Best East Coast Summer Cruising Grounds
 

On 16 Jan 2004 14:51:05 -0800, (Dean B) wrote:

I have some air miles that I need to use up and would like to charter
a boat on the east cost of the United States next summer. I am
looking for a place with wind; more than anything else, I dislike
using the motor to get around. I expect to anchor every night and
don't intend to go on any offshore passages. Cute little ports are
nice if you need to pick up groceries or a little resturaunt food. I
also like anchoring at state parks that have day hikes.

Chesapeake Bay looks promising or Florida may have something to offer
as well but I have little idea about the wind and park situation.

Chesapeake is nice in April or October. Southern New England is more
pleasant in the summer, although prime places can be crowded.


Maine usually has good daytime breezes, but July and August can have a
lot of fog, and the lobster pots seem to bother many who aren't used
to them.

We normally do two weeks in southern New England in late May or early
June, visiting Newport, Block, Cuttyhunk, Vineyard, Nantucket, etc.

Then we go to Maine over Labor Day weekend, and spend a couple of
weeks on the coast.
Rodney Myrvaagnes Opionated old geezer

Faith-based economics: It's deja voodoo all over again

Best East Coast Summer Cruising Grounds
 

wrote in message
...

Although it is a bit calm in the summer, LIS is actually has the most wind on
an
annual basis.

Boston actually is the windiest seaport in the lower 48 (Chicago isn't close):

http://lwf.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/...d/avgwind.html

Best East Coast Summer Cruising Grounds
 

wrote in message
...

Although it is a bit calm in the summer, LIS is actually has the most wind on
an
annual basis.

Boston actually is the windiest seaport in the lower 48 (Chicago isn't close):

http://lwf.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/...d/avgwind.html

Best East Coast Summer Cruising Grounds
 

"DSK" wrote in message
...
Dean B wrote:

Two words... Buzzards Bay.

My words too. I grew up in that area and loved the nice sailing
we had.
I only wish we had half the wind in coastal South Carolina.

Leanne
s/v Fundy

Best East Coast Summer Cruising Grounds
 

"DSK" wrote in message
...
Dean B wrote:

Two words... Buzzards Bay.

My words too. I grew up in that area and loved the nice sailing
we had.
I only wish we had half the wind in coastal South Carolina.

Leanne
s/v Fundy

Best East Coast Summer Cruising Grounds
 

Dean B wrote:
I ... would like to
charter a boat on the east cost ... next summer.
I am looking for a place with wind; more than anything else ...
I expect to anchor every
night and don't intend to go on any offshore passages. Cute little
ports are nice if you need to pick up groceries or a little
resturaunt food. I also like anchoring at state parks that have
day hikes.

Chesapeake Bay looks promising or Florida may have something to
offer as well but I have little idea about the wind and park
situation.

So far mentioned are Buzzards, Long Island Sound, the Maine coast,
Chesapeake Bay, and perhaps a few others. You haven't given many details
(experience, length of cruise, crew, boat size, when in the season, etc.) so
it's hard to pin things down. Even so, some valid generalities are
possible.

For beauty (when you can actually see it) the Maine coast is perhaps at the
top of the list, but this depends to some extent on one's preferences. The
Chesapeake Bay _in_season_ is to many folks the best looking place to
dawdle. Certainly there are more nooks and crannies on the Bay than in most
other places, but the Bay may not meet your sailing expectations depending
upon when you visit. Southern New England is fine looking to my eye, but
except for Gay Head there really aren't many spectacular or "charming"
vistas compared to other locales. Different strokes.

Long Island Sound is notorious for calm winds in season. Even the daily
thermal sometimes doesn't appear. I'd say the most common sight on LIS in
summer is a sailboat scurrying east or wet under power. That's been my
experience over the last 25 or so years. Mind you, I'm not a resident.

