bwhealy
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Mar 29, 2010, 12:08 PM
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Cruising New England's Islands
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With the summer sailing season in the northeast rapidly approaching, it’s time to begin thinking about your summer vacation plans. There are multiple spots to set off from in the northeast and literally thousands of small seaside towns and harbors to explore. With so many cruising destinations in New England to consider, planning a route and choosing which locations to visit can be somewhat overwhelming. However, if your plans are to cruise New England’s major islands, you are surely in store for an unforgettable experience. My recommendation would be to begin from Newport, RI and to plan an easterly route, allowing for the opportunities to visit Block Island, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket.
Newport, RI offers several charter options across a broad range of companies and yachts. When selecting a company to charter from and a boat for your vacation, it’s important to consider the types of marine electronics on board. As New England is notorious for fog, it is crucial that your boat possesses an accurate radar system as well as GPS for your trip. Once, you have made your charter selection, it’s time to begin your cruise.
A 10 mile sail south from Newport will bring you to Block Island, and will enable the remainder of your trip to take advantage of the southwesterly sea breeze, which should provide for a pleasant run or reach to the other islands on your agenda. In Block Island, you may pick up a mooring or anchor in sheltered, Great Salt Pond, the island’s main harbor. Once anchored, spend the day exploring the Victorian Gothic buildings of the main town of New Shoreham or take a taxi to the southern end of the island to get a glimpse of the Mohegan Bluffs, which offer spectacular views of the ocean and surrounding beaches.
From Block Island, a day’s sail of approximately 40 miles east will bring you to Martha’s Vineyard, off Cape Cod’s southern shore. There are several popular anchorages and harbors on the Vineyard, each offering a different atmosphere and experience. If you are in search of a quiet and quaint anchorage, Vineyard Haven, on the island’s northern shore may be the spot for you. While in Vineyard Haven, you can spend the day cruising the streets of Oak Bluffs or make a visit to the Vineyard Haven Yacht Club. From Oak Bluffs, a short taxi ride will bring you to the town of Menemsha, on the island’s western shore and famous for its sunset views of the Elizabethan Islands. Edgartown is another popular overnight location on the Vineyard and is the island’s urban center. As strong currents run though Edgartown’s harbor, be sure that you have the proper anchor to keep you secure. Edgartown offers a busy night life as there are several local bars and restaurants to explore.
The last leg of your trip is a 20 to 25 mile sail across Nantucket Sound to the island of Nantucket. Nantucket provides an extremely sheltered anchorage in its major harbor, known as Great Harbor. If you plan on picking up a mooring for your stay, be sure to call well in advance, as they are in high demand in the summer months. While on the island, take the time to visit the island’s two yacht clubs, Great Harbor Yacht Club and the Nantucket Yacht Club. You can visit the beaches on the island’s southern shore or catch the sunset in the town of Madaket on Smith Point, Nantucket’s west end. As the island is a hot spot for summer tourists, the night life of Town is also not to be missed.Wherever your travels take you this summer, cruising New England’s major islands will truly be an unbelievable adventure. With dependable southwesterly sea breezes and comfortable temperatures, sailing in New England is a very rewarding experience, one which will not be forgotten for years to come.
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