Trip Report: Boston to Vineyard (Long)
Jeff Morris
Perfect weather; little drama.
Crew: Jeff & Claudia; Amelia (8 y/o); Woody & Arlo (Feline-Americans); Molly (7 m/o
Portuguese Water Dog)
We've been going to the Vineyard for 15 years now for our annual "stress free" trip, and
this time it worked out perfectly. This was fortunate since complacency led to minimal
preparation - as I discovered when I looked for various tools and accessories that we
normally carry.
Saturday - I load up the boat with food, cloths, books, toys, etc., and top off tanks.
Sunday - With everyone on board, we head out for Scituate, about 20 miles away (12 miles
South of the southern entrance to Boston). Winds were moderate, but we weren't in a
hurry, so we were able to sail. This is a handy short trip for the first day - there is
always (knock on wood) a mooring available, and the harbor is right on the way to the
Canal. Plymouth is closer to the Canal, but the approach into Plymouth is about 3 miles,
so we only go there if the timing at the Canal requires it.
Monday - We had to wait until 2:45 PM to go through the Cape Cod Canal, which is 28 miles
south of Scituate, so we had a leisurely breakfast and headed out after 10:00. Moderate
NW wind gave us an easy broad reach which brought us to the Canal a bit early, so we
entered before the tide turned and fought a small current for the first few miles. By the
time we got through the 6 mile land cut we had several knots in our favor. Another 6
miles of a more open channel leads to Buzzard's Bay proper. If we had had the prevailing
SW wind against the 3-4 knot ebb from the Canal, this might have been a nightmare - the
normal contingency is to stop in Onset until the current turns - but today we had more of
the NW for a reach down to Hadley's Harbor just across from Wood's Hole.
Hadley's is one of the gems of Buzzard's Bay. It is enclosed by several islands of the
Elizabethan Island chain. All of the islands (except Cutyhunk) are owned by the Forbes
Family
Trust, which seems to run it as a resort for all the Forbettes. They have a tiny marina
with a fleet
of Herreshof Twelve's and other boats, a small ferry which does 3 runs a day to Wood's
Hole,
and 5 or 6 large resort styles houses on the various islands. No one is allowed ashore
(except for one small island) but they do provide about 15 moorings in the inner harbor,
of which about half are available on a first come, first serve basis. Another dozen or so
boats can anchor in the middle harbor, and dozens can fit in the outer harbor.
This pic shows the outer harbor several years ago:
http://www.sv-loki.com/Along_the_Way/Hadley.jpg
On this day we hovered like a vulture over a small boat with a family on board, asking
when they were going to leave their mooring. We stayed on the mooring that night and the
next, swimming off the boat (75 degree water temp), walking on the one permitted island,
and visiting neighbors.
Wednesday - Again we got a late start because we had to wait for slack in Wood's Hole at
10AM. This is an impressively strong current - up to 6 knots or more. To make matters
worse, when headed out to Vineyard Sound, you have to turn right while the worst of the
current goes straight; once a week a boat hesitates for a moment and ends up on the rocks.
And while there is one main path from Buzzard's Bay to Vineyard Sound, there are several
alternate channels, going to Hadley's or into the town of Wood's Hole. And of course
there are numerous ferries and other commercial traffic. And sometimes fog. But this
time we were going through at slack, and using an alternate channel to get up current in
Vineyard Sound. To my surprise, the ferry from New Bedford had the same idea, so a toot
was exchanged as he passed me on my starboard.
We powered the rest of the way to Vineyard Haven (about 4 miles). Of course, the
assistant harbor master told us there were no more moorings inside the breakwater, so we
waited until we heard the boss on the radio and tried again. In ten minutes we were
secured about 100 yards from the town dock and the inside beach.
The next 8 nights - just a regular family vacation with lots of swimming off the boat, or
into the beach. Bus rides around the island; the Agricultural Fair; the Flying Horses
Carousel (its the oldest *continuously operated* carousel in the country); avoiding
getting
a Black Dog t-shirt (OK, Amelia got one, but it was half price); and a lot of just
vacating. I did make one interesting find at the used book store in Oak Bluff: a 1942
edition of "The Boatman's Handbook" - sort of an early Chapman's. It had the complete
text of the 1897 "Pilot Rules" which state that steam driven vessels (not sail) must slow
or stop
when hearing fog signals forward of the beam. So Neal was right, just 100 years too late.