Southern New England (aka "Buzzards") can be relied upon for wind (sometimes
more than necessary). The problem for me is that, although there are many
places to stop, actual anchorage is not always available. Many of the
overly-used harbors are filled with expensive moorings, and crowds are
guaranteed in places like Marthas and Nantucket. Same for Newport, the
Elizabeth Islands, and so on. Of the lot, Block Island will usually offer
room to anchor, and even in mid-season it may not _seem_ crowded. But Block
is a place to sit for most folks, not to merely overnight. It's a
destination rather than a stopover in that limited sense. Depends on your
taste.

Above the CC Canal, there's perhaps not enough variety to satisfy some
tastes until you get to the Maine coast. I have been in most of the harbors
on Mass Bay and Cape Cod Bay. I like them quite a bit, but often enough
there's not the wind you seem to require. Also the scenery when crossing
Cap Cod Bay isn't in the same league as further north and east. That's also
the case on LIS.

Then there's Maine. Maine for many folks begins east of Muscongus Bay, and
gets better the farther east one goes. The problem with this coast is that
(a) it takes a more experienced hand (and a better prepared vessel) to
really enjoy it, and (b) sometimes you cannot see it. I know many folks
who've spent 2 full weeks in fog on this coast. I know just as many who've
had clear weather for their entire cruise (well, not _that_ many). I am a
Maineiac and have been for some time, but I can understand why some folks
would not agree. I go on my own boat and never have anything that resembles
a schedule.

I would say your short list should include Southern New England and
Penobscot Bay, depending on the specifics I mentioned at the beginning of
this post. Look for a copy of Bill Robinson's "Places to Cruise." It
covers just about all the possible spots on the East Coast (plus some other
well known areas). It's long out of print but often available in local
libraries. He says it a lot better than I have, although I suspect our
conclusions are not very far apart.

--
Good luck and good sailing.
s/v Kerry Deare of Barnegat
http://kerrydeare.tripod.com

Best East Coast Summer Cruising Grounds
 

Dean B wrote:
I ... would like to
charter a boat on the east cost ... next summer.
I am looking for a place with wind; more than anything else ...
I expect to anchor every
night and don't intend to go on any offshore passages. Cute little
ports are nice if you need to pick up groceries or a little
resturaunt food. I also like anchoring at state parks that have
day hikes.

Chesapeake Bay looks promising or Florida may have something to
offer as well but I have little idea about the wind and park
situation.

So far mentioned are Buzzards, Long Island Sound, the Maine coast,
Chesapeake Bay, and perhaps a few others. You haven't given many details
(experience, length of cruise, crew, boat size, when in the season, etc.) so
it's hard to pin things down. Even so, some valid generalities are
possible.

For beauty (when you can actually see it) the Maine coast is perhaps at the
top of the list, but this depends to some extent on one's preferences. The
Chesapeake Bay _in_season_ is to many folks the best looking place to
dawdle. Certainly there are more nooks and crannies on the Bay than in most
other places, but the Bay may not meet your sailing expectations depending
upon when you visit. Southern New England is fine looking to my eye, but
except for Gay Head there really aren't many spectacular or "charming"
vistas compared to other locales. Different strokes.

Long Island Sound is notorious for calm winds in season. Even the daily
thermal sometimes doesn't appear. I'd say the most common sight on LIS in
summer is a sailboat scurrying east or wet under power. That's been my
experience over the last 25 or so years. Mind you, I'm not a resident.

Southern New England (aka "Buzzards") can be relied upon for wind (sometimes
more than necessary). The problem for me is that, although there are many
places to stop, actual anchorage is not always available. Many of the
overly-used harbors are filled with expensive moorings, and crowds are
guaranteed in places like Marthas and Nantucket. Same for Newport, the
Elizabeth Islands, and so on. Of the lot, Block Island will usually offer
room to anchor, and even in mid-season it may not _seem_ crowded. But Block
is a place to sit for most folks, not to merely overnight. It's a
destination rather than a stopover in that limited sense. Depends on your
taste.

