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Sailing the Narragansett Bay

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Voyager
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Initially Posted - 07/18/2009 : 07:46:15

In a few week's time , my family and I plan to stay out on Jamestown Island in the Narragansett Bay. I've thought about sailing Passage the 110 nm or so, but that's definitely a three day sail (at least).

So I plan to trailer my 16 foot AMF Sunbird centerboarder up to place. I've visited RI a lot, and sailing the Bay is not for the faint-hearted, esp in a centerboarder.

Have any of you sailed the bay, and have advice, things and places to look out for, or thoughts about it?

We will be on the western side of the island, about 3-4 miles above the bridge. Chart 13223 and 13221 show a spot called the Great Ledge.

I might try to circumnav the island. I'll check NOAA's current charts for timing.

There are some nice bays and beaches. Ought to have a nice time, just want to keep out of trouble.

Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain � Milford, CT

Edited by - on

bear
Admiral

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Response Posted - 07/18/2009 : 12:12:42

I was down there for the Tall Ships a few years ago and took a sailboat tour of the bay [38 footer] it got pretty choppy near the inlet to the Ocean. Spray was coming over the bow. Never seen so many sailboats and motor boats at one time as I did there. Spent two wonderful days there touring. I would think if you stayed North of the bridge you would be OK. Dave Bristle probably has been there
many times and can relate places to sail.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
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Response Posted - 07/18/2009 : 12:38:53

Nope--but whoever here who's in East Greenwich (??) can--also Sten (who spent some part of a year on the other side of the island).

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 07/18/2009 19:34:39

JohnP
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Response Posted - 07/18/2009 : 21:21:00

You will be just north of the beautiful and well protected Dutch Harbor that is south of the Jamestown Bridge. You could easily sail around Dutch Island and back up to your boat ramp.

It's important to recognize some of the big rocks around the Bay, like Halfway Rock off the northeast tip of Jamestown Is. Will you bring along a nice GPS to help you find your way home in the fog, if that happens? You must at least use those NOAA charts and a compass to navigate safely. But there are many landmarks all around the Bay to use for dead reckoning, if you have to.

In your 16 ft boat you may need to be more careful with the weather forecasts than you would be in Passage, to avoid summer storms.

There are a few places where the chop is usually heavier than the rest of the Bay due to tides sometimes countering the wind - I'm thinking of just off Warwick Pt, for example - but that's quite a trip for you, and is north of Prudence Is.

You would have a great time, with some fair winds, to sail around to the opposite side of the island and into Newport Harbor. There are so many outrageous mega-yachts there to plan your next step up in boat size.

...I was staying at a marina in Newport one time, and the sharp-looking, 3-man crew from a 120 foot sailing yacht were boarding their boat nearby, only by the stern entrance, of course, carrying their newly washed and pressed white uniforms that they picked up at the dry cleaners. It's somehow different from life aboard Gypsy.

You could sail around Jamestown Is. to see the aircraft carriers north of the Newport Bridge on Rhode Is., but I suppose there's a limit to how close you can get.

If you want another nice sailing destination, you could sail up the east side of Prudence Is. up to Potter's Cove, where you can usually pick up one of the many, unoccupied moorings. It's a popular and well-protected anchorage, but there is nothing ashore to do or see.

On the east side of Prudence, you will encounter lots of maritime traffic, and the sea lane is surprisingly close to the shore. It's all on the chart.

Have fun!

Edited by - on

redviking
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Response Posted - 07/20/2009 : 05:48:31

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave Bristle
 Nope--but whoever here who's in East Greenwich (??) can--also Sten (who spent some part of a year on the other side of the island).
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

That's my "hood!" I know the place like the back of my hand - "look Ma no charts nor plotter!" I've cruised the entire bay with my C25 and now with SV Lysistrata and uh, you really want your C25 unless you launch and sail around Newport Harbor or some other protected bay/harbour like Bristol, Mount Hope Bay, Greenwich bay etc. Currents run a knot or two, but the wakes from big stinkpotters and weather are your real challenges.

