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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Coastal cruising in New England

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diySailor
1st Mate

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USA
39 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/12/2012 : 15:42:15

Just sailed down the coast from Boston Harbor to Narragansett Bay in RI to have my boat hauled out for the season. Took a week to harbor- hop and duck out one storm but what a great area of the country for cruising. One thing that really surprised me was that almost all the seacoast towns and harbors “close down” on Columbus Day weekend. I guess everyone’s heading to Florida. We’re supposed to have a hard frost tonight so I guess it’s over til next spring. Anyway, it was a great season and the cat 25 is a great little boat. It’s back home tomorrow for more winter work and to find a nice pram someone’s giving away for Christmas

Rog&Barb
1983 Catalina 25 SR/FK
HYC Hull, MA

Edited by - on

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 10/12/2012 : 22:00:31

Thru the canal? Or VIA the islands? Nice cruising grounds. About now I too would be making the trek south.

Sten

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CarbonSink62
Navigator

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USA
208 Posts

Response Posted - 10/13/2012 : 04:52:29

It is a great place to cruise. I sail out of Portsmouth, NH. This is my first year here and I got a late start, so I've only seen a small bit of it.

Tastes like more.

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apiratelooksat40
Deckhand

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6 Posts

Response Posted - 10/13/2012 : 05:38:27

CarbonSink,

I'm likely to see you out there! I'm in Portsmouth...Just bought my '83 C25 SK after a bunch of years co-owning a '30 with my Father. He bought out my half and is now on his way down the ICW. I'm looking forward to seeing how she sails. Where do you slip her/sail out of?'

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diySailor
1st Mate

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39 Posts

Response Posted - 10/13/2012 : 14:46:47

Yes, we sailed and motored down the coast into Cape Cod Bay (gusty 25 to 30 knot south winds and 3 to 5 foot confused seas) thru the canal and down Buzzards Bay (laying over at Sakonnet Harbor due to 28 knot winds and 8 foot seas) then into Rhode Island Sound before heading up into Naragansett Bay to East Greenwich Bay and Warwick Cove. Still had 6 foot rollers comming into the Sakonnet River when we left the next day. Great learning experience but next year will probably do it in mid to late September to get better weather. Even in the rain the Elizabethan Islands were spectacular.

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5377 Posts

Response Posted - 10/13/2012 : 21:51:35

If you liked that you'll love tomorrow's weather! 15-20 with 25 kt gusts in LI Sound. The C25 is a great boat and just perfect for coastal cruising. Glad you had a great fall sail in New England. That's what it's all about. Carbonsink I'd love to come up your way next summer to see Cape Ann and the Maine Coast!

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diySailor
1st Mate

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USA
39 Posts

Response Posted - 10/14/2012 : 10:57:05

Voyager, 15 to 20 knots with a reef and a good wind direction is a great ride. What are the sea conditions (wave height) typically associated with gusty 25 knot winds in LI Sound? Up in Buzzards Bay the waves can be a choppy 4 feet or more with SW or NE winds at that speed which is a "little" much for a C25.

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 10/14/2012 : 18:38:07

I can also respond to that... Direction, location, and time is significant on LIS, but 15-20 over a significant time and fetch suggests 3' wind waves (relatively short period), which when you're on the water seem like 5-footers. I've been out there in 25 knots gusting to 35 overnight and for two days, when the seas built to 5' with a short period. A C-25 can bust through that, as I have proven going to windward in it, but trust me--nobody is having fun doing it! This was on our "delivery cruise" getting our "new" Passage home from Mystic to Darien, CT--the Admiral and me. I was blessed that my marriage withstood the event, and the local marine police (ensconced at the dock) were astonished when we arrived...

So yes, it's a "little much". In retrospect, there's no point. I was working under time pressure from the Admiral's job situation, which we probably should have addressed head-on instead of challenging the weather head-on.

(Yes, I live on the other end of that delivery now--long story...)

