Block Island and Long Island Sound

We left Sag Harbor and made the short 14.5 mile trip to Orient Harbor and anchored behind Long Beach again. From there, our plan was to go to Block Island, then head to the East Passage on Narragansett Bay. We would anchor near Buck Island, and then work our way around to the West Passage, and try to find a spot to drop the hook between Goat Island and Newport. We are told Newport is crazy, but we wanted to see it at least once. It is one of the world's major yachting centers both sail and power.

From Newport, the plan was to head to Massachusetts and the Elizabeth Islands which are off of Buzzards Bay. First stop would be Cuttyhunk, and then a bit further east to Hadley Harbor off of Woods Hole. From there we would cross the narrow Vineyard Sound and explore (as much as possible) Martha's Vineyard, Chappaquiddick Island (I will refrain from any comments), and Nantucket Island. Because we plan to be at the Annapolis Boat Show, we decided not go to Maine this year. Perhaps Maine's notorious fog played a small role in this decision. We really want to go to Maine sometime in the near future--hopefully next summer.

Our sail to Block Island was wonderful. The weather was beautiful, and the winds were perfect. We had a strong urge to just keep on going.

Block Island Is about 6 miles long and 3 miles wide. It has a harbor that is about 1 mile long and 3/4 mile wide. The island belongs to Rhode Island and is about 12 nautical miles south the mainland. It is about 35 nm from our anchorage at Orient Harbor on Long Island.

A good bit of the harbor is taken up by undisturbed shellfish beds, and a large part of the the harbor is taken up with mooring balls--mostly private. They say there is room for over 1000 boats to anchor in the harbor. We heard that weekends in July and August are very crowded and more so on holiday weekends, so we timed our arrival on a Monday. We could not believe the congestion when we entered the harbor--on a weekday. We arrived early afternoon and dropped anchor in 42' of water in the first spot we considered adequate. Then we hung around to make sure we held and that other boats wouldn't drag onto us. The pleasure boat traffic going in and out of the harbor was unreal. The island is close to Long Island, Conn., RI, and Mass. So there are a ton of potential visitors all summer long. Block Island has a bad reputation of poorly anchored boats dragging when the wind pipes up, so we were a bit nervous and on guard.

Like many other boaters, we pay attention to how boats around us anchor--their procedure, their ground tackle, the amount of scope, how close they are to other boats etc. All was looking OK until just before dark a Hunter 36, which was a charter boat, showed up and anchored very close to us. I won't go into it other than to say it was a Chinese fire drill and he maybe had a 2 to 1 scope--which was mostly rope (for those of you who aren't boaters, the text books say if you have all chain use a 5 to 1 scope in normal conditions, and 7 to 1 scope if it's stormy // if you use rope use a 7 to 1 scope in normal conditions and 10 to 1 if it's stormy--mind you VERY few adhere to this. The longer the scope the less chance of the anchor pulling out or dragging.). And he promptly called the launch and they went to town. The following day, I was about to take a shower, looked out the window and saw the Hunter was about to weigh anchor. So I quickly got half dressed (the important half), and Lisa and I grabbed some fenders. He was driving the boat zig zagging all around dragging about 40' of rode and his anchor--then the rope jammed in the windlass--and he kept driving around. He went across our bow (about 12 feet in front) dragging his anchor, blew down (it was windy) to within a couple feet of our boat on the port side (he started on the starboard side), where we had fenders ready. He reversed out of trouble just in time and went to a marina. It was a miracle that his anchor didn't hook our chain or that his rode didn't get caught in his prop. We knew the marinas and mooring balls were full, so he must have gone for fuel or water and would have to reanchor. We waited until we saw him reappear and mercifully anchor right outside the fairway about 300 yards away from us. So I took my shower and Lisa spit up blood.

 

One of the dinghy docks at Block Island.

Block Island really is pretty. It was quite hot, but we walked the town and enjoyed the day. We will probably not go back because we could never feel that our boat is safe from other boats there.

