Newburyport recommendations

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Riverbed

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Thinking about making a Newburyport run within the next three or four weeks and was looking for marina recommendatons in the downtown area for 2 boats, one 40' and one 31'. Any ideas? Any local knowledge regarding heading up-river toward Haverhill with a 36" draft?
Thanks in advance...
 
In noting the underwhelming responses to the Newburyport question - I can't help but wonder if another destination would be a better choice. Is Newburyport that terrible a choice and not worth an overnight? Any suggestions?
 
Might want to try Salem or Marblehead. I don't know anyone who has been to Newburyport, but there is always someone going to the other two.
 
Sorry Steve, just caught this. Newburyport is nice. Depending on the time you get there, they do have public docks. Call the Newburyport Harbormaster and see if you can reserve spots at the town docks. I'm pretty sure you can. To visit Salem or Marblehead, you're going to have to go around Cape Ann or navigate the river.

I'd make it a two stop day. How about Newburyport, and then Portsmouth on the way back? Or just Portsmouth in gerneral, there's a lot more going on. You can "cover" NBPT in a little under an hr or so. Portsmouth has lots more going on.
 
Thanks guys -
Mark, I had thought about Salem/Marblehead but I'd want to spend several days down there and there just isn't that much time this time around but it's something we want to do.

And Steve - I was thinking Newburyport City Docks, maybe getting there on a Friday afternoon early and then hit Wentworth-By-The-Sea on the way back Saturday. Have you been out on the river yet this season? Any new shoaling or changes out at the mouth I should be aware of?
 
Nothing I've noticed. I have been out a few times already, and everything seems normal - navaids in pretty much the same spots. As you come in the mouth, just watch the channel, and you'll have no problems, just don't cut off the second to last entry navaid before the jetty, R "2". It can get a little skinny between "2" and "4", so I always make sure to come in with "2" clearly to starboard and head towards "4".

When are you thinking of doing this?

As for heading up to Haverhill, you can do it with that draft, but the channel gets very deceiving around Amesbury. You absolutely have to pay very close attention or you will miss the markers. Think about zig zagging all over the river, and at times being brought to within 10' of shore. It's easily done though.

Another fellow BE member has his 33' SeaRay up in Haverhill. Was just with him last week.
 
By the way, whether Newburyport or Haverhill, I'm between 10-20 min away by land!
 
just caught this one, too! We went to Newburyport last year. FWIW, the town docks do not have showers and they are fairly popular so plan on getting there early on Friday or definitely make that telephone call to the harbormaster. Try to stay closer to the mouth of the river, rather than towards town due to the proximity of the whalewatching boats there, they are loud!

This is the side of the river you want to be on, though.

Not Your Average Joe's (seafood, American cuisine) and Agave (upscale mexican) are great restaurants, BTW.

report back, please!

and if you do come to Portsmouth way, please give a pm - we'd love to meet you Steve, if our schedules allow! Wentworth is on the expensive side, check out our marina, Badgers Island Marina near the Memorial Bridge, a VERY short walk into town and Portsmouth is GREAT!
 
Again, thanks for the info, all. Stopped into Newburyport Harbor Marina this afternoon to check it out and had an interesting experience. I was standing in front of the office looking around when a guy pulls into the outside dock up river from the office, his wife (portly) gets off and falls in. The guy watches her in the water, keeps the engines running, gets off and ties up, climbs back aboard - all while his wife is yelling and clinging to the dock. Nobody else was helping so I race down and grabbed her, he got off the boat and furthwer secured the lines with the engines still running, then ambled back to give me a hand. Seems like a match made in heaven there... Anyway (and more importantly) it looked pretty rolly there. Winds were south, about 15 - is it always like that or was that just an evil mix of conditions? Office lady seemed friendly - guess they own Hilton's and Windward too, eh? Billy (the Carver guy you know Steve, from the TV show) keeps his, "Off The Air," at one of those. Do you think it would be more comfortable there or are there no slips available for tourists?

