Trip to Martha's Vinyard, Nantucket.

Stayed at Hyannis Marina 5 years ago. Nice marina and decent restaurant on site.

Plot your course carefully. Alot of shoals and rocks in the Sound. The marina said they get alot of work from boaters who go the wrong way.
 
Thanks for all the great advice. From the sounds of it, it looks like I will have to get a move on in terms of my planning as it looks like reservations will be needed most places that I would be wanting to stay at. How necessary is a good dinghy? I have not made my decision about that one yet and may just go with a cheap rollup with oars just to get to and from shore. Should that be sufficient or do I need to move quicker on that as well.

Thanks,
 
IMHO a dinghy is not needed at all, even if you get a mooring. Merely hail a harbor launch to shuttle you to and from your boat. After cruising a few of the bars, you are better off going back to the boat on a shuttle if at a mooring anyway.

Also, I don't really like Champlains at Block because of the enforced "raft up to strangers" policy there. The boat basin at Block is much better, if you don't have kids. Champlain's does a really great job of catering to kids, so that would be the preferred location even with the raft-up policy, if you have kids.
 
No kids for me, at least that I know of! Anyhow, that helps a lot.
 
Man, you guys just choc full of good info! Who needs to buy maptech guides?!

Thanks!
 
Rugger8

I've made the trip from MV to Kingston, NY (285 miles) and the reverse trip. Both one day trips. My average speed was about 25 mph which included 3 stops.

Besides the places mentioned for fuel you can also stop in Port Jefferson, NY or Groton Oil just south of the 95 bridge on the eastern side of the Thames River in CT. but it really depends on you boat, fuel capacity, stamina, etc.

As to MV you can get fuel in Menemsha, Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluffs and Edgartown. All have locations to eat. Moorings are available in those locations also but busy weekends can sell out the same day they begin taking reservations. Be advised that on busy weekends especially in OB you maybe required to raft up on a mooring. OB also has a large number of slips that would not require a dinghy and as already mentioned launch services are available.

Falmouth Harbor on the main land is a good location to keep in mind for fuel, etc. including a West Marine store that you can walk to.

There are ferries that run from MV to Nantucket and MV to Hyannis as an option to going yourself.

Vineyard Haven is a dry town but that means you can't buy liquor, you can bring liquor to a restaurant and drink it.

While I can't say how long you should do one thing or another, my thought would be if the weather is good get to MV, in one day.

Let me know if you need more info.
 
Gee 285 miles? That would only take me about 24 hours...
 
quote:
Originally posted by boatbum

Gee 285 miles? That would only take me about 24 hours...

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Dan
Still only a 'day'
 
I could do the 285 in less than 10 hours but why bother? Enjoying the trip getting there is more the half the fun!
 
I can do the 285 miles in .... oh, forget it. Fast yes, but might need medical attention afterwards. The older I get, the slower I want to go. I figure I have enough scars on me now. <gg>

Now a days I prefer daily high speed spurts of no more than 3 hours, and more time ashore sampling the delights of the local seaside towns. Humm, maybe I should rephrase that.
 
Well, its good to know that I could get there in one day, or even better, get back in one day if I need to, but I will probably take it a little slower than that, given it is my first time and want to see some of the sights along the way. My boat has a range of 300 miles or so (depending on how its driven of course) and my cruising speed is 25-30 knots, so that should be doable depending on weather of course. And I should potentially be able to make it round trip from Montauk or Block without refilling, but depending on the fuel situation, may refill anyway. Better safe than sorry.
 
285 miles would take us a total of 30 + hours at an 8 knot (9.44 nm/hr) cruising speed. Slow? Sure, but my diesel burn rate would leave a smile on my face . . . especially if the wind was in our favor - not usually the case though.

We always do a Cuttyhunk layover between Portsmouth and Edgartown, but cruise nonstop on the 58 nm return trip. That takes us about 6-7 hours.
 
Jeff, my rule is a planning refill at half tank, always. And, that actually reads 3/4 full on the gauge! If stopped near a fuel dock for an overnight, I fill up as when as little as 1/3 down. I can't ever have too much fuel.

If you encounter bad weather, a head wind, strong current running against you, or big waves where you are constantly working the throttle, you use twice as much fuel.

Many folks use a 1/3 there, 1/3 back, 1/3 in reserve rule. I think that is cutting it too close. But it is tough for me to find 93 high octane fuel also. That requires a lot of preplanning fuel stops.

TrueBlue, Cuttyhunk is where they bring oysters to your boat, right? Always wanted to duck in there, but never seem to have the time. Anything interesting to do on land there, hikes etc?
 
quote:
Originally posted by Hyperfishing

TrueBlue, Cuttyhunk is where they bring oysters to your boat, right? Always wanted to duck in there, but never seem to have the time. Anything interesting to do on land there, hikes etc?
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That's about the size of it - but my wife has to get her daily hiking in. The Cuttyhunk RawBar Boat comes right to you, or get fresh lobster at the fishing docks. For the most part, we go there for the ambiance - relax, eat and get drunk.

http://www.cuttyhunk.net/

Steve
 
Thanks, we love to hike also, and that view is certainly worth the trip someday.
 
Any other recommendations for marinas in Marthas Vineyard? I tried calling Vineyard Haven but both the voice and fax numbers are disconnected.
 
Shoot, I wish I could take that trip someday...

We'll have to be happy with the canals and the Hudson for now...
 
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