Block Island Trip

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blouderback

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I've always wanted to try a trip to Block Island on my 21' bowrider. The thing is, I'd have to wait for a day when the weather was perfect. Since I'm about a 4 hour drive from the closest launch point, I thought that maybe the family and I would take a week off and camp somewhere on LI or southern CT or RI, and then if/when we wake up to that "perfect" day, I could make the run that day (returning the same day).

Does anyone have a good place to camp right on the water with the boat that's near Block Island?

Is this a good idea?
 
Hmmmm.

Block Island on a bowrider... I thought waters there get pretty serious, or am I wrong.
 
Double D did that trip in an 8' runabout...... Bowriders are ment to be in heavy seas.... I see no problem......:)

I would rather do it in any boat but mine. In rough seas I am afraid my cockpit would seperate from the hull. Silverton's are know for this, but then I would have one big bowrider!

Walter
 
quote:
Originally posted by inkblue

Hmmmm.

Block Island on a bowrider... I thought waters there get pretty serious, or am I wrong.

Click to expand...
Yes the water there CAN get very rough, and yet some days it could be like glass
I am sure people do it all the time in that size boat but I wouldn't
 
How many hours does it take to get there... (from Montauk) ?
 
From Montauk, depends on the weather - on a clear day with calm seas, less than an hour.

On a foggy day or rough water (6'- 8' rollers are not uncommon), five hours - or more!

I wouldn't go anywhere near BI Sound without GPS and radar.
 
According to Google Earth, it's only about 16 miles from Montauk to the mouth of the Great Salt Pond Harbor. I would imagine one could average 12-15 knots and make it there in about an hour or less.

I wouldn't try it without absolutely perfect weather.

Any ideas where I could camp at Montauk?
 
We cruised to BI from Porstmouth several times in our 25 foot SeaRay in the early '90s - total of 30nm, once in a 4-5 ft beam sea -but that was pure hell.

However, a good friend with a waterfront summer house in Charleston, RI, made the BI crossing on a 2-person Waverunner. But, he is kinda nuts - tried keeping up with him on a triple-black-diamond ski slope at Sunday River a few years ago. I ended up tearing both rotator cuffs.

Would I try it in a 21 foot bowrider? No way!
 
You can go out "in perfectly good weather" and find yourself socked in with fog before you know it. What are you going to do if the weather suddenly turns?

The fog rolls in very quickly at Block. Many times the harbor is perfectly clear, and there is pea soup out in BI Sound.

Yes, it can be done, but you need to have a back-up plan for when the weather won't let you leave.
 
Can a BoatUS tow insurance policy be my backup plan? Just kidding....
What kind of backup plan would I need? Do you mean a place to stay on the island if the weather turned while I was there? Is that possible, or are rooms reserved for like months in advance (and what about a slip for the boat)?
 
bob, there are three marinas in the Great Salt Pond, they are usually booked solid on weekends for months in advance. Yo will pay almost $5.00/foot.

There are moorings, but it is almost impossible to get one.

Block is a VERY popular destination, if you ever get there, you will see why.

You can anchor out, but a lot of boats have a problem setting and holding their anchors.

There are plenty of hotels, just do a google search.

Don't get me wrong, Block is a fantastic destination, you just have to be prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws at you.
 
Thanks for the advice. Is Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard any better, or easier to get to via 21' bowrider?
 
Bob, I applaud your sense of adventure!

Smooth sailing and calm seas to you buddy!!
 
quote:
Originally posted by blouderback

Thanks for the advice. Is Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard any better, or easier to get to via 21' bowrider?

Click to expand...


No
 
quote:
Originally posted by In the know

quote:
Originally posted by blouderback

Thanks for the advice. Is Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard any better, or easier to get to via 21' bowrider?

Click to expand...


No

Click to expand...


2X NO
 
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