NEW YORK CITY - East River to the Hudson River

Here is our route covered in this blog

Saturday July 8, 2017: After our evening rain at Port Washington, the sky cleared up for our trip through New York City’s East River and the start of our trip up the Hudson River. We timed our arrival at Throg’s Neck Bridge, at the start of the East River, so that during the first 7 miles on the river, we’d have a slight current against us. However, that meant we’d we’d arrive at the Hell Gate section of the East River right at slack tide. This area can have currents up to 5 knots making transiting of that section of the river much more challenging. We of course wanted to be as relaxed as possible so we could take in the sights and get some good photos. We’re only doing this trip once!

Long Island home near Port Washington

We were not disappointed. The river currents were just as expected and all well behaved. Experiencing the river by boat is such a treat for the eyes. We saw:

• Bridges - we went under Throgs Neck Bridge; Bronx-Whitestone Bridge; Hell Gate Bridge; Queensboro Bridge; Williamsburg Bridge; Manhattan Bridge; Brooklin Bridge; George Washington Bridge and Tappan Zee Bridge (all very impressive)
• Tugs pushing barges 
• Tour boats (loads of these)
• NYC Police Boats
• Fire Boats
• Sail boats
• Go fast boats
• Mega Yachts
• Sea Doos

Planes taking off overhead every few minutes 

One of many...

We of course saw and were wowed by all the sky scrapers and the city skyline including the impressive One World Trade Centre replacing the Twin Towers downed in the 2001 terrorist attack. One World Trade took 7 years to complete and opened in July 2013. It is the 6th tallest building in the world at 1,792 feet tall, 104 floors above ground, 3,501,000 square feet of floor space.

UN Headquarters

Recognize this building?

Cool architecture - American Cooper Buildings (rental apartments)
(a skyscraper hug? or Dancing Towers)

Roosevelt Island Tram passes overhead

Helicopters everywhere

Southern tip of Manhattan - One World Trade building

Other highlights included:

• Seeing a Fire Boat tug put on a water pumping display
• Seeing the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island and having Tug’n’s picture taken in front of her
• Seeing the Hudson Tea building in Hoboken, where Ria and her family lived for about 5 years when they first moved there from Toronto.
• Passing under the Tappan Zee bridge where two more bridges are in advanced stages of construction to replace the original bridge
• Surviving all the immense boat traffic, especially where the East River meets the Hudson River, where the south tip of Manhattan is kitty corner to the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island. Boats were coming and going everywhere and it was no small task to make sure you were following the “rules of the road” and trying to stay out of trouble. 

Tug'n and Statue of Liberty

NewYork City Fire Boat display

Retired British Airways Concord Jet

Hudson Tea building in Hoboken - Ria, Pat & family lived here

It was a long 9 hour day underway and it was a relief to arrive at our anchorage at Stoney Point on the west side of the Hudson River, just past Haverstraw. We just got our anchor down before the sky opened up to deliver Tug’n another rinse of fresh water. We certainly enjoyed our well deserved Happy Hour refreshment. It turns out railway tracks follow both sides of the Hudson River. Our side of the river (west side) had the freight trains which we heard all night long and they each blasted their horns just as they went by our anchorage. Maybe we’ll try the east side tomorrow.

Tappan Zee Bridges under construction

Impressive tug on the Hudson River

BOATING CAN BE DANGEROUS - Block Island to Port Washington

Here is our route for this blog post

Sunday July 2, 2017: We’re going to stay another day anchored at Prudence Island, in Narragansett Bay. Its a great summer day with bright, beautiful sunshine, a light breeze and its going to be hot. After breakfast, it was time to wash the boat cabin & decks from three days in Newport Harbour in high winds. The wash, rinse & wipe down of the bow, pilot house, salon and cockpit took four hours, but it sure felt good when it was done. 

We spent a relaxing afternoon on board. I even took a swim, and while I was in the water, Fran handed me a brush to give the hull waterline a scrub. This was my first swim of the season and the water was lovely. 

Swimming at Prudence Island anchorage!

As we sat out in the cockpit and read our books, we were also quite entertained by the huge number of boats that came out to the anchorage for the day. However, far too many arrived running too fast and bringing big wakes with them affecting all the other boats in the anchorage. Three quarters of the boats were gone by sunset, leaving the anchorage calm and serene for the night. As darkness set in, we could hear the faint sound of fireworks far off in the distance. We learned that the local communities spread out the July 4th fireworks celebrations over multiple days. 