Newport is an awesome place to sail around and scope out my peeps in the anchorage. Too bad we did not do the trek this year or we'd take you out and show you how doing 9 knots in 12 knots of wind will make you sell all of your stuff and decide to go cruising at 42.

Back on topic, Bristol is very cool with the Herreshof museum et al. There is a launch ramp. As stated, Newport ditto for the launch ramp. Jamestown is tough, deep harbor - actually not really a harbor but they threw some balls down. Prudence, go there from anywhere and you are in for a really long day and possible issues. Have a handheld or two and a ditch bag with food and water. If the winds shift and you have to beat back you could be screwed. Mount Hope Bay is awesome for just putzing around. Go under the bridge to see the USS Massachusetts and dock for lunch. East greenwich is cool, again watch yourself. Tivertown or Middletown on the Sakonnet River is a good spot. Launches on both sides, a couple of islands. Sandy Point is good too.

I once hailed the Coasties for a small boat caught in a sudden thunderstorm around there. I gave them a rocket flare but they refused any other assistance before crossing the Sakonnet sans safety equipment. Tivertown Harbor Master came out and towed them in for their own good. This is not a lake - the whole place can go Buzzards bay on you in no time.

In Newport, Eat at Zelda's - sailors bar/restaurant with divine food. The IYAC - International Yacht & Athletic Club is across the street as is the Armchair Sailor which is the finest nautical bookstore in the world.

The run from Newport to Jamestown will be exciting for sure in a 16 footer. I've done it my Zodiac and will take the ferry next time.

sten

Edited by - on

Voyager
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Response Posted - 07/20/2009 : 20:00:05

Sten and John P, Thanks for your advice.
Like sailing anywhere, you have to look out for yourself (first rule of life).

My favorite sailing spot for my 16 foot Sunbird is in a protected cove behind an island in Milford CT, or out on one of several 500-1000 acre lakes in CT. Neither of which have any significant currents.

Out on the Narragansett Bay, I worry about the variability of a current-filled body of water with changeable summer weather, and lots of large vessels navigating in very tight quarters. My wife and I were standing out on the Beaver Tail one day, looking out into the foggy Atlantic Ocean, and were impressed by the seas out there.

If, however, the weather is all 'Bermuda High' (with SW-erlies all day) without thunderstorms, then mainly all I have to know about is Eldridge's tides and currents, and the regular "chop zones".

I do plan to check out Newport Harbor's mega-yachts, and want to take a look at the charts. I've got my tide tables, a compass, my GPS and a fine set of paper charts, just in case of fog.

Hopefully, if I stick to the western side of Jamestown Island, at least I won't be out in the main shipping channels.

We plan to take the Ferry over to Newport to check out the museums, bookstores, restaurants, and listen in to the Newport Folk and Jazz fests, which happen to be taking place that week. We plan on mostly relaxing and just having a nice time.

Edited by - on

Rich G
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Response Posted - 07/20/2009 : 20:57:37

I've never actually cruised the bay, but I have sailed to Newport twice. Both times I got so socked in by fog the visibility was barely 200 feet on the way into the harbor from Rhode Island Sound. As we approached Newport Harbor last month, the Adirondack II came screaming out of nowhere on a port tack. These guys certainly knew what they were doing and where they were going. I felt quite humbled by their superior seamanship.

In Portsmouth, eat at Flo's Clam shack. There's one in Newport, too, but the one in Portsmouth is the original. The currents don't ever run that strong in the bay, but the wind can blow.

Enjoy! I love Rhode Island!

Old Stone Bridge, Tiverton, RI (taken from Portsmouth):

Edited by - Rich G on 07/20/2009 20:59:39

Voyager
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Response Posted - 07/21/2009 : 16:22:28

What's the foggiest month of the year in Newport? June, July, Aug, Sept or Oct?