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 10/14/2012 18:46:56

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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5377 Posts

Response Posted - 10/14/2012 : 19:03:30

Just to add to Dave's experiences, LI Sound chop when current opposes wind direction in a long-duration wind event means short-period, square, cresting 3-4 footers, lots of spray and wet conditions. With chilly temps like Saturday you're risking hypothermia without a wet suit, proper foulies or a good dry dodger.
Today was amazing frankly, as winds were brisk all last night and today until about 3pm with temps around 55. I thought the season was over!
Just then, the sun came out, wind speed dropped below 10 and conditions became almost summerlike! High 60s to 70. Water temp is 68. Seas settled down and it was like Sept conditions again. Rest of the week should follow suit. Hope things stay like this until Nov.

Edited by - Voyager on 10/14/2012 19:05:19

diySailor
1st Mate

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USA
39 Posts

Response Posted - 10/14/2012 : 19:45:44

Looking at the funnel shape of LI sound I kinda of figured one it was similar to conditions on Buzzards Bay. I missed going to Block Island on my trek down from Boston due to the high winds, choppy seas, and cold rain. Since my boat is coming home this week I'll have to do the Block in the Spring. Hopefully once these cold fronts pass thru, you'll get to have a nice finish to the boating season especially since the water temps are still in the 60's.

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CarbonSink62
Navigator

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USA
208 Posts

Response Posted - 10/15/2012 : 05:59:31

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by apiratelooksat40
 I'm likely to see you out there! I'm in Portsmouth...Where do you slip her/sail out of?'
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
This pirate is looking at 50!

I'm on one of the mooring floats at Great Cove Boat Club, just upriver of the I-95 bridge. Well, I will be for a few more days; my season is all but over. (sigh)

Let's set up a NH C25 regatta for next spring.

Maybe scream out to the Isles of Shoals and back.

Ken

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apiratelooksat40
Deckhand

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6 Posts

Response Posted - 10/15/2012 : 07:34:14

Ken,

This Pirate is on his way there as well - looking at 40 now is only in the rear-view mirror!

That sounds good! Drop me a line if you hear of any docking/mooring locations. If I can find a trailer, I'm considering dry-storing it in Rye.

Would be really great to get a bunch of New England 25's together for a sail-together - Maybe Plum Island or Cape Ann - next Summer

Edited by - on

CarbonSink62
Navigator

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USA
208 Posts

Response Posted - 10/17/2012 : 05:54:35

Pirate,
Great Bay Marine (603.436.5299) has moorings for about $1200/season and good rates for haul, store, launch. Good people to work with.

My club (207.439.8872) had some moorings sit empty this year; it's about the same price but membership fees are added ($300). I love the club and they are easily 4 miles closer to the harbor entrance than GBM. They also haul store and launch (don't need to be a member for that) at a price that competes with GBM.

Early next year, I'll start a thread for a northern New England C25/250 get-together and we'll pick the location based on the replies. Portland, ME and Cape Ann, MA are both a long ride from Portsmouth, but do-able. Plum Island is better.

Ken

Edited by - on

hinmo
Navigator

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USA
248 Posts

Response Posted - 10/18/2012 : 21:16:14

Having lived the majority of my 56 years on Buzzards Bay (Mattapoisett) I can tell you, 4ft chop is not uncommon. BTW - I can get anyone passing thru moorings for the nite. Mattapoisett has around 1000 moorings in the harbor, and as long as you don't mind having to move if an owner comes back late, its pretty much standard practice to grab one for the nite.

Sailed my maiden voyage in the Cat25 from Plymouth to Mattapoisett. Dead calm till the BB side of the canal, then into 4 ft, 17kt SW headwinds. A blast until the last mile when I lost my headstay...but thats another story.

Great BB cruising to many harbors, favorites are Quisset, Hadleys and Red brook.