Today was certainly a relaxing, feel good day that left us feeling very refreshed. 

Monday July 3, 2017: Its another beautiful summer day with a forecast high of 30 degrees C. After a few discussions with Bob and Jan on Wings, we decided we’d head to Block Island on Buzzards Bay today and then gradually make our way west along the Long Island shoreline towards New York City.

House on a rock - as we past Newport Harbour

Block Island is located out in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Rhode Island and it was named after Dutch explorer Adriaen Block. The island has a population of just over 1,000 and 40% of its 9,733 square miles are set aside for conservation. Block Island is known as a summer tourist destination offering cycling, hiking, sailing, fishing and beaches. It also has two historic light houses. 

Block Island has a storied history of numerous conflicts in the 1600’s between its native population and the colonials. At one particularly low point, following the native murders of several colonials, the Governor of Massachusetts sent 90 men to Block Island with orders to “massacre all native men on the island”. Fortunately, after the fighting started, the bulk of the native population hid in the forests and only 14 were killed. 

While Block Island is part of Rhode Island, during the War of 1812 it was briefly occupied by British troops. 

Block Island has no natural harbour, but it did have a salt pond almost 1 square mile. In 1895, a channel was cut into the natural “Great Salt Pond” as it is called. The resulting anchorage now offers wonderful 360 degree protection with good depth throughout and it is a favourite cruising destination capable of accommodating hundreds of boats at anchor and on docks and moorings at its four marinas. 

Block Island has plenty of beaches and shore attractions and on this 4th of July long weekend, it was packed with something in the range of 400 to 500 boats. Surprisingly, the anchoring was all very orderly among all manner of watercraft from paddle boats, small sailing dinghies, right up to mega yachts. We took a picture of our radar screen showing red dots for all the boats in  part of the anchorage to give you an idea of how full the anchorage was. 

Channel into Great Salt Pond - Block Island

Screen shot of radar screen - each red dot is a boat!

Busy anchorage at Block Island

At night, the anchorage was really quite magical with the boats’ anchor lights plus many boats were lit up with coloured lights, neon lights, flashing lights, Christmas lights and more. It looked like a colourful floating village. 

Block Island sunset

Tuesday July 4, 2017: Happy Independence Day to all our American friends! It is another beautiful morning (which we are getting rather used to) and we are underway at 0750 to cross Block Island Sound to the eastern end of Long Island, New York (our fifth state we’ve been boating in this summer). Crossing Block Island Sound was very relaxing. There was no wind and the water surface was glassy with just some light ocean swells leftover from yesterday’s wind. The ocean swells ended when we got protection from behind Montauk Point at the tip of Long Island. 

As we approached our anchorage, we heard a distress call to the Coast Guard on Channel 16 on the VHF marine radio. A couple had anchored on the east side of Plum Island and the husband had gone for a swim. The current got him separated from the boat and it was too far for him to swim back against the current. The wife did not know how to operate the boat and her husband needed to be rescued fast. The Coast Guard, plus Tow Boat USA plus another boat all responded immediately. They sought clarification on the exact location of the boat and the swimmer and the wife had good, clear answers. But as time went by, she reported her husband was trying to swim to the nearby island and seemed to be having difficulty and she was clearly becoming more distressed. At about the 20 minute point after her first call, the wife reported she couldn't see her husband and pleaded for the rescue boats to hurry. Within a few more minutes the rescue boats were on the scene and reported they had recovered her husband, and needed EMS, but there was no comment as to his well being. After the wife’s pleading for more information, the Coast Guard asked for a cell phone number they could contact her on. There was no more information forthcoming and we began to think the worst had happened. 

It wasn’t until the next day that I did a Google query and learned the 63 year old man had died from the incident. It was an emotionally draining event to listen to and it remained on our minds for the next few days. It prompted us to talk through our own emergency procedures and discuss ways to make it easier to perform boat operating duties in a stressful situation. BOATING CAN BE DANGEROUS!

We chose Coecles Harbour (pronounced cockles) on Shelter Island for our stop today. The anchorage is known locally as the “jewel of the fishtail”, with fishtail referring to the shape of the mix of islands at the east end of Long Island. Coecles Harbour is a very well protected bay. We anchored in the one designated area for visitors and it was indeed a very lovely spot with beaches and a tree lined shore with lots of space for many boats. There were several Nordic Tug’s in the anchorage and we managed a short visit with very friendly couple aboard a local NT32 named Sun Rise.