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redviking
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Response Posted - 07/21/2009 : 18:00:10

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Rich G
 These guys certainly knew what they were doing and where they were going. I felt quite humbled by their superior seamanship.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yeah? Well they sailed thru the anchorage last year and caught a 44 foot IP's anchor chain and locked the two vessels together. Every harbormaster boat et al was out there trying to unlock the two. Nothing superior about it! They are just a boat that charges $40.

sten

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redviking
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Response Posted - 07/21/2009 : 18:01:30

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Voyager
 What's the foggiest month of the year in Newport? June, July, Aug, Sept or Oct?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Take your pick. August seems to be fairly heavy.

sten

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Oscar
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Response Posted - 07/21/2009 : 18:03:55

Never done the Bay, but had a very interesting, and challenging time, going into Eel Pond.... (Woods Hole) in a 36 footer....When the currents pull the navaids under you are quicly separating the sailors from the partyer afloat crowd......

Edited by - Oscar on 07/21/2009 18:04:56

JohnP
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Response Posted - 07/21/2009 : 18:07:16

Dunno about foggy months. But there's fog where there's rainy weather, and rainy weather comes in cycles that are difficult to predict throughout the northeast.

I suppose you mean Silver Sands beach in Milford, CT - - - nice shore birds and you can walk out to the island at low tide. I was surprised to see some guys kite boarding there like they do in Hawai'i.

Have fun sailing your boat in the Narragansett Bay!

Edited by - on

Voyager
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Response Posted - 07/22/2009 : 17:23:39

Yes Silver Sands. The kite boarders were out on Sunday and two of them were hovering at about 150 feet over the beach. It was cool and scary at the same time. Glad it wasn't me.

I've been checking the chart, and I think I will limit my sailing to Dutch Island Harbor, and Mackerel Cove. Might take a short drive over to Pt Judith Pond or Ninigret Pond for an afternoon.

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Voyager
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Response Posted - 07/30/2009 : 21:44:12

So we head out to Jamestown RI on Saturday morning and I'll be launching Voyager, my 16 foot centerboard AMF Alcort Sunbird at Getty Park on Conanicut Island, just south of Jamestown. I plan on sailing around Dutch Harbor, then up the west coast of the island to the mooring ball right outside the beach cottage.

I purchased a paper chart and fed all the waypoints into my GPS. I am hoping to sail down around Beaver Tail, and up to Prudence Island. I realize that I'll be crossing the NAV channel heading over to Prudence, but it looks like a really cool spot - ferry access only and town/state parks on both ends.

Distances are in the < 10 mile range, so with careful charting and planning with the currents, we should be able to get around pretty well.

And with luck, my Seagull 40 Plus will hang in the whole way. This engine is amazing. It literally started on one pull after sitting in the barn for two years. I added gas and oil (8:1) to the tank, zapped the carb with carburetor cleaner and replaced the spark plug, and VIOLA! she purred right back to life.

I've got my chart, a compass, a GPS, a handheld VHF, inflatable PFD, regular PFDs and throwables, an air horn and whistle and a new set of flares, so I hope to avoid disaster.

Edited by - on

JohnP
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Response Posted - 07/31/2009 : 05:48:43

I've never seen an Alcort Sunbird 16' daysailer before I found this photo online. You'll have some sailing action in this boat in the 5-7 or 5-10 they're predicting for the Narragansett Bay this week.

Have a blast!

Edit: image reposted, with the same url, to make it visible!

Edited by - JohnP on 08/04/2009 05:27:20

DaveR
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Response Posted - 07/31/2009 : 06:10:21

Sounds like a whole lot of fun. Have a great time and take some pics for us !!

