Block Island Trip

G

Gumak

Member
Joined
Nov 16, 2002
RO Number
10753
Messages
39
Hi all!
Hope you have a good season so far.
Planning on going to BI last week of July.We have a 30 footer 4winns cruiser,no radar,nice gps,been on LIS for last 5 years,this is 1st time we want to go to BI.It will be me ,my wife two kids (15 & 14) and our black lab.Any recommendations where to stay?Heard stories about wild marina over there in the past,did it get better? Tried to call one of them but guy said they don't take reservations.Thinking about town mooring also (we're planning to be there Tuesday).
It all depends on weather of course,but which way you recommend? Going north of Fishers Island (never done that) or through Plum Gut (done that couple times on the way to Greenport) ,than trough the Race ?
And finally once we there any places to see or avoid? Good places to eat?
Have great weekend !
Thanks!
Rich
 
Boat Basin is my choice.. Paynes and Champlin's rafting policy is a pain unless you are rafted with others you are traveling with.
Arrivig mid week should help to secure a mooring or a slip..

I've always run thru FI sound and out thru watch hill passage...Run a mile or so off the baseline to avoid all the other inbound/outbound traffic.
Be prepared to have fog settle in as well.. Even if it's clear closer to shore, you can sometimes hit some thick soup on the way out.

I always hit the National Hotel at least once for dinner...Barts is a fun place with the kids.

John
 
During the week, all the marinas are pretty quiet, Champlins can get rowdy on weekends, but it has the most to offer (pool, bumper boats, BBQ area). There is a pump-out boat that comes around, as is Aldo, who you will hear yelling "Andiamo" every morning. You can get fresh pastries and coffee from him. The launch will take you to shore - hail any of the 3 on ch. 68.

Enjoy it, it's a great place to visit. Watch the weather, fog or rough seas can happen any time.
 
Hey Rich,

Great time to be at BI. We'll be there at the same time. Mid-week in and out is perfect.

If you called a marina and were told they don't take reservations, my guess is you called Payne's We've been staying there for more than 25 years and we like the raft-up docking since we always meet great people. The Boat Basin (to the right of Payne's) has floating docks and wasn't all that busy mid-week last summer. Champlan's might be nice for your kids. I'd call them first if that's your pick. It's a bit of a walk to State Beach from New Harbor but definitely worth it. It's one of the best beaches in southern New England. Your lab will love meeting all the others dogs there.

If you decide to pick up a mooring instead and don't see one right away, just hang out for a while and you'll find one when someone leaves. This works for just about any time during the day before about 4 PM.

Don't beat yourself up going through the race. Just come down the Sound, pass New London Ledge light and run down Fisher's Island Sound, then as suggested above, go out Watch Hill Passage. It's about 15 miles to the inlet at New Harbor.

If you run into fog in Block Island Sound, just slow down and keep a good lookout. Last summer there was string of lobster pots about a mile out from New Harbor. Don't know if they are still there but it is likely they are.

Don't get gas at Block, it's way too expensive. Gas is available at Stonington, Mystic, Groton and New London and all are easy to access.

Have a great time.

Bill
 
If your going with kids Champlin's is the place to stay. Your size boat and the day your arriving you will be backed in against a floater. No need to worry about rafting. The weekends is the best time to be there. Tons of boats, people and kids. Very friendly place. I have a 30 footer and go every summer and love it. If you can get their no later then wed and stay until Monday. Champlins is dog freindly also.

Have fun
 
LOTS of LOGS and trees floating about out there. Keep a sharp eye because they're tough to spot.
 
Is fog less likely to be an issue in mid-afternoon on a fairly stable July weather day or is there no rhyme or reason to when the fog sets in near Block?
 
Fog can roll in at ANY time. You can radio to boats in BI Sound and ask for conditions.
 
A nice half day or day trip is to grab some bikes, head up to the light house for a quick stop to take in the views then 1/4 mile down the road pull into Mohegan Bluffs. If you like to swim in big surf and don't mind a little exercise take the (??) 100 steps or so down to the beach. There are no steps for the last 30 feet so be prepared/able.

I go to Payne's dock and I'm not a fan of rafting but I make an exception for this spot because the atmosphere is the best, breakfast at the Inn, easy walk downtown, and the Payne's guys are really good at getting people in and out. THey don't take reservations, true, but I've never heard them send people away. Boat Basin and Champlins are the other options but reservations might be tough to get.

I'll be out there second to last weekend in July (Thur-Mon).