After a game of Five Crowns over Happy Hour with Bob and Jan, we enjoyed a lovely, quiet evening with a perfect sunset to end the day (trying to put the drowning event out of our minds).

Sunset at Coecles Harbour

Wednesday July 5, 2017: We were up at 0500 hours this morning to prepare for our 0600 departure for Port Jefferson, a 50 nautical mile trip, westward towards New York City. There was a light east wind and by the time we got out of the harbour, we were enveloped in thick fog. 

To get out of Gardiners Bay at the end of Long Island, we had to pass through the narrow “Plum Gut Passage” which has stiff currents and some rip tides. We carefully made our way through the fog, feeling fortunate the boat traffic was light at this early time of the day. Thankfully, the fog lifted as we passed through Plum Gut in a two knot current that tossed us about for a short while before we were safely on our westward bound course in Long Island Sound. 

The sun came out and the wind and waves were from behind us, making for a very comfortable ride in the 1 to 2 knot current. Mid morning, our AIS showed us that a pleasure craft named Vibrant Curiosity was heading towards us. When I clicked on its icon on our chart plotter, I learned the boat (yacht?) was 279’ long and 46’ wide. That’s a lot of pleasure craft; way more than I can imaging running. Not many marinas could handle that sort of mega yacht. 

Vibrant Curiosity - 279' pleasure craft

Port Jefferson was today’s destination and it has a very well protected harbour with a narrow entrance. The harbour is 1 1/2 miles long and 1/2 a mile wide with a small section set up for mooring balls and a very large area available for anchoring. There is regular ferry boat traffic brining people and cars back and forth to Connecticut as an alternative to driving through New York City to get off of Long Island. 

En route to Port Jefferson

Port Jefferson is a picturesque waterside village that has been revived from its industrial days and long history as a shipbuilding community in the 1800’s. We spent the afternoon exploring  the village, where Fran found a salon to get a hair cut. Later, we joined Bob, Jan and Paul, a long time friend of Bob’s who lives on Long Island, for dinner at the Steam House, a local seafood restaurant. Once again, the wind died, a lovely sunset emerged and we enjoyed a quiet evening at anchor.

Port Jefferson

 

Thursday July 6, 2017: Our next stop along Long Island is Oyster Bay. We had an overcast day, but light wind and modest waves, so it was a very comfortable run. While underway, New York City was gradually coming into view, far off in the distance. 

Oyster Bay was boyhood home to Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the US and location of his “summer white house”. It is also home to John Gotti, former boss of the Gambino crime family and singer, songwriter Billy Joel. Oyster Bay is a very pretty and well maintained town. Upon arrival on shore we were first greeted by the Roosevelt Memorial Park on the waterfront, followed by a railway track and the commuter train station for those who make the daily trek into New York city to work. There are lots of Roosevelt things identified in town including his “boyhood Presbyterian Church”, a statue, the local voting station Roosevelt voted at while a politician in the early 1900’s etc. 

President Roosevelt

We enjoyed a lovely walk about town, a light lunch at Spinnakers Restaurant and Fran & Jan found a nail salon for pedicures! Later, as the sun came out, we took a dinghy cruise through the West Harbour and under the lift bridge to Oak Neck. There were certainly many fine homes to view along the way reminding us that the Great Gatsby was filmed on Long Island.This was a great stop and a very well protected anchorage. 

Oyster Bay - one of many local homes

Friday July 7, 2017: Well, it was unrealistic for those lovely sunny summer days to continue indefinitely. It is a cloudy, drizzly day and heavier rain is forecast. But the wind is 15 knots from the east (behind us) providing for a reasonably comfortable ride to our next destination of Port Washington. 

