Association Forum - LI Sound run

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Cruising Forum

LI Sound run

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

Member Avatar

USA
5418 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/22/2009 : 22:22:37

As stated elsewhere, I plan on taking 5-6 days sailing east from Stratford out to Westbrook, then Watch Hill and on to Point Judith. Because we have a late Labor Day this year (Spet 7), I plan to sail starting August 31 and through Sept 4. My wife will join me evenings by car, and my son and daughter plan to spend a few days each on the boat with me.

Maybe next year I will sail up into the Narragansett Bay, to Buzzard's Bay or out to Block Island, but this year I want to gain confidence working the currents, the chop and the tides in the LIS Passages, and dealing with the weather on this trip.

I'm planning on taking Watch Hill Passage out of LI Sound, but would like to know more about the peculiarities of each of the passages from those who may frequent them.

Other than Watch Hill, there's Sugar Reef, Catumb, Lord's and Wicopesset Passage. They all look to be treacherous during peak currents, with boils and upwelling. Sugar Reef and Lord's Passages seem the widest and deepest, Watch Hill and Wicopesset Passages look tricky and Catumb seems downright hellish.

I hope to plan my passage on a slack tide, however I will be fighting an opposing tide on one side or the other. I will assume tidal currents are generally less in Block Island Sound than Fisher's Island Sound, so I should cross the passages at high tide. I plan to check NOAA's Tides&Currents website tomorrow.

Any advice will be cheerfully considered.

Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain � Milford, CT

Edited by - on

SEAN
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
772 Posts

Response Posted - 08/23/2009 : 10:20:07

I just went through the race ..when my gps said it was high tide ..it also still showed 1 knot of current ..i was expecting none ..i am not sure why ?

Fisher Island had a real big sandune to climb on the ocean side if you like that ..but it looked like you have to anchor far off the beach ..

Edited by - on

Peregrine
Admiral

Members Avatar

830 Posts

Response Posted - 08/23/2009 : 11:25:45

I have only done this on bigger boats, both racing and delivering. In a 25 you need to have your tides just right.
Look at the charts and google getting through "Plum Gut - Gardiners Island".
The Stamford Y.C. round Block Island Race always gets you through there at night, white knuckle time.

I found quite a few videos on this in You Tube.
Search plum gut.

Edited by - on

SEAN
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
772 Posts

Response Posted - 08/23/2009 : 12:17:44

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57ntHJ2tehM

this is us after going through plum gut ..we wanted to go where the power boats going ..we were streaching it out so we wouldnt have to keep tacking .

the next weekend was calm no wind ..

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
5418 Posts

Response Posted - 08/23/2009 : 20:42:47

Sean
I looked at your You Tube video and it looked like there was quite a bit of Steep Chop as you were making your passage. It also seemed there was a good bit of wind, as you looked heeled over to 10-15 degrees.

I've heard that "The Race" and Plum Gut can get pretty choppy, especially when current opposes strong winds. I was in Waterford CT at Harkness State Park one day down by the shore and looking out into the Race, I was surprised to see a stretch of water marked by large white caps when all around the area, the waters seemed quite a bit calmer.

My plan is to check winds and currents a day or two ahead and determine my best time: to approach an hour or two before high tide on the flood, then pass through just before slack, and pass out of the area once the tide turns to ebb, sucking me out of LIS on the currents. If there are any winds, I should plan on chop on one side of High slack tide of the other.

So far the times are looking ok for my schedule. But, as they say, don't do dumb things to try to meet a schedule, instead take whatever time you need to stay out of trouble.

Edited by - on

SEAN
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
772 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2009 : 05:15:57

Hi Bruce ..yea that day the wind was strong.. it was calmer before going throw but once on the the other side there was the bigger water ..
there was also big thunder storms that night in ct but fell apart before they crosed the sound ..so it was just one of those days ..we had a great time we anchored off Oriant State park

we went through the next weekend and it flat with no wind ..but there is a lot of traffic going through , feries ..and big boats .
you should have a great trip !! 1/2 the battle is over once you start :D

i found some pictures ..
plum gut

the race

Edited by - SEAN on 08/24/2009 18:28:50

SEAN
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
772 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2009 : 05:19:24

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tShuQAbjG48

this was the same day a couple hours later after we anchored ..waiting for a storm that did not come

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2009 : 19:54:48

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Voyager
 I will assume tidal currents are generally less in Block Island Sound than Fisher's Island Sound, so I should cross the passages at high tide.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">You might want to pick up an Eldridge guide (yellow soft-cover). The currents turn at The Race around an hour and a half after high or low tide there. (Counter intuitive, but it has to do with how water flows in and out of Long Island Sound.) It's the same in Fisher's Island Sound, but a lot less dramatic, and far less in B. I. Sound. Either way, you want them with you in F. I. Sound.