[I put this in to see if Neal was still reading.]
The weather was perfect - hot & humid, but not quite heat wave and almost no rain.
Hatches stayed open, the nights were cool, and we could swim every day. The boat held up
well - the only maintenance issues were a head that kept clogging until I replaced the
flapper valve, fortunately an easy job on a Lavac; a loose alternator belt; and a broken
wire.
We were concerned about the cats and the dog confined on such a small space, since they
haven't quite got along, but it wasn't too bad. The cats found they could hold the high
ground:
http://www.sv-loki.com/Img_1450a.jpg
And Molly gained a new respect for claws. We were hoping Molly would start swimming more,
but she seemed to prefer riding on the float. She did get very upset if anyone went
swimming without her being able to watch from the float!
http://www.sv-loki.com/Img_1427a.jpg
http://www.sv-loki.com/Img_1431a.jpg
Thursday, a week later - The tides and weather have lined up to make this the day to
split. At noon we head out, crossing Vineyard Sound just before slack (the current can
get up to 3.5 knots), and entering Woods Hole at Max Ebb. It's always a rush - we were
doing 11 knots on the GPS. The moorings were full at Hadley's, so we anchored in the
outer
harbor - is it axiomatic that when you anchor in a wide open area with plenty of space,
someone will always anchor 50 feet away?
Friday - A strong south wind is predicted, but its flat calm when we leave at 7AM. Up
Buzzard's Bay and into the Cape Cod Canal, at Max Flood, so we again are doing 11 knots on
the GPS! Into Cape Cod Bay by 10AM and still no wind, and a contrary current. Finally,
at Noon the wind filled in with a rush and quickly built to 20-25, with gusts to 30. This
was a very broad reach, not optimum for boat speed, but we held about 8.5 to 9.5 knots
through the water all afternoon. I expected a bit more, so I'm curious as to how fouled
the bottom is now, or are we dragging some gear? Even with the current against us most of
the way, we came into Boston Harbor about 3PM and were on our dock a little after 4 -
Day's work: about 72 miles in 9 hours.
All in all, one of the more satisfying trips in the last two years.
--
-jeff www.sv-loki.com
"The sea was angry that day, my friend. Like an old man trying to send back soup at the
deli."
Simple Simon
I'll work on it tonite and post a reply tomorrow.
S.Simon - a Captain who takes sailing seriously
"Jeff Morris" <jeffmo@NoSpam-sv-lokiDOTcom> wrote in message news:HbudnX8mc7R...@comcast.com...
Capt. Mooron
"The Captains Master" <alfre...@aemail4u.com> wrote in message
news:hhh7lv4gfvlv62use...@4ax.com...
|
| What, no mention of bottom contours? ;-)
Well at least he knew the tides and prevailing winds..... plus he didn't
mention having to make "several passes" to enter any harbours!
I bet he even had charts aboard!....
CM
Jeff Morris
England, small waterproof ChartKits for cockpit use, and chart chips for the GPS. Also,
the New England Embassy cruising guide and several other Vineyard books, including a
phonebook.
For tides, Eldridge (the traditional local tide & current book) and a tide program in the
Palm Pilot. However, the currents dominate this trip, and they were worked out a week in
advance so that they could be double and triple checked, and the itinerary refined as the
weather picture unfolded.
Cape Cod Canal and Wood's Hole are not places to hesitate, but I must confess that before
GPS and Radar, I paused several times before entering a new harbor. There's nothing like
being sure of where you are! The biggest fault I would find in Booby's adventure is
planning to arrive at 2AM for a first time entrance to a harbor he considers treacherous.
--
-jeff
"Constant Vigilance!" - Frances W. Wright
otnmbrd
Jeff Morris wrote:
>
>
> Wednesday - Again we got a late start because we had to wait for slack in Wood's Hole at
> 10AM. This is an impressively strong current - up to 6 knots or more. To make matters
> worse, when headed out to Vineyard Sound, you have to turn right while the worst of the
> current goes straight; once a week a boat hesitates for a moment and ends up on the rocks.