2013 Cat 25 Rendezvous on Buzzards Bay! I'll host at Mattapoisett or am game to meet elsewhere!

Edited by - on

diySailor
1st Mate

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USA
39 Posts

Response Posted - 10/19/2012 : 16:38:30

Thanks for the info on Buzzards Bay. We stayed at Onset, Hadley's and Cuttyhunk before leaving early to Sakonnet point to avoid a storm. Will have to try Quisset and Red Brook on the way back and will keep Mattapoisett in mind for an overnight. A Cat 25 rendezvous in BB sounds fun but we'll be back up in Boston for the summer. We'll check the posts to see what develops.

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5377 Posts

Response Posted - 10/19/2012 : 20:32:44

Whoa, so a raftup in Mattapoisett next summer? Sounds like it ought to make for a great Sailstice kind of event (weekend of June 22-23).
At 150 miles, that would take the better part of 4 days one way for me, unless I could catch an ebb tide heading east.
Maybe several forum members from LI Sound could band together and "we could get us a convoy!"
It would be a long trip but I'd never forget it though...

Edited by - Voyager on 10/19/2012 20:36:07

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 10/20/2012 : 10:38:15

A little more central to MA, CT, and LI sailors might be Watch Hill, RI (Napatree Point) or Stonington (CT) Harbor. Napatree has a very nice ocean beach a short walk from the large protected anchorage, with a little waterside village. Stonington has some good waterside restaurants and bars. Nearby Mystic has the historic Seaport, with a free anchorage at the north end, from which you can dinghy into town where there are lots of nice eateries and watering holes. But it's above two bridges, so not as convenient. Below the bridges are a number of marinas and mooring fields, but limited anchorages and gathering places.

Details on request...

Mystic Seaport, downtown Mystic, Mason's Island, Fishers Island, and The Race.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 10/22/2012 12:25:21

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5377 Posts

Response Posted - 10/21/2012 : 20:43:41

David
If you're hosting the meet up, count me in! Napatree is an awesome anchorage.

Stonington is very nice, but VERY pricey!

Mystic surprisingly is not terribly expensive with:
1. Capt Daniel Packer's Inn (the Pub downstairs is very cozy and reasonable)
2. Sea Swirl - local fried seafood (whole belly clams) and lobster rolls - with picnic tables outside.
3. S&P Oyster Company - little more upscale
4. Kitchen Little - at Mystic River Marina - great for breakfast
5. Ice Cream at Mystic Bridge - several hard and soft ice creameries
6. and the Steak Loft for carnivores.

There is a good deal of sightseeing nearby and good anchorages. And its only a short hop to Newport, Naragansett Bay and Block Island.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 10/22/2012 : 12:21:24

That's a good list, Bruce... My favorite is S&P, for a nice menu, reasonable prices, great service, great views, and the option of outdoor dining. They're a short walk from the downtown dinghy dock. I'm glad you know that Kitchen Little moved down the river--it used to be a short walk from my place. Best breakfast in CT! The challenge in Mystic is anchoring within reasonable reach of town, unless you want to pay to stay in one of the close-in marinas.

Stonington has a good list of restaurants and watering holes--the Dog Watch Cafe at Dodson's Marina (somewhat like S&P), Skipper's Dock (with a big dock), Noah's (quaint and good), etc. They were used in the movie Hope Springs with Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones, which was mostly shot right there. I wouldn't call those restaurants especially pricey.

Watch Hill (and Napatree Point) are not so well endowed, except for the spectacular Ocean House, which has spectacular facilities, views and prices. The town of Westerly can be reached by dinghy, but I don't have recommendations for there.

Put something together and I'll help any way I can...

Edited by - on

DrScow
Deckhand

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USA
9 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2012 : 18:33:29

I want to get completely way from cloth covered. Does anyone have a lead on closed foam options?

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2012 : 20:14:08

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by DrScow
 I want to get completely way from cloth covered. Does anyone have a lead on closed foam options?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I think you meant to post this in the [url="http://catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=25848"]thread on re-upholstering cushions[/url].

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