This is a favourite stop for boaters heading west to New York City and planning to transit the East River and Hell Gate to Battery Park. This transit through New York City has very strong currents and one needs to time your start properly to enjoy a comfortable ride. Currents at Hell Gate can reach 5 knots. The East River current is the exact opposite of Long Island Sound current. East River current ebbs west and floods east, while Long Island Sound current ebbs east and floods west. Interestingly, the name Hell Gate is a corruption of the Dutch word Hellegat, meaning “bright passage”. That make it sound a little better, I think…

Port Washington is only five miles to the start of the East River making it easy for boats to stay here and wait for an opportune time to start their transit. We’d also been advised by Lee and by other boaters that there are free mooring balls for visitors to Port Washington. There are no mooring ropes on the mooring balls and we had some difficulty getting our mooring line through the relatively small shackle on the top of the mooring ball in a stiff wind. Fran finally came up with the best solution and executed it flawlessly. Shortly afterwards, the heavy rain and wind started and provided for the most wonderful boat wash that was so badly needed. As the sky finally brightened and the rain stopped, Fran, Bob and Jan headed off to town while I stayed back to give Tug’n a good wipe down. Eventually, the wind fully died and the sun came out and all was idillic again. However, just before sunset, dark clouds emerged from the west and we were hit by more heavy rain (another welcome boat rinse!)

Storm approaching Port Washington

PREPARING FOR THE CAPE COD CANAL CROSSING & ON TO RHODE ISLAND

(Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island )

Here is our route for this blog post

Saturday June 24, 2017: Another fabulous sunny morning greeted us. Our run today was from York Harbour to Newburyport, a distance of just over 24 nautical miles. Our departure was timed for high tide slack water (about noon) so we should not have to worry about the strong current in the river. 

Newburyport Harbour is located on the Merrimack River, about 3 1/2 miles up from the river’s entrance. As we approached the river, we could see miles of beautiful sand beach along the shore, accompanied by spectacular homes. The closer we got, we could see lots of people on the beaches enjoying this first sunny Saturday following the end of school the previous day. 

Cruising guides warn that with adverse winds, this entrance into the Merrimack River can be very treacherous. There is a light on a 47’ tower at the entrance and when the coast guard have it flashing it is considered to be unsafe to enter or exit. There is a destroyed remains of a hull sitting on the break wall as a reminder to all as to what can happen.

For us, while the wind was relatively light, the strong outgoing tide and river current from the narrow river caused substantial “standing waves” at the mouth of the river. This, combined with an endless stream of boats (speed boats, sail boats, fishing boats, slow boats like us, recreational fishing boats criss crossing the narrow channel etc), it was chaos! While we’d booked a mooring ball, upon arrival at Newburyport and seeing the strong current, we changed our minds at the last minute and opted for a dock. A harbourmaster dock hand did a terrific job helping us land, handling our registration and giving us a rundown on the old port area. 

Shoreline homes / mansions

Tuna fishing boat with harpooning platform at bow

Entrance to Newburyport can be treacherous 

Tug'n at Newburyport Harbour

Beaches near entrance to Newburyport 

Newburyport is a small city of just over 17,000 with a rich, history as a seaport that was first settled in 1635. In the early days, fishing and shipbuilding were its primary industries. In the late 1800’s, Merrimack Arms & Brown manufactured the famous Derringer pistols. Newburyport also developed a whaling operation as did many east coast fishing ports. 

Newburyport was also active in the underground railroad, rescuing blacks from slavery and the community was an early adopter of the abolitionist movement. 

Following a relaxing happy hour aboard Wings, we set off to explore the old port area and make a reservation at the Sea Level Restaurant. Newburyport has done a magnificent job of breathing life into what was a rundown section of the community. The old port area is now thriving with a waterfront park, new harbour front docks, moorings, washrooms and showers, renovated / restored historical buildings, restaurants, boutiques, bakeries, ice cream shops, galleries, playgrounds and more. On this first Saturday following the end of the school year, the old port was packed with people enjoying the fine weather, watching the boats or getting out on the water on tour boats. It was great fun exploring the downtown and building up an appetite for a terrific seafood dinner at the Sea Level restaurant. The challenging navigation of the river and docking was well worth the effort.

Sunday June 25, 2017: We were up early and I took advantage of the dock and water supply to give Tug’n a good wash to remove as much of the dried salt water spray on the hull, deck and cabin as I could, followed by a wipe down. After filling our water tank and having a brief crew meeting with Bob and Jan, we bid adieu to Newburyport and were on our way to Manchester by the Sea under a cloudless sky, warm temperatures and an ocean that for much of the run was windless and almost smooth (just a light ocean swell). Who knew the Atlantic Ocean could be so comfortable? Exiting the Merrimack River was almost as chaotic as our arrival with a flood tide meeting the river current and all manner of boats making their way in and out of the river in a very haphazard manner. For others thinking of stopping at Newburyport by boat, we’d recommend a weekday.