Hurricane Bill caused us to cancel our Narragansett Bay, Buzzards Bay, and Vineyard Sound agenda. We decided to head to Oyster Bay which is mid Long Island Sound on the south shore. There is reasonable protection there, and it would get us further away from Bill's projected path. And we know from Ike, that the projected path is just a guess.

Back to Orient Harbor behind Long Beach.

So, to catch a fair current, we left Block Island at around 5:30 am and headed back to our anchorage on Orient Harbor. We started out with a brisk sail with some good wave action. Since the wind was close to our nose we had to tack back and forth, but it was fun sailing. We had to motor the last couple of hours since the wind died down.

Once again, to take advantage of a strong fair current, we were on our way at 5:30 the next morning. It was a bit foggy when we left and then it got worse. We would not have been able to proceed without radar and a chartplotter. The fog stayed with us most of the way, but by late morning visibility finally improved. We made it through Plum Gut with no problems and rode the fair current all the way to Port Jefferson--a bit over 50 nautical miles. We debated continuing on to Oyster Bay, but the current was turning against us, so we just ducked in at Port Jefferson.

House at Port Jefferson.

Now I hear Obama is going to be at Martha's Vineyard this weekend. I told you he was stalking me. We kept our change of plans a secret. We are relieved Bush is no longer president, because we all know he was responsible for Katrina (I don't think Ike was his fault since it hit Texas). We have full confidence that B. O. will protect us from hurricanes this year.

After reviewing the weather updates we decided we could stay a day at Port Jefferson before continuing on to Oyster Bay. The winds were very strong at our anchorage making it very undesirable to make the long dinghy ride from the anchorage to the dinghy dock, so we never made it into town. After listening to weather again we decided we needed to move on. So at 2:30 pm we upped anchor and started the 25 mile trek to Oyster Bay. The change in plans caused us to have a foul current the whole way. The winds were between 25 and 35 knots about 30 degrees off the bow. The only good thing, was the wind was not opposing the strong current. When we were leaving Port Jefferson, a Catalina 30 tall rig was coming in with a loose forestay. He was able to keep the mast up using a spinnaker halyard. The bobstay had parted causing the bowsprit and pulpit to rise up under the pressure of the forestay. Fortunately he made it into port with his mast still in the air.

Partly cloudy, slight chance of rain...

The winds were strong, and it was bumpy, but we were in the lee of Long Island so it wasn't too bad. We were trying to outrun the swells from Bill as well as strong thunderstorms headed our way in the Long Island area. We beat Bill's swells, but not the thunderstorms. We barely noticed the storm because the winds were already quite strong. We dodged another one.

Just before we turned into the inlet, the winds died almost completely. We made it to our anchorage just after 7 pm.

Sag Harbor.

Once the threat of bad weather passed, we left Three Mile Harbor and made the 10 mile trip to Sag Harbor. We were told it's a great stop and not to miss it. We agree, and ended up staying a week. There are a lot of very large boats both at the marina as well as anchored out in the harbor.

 

Pretty wooden sailboat.

 

This boat was anchored right next to us. The pump out guy told us it belongs to Billy Joel. Beware of the pump out guys, they know all the dirty secrets.

 

This guy was on our other side. Lisa doesn't like him because he has a loud generator.

 

These guys were behind us.

Despite the mega money here, we really like Sag Harbor a lot. It is very boater friendly, it's a nice town to walk around in, and it satisfies the five I's of cruising:
1) I need a good place to anchor.
2) I need a place to land the dinghy.
3) I need a place to do laundry.
4) I need a grocery store.
5) I need a Post Office.

This is every bit as important as reading, riting, and rithmitic. Next up is Block Island.

Back to Oyster Bay, then Port Jefferson

The tide wasn't due to turn in our favor until early afternoon, so we decided to leave late morning. This way, we would only have 2 or 3 hours with the current against us. So we took the dinghy back to Stony Creek for some breakfast. The breakfast was good, but all the other customers had colds, so we were anxious to get outside to fresh air and get moving. Unfortunately it was raining, so we tried to hold our breath waited until the rain died down some. As soon as we stepped out the door, the rain picked up again so we had a wet dinghy ride back to the mother ship, where we weighed anchor and turned the bow back towards Manhasset Bay.