> And while there is one main path from Buzzard's Bay to Vineyard Sound, there are several
> alternate channels, going to Hadley's or into the town of Wood's Hole. And of course
> there are numerous ferries and other commercial traffic. And sometimes fog. But this
> time we were going through at slack, and using an alternate channel to get up current in
> Vineyard Sound. To my surprise, the ferry from New Bedford had the same idea, so a toot
> was exchanged as he passed me on my starboard.
If memory serves, this is called "Broadway" , and the route most powered
boats and ferries from New Bedford will take.
Have made the passage many times in sail and power and always found it
interesting, whether bucking the tide or with it (Have had some long
conversations with buoy #3 (?) the one on the corner).
otn
Bobsprit
We need bottom contour info and fast!!! We also need pics of a GPS an Phone to
prove it all with a pic of a newspaper from the area along with a clear
thumbprint.
Can we also have all current and tidal info so we know you handled things
right?
Good for you, Jeff.....
RB
Bobsprit
planning to arrive at 2AM for a first time entrance to a harbor he considers
treacherous.>>
We planned to enter at 1:30 or so, but entering at night was what Suzanne
wanted to try. We also set out during a severe thunderstorm alert for the area
because we'd never experienced one at night.
RB
SkitchNYC
>conversations with buoy #3 (?) the one on the corner
LOL
SkitchNYC
>wanted to try. We also set out during a severe thunderstorm alert for the
>area
>because we'd never experienced one at night.
This is sheer stupidity and from the guy who won't drink a beer on board. But,
given that it is only a troll (albeit true), I will limit my response to this.
Capt. Mooron
"Jeff Morris" <jeffmo@NoSpam-sv-lokiDOTcom> wrote in message
confess that before
| GPS and Radar, I paused several times before entering a new harbor.
There's nothing like
| being sure of where you are!
I concur.... a pause to double check and a cautious entry even with radar
and GPS. That is much different to "several passes" to ascertain he had the
correct harbour ... let alone the approach with Radar & GPS!!
The biggest fault I would find in Booby's adventure is
| planning to arrive at 2AM for a first time entrance to a harbor he
considers treacherous.
His biggest mistake was the complete lack of forethought and planning.
Overconfidence in his own abilities prior to the trip and serious doubts
about his abilities during the trip. It was fortunate for Bob this Thimble
Trip was undertaken entirely in protected, well marked waters.... even so
he had difficulties. It was a shoddy display of seamanship and failed
miserably to back any claims of ability to handle a vessel on his part.
He's upset with me now.... as if I was responsible for his ignorance and
slack assed attitude! Typical!!
CM
Bobsprit
he had difficulties.>>
What difficulties? You mean following the advice of a cruising guide is a
"difficulty?"
If so, then we had A LOT of difficulty, because we also followed the guide's
advice to find a place for supplies at Port Jeff...we're I STILL forgot to buy
new batteries!
Mooron...you're an idiot! A "caught" idiot!
RB
Bobsprit
Not at all. This has been the easiest bit of fishing and I even forced you to
behave like a total ass in the process!
So much so that I've been "defended" by several people here...and that's a
1st!!!
Great job! Really!
RB
Bobsprit
given that it is only a troll (albeit true), I will limit my response to
this.>>
Please explain why heading out to experience a bit of weather is "sheer
stupidity."
RB
Jeff Morris
lubberly to have women and children aboard. I'm sure you don't approve of using the head,
or paying for an inside mooring when we could have anchored for free a mile from town.
And although we were able to sail most of the time, we did run the engine while transiting
the Canal and Wood's Hole. And we could have gone further - without the kid we would have
headed Down East - but it was a "family vacation."
-j
Capt. Mooron
"Bobsprit" <bobs...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20030901195820...@mb-m21.aol.com...
| He's upset with me now.... >>>
|
| Not at all. This has been the easiest bit of fishing
Ha Ha Ha Ha.... if you were supposed to have "caught" me ... why is there
such an effort being spent to pry your sorry carcass from my jaws???
and I even forced you to
| behave like a total ass in the process!