To reach Manchester by the Sea, you have to head out around Cape Ann peninsula and the seaport of Gloucester to the well protected Manchester Bay and the town of just over 5,000. Like many communities along the New England shores, Manchester by the Sea was first settled in the early 1600’s and thrived for over 200 years as a fishing community. However, starting in 1845, Manchester by the Sea began to become the summer colony of choice for Boston society.  Its lovely shoreside summer homes (mansions) certainly provides great eye candy for those on boats moored at the Manchester Yacht Club. We felt like royalty receiving a free night’s mooring and having the club tender take us over to the town dock to explore the downtown, pick up some provisions (and a delicious ice cream from Dusty’s) and then get a lift back to our boat in the mooring field. Wonderful treatment. 

A fun float at entrance to Manchester by the Sea

Lots of moorings at Manchester by the Sea

Manchester Yacht Club

Lovely homes around the harbour

Today, most of us think of the movie when we hear the name “Manchester by the Sea”, but our driver on the yacht club tender was quick to point out that the movie does not present the town in a good light and in fact many of the scenes in the film were done in other communities. Indeed, we found he was correct - the town is quite lovely, quaint, picturesque and fun to explore. It is well worth a stop by boat or by car.

Fran bought a coconut crusted haddock fillet in town that we cooked on the BBQ that night. What a wonderful treat. Afterwards, we managed to connect to the yacht club wifi and watch the last two episodes of Season 5 of “Call the Midwife” on Netflix. For anyone who hasn’t seen it, this is a terrific show. 

Monday June 26, 2017: Late last night, we were hit with a 20 minute squall; l with winds up to 35 knows followed by rain. Thankfully it didn’t last long. It did provide a nice wash of our deck and cabin which I wiped down under this morning’s beautiful sunshine. 

After several days of investigation, along with input from our boating friends Lee and Barb, we finally had a plan for transiting the Cape Cod Canal on Tuesday. More on the canal later, but to prepare for the crossing, we were headed to Scituate, Massachusetts today so we’d be in a good position for entering and transiting the canal.

En route today, we’d planned a lunch stop at the town of Marblehead, which is famous throughout the yachting world as the “Yachting Capital of America”. Historically, it was a fishing village and today, the harbour maintains a small fleet of lobster and fishing vessels. But now more than ever, it is a key layover port for cruising and racing yachts from the world’s most serious yachting circles. The famous Marblehead-Halifax race alternates with the race starting in Marblehead on even numbered years. Scanning the harbour, one sees a fabulous array of cruising and racing yachts. 

More than that, the people of Marblehead are the most friendly and helpful you could ever want to meet. The Harbourmaster’s Office were wonderfully accommodating, agreeing to letting us tie up our two boats on their dock for a couple of hours while we went ashore for lunch and a brief walk about the town.  They pointed us to dine at Maddies Sail Loft for lunch and it turned out to be a restaurant/pub frequented by locals, with a great menu and atmosphere. It was almost empty when we arrived but within a half hour, it was almost full with a group of locals who all knew each other, kind of like walking into a yacht club atmosphere. The food was terrific and extremely reasonable and while we didn’t have any alcohol for lunch, we witnessed a bartender poring the most generous drinks we’ve ever, ever seen. One wonders whether the other patrons ever made it home that afternoon.

Tug'n & Wings in Marblehead at the only dock

We enjoyed our after lunch stroll, visiting a gallery that was running an art class, the Ships Lights’s store and snapping photos of some great examples of well maintained New England architecture in this quaint town. By 1345 hours, we were underway again for Scituate on a very calm ocean. We passed Boston off in the distance, not stopping as Fran, Bob and Jan had already spent time there. We will have to return by car some time so I can see this most famous city. 

In Scituate, right after we were settled on the yacht club’s mooring balls, we took the club tender into town for a visit to the grocery store and a walk about town, before returning to our boat for dinner and an early night. 

Tuesday June 27, 2017: Cape Cod canal is a man made canal through the southwest corner of the Cape Cod peninsula, connecting Cape Cod Bay in the north to Buzzards Bay in the south. The canal is 7 miles long, traversing a narrow neck of land that joins Cape Cod to the mainland. For about 14,000 boats per year, it shaves 137 miles off a journey along the coast. It can accommodate vessels up to 825’ long, 135’ high and with 32’ of draft. The tide on the Cape Cod Bay side is 9’ and on the Buzzards Bay side the tide is about 4’ and this difference creates swift moving currents that reach up to 5.2 knots and change direction every six hours. Apparently, the canal is also used by the occasional whale and dolphin. 