The winds were brisk, and the sound was a bit choppy, the progress a tad slow against the current, but it was good to be sailing. It drizzled a bit and it rained a bit--we love our cockpit enclosure. Lisa was able to take a nap while Zak and I sailed. When the winds and the rain started to pick up some more, the weather babe emerged and informed us that the new forecast was predicting damaging wind, large hail, with a slight risk for a tornado (a typical daily summer forecast on the Chesapeake, while in Dallas it would be sunny and 103 degrees). So we opted to go to Oyster Bay since it was closer than Manhasset Bay, and we could get there before dark (lobster pots are a problem).

We saw 1 system mostly miss us to the north, and one system miss us to the south. The highest gust we saw was only in the upper 30s, so we dodged the bullet.

Eight and a half hours after leaving the Thimbles, we had the anchor down in Oyster Bay. We had a bit of rain that evening, but nothing severe. We were to meet the Whites the following morning, and were thankful that it was to be a sunny and pleasant day.

A proud Grandpa Zak with his 6 week old grandson Holden.

 

Zak and Holden with the perpetrators, Will and Sarah White.

Will and Sarah are doing a great job with their new baby.

 

That would be Greeeaaat Aunt Lisa.

We had a really good day visiting Will, Sarah, and Holden.

The following day we left Oyster Bay and headed east to Port Jefferson, where we anchored just outside the large mooring field. As soon as we dropped anchor, we watched as a large sailboat weighed anchor to leave the bay. He seemed to be having some difficulty raising the anchor, and when it came up there was a tire hooked to it.

 

We were closer than we wanted to be to an empty barge mooring. We were relieved when this guy showed up with no barges, otherwise we would probably have needed to move.

A lot of sailors told us not to miss Port Jefferson, but the guide did not make it sound that great. The dinghy dock cost $10 a day, and we did not find a laundromat, but other than that we really liked it. We like to walk a lot, and there are steep roads lined with beautiful trees. The town is pretty with lots of small shops.

One thing we've noticed in New York, and especially Long Island, is that the credit card does not work too well. All the small stores and most of the restaurants only take cash. The grocery stores will take the credit card. We don't know if it's a New York thing, or a result of Obamafinance.

 

Kind of hazy leaving Port Jefferson the following morning.

Zak at the Helm.

We were headed to the east end of Long Island, referred to as the fish tail--because the shape resembles a fish tail. Our plan was to anchor close to a gravel beach on Orient Harbor.

At the end of Long Island you wrap around south and then west to enter the fish tail. Shelter Island is in the middle of the fish tail, and provides a pretty cool cruising ground. Upon leaving Long Island Sound you go through a narrow cut between Orient Point (the eastern tip of Long Island) and Plum Island to the east. This narrow cut is called Plum Gut, and it's very strong tidal currents make it the key to the timing of your trip. Since we were east bound, we needed to arrive at Plum Gut on an ebb tide. We didn't mess up and are glad we didn't. We had a perfectly calm day, but the action of the water in the cut made it obvious you would not want to be going against the tide--or in bad weather.

We anchored off the gravel beach, which according to the guide we could dinghy to and walk on--which we did. They had some confusing signs, and we found out later that you can no longer dinghy to the beach and take a walk. The Greenies are "protecting" some kind of bird and only those with permits can enter, because those without permits will make them die.

The next day we took the dinghy to Greenport (a very long dinghy ride) to check out the town. We also had to find the train station where Zak was to leave from in a couple of days.

The following day we upped anchor, made a brief appearance in Three Mile Harbor, and then circumnavigated Shelter Island. We ended up taking a mooring for 1 night in Stirling Creek which is in Greenport.