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ruachwrights
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Response Posted - 08/03/2009 : 20:01:49

Have a great time cruising. I sail out of E. Greenwich Bay of Narraganset bay. See the cruising forum for my most recent true cruise. I would recommend Dutch harbor but be prepared for a hassle with the ownership of the Dutch harbor folks as the owner is new. Newport is spectacular. Down the bay, look for a good anchorage between Prudence and Patience Island. Also Goddard state park is on east Greenwich Bay and it affords some safe anchorage as well. Bristol Harbor is also fantastic but be sure to call ahead for a mooring as there are not a whole lot of transitory moorings available.

Be prepared for high seas at the mouth of the bay.

Good luck and God Bless.

Vern Wright

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Voyager
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Response Posted - 08/03/2009 : 20:30:02

Vern -
Thanks for the tips on the bay. It is truly awesome from Beaver Tail to Newport down to Point Judith and up in the east bay too. We're on the western passage (west coast of Conanicut I) and I'm on a mooring ball. The bay can be really choppy and with all the boat traffic, the wakes can get pretty disastrous for a small dinghy.

Tomorrow, I plan to sail down to Dutch Harbor to hang out and look at the very posh sailboats there. I won't be anchoring there at all.

Later, I'm planning to sail up the coast and over the top of the island to the eastern shore and maybe into Jamestown.

We're also looking forward to the "tuesday-night sail races".

We will be getting some strong south-westerlies on Wednesday with thunder, and strong north westerlies following a cold front on Thursday, so I might be doing some sightseeing those two days.

The Jazz Fest is coming up too, so that will be interesting.

Very neat area, I plan to come back with Passage.

Edited by - on

ruachwrights
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Response Posted - 08/04/2009 : 05:20:46

Bruce,
Actually you can anchor to the north of the Dutch Harbor moorings. The town is about a 3/4 mile walk from the James Town Dingy dock. Just past the Jamestown bridge to the North is the cool little town of Wickford. They have a two hour dock (located at the end of the channel which winds west to north) open to the public and the whole town is right there. There are some pretty good eats and some fun little stores.

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JohnP
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Response Posted - 08/04/2009 : 05:57:59

You might want to drive over the Jamestown bridge to Wickford to check out the [url="http://www.marineconsignment.com/wickford.htm"]Marine Consignment store[/url] - lots of sailboat stuff & it's the best around RI!

You can't sail deep enough into Wickford Harbor to run ashore on somebody's beach and to make it worthwhile to take the 1/4 mile walk to the store, which is on the Post Road near the harbor. The water's too thin (1-2 feet) past the marinas.

It could be just a short drive on a rainy afternoon.

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Voyager
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Response Posted - 08/04/2009 : 17:11:26

Thursday morning they're predicting some rain, its a good excuse to go to the Consignment Shop. Meanwhile, I was very impressed by the Newport West Marine store, which is stocked with just about anything sailors might wish for. Pt Judith WM was not shabby either!

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bigelowp
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Response Posted - 08/04/2009 : 18:05:43

Nowhere near as useful as first hand accounts, the current (August) edition of "Windcheck", which is a monthly, local color newspapermagazine focuses on Jamestown. You might want to google it and look at the on-line edition for some additional thoughts. It is a great area and you will have fun, rain or shine.

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Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
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Response Posted - 08/04/2009 : 18:22:04

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Voyager
 ...I was very impressed by the Newport West Marine store...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Isn't that a little like going to McDonald's in Paris??

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 08/04/2009 18:22:24

Voyager
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Response Posted - 08/04/2009 : 19:07:58

Alternatives?

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JohnP
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Response Posted - 08/05/2009 : 06:10:18

I'm sorry, but all my sailing pals and I ever buy when I visit Newport is dinner and drinks, or breakfast before shoving off!

In the summer there are a few nice pubs with live music for dancing the night away! And who can think about "that broken snap shackle" when the band starts playing? Hey, we're sailors on shore leave!!!

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bigelowp
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Response Posted - 08/06/2009 : 05:23:53

My appologies -- it would help if I had given the correct publication -- Points East --www.pointseast.com Had the Narraganset article.

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