July 4th Plans

[ParkRode360]

The next big holiday is the 4th -- does anyone have some interesting cruising plans?

We'll be heading up to Kingston, NY the Sunday before the 4th -- partly to check out the jazz concerts, partly to get some "pre 4th" fireworks.  We had heard from slip-mates that Rondout Yacht Basin had a waiting list, so we looked around and found that the Hudson River Maritime Museum had put in a bunch of new docks -- and, even better, they were still taking reservations!  So while it's not in the center of the boating night-life, we're hoping it'll be fun!

Would like to hear what others have planned!  

[MacInCT]

G&G, Assuming the engine hatch is fixed and the weather cooperates we are spending the week of the 4th in Nantucket harbor.

All the best,

Nancy

[ParkRode360]

Nice! How far ahead do you have to plan to reserve a slip?

[MacInCT]

Nantucket is a monopoly, actually two monopolies - if you want a slip the only game in town is the Nantucket Boat Basin, if you want a mooring the only game in town is Nantucket Moorings.

Nantucket Boat Basin has about 100 transient slips out of about 250 total and can take boats (ships?) up to 400 feet. It is the nicest facility I've ever set foot in and they charge like it. By some miracle I got a slip over the week of the 4th about a month ago. When the holiday is contiguous to a weekend the slips go within a week of the reservations line opening in March. What makes it worth it? It's in the heart of Nantucket Harbor with all of the restaurants, shops and conveniences a short walk away. All of the facilities are superbly maintained. The staff is well trained and seems to delight in being helpful. Here's the website: http://www.nantucketboatbasin.com

Nantucket Moorings is the mooring field in the harbor across the channel from the Boat Basin and town. 124 moorings renting for $55 a day (that was last year but I don't think it's gone up). There is quick, reliable launch service available and the Allserve boat that brings ice, water, newspapers, coffee, drinks (this was where Nantucket Nectars started) and whatever else you need pretty much on demand. There is no better spot to sit and watch megayachts move in and out of the harbor. Here's their website: http://www.nantucketmoorings.com

Do I love Nantucket? Oh, yes. This year we are going to stay in a slip for the week of the 4th then move the boat to a mooring, go home during the week so I can keep my job, water the garden and keep the pets alive, back to Nantucket over the next two weekends staying on the mooring and then another week in a slip the last week in July. Total cost? Don't ask. Is it worth it? It's priceless.

All the best,

Nancy

[ParkRode360]

Nancy, wow!!!!!! That sounds phenominal!  Something to plan for next year, at least -- may need to reprioritize a vacation week or two next year.

[MacInCT]

G&G,

By all means come to Nantucket! We might even be able to get Merwin to drop by.

If I were coming from the Hudson I would plan to break the trip up. If you were to only stop once overnight I'd go for Mystic Seaport or even Block Island. Unless the weather is really snotty the Sound is pretty protected water. Two foot waves are about the most you ever see and mostly it kicks up about a foot. Once you get into Block Island Sound, Vineyard Sound and Nantucket Sound things have the potential to get a lot more interesting which is when you really have to watch your weather. When the wind is out of the west, which it normally is, and blowing more than 10-15 mph the waves, particularly in Nantucket Sound, can build pretty good.

I think that late June and July are the times to do Nantucket. In August I think you get the increasing risk of tropic storms running up the coast or otherwise making the weather unstable.

All the best,

Nancy

[ParkRode360]

we'll definitely pencil it in for next year! I've loved Mystic every time I've gone -- probably from when I was around 10!  I'll work in Merwin to see if we can get him to come along!