I like Watch Hill Passage over the others--it's very well marked (red, green, and R/G mid-channel) and your most direct shot to Pt. Judith. Just stay between the markers! (A 47' powerboat didn't a few weeks ago--the woman on board has five broken ribs and a bruised lung, and the boat sank to the gunwales before being rescued.)

Also take note of Long Sand Shoal just W. of the CT River... The flood current is faster outside, and the ebb current is faster inside. You can pick up a 1.5 kts by making the right choice, including if the current is against you.

If you're dropping the hook in the area (including Watch Hill), let me know!

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
5418 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2009 : 20:27:43

Dave
I'm hoping to be in Fisher's Island Sound (Mystic, Stonington or Watch Hill) depending on the wind and tides gods on Tuesday evening. I will be traveling with my cell phone, and I have your number. Would be nice to get together. The cooler should be well stocked.

I can usually get a berth at Brewers Mystic, or find a spot in Watch Hill Harbor (what are the rules or warnings about anchoring in the Little Narragansett Sound)? I know it's quite shallow.

Bruce

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
5418 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2009 : 20:42:23

Sean
I like the photos, what a picturesque place we live in!

Yesterday we had an interesting sail. We had a beautiful sunny day all day long. My in-laws were in town so we took a brief sail down the river to the Sound. Tide was going out so we traversed the river in about 10 minutes, we must have been doing 6 kts. As we got out to the Sound, a puffy cloud hid the sun, and the WX radio warned of T'storms not necessarily heading our way.

Wouldn't you know it?, the storm got closer and closer. As we turned to head back up the river, we were moving at about 2 kts against the current, so it took us an incredibly long time to get back.

As we turned the last bend, the cold outflow winds started blowing around 30 kts and the heavy rain followed. We lucked out, as the lightning never materialized. I'd rather be lucky than good.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2009 : 21:29:10

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Voyager
 ...Watch Hill Harbor (what are the rules or warnings about anchoring in the Little Narragansett Sound)? I know it's quite shallow.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">There's about a half mile of 8-10' water just west of #1 and #2 marking the entrance at Watch Hill Harbor, along Napatree Point--perfect if the wind isn't strong out of the N or NW. You'll see lotsa big boats there. Do not--repeat, DO NOT try to enter around the E. end of Sandy Point--take the narrow entrance around the W. end (with 20' of water 20' from the beach) and follow the well-marked channel.

Which Tuesday??

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 08/24/2009 21:33:36

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
5418 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2009 : 16:49:03

Dave
Thanks for the local info, it is a "funny" place. Lots and lots of skinny water.

I guess they said that the Hurricane of '38 (ancient history indelibly etched on the escutcheon of all the old-old-timers in southern New England) had turned Sandy Point into an Island. It used to be part of Napatree Point. The resulting water is miles wide but about 1/2 foot deep in places.

I've paddled my kayak around the Little Narragansett Bay and have scraped the bottom as I traversed the bars and rocks there at low tide.

I also know the channel, as I had to watch for a parade of powerboats as I crossed it from Barn Island.

Tuesday, Sept 1

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
5418 Posts

Response Posted - 08/29/2009 : 10:26:49

Alas ! Alas ! Alas !

I have been laid off from my job (well, not completely, they did kind-of offer me a much less senior "consolation" job with 50%-50% odds of getting it). But for all practical purposes, I'm history.

So the net effect in the near term is that I cannot do my LI Sound Run this week, and I am bumming out BIG TIME. I have to visit my would-be re-employer on Tuesday, smack dab in the middle of the run to interview, hat in hand, for the lowly scrap.

So, I might be able to get out on Wednesday, heading to Westbrook, then Thursday (chance of rain), heading to Mystic. But by then, all the Labor Day weekend people will have flooded the transient slips at the marina! Damn!

I guess I can anchor down in Westerly, but it will take me a lot longer to get there and all the nicest anchoring spots will be gone by the time I get there.

If anybody out there knows of a video sales-engineering post available, write me on my personal email.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 08/29/2009 : 11:30:21

Sorry to hear about the job but, welcome to the club.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 08/29/2009 : 12:54:46

Make reservations in the various marinas (like Brewer's Pilot Point and Brewer's Mystic). There's a nice cove on the east side of Ram Island just outside of the Mystic River--not so great in E. winds. I'm not seeing rain in the forecast until Sunday 9/6. I'm expecting my "very good friend" to arrive Thursday--we can pick you up for a cocktail cruise. Let me know...

Hang in there--life's a journey.

Edited by - on

jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 08/30/2009 : 08:10:15

Me three...I was let go in Jan...hopefully, now that Aug is ending...and the news reports that a turn-around is happening people will be more focused on their staffing needs...

