Which Block Island Marina??

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Sandy K.

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Plan to spend 2 nights at Block Island Great Salt Pond the week after July 4th. Since I don't own a dink, I'm curious to hear opinions as to which marina we should stay at. Need 50amp power hookup and would like to be able to rent bicycles.

Plan is to head to the Block for 2 nights, then one night in Newport RI and then one night at Montaulk (need marina suggestions for both of these also) before heading back to Shark River, NJ.

Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated.

TIA,
 
Ir you want all the amenities at block, then Champlins is the place to stay - pool, theatre, bar, BBQ area, store, bike/moped rental, motel, late night partying - on weekends, you will most likely be rafted-up, it gets very crowded.

Block Island Boat Basin has floating docks and is closer to town, Payne's has fixed docks and is closest to town, unless you go over to Old Harbor.

Newport - most of the marinas are right in town, what amenities do you want? The only one with a pool is the Newport Hotel & Marina - although the pool is indoors.

Montauk - Montauk Yacht Club is very nice, fixed docks, ice delivery to your boat, 3 pools, beach, shuttle to town, tennis courts, restaurant. Star Island is more of a fishing marina, floating docks, loud music on the deck next to the pool, snack bar right there - excellent ship's store.
 
Hogan - We plan on traveling Sunday - Thursday the week after the 4th. Would Champlin's be crowded then??

Other than the ability to hook up power and maybe cable TV, I'm not looking for too much other than easy access to restaurants and local shops to peruse. Won't be dong any fishing this trip - will be travelling with my wife and BIL.

Thanks,
 
The marinas usually empty out on Sundays, so you should find them fairly empty.
 
I can't comment on Newport, but will second what Hogan said.

I'm pretty sure bikes are availbale at all three marinas. I'd Consider bringing your own, that's what we do and it comes in handy at other stops where rentals aren't available. Not to mention you could rent a car else where for the price of a bike rental on block.

It sounds like a lot of moving around, maybe that's what you like. I would consider cutting out one stop and do two days at two locations. If you were traveling with my wife, it would be 4 days at one location :-).

Enjoy your trip!
 
We've been going to Champlin's at least once a year for the last 6 years. It is great if you have kids. If you are travelling with another boat, you can get rafted together, otherwise it is a crap shoot on who it will be. No cable at Champlin's unless they've put it in this year.

Since it is just my wife and I, we will be at the Boat Basin last week of August.
 
Block Island Boat Basin is the only one that does not raft up to my knowledge.
 
I like Block Island Boat Basin, no rafting and much quieter than Champlins. When we want to hang out it's a short walk over to Champlins where there's a lot more going on.

As far as Newport we usually stay at the Newport Yachting Center. I'd stay there or the Newport Hotel and Marina that Hogan mentioned. Those 2 have decent docking arrangements and are right in the middle of town but not where you'll have people walking right by all night like some places. If you could stretch the trip at all I'd do an extra night in Newport, lots to explore there.

Check out the Montauk thread for marinas there. If you're just looking for a spot to spend the night with easy access to local restaurants, etc, Montauk Marine Basin is a decent place for a relatively cheap rate.

Even though you'll be going during the week I'd call and check on availability at the marinas, especially for Newport. We left Newport last year mid-week after July 4th and the place was clearing out, but they were fully booked with more boats coming in that night. We've seen the Block I marinas pretty full during the week also.
 
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