Definately watch for fog with no Radar, have a great trip!
Tim
 
For activities and especially for kids, Champlins is the place. For more quiet, the Boat Basin or Paynes.

Best trip I ever had there was on a mooring but that is for real peace and quiet.

I agree, weekends at Champlins are tough but mid-week it is a nice place to be with kids.

We haven't been there in a few years but we always ate at Dead Eye Dicks and Finns.
 
Where in CT are you? I'm going the same week from Westbrook. No need to go north of Fishers. I always go on on the hook, if you can get a mooring great. The marina are always crowded and noisy so I guess it depends on what you want.
 
Regardless if you stay at The Boat Basin, check out The Oar as a great place to eat. It's at the boat basin, kid friendly, good food, great view. You can also enjoy a cocktail out on the lawn while waiting for a table. The rest have touched on the basics. Tuesday is a good time to try to grab a town mooring. But if you go that route, try to arrive before noon. Have a blast, it's a great island.
 
Just got here today, we're on the main dock at Champlins. Great ride over from Montauk.
 
A note of caution. Fishers Isl Sound is full of lobster pots. It's our normal cruising ground. Just keep you eyes open. If the tide is running full, near high tide, many pots get pulled just under the surface. Have a great trip.
 
Just got back frm champlins. Had. 17,14 and 7 yr old on board and they had plenty to do with the pool and all
 
Hi all!
Thanks for all replies.
Just got back from Block last night.The trip was good ,no fog ,calm seas both ways.
Stayed on hook ,first night (Tuesday) got hit by pretty bad (at least for us) storm.We had about 70ft of line out but apparently that wasn't enough.Started dragging pretty bad towards sailboat behind us .Wow! The whole crew scrambling ,my wife with hook on transom ,my son at the throttles I'm on the bow trying to do something(but what?),my Daughter praying below...
Guy on the sailboat yelling something (like I don't know we dragging),but then my Wife tells me he wants us to raft up with him.
Couple minutes later we were safe end sound next to his boat.
That really made us feel good.Thanks Bill and Nancy!
Just the other day we were talking about people on water not being as friendly as couple years ago,but this proved me wrong.
The next day he showed me his anchor setup .He had 2 anchors with 80 feet of chain.He had all kinds of cool gadgets on his boat (it helps to have a marine consignment store).
Next morning he even untangled my line from his chain (how did that happened?)and on top of that they invited us to stay with them till we're ready to leave.
Again what a nice people!
What's ironic was when we were ready to go my anchor was holding both boats just fine!
It was an experience we will never forget.
Can't wait to go back!(with some better equipment )
Thanks again!
Have a good weekend!
Rich
 
quote:
Originally posted by Gumak

Hi all!
Thanks for all replies.
Just got back from Block last night.The trip was good ,no fog ,calm seas both ways.
Stayed on hook ,first night (Tuesday) got hit by pretty bad (at least for us) storm.We had about 70ft of line out but apparently that wasn't enough.Started dragging pretty bad towards sailboat behind us .Wow! The whole crew scrambling ,my wife with hook on transom ,my son at the throttles I'm on the bow trying to do something(but what?),my Daughter praying below...
Guy on the sailboat yelling something (like I don't know we dragging),but then my Wife tells me he wants us to raft up with him.
Couple minutes later we were safe end sound next to his boat.
That really made us feel good.Thanks Bill and Nancy!
Just the other day we were talking about people on water not being as friendly as couple years ago,but this proved me wrong.
The next day he showed me his anchor setup .He had 2 anchors with 80 feet of chain.He had all kinds of cool gadgets on his boat (it helps to have a marine consignment store).
Next morning he even untangled my line from his chain (how did that happened?)and on top of that they invited us to stay with them till we're ready to leave.
Again what a nice people!
What's ironic was when we were ready to go my anchor was holding both boats just fine!
It was an experience we will never forget.
Can't wait to go back!(with some better equipment )
Thanks again!
Have a good weekend!
Rich

Click to expand...


Wow, I know a Bill and Nancy who are sailors in the area. Do you recall the boat name? Was it Mainsheet?

Sounds like you had a pretty typical BI experience. Storm rolls in and the inexperienced drag down on the rest. I had that experience a couple of years ago which is what inspired me to buy more chain and a heavier anchor! Nice to hear about someone helping you out. Boaters as a whole are pretty helpful people.

Don't let it diminsih your enjoyment of BI. It's a great place. Better on a mooring.. but a great place.
 
Pulled into Block this afternoon. Looking forward to a nice relaxing time. Any other RO's here this week?
 
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