New Rochelle to BI

[Tlivac]

We are planning a cruise from New Rochelle to BI in late June and would like to take our time and hit 3 ports along the way. Would like to sail between 25-35 miles per day. Looking at Rowayton, Old Saybrook and Stoningtom but leg two is much longer than the other two. Would like to hear how others have done it.

[argold57]

Hi: we are doing something similar right now. At the moment we are near Port Jefferson anchored in Conscience Bay. We draw 6 feet and had no issues getting in by following the narrow channel. The town looks like fun and we will move to a mooring and go tomorrow.

We enjoyed Oyster bay. Free water taxi when you get a mooring. Reserve it in Dockwa or the may be full but were not full 2 nights ago. Take an Uber to Sagamore if you have time. The town loves Teddy Roosevelt!

Last night we were at Stamford. You can give that place a miss in my opinion.

For a third stop you should consider Mystic. We will be there in Mid June as we have a granddaughters graduation to attend. We lived there some years back and love it.

We are certainly planning to go to Sag Harbor but have not been yet so not sure if we can recommend it. Will leave that to others.

Block Island is not far from either Mystic or Sag Harbor.

Have fun and maybe we will see you out there.

S.V. Afterglow

[keepondancin]

No anchoring in Rowayton, but you can out by the light house by the Sheffield Islands. I used to do it alone, from Rowayton, in a long day to Stonington, and would anchor behind the breakwater, in the anchorage in the mooring field. Numerous spots on the CT side, Charles Island is one, and that is an easy day from the Western Sound. Not much on the NY side once past Port Jefferson. Stonington, or Fisher Island to Block is a few hours. Plan to arrive mid-day in Block for any chance of a mooring, but there is plenty of anchoring, but most of it is in about 30'. Use plenty of scope, stake your area, and do an anchor watch if a strond storm passes by. I never did marinas, and didn't use moorings in Block. Great place, I would spend a month each summer.

[hugosalt]

Late June...check when BI race week is happening (checked 19th to 23rd).
If during the week and looking to be quiet can pick up a mooring in Zieglers Cove just west of Rowayton.
Old Saybrook is a short walk from North Cove, free mooring if you dinghy to dock or for a nominal charge call North Cove YC for launch service, nice people.
Or go 6 miles up river to Essex, very nice walkable village on the water.
Only 2 miles from Stonington is Watch Hill (narrow channel/ well marked) can anchor or pick up a mooring, worth it, can swim in sound or check your boat in bay with very short walk over sand dune or just go to Olympian Tea room for lunch/dinner and ride the carousel.
Enjoy!

[mlydon]

First day, port jeff - 30 miles for you. I like to hang a right after entering - there’s a huge mooring field, lots of mooring usually up for grabs. Then I’ll make a long slog of it to fishers island. That’s a 60 mile all day slog, but fisher’s west is a georgeous Harbor - one of my favorites. Next morning it’s a half day sail into BI, OR, if you spend another day, noank and mystic are just across the way, and very cool to visit. Cheap fuel in noank, and fords lobster will serve to your boat (best lobster rolls around too)


To keep shorter legs, PJ to duck island roads ( north side, just shy of Westbrook Harbor) is a 30 mile hop,
( just an anchorage) , next day 40 to block

If it’s nasty leaving port Jeff ( or on the return ), tucking into mattituck ( south side ) is only 22 miles from port Jeff, and very sheltered. It’s a 15 minute very scenic motor up the inlet to the anchoring basin, complete with a dinghy dock a few blocks from town.

Matt