Above the CC Canal, there's perhaps not enough variety to satisfy some
tastes until you get to the Maine coast. I have been in most of the harbors
on Mass Bay and Cape Cod Bay. I like them quite a bit, but often enough
there's not the wind you seem to require. Also the scenery when crossing
Cap Cod Bay isn't in the same league as further north and east. That's also
the case on LIS.

Then there's Maine. Maine for many folks begins east of Muscongus Bay, and
gets better the farther east one goes. The problem with this coast is that
(a) it takes a more experienced hand (and a better prepared vessel) to
really enjoy it, and (b) sometimes you cannot see it. I know many folks
who've spent 2 full weeks in fog on this coast. I know just as many who've
had clear weather for their entire cruise (well, not _that_ many). I am a
Maineiac and have been for some time, but I can understand why some folks
would not agree. I go on my own boat and never have anything that resembles
a schedule.

I would say your short list should include Southern New England and
Penobscot Bay, depending on the specifics I mentioned at the beginning of
this post. Look for a copy of Bill Robinson's "Places to Cruise." It
covers just about all the possible spots on the East Coast (plus some other
well known areas). It's long out of print but often available in local
libraries. He says it a lot better than I have, although I suspect our
conclusions are not very far apart.

--
Good luck and good sailing.
s/v Kerry Deare of Barnegat
http://kerrydeare.tripod.com

Best East Coast Summer Cruising Grounds
 

If you are up for it...break away from the states, head north east, and
treat yourself to a real adventure.
http://www.canadaeastcoast.com/English/FunWater/C.html


Dean B wrote in message
om...
I have some air miles that I need to use up and would like to charter
a boat on the east cost of the United States next summer. I am
looking for a place with wind; more than anything else, I dislike
using the motor to get around. I expect to anchor every night and
don't intend to go on any offshore passages. Cute little ports are
nice if you need to pick up groceries or a little resturaunt food. I
also like anchoring at state parks that have day hikes.

Chesapeake Bay looks promising or Florida may have something to offer
as well but I have little idea about the wind and park situation.

Dean

Best East Coast Summer Cruising Grounds
 

If you are up for it...break away from the states, head north east, and
treat yourself to a real adventure.
http://www.canadaeastcoast.com/English/FunWater/C.html


Dean B wrote in message
om...
I have some air miles that I need to use up and would like to charter
a boat on the east cost of the United States next summer. I am
looking for a place with wind; more than anything else, I dislike
using the motor to get around. I expect to anchor every night and
don't intend to go on any offshore passages. Cute little ports are
nice if you need to pick up groceries or a little resturaunt food. I
also like anchoring at state parks that have day hikes.

Chesapeake Bay looks promising or Florida may have something to offer
as well but I have little idea about the wind and park situation.

Dean

Best East Coast Summer Cruising Grounds
 

In article , jeffmo@nospam-at-all-
sv-loki.com says...
If you can handle a somewhat more challenging environment, Maine is the absolute
best summer cruising ground on the East Coast.


I've always wanted to cruise that area. I've even got a chart of
the lower Damariscotta and Kennebunk rivers on the wall. However, I
have heard that one should be wary of the black fly season---whenever
that is. After years of cruising in the nearly insect-free
San Juan and Gulf Islands, I never even think to inquire whether
a charter boat has screens.


Mark Borgerson


"Dean B" wrote in message
om...
I have some air miles that I need to use up and would like to charter
a boat on the east cost of the United States next summer. I am
looking for a place with wind; more than anything else, I dislike
using the motor to get around. I expect to anchor every night and
don't intend to go on any offshore passages. Cute little ports are
nice if you need to pick up groceries or a little resturaunt food. I
also like anchoring at state parks that have day hikes.

Chesapeake Bay looks promising or Florida may have something to offer
as well but I have little idea about the wind and park situation.

Dean