bay makes it a great starting point for many off/near shore adventures. Reserve moorings on Dockwa, anchoring is available, but tends to be in deeper, less protected water. Launch service ends a bit early, so walking to town may not be best for all or plan to arrive early. | ||
Dutch Harbor | Pt. Judith pond, weather permitting. If the weather is too severe, discuss diverting to third beach or Fogland point on the Sakonnet, via inland route, or elsewhere. | 27 | n/a | n/a | 0 | The pond has a large and secluded anchorage right in the middle. It is within a dinghy ride to 220 Oyster Bar and Matunuck Oyster Bar, both excellent and having dinghy docks. draft can be an issue, the stated min. in the channel may be a little lower these days due to shoaling. That being said, the channel is well marked and most boats that can dock at the EYC T should be able to make it up save for dead low tide. This is an anchoring gig, but the anchorage is well protected. Low Tide that day is predicted at 3:54 PM at .3’ above MLW. | ||
Pt. Judith | Block Island | 27 - Note it is only 12 miles from the exit from Harbor of Refuge to the green at the north end of the island. | Lots of restaurants, maybe meet at The Oar around sundown for sundowners, it’s right near the dinghy dock. | 12 | Hail New Harbor Harbormaster or anchor in the anchorage (see chart) - both moorings and anchoring should be highly available up to 1 PM on a weekday. | 50 | If we made it to Pt. Judith and the weather still looks good, we’ll do an early-ish departure for New Harbor Block Island (if we made it to Pt Judith and not a weather alternate). By leaving early and going as a group we hope to avoid the windiest weather, arrive with plenty of mooring and anchorage choices and generally make it easy for first-timers and smaller craft. There will be time to explore this beautiful island. If we are not at Pt. Judith fleet will discuss alternate destinations (Wickford, East Greenwich or even Pt. Judith weather permitting) If we are at Pt. Judith and weather is NOT appropriate for Block Island, discuss staying and waiting out the weather or if it’s prudent to head back into the bay to Dutch or other destination. Harbormaster on 12 can direct you to town mooring or private mooring rental. Note with Harbormaster permission we can double up on moorings. The Anchorage is to port after entering the harbor. Obey signs. Dinghy docks available at Payne's Dock and the Oar restaurant, depending on where you want to go. Recommend renting a bike/scooter and getting away from the in town crowds and touring this beautiful island. SE Light and Mohegan Bluffs are must see stops. You can also hire cabs reasonably on the island. I always wondered why New Harbor was “new” and Old Harbor was “old”, as the latter is clearly man made with breakwaters. Turns out New Harbor used to be a freshwater pond and they dug a channel to make it a harbor. You wouldn’t see that today, but what a great place New Harbor is to visit. | |
Block Island | Newport - this is our longest leg, but is with prevailing winds. We can go in groups for safety and comfort. | 42 | Newport! Possibilities are endless | 68 | 65 | Newport is usually a pretty easy, broad reach sail from Block Island and a fun harbor to visit. Moorings available on Dockwa from Old Port for around $65 Other docking situations available on Dockwa. There is a small anchorage. No matter how you moor or anchor, you can hail Oldport launch on 68 and go to town for $4 per person one way. The launch runs until 11 PM or so. Many great restaurants in town. | ||
Newport | EYC | 35 (to EYC) | Possible cruise extensions or substitutions for BI or Pt. Judith if the weather is bad: 3rd beach (they allow rafting on moorings), Wickford YC, East Greenwich YC, Potters Cove, Fogland Point (Sakonnet) |