Total Ass??? where have I behaved like a total ass?? I've been polite and
haven't called you any names. I merely took your sequence of events into
question.... and it seems you have still to offer a believable reply.
| So much so that I've been "defended" by several people here...and that's a
| 1st!!!
| Great job! Really!
Golly Gee Willakers... sometimes I don't even know my own strength!!
Bwahahahahahahaaaaaaa !!!!
CM
Capt. Mooron
Because you haven't a clue as to what to do in good weather.
CM
Capt. Mooron
considers
| treacherous.>>
| We planned to enter at 1:30 or so, but entering at night was what Suzanne
| wanted to try. We also set out during a severe thunderstorm alert for the
area
| because we'd never experienced one at night.
Oh this gets even funnier..... so is it still daylight at 0130hrs... but
not at 0200 hours?? Does a magical sign go out at 0130hrs? Ha Ha Ha
CM
Jeff Morris
"Broadway." Several years back they re-numbered and moved the buoys a bit, so that "3" is
no longer right at the corner. Too many people had long conversations I guess, so now the
corner is rounded with "5" just west and "3" just southeast. I wish I had got a picture
of "5" on the return trip - it was in the classic horizontal orientation!
The buoy that is forever etched in my memory (fortunately not in the hull!) is "2", half
way down Broadway. My wife wanted to drive through once and looked over her shoulder
after turning the corner. In those several seconds we were swept across the channel so
that our stern missed "2" by a few feet.
otnmbrd wrote:
>
> If memory serves, this is called "Broadway" , and the route most
> powered boats and ferries from New Bedford will take.
> Have made the passage many times in sail and power and always found it
> interesting, whether bucking the tide or with it (Have had some long
> conversations with buoy #3 (?) the one on the corner).
>
> otn
at the deli."
Bobsprit
not at 0200 hours?? Does a magical sign go out at 0130hrs?>>
This one is so weak, it's almost an anti-troll. Still, I'll tug on poor
Mooron's line so he can at least think he's "doing well."
RB
SkitchNYC
>edition of "The Boatman's Handbook" - sort of an early Chapman's.
I have a '63-'64 edition of Chapman's beside this computer, which talks about
having been around for more than 35 years - taking it back to around 1929 or
so. Considerably before that 1942 text.
Bobsprit
Planning was not as good as it could have been but daylight was of no
consequence.......You get your dole cheque Mooron..drinking again?>>
Actually, we stayed on the hook for a 1/2 longer, so the delay was expected and
"planned"
RB
SkitchNYC
>It's not in his gullet so he thinks that he'll be able to just spit it
>out when he wants....may do but it will leave a scar.
I do believe a whopper has been hooked here, but it is not Moroon or Donal.
Once Boobs comes out with the "I made it all up" line, the Oz fish (or Alfred
fish as it has become recently known) will realize that the bright shiny thing
descending toward it is the filet knife.
Bobsprit
Once Boobs comes out with the "I made it all up" line,>>>
If I made it up, then I deserve high marks for my photoshop work showing Alien
at the Thimbles and Port Jeff!
I must be a genius!
RB
Bobsprit
and
>"planned"
>
>RB
Bwaaaahahahhahahahhaaaaa!
Oh now that one's gonna hurt!>>>
Yeah...as Bugs Bunny says..."Aint I a stinker??!!"
RB
Jeff Morris
anything you can do all alone on your banana boat.
You didn't even bite on the comments about the archaic collision regulations - I thought
you'd have fun with that.
Simple Simon
There really wasn't much to make a big deal over.
You did a couple things wrong or different than I would have but
all in all, compared to what we read from the likes of Booby, you
deserve a 'cruiser of the year' award.
The main thing I had to admire is how you managed to make the
best of sailing with your family including the cats and dog. If you
can truly enjoy that sort of thing you're a better man than I - notice
I did not say better sailor.
S.Simon
"Jeff Morris" <jeffmo@NoSpam-sv-lokiDOTcom> wrote in message news:YyidnSChRo-...@comcast.com...
Jeff Morris
However, I admit I wouldn't mind leaving the kid behind for an extended trip!