Long Island Sound
Places to visit
I don't know where you are launching from but given that you are running an
Eastbay you can cover a lot of distance be sure to get to the eastern end of
the sound and also I assume you have a dingy but that isn't a show
stopper..
Here are few of my favorites.
Mystic Seaport, great maritime village recreation the equal of
Williamsburg, make a reservation now, they have both slips and spaces at the
bulkhead at the NYYC station.
The Connecticut River -stay at Essex, two Marinas, a YC, and a river
museum, eat at the Griswold Inn a must, go a little further and visit
Hamburg Cove
The LI Fishtail Shelter Island Peconic Bay, Try the Shelter Island YC
in Deering Harbor or if you don't draw too much try Cockles Harbor (skinny
water but spectacular and peaceful), if you don,t want to anchor try the
marina (the Laundromat abuts the pool,) Sag Harbor (make reservations early,
Further East Newport,great place Lots going on at the waterfront and if
you have never seen the "Cottages" grab a cab and tour one or two (think
what Gatsby might have built if he had Vanderbilt's $) Old Port
Marine handles the moorings and provides Launch Service
Block Island like a trip back to the 1940s, very little anchoring left.
Town runs the moorings, first come first serve if you want a mooring get
there first thing Sunday, Mon, Tues or Weds morning maybe Thurs.
forget Fri and Sat. Alternatively try one of the marinas (but you must
really want company)
If you are near the sound you are near the Hudson take a up cruise north,
Go up to Cornwall and stop at what to me is a really unique YC, (he trip
through past West Point under the Bear Mountain Bridge is worth the whole
deal)
Circumnavigate Manhattan, once around the Island down, from the sound go
clockwise up the Harlem River (you will clear all the bridges (27ft) except
there railroad bridge, but if you follow a "Circle Line" tour boat
they will arrive just as the bridge is opening. (note directly across the
river on the New Jersey side is public Marina with really great fuel prices.
The Marina looks seedy but is very secure and peaceful
Stop at Liberty Island Marina it will give you the best view of lower
Manhattan you can ever hope for,
(If you are a photographer wait for a clear day near sunset) Water Taxi
connects with
Manhattan ,Don't miss the Ellis Island Museum and Statue of Liberty
(Park service boat leaves from the LI Marina)
Check the tides and go up the East River and back into the sound. (NOTE
NEW YORK HARBOR HAS DANGERS BESIDE HELL GATE- be mindful of semi submerged
lumber and other debris and also watch out for the high speed
passenger ferries)
Definitely get some good charts and one of the Marine Guidebooks.

Let us know how you do.

wrote in message
oups.com...
In the process of planning a possible spring and/or summer cruise in
Long Island Sound and nearby, after shipping "Gambier," a Eastbay 43,
drawing four feet, by truck from Ft. Lauderdale to probably northern NJ
for offloading and pick-up, I am asking for suggestions and comments
about:

How early ought one to begin a cruise on the Sound?
Crowdedness in general on the Sound?
Crowdedness in ??? ports, marinas, anchorages?
Better and best anchorages and marinas?
Better and best villages, towns and cities to visit, and why?
Best fuel (deisel) sources?
Your best comments and advise re cruising Long Island Sound?
Thanks much.

Ed Wagner
m/v Gambier