In the year 1623, the idea of a canal was first considered by the Pilgrims who scouted the land for potential routes but went no further with the idea. Then in 1717, the Jeremiah Gutter Canal was created, some distance to the east across a narrower portion of the cape and it remained active until the late 1800’s. 

The first attempt to build the canal in its current location happened in the late 19th century, but the organizers ran out of money and the project was not completed. In July 1909, construction of the canal finally restarted on a route taking advantage of, and widening of the Monomet and Scusset Rivers. Work was slowed by mammoth boulders from the ice age that required divers to blow them up. Also, winter storms regularly halted dredging. The canal was finally completed in 1916 as a privately owned toll canal that was 30’ wide and 25’ deep. The canal was so narrow and difficult to navigate, causing numerous accidents and tarnishing its reputation quickly.

On July 21, 1918, a German U Boat surfaced and sank a tug and four barges in nearby Orleans and this prompted the government to take over operation of the Cape Cod Canal by Presidential Order. The government maintained and dredged the canal until 1920 and then bought it in 1928 to operate as a free waterway. The government undertook widening the canal between 1935 and 1940 to its current 480’ width and 32’ depth. 

During WWII the canal provided safety from U Boat attacks and Patrol Boats and Coastal Artillery provided further protection. On June 28, 1942, a cargo ship grounded and sank in the canal, shutting it down and exposing shipping to increased threat of torpedo attacks. SS Alexander Macomb was torpedoed July 3rd and sunk killing 10. The canal reopened July 31st after the cargo shop was removed with the help of 17 tons of dynamite.

To transit the canal safely, it was recommended we enter the canal at slack water and take advantage of the current that would begin to flow from east to west shortly afterwards. After some investigation and calling the canal engineers to sort out conflicting information, we determined we needed to start our transit at 1311 hours, so we departed Scituate just after 0900 to time our arrival for slack water, just before the start of the ebb current. We actually arrived five minutes early and faced a small current against us, but it turned in our favour right on time and before long, it was pushing us along at about 3 1/2 knots. The shores of the canal were well used with bicyclists, people walking the shoreline trail, fishermen and more.

The other key planning factor is ensuring you don’t enter Buzzards Bay when there is a strong SW wind opposing the outgoing current. Knowing this was going to be the case, we heeded another of Lee and Barbara’s recommendations to pull off the dredged canal near the west end and anchor in Onset Bay. Over the last few hours the day had turned cloudy, drizzly and cool and it was a great anchoring recommendation. However, by 1700 hours the sun was back out, the temperature was up and we got to sit out in the cockpit for happy hour. How lovely!

Location of Cape Cod Canal

Wednesday June 28, 2017: The Elizabeth Islands extend about 14 miles off the southwestern end of Cape Cod. They are of varying size and all are privately owned by the Forbes Family, except for Cuttyhunk Island. Cuttyhunk is the westernmost of the island chain and it was named from the Indian word meaning “land’s end”. It was discovered in 1602 by English explorer Bartholomew Gosnold, who proclaimed himself ravished” by its beauty. It presents a primitive island atmosphere and an easy stopover for those en route from the mainland to Martha’s Vineyard. 

We were up at 0500 and underway by 0600 for an early morning run from the Cape Cod Canal to Cuttyhunk Island in the hopes of getting there in time for a mid morning brunch at the Cuttyhunk Fishing Club. This club was founded in 1894 and didn’t open to the public until 1998. It is a rustic club with furnishings, fittings and a ancient library, pretty much just like it was when President Roosevelt make the trek here for a fishing trip. We did in fact make it here in time and enjoyed a superb breakfast while sitting on the front porch looking out over the Elizabeth Islands and Vineyard Sound. It was a completely delightful experience. 

Cuttyhunk Harbourmaster's Office

Cuttyhunk Fishing Club - brunch on porch

View from the Cuttyhunk Fishing Club porch

Cuttyhunk Island Postal Service

Just as we were paying our bill, we sighted Encore, a Nordic Tug owned by friends Lee and Barb from Rhode Island, who’d come out by boat to meet up with us. We’d met them in Quebec City last year and cruised together right through to the Bras D’or Lake. 