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
5418 Posts

Response Posted - 08/30/2009 : 20:46:01

Jerry
That's a long time. While I don't have a crystal ball, a lot of people told me they have some Q4 money to spend, so I guess I'll go help them spend it if I can. I plan on going back into a consultancy.

But first, there's this Wed-Sat sailing trip I'm planning.

Edited by - Voyager on 08/30/2009 20:46:52

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
5418 Posts

Response Posted - 08/31/2009 : 20:26:07

So the trip is back on, starting out on Wednesday, and planning to make Mystic on Thursday.

I booked Westbrook on Wednesday night and Brewer's Mystic on Thursday.

I looked at the charts for making the entrance into the harbor. Entering the channel looks like threading the needle, as it's very long and narrow.

Dave - do you have any advice for a newbie? I will watch the bouys. Any major currents to deal with into or out of (or crosswise) the harbor?

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/01/2009 : 06:58:34

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Voyager
 ...Any major currents to deal with into or out of (or crosswise) the harbor?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">How would I know?

You'll find up to a knot flowing in our out depending on the tide. (...up to several knots in F.I. Sound and the river mouth, in synch with The Race.) Thurs. afternoon the tide will be helping big-time as you approach the Mystic River--just don't run into red #6 when you make the turn into the channel.

Wherever you see ships masts sticking out of the water, don't go there... Seriously, the channel is well marked and plenty big... Keep #4 (outside) to starboard, and turn around the east side of the daymark (5) and follow the traffic flow... or call my cell when you're off Niantic--it takes me a while to get thru the bridges).

About Brewer's--it's a short dinghy ride to the village, but a rather long walk. It's below all of the bridges, but the one it's just below makes a LOT OF NOISE when Amtrak comes thru, and it blows a siren every time it opens or closes. For just as much noise but much shorter walk into town, you might want to call [url="http://www.fortrachel.com/6/"]Fort Rachel Marina[/url]--it's immediately above the Amtrak bridge on the west side. The bridge stays open except when trains are coming thru--you can listen or hail him on 13 to find out what's going on. (If he's open, let him know you're going thru and verify there's time--when he has to close, he closes.)

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 09/01/2009 07:11:43

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
5418 Posts

Response Posted - 09/01/2009 : 19:06:13

Dave
I checked the chart on Brewers and you're right, a long walk into town.
I'll bring my earplugs. They work wonders in noisy places

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
5418 Posts

Response Posted - 09/03/2009 : 17:50:42

First day out, Tuesday, was a brilliant sunny day with flat water and 8-10 kt SEerly winds. My daughter and I were able to reach for extended periods, and had to take a tack from time to time as we got too close to land. We did 35 nm in 8 hours.

Next day, she had to get back home to work, and the local train line took care of that. She got home in an hour and a half.

I proceeded on easterly with threatening skies, crossing the mouth of the Connecticut River, where the fresh water collides with salt. You can see the difference in the color and clarity of the water, and the flora and fauna floating around in it.

Then I sailed past Connecticut's remaining Nuke plant, called Millstone. What a catastrophe. What einstein decided to take the ultimate pastoral seaside landscape and turn it into a radioactive industrial zone like chernobyl? Who thought that this was a good idea?

Next was New London harbor and the Thames (not the Temmes, like in the UK, but the Thaymes), where the Coast Guard, Electric Boat (they make subs) and the US Navy's Submarine Center are located. Countless ferries ply the river and sound along with large powerboats, and buku sailboats coming from every possible direction.

Off to port was CT and New London, off to the starboard bow, Fishers Island and off the starboard beam - THE RACE. This is where 85 million gallons of water pass into and out of LIS every minute.

Right here, the depths come up from 280 feet to 80 feet, and with the volume of water rising at 2-4 kts, you get boils and swirls, even whitewater! - out in the middle of the water.

I safely passed by that section into the very placid Fishers Island Sound. It was a terrific contrast.

I finally found the entrance into the Mystic River and my second night's sleepover. I met with a very well known member of this forum who very graciously showed me around this quaint little town by land and water. And a very beautiful Eastern 27 named Sarge.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/03/2009 : 19:55:35

...and Bruce bought dinner on the patio at the world famous S&P Oyster Company, overlooking the traffic coming through the drawbridge... Thanks Bruce! Passage looked good--complete with a kayak strapped to the bow pulpit.

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
5418 Posts

Response Posted - 09/04/2009 : 18:33:30

This morning I caught the currents right, and "rode the wave" back to Stratford. I motorsailed as the winds were light.

According to my GPS it was 50 nm plus a few miles back and forth to the Sound. I hit about 8 kts for several long stretches. I got back at 4pm.

Edited by - on

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.