And Def - great idea about Badgers Island! Never thought of that and it's a lot closer to the "State Street Shuffle!" We'd love to hook up with you there and with Steve in N-port! We're looking to do this in the next 3 or 4 weeks so we'll keep you updated. Thanks for the ideas!

Cheers -
Steve
 
Steve, I asked a Haverhill based RO to stop by and provide a bit more local knowledge of up river to you. Hopefully he'll be able to.

It can get messy there, a bit like a washing machine. You should see it on the weekends. Strong current. Just go against the current and slowly ease in. I've done it plenty of times, but not in a boat your size, in a 21' Whaler.
 
Hey Steve, thanks for the heads up to reply to this posting. Been doing the Merrimack River for about 8 years now, with my boat at a Haverhill marina. Going up river from Newburyport is scenic. Navigating for the first time-- watch where you are going! The river is well marked, and you need to just pay attention. The channel cris-crosses on different sides of the river. During the day, you can get a good visual on your next buoy.
There are a lot of boats your size that do winter storage up in Haverhill. Best time to do it is any tide but dead low. There's about a 2 hr tidal time difference between the mouth and Haverhill, with about a 6' height swing. The second bridge you come to (going upriver) that goes over is Deer Island. It's narrow there and the currents can be strong. I need about 15' clearance with antennas up. Is either boat a sedan bridge?
Hope this is helpful. If you have any additional questions, let me know.

Jack
 
that's quite a story - sounds like he maybe didn't WANT to turn the engines off...scary!yeah, it was rolly when we were there too, the currents and wind were fierce, pick your time and like the Piscataqua, slack is good!

quote:
Originally posted by Riverbed

....closer to the "State Street Shuffle!"

Click to expand...


ummm, if you have spent ANY time there you may know our dockmaster, Wayne...great guy! definitely give a shout if you get near us!
 
Sounds like this could be shaping up for a southern NH/northern MA BE get together if Steve wants the company!
 
quote:
Originally posted by SteveG

Sounds like this could be shaping up for a southern NH/northern MA BE get together if Steve wants the company!

Click to expand...


that would be fun, we are on the boat every weekend. On vaca for a week beginning Thurs. before 4 July and definitely planning to head north and talking about Hawthorne for a couple of nights during that week.

whenever plans are concrete, just post and we'll chat and hopefully get together. It would be great to meet you guys!
 
Jack - thanks for the local info... Sounds like a nice ride and we'll probably give it a shot if time permits. Went to Haverhill High - so it will sorta be like returning to the scene of the crime. It also looks like there's about 7 feet in the channel for the most part and with no flying bridges, I don't think there'll be an issue with our height. I see what you mean about the zig-zags. What's the distance Nbpt to the Crescent YC - and where you have the option at Deer Island, do you prefer to leave the island to port or starboard heading upriver? The idea of a BE gathering in Nbpt and/or Portsmouth sounds like a plan. When we get something definate, we'll let y'all know. And Def - I don't think I know Mike but the name Gino Marconi sounds familiar from about 20 years ago.
Cheers -
Non-G Steve
 
Riverbed- Well, it's 15 nm from my marina to the mouth. About the same from Nbpt to Crescent YC, a little further up river from me.

Nice to hear you went to Haverhill High.

I've always kept Deer Island to my Stbd. heading up river. That's also the main channel. After going under the bridge, head for the red buoy, where you will make a hard turn to Stbd. This also starts the no-wake through Amesbury. Watch your speed here. The Amesbury harbormaster is a sh***head.

Nbypt is actually quite nice. If I'm going to tie up at the town docks (or even the marina), usually time it for minimal currents and haven't had any problems. It's also a nice place to walk around. But over the past few years, it does fill up quickly. I've been there on overnights and enjoyed it. Always people walking around watching the boats go by. Nice restaurants as well.

Hey if this BE regatta takes shape, let me know. I'd like to join in!
Jack
 
I agree, keep Deer Is to starboard. And he really means a HARD right to the next navaid after clearing the bridge. That's one of those points I mentioned that play games with your eyes and brain.
 
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