Today, we met them in the Cuttyhunk Island harbour after they’d anchored their boat and together went for a hike to the highest point on the island to enjoy a 360 degree view to the surrounding waters and islands. It was really quite a breathtaking view to take in as we chatted and caught up with Lee and Barb. Later we enjoyed happy hour together on Wings and Lee helped us mark possible future anchorages on or charts, right through to New York City. After dinner, we had a further get together on Encore for Barbara’s Strawberry Shortcake - the end to another perfect day.

Dessert aboard Enclore with Lee, Bob, Fran & Barb

Thursday June 29, 2017: Today was another early start for the run from Cuttyhunk Island to Newport Harbour in Rhode Island. This is Lee and Barb’s home waters, so we followed them, initially through quite wavy, rolling seas. One knew we were getting close to Newport, the boating mecca of the east coast, as the boats (yachts really) were getting bigger and bigger. Through info we could see on AIS, we passed numerous pleasure craft well over 100’ long. For us, that seemed like an unfathomable amount of pleasure…

Newport Harbour is massive and I’m sure my heart skipped a few beats as we made our way towards our designated floating dock. It turns out, our stay here coincided with a 40th anniversary rendezvous for owners of Kadey Krogen yachts and they had a very large turnout making their section of the docking look like a boat show. The pictures below will tell you all you need to know about the size of the boating community and boats here in Newport.

Encore following a sailboat near Newport

Lots of mega yachts

Wings & Tug'n on a floating dock in Newport

Newport is a seaside community founded on Aquidneck Island in Rhode Island in 1639. It is known as a New England summer resort community and it is famous for its mansions. Newport grew rapidly in the 17th and 18th century, its growth spurred on by the arrival of Portuguese Jews who fled persecution in Portugal. They brought capital, business skills, trading contacts and knowledge which helped Newport to become a wealthy trading centre. These immigrants also introduced sperm oil from whaling to the United States. The Aaron Lopez family became fabulously wealthy with 150 ships involved in trade, plus the manufacture of candles, ships, barrels, rum, chocolate, textiles, clothes, shoes, hats and bottles. Rhode Island also became the most active port in all of United States in the slave trade, with 60% of slave-trading sailings launched from this tiny island. Many laws were being broken by this activity and quite a number of Rhode Island families made substantial fortunes in the trade. Many local merchants bought shares in these illegal voyages. 

Today, Newport is a major tourist centre and boating centre with every conceivable boating service and expertise available. Also, the downtown is filled with a wonderful array of restaurants and boutiques as well as companies catering to the boating community.

Kadey Krogan Rendezvous

Upon our arrival, we were met by Danielle in a Zodiac to help us get to our floating dock / mooring. Later in the day we took a tender across the large harbour to downtown Newport to explore the community. Later we met up with Lee and Barb again for dinner at Lucia Italian Restaurant for a lovely dinner. 

Another beauty

Friday June 30, 2017: As planned, Lee and Barb picked us up by car in the morning and took us on a variety of errands before we did a driving tour of the island to see many of the great mansions, parks and different harbour views. The large mansions were really quite mind boggling, both the size and beauty of the structures and the magnificent landscaping that surrounded them. It was beyond our ability to imagine how a family could live in one of these mansions; we think you would feel like you were wandering around in a luxurious hotel all by yourself. 

One of many mega mansions

Mid afternoon we said our good byes and thanks to Lee and Barb for all their generous help and were back on our boats with provisions, a full propane tank and a full tummies. What a great time we’d had seeing Newport and catching up with Lee and Barb. 

Starting the children young in sailing lessons

Saturday July 1, 2017: HAPPY CANADA DAY. HAPPY 150TH BIRTHDAY TO CANADA. Fran and I dressed in our Canada 150 T Shirts for the day. We had a FaceTime call to wish our youngest grandchild Alex a Happy 2nd Birthday. We got lots of “Happy Canada Day” wishes from our American Boating friends and it all felt very special. 

Today we made our exit from Newport. As strong winds and big waves were dominating Buzzards Bay and Long Island Sound, we headed further into Narragansett Bay to the Prudence Island anchorage. It is a large and popular anchorage and this being a holiday weekend, many boats streamed in here all afternoon as we relaxed at anchor on a rather cloudy and dull day. But its always lovely to swing on the anchor in a well protected anchorage and it put smiles on our faces as we reflected on how lucky we are to be doing what we are doing.

Best wishes to all

Happy Canada Day!