The following morning we were in the dinghy at 4:38 am (we missed our 4:30 target by 8 minutes) to get Zak to the train by 5:00 am. The schedule said the train was to leave at 5:30, but the locals (including a police officer) said it left anytime between 5:00 and 5:30 depending on the mood of the conductor.

At the station, there is a marquee that reads "Alec Baldwin says to watch the gap" (between the boarding platform and the train). Sheeeesh. Normally I would step in the gap, but since Alec Baldwin says not to, I think I better not.

That went off without a hitch, and Zak watched the gap--thanks for the heads up Alec. It was sad to see Zak go, we had a really good week with him. He had a long day, arriving in Austin sometime after 9:00 pm.

We were able to do laundry, and get a pump out, then sailed to Three Mile Harbor where we anchored. Once again bad weather was in the forecast, but nothing happened--that's a good thing, not a bad thing.

We hiked to East Hampton (3 miles each way), walked past all the fancy stores, then left the busy area and walked down some quiet roads with very impressive estates. We never get tired of the large and beautiful trees.

Next stop is Sag Harbor and a mail stop.

Thimble Islands

Our first option for anchoring didn't work out. The plan was to anchor between several islands in a spot that would offer good all around protection. When we got there, that spot was full of mooring balls, so we moved outside to a spot that would offer protection from the direction of the forecast wind. The winds were light, and it all worked out fine.


The Thimble Islands are clusters of granite rock that don't belong on Long Island Sound. 10,000 years, 1 month, 2 weeks, 5 days, 10 hours, 20 minutes, and 10 seconds ago (as of this writing), glaciers moved this rock from Maine to where they sit now. In anticipation of global warming, brought on by the future settlement of North America by the white man, the glaciers melted, leaving little islands for rich white men to live on.

These islands are pretty cool. Some of the islands get their electricity via underwater cables, and some use a large array of solar panels. The only way for residents to get to the mainland is by boat. The best part is the dogs don't track sand into the house after they go for a swim.


This wise man built his house upon a rock.


Zak at the Thimbles.


After we were comfortable that the anchor was holding, we took the dinghy to the small town of Stony Creek. After eating some great pizza (the only place in town open for dinner), we walked around some. We found a short trail that was quite pretty.


You can see some of the Thimbles in the background.

The next morning we were to leave the Thimbles and head back to Manhasset Bay to meet up with Sarah, Will, and 6 week old Holden (Sarah is Zak's daughter). They were making the long drive up from Virginia to see Zak. There was a chance of bad weather, so we had an alternate rendezvous point at Oyster Bay, which is a few hours closer.

Manhasset Bay, Oyster Bay, Thimble Islands

Lisa and I enjoyed our time on Manhasset Bay and the small town of Port Washington. We did a lot of walking, and young kids entertained us for several days racing small sailboats around the anchorage. This picture only shows a very small portion of a very large racing fleet. At one point they moved one of the markers very close to our boat. It was a little unnerving watching 8 to 13 year olds maneuvering that close to our boat.

It was time to move east to Oyster Bay where we were to rendezvous with our brother in law, Zak.


Execution Rocks.

During the Revolutionary War, the Britts would shackle Patriots to the rocks at low tide--and guess what would happen at high tide. And they complain about water boarding.


Beautiful schooner on Long Island Sound.

We made it to Oyster Bay without mishap. It is a large, yet well protected bay with plenty of room for anchoring--and a free dinghy dock.

Lisa and I both visited a barber shop. I'm not sure if I have ever been to a barber shop before. But have you ever heard of a woman going to one? I was going to post a headshot picture of the 2 of us and label it Butch and Buckwheat, but I didn't think it would be fair to you. Will Obamacare cover haircuts?

Zak flew in from Austin, Texas to visit for a week. Although it was a bit warmer than it has been, it is not as hot as Texas.


Weighing anchor at Oyster Bay.

We left Oyster Bay which is on the south shore of Long Island Sound, and headed for the Thimble Islands just off the coast of Connecticut on the north shore of Long Island Sound.


Zak at the Helm.


We made it to the Thimbles. It took about 7 3/4 hours.