Block Island, RI to Port Jefferson, NY to Home

July 6th, 2010

At 8:30am we weighed anchor and motored out into the Block Island sound to start our journey home. Wind was very light so we motored until it filled in mid morning.







There wasn't much traffic in the Block Island Sound, but this freighter passed us rather closely on its way out to sea.

I had checked the tides and knew we would be arriving at the Race at just the right time to be sucked in and spit out into Long Island Sound. It was impressive to see the boiling, churning seas near the Race, but nothing I saw looked like it would be dangerous. The only thing I can imagine going wrong would be very slow progress if one timed the tide incorrectly.



Our speed over the ground hit 8kts at one point!

We sailed along the South coast of Fishers Island and arrived at the mouth of the Connecticut River just before dawn. We anchored in Salt Works Bay, just to the west of the river as the wind was blowing from the north.

July 7th, 2010

A typical July morning with no wind, so we started motoring south west towards Long Island. We passed thousands of jelly fish as we went - mostly Portuguese Men-of-War.

Since the wind was light, I took time to mess with the Drifter. I still don't have this sail figured out. It doesn't seem to give us more than our genoa. Finally, the wind filled in (as it seems to do every morning eventually) and we had a perfect sail down to Port Jefferson, NY. We picked up a mooring from the Port Jeff Yacht Club (really the town of Port Jeff) and met my parents and friends for dinner.

We also had our first showers since we left at the club's facility. We have learned that a sun shower is an essential piece of equipment and will be purchased before out next cruise.

After dinner, everyone came on board (7 in total) for a Champagne night cap.

July 8th, 2010

After a quick launch ride to shore for a little grocery shopping, we filled up with fuel and water at Danford's.



The day was uneventful, but we were lucky to have perfect winds for a nice sail all the way to the Throgs Neck Bridge. We anchored in Little Neck Bay, just shy of the bridge for the night.


The bay was surrounded by enormous, but unattractive homes.














July 9th, 2010

Calm seas greeted us for our final, but very interesting, leg home.



Just past the Whitestone Bridge, we come to LaGuardia Airport. It's impressive to see the jets so low over the water.


There are just to many sights to describe as we sailed down the East River, past Manhattan Island and into New York Harbor.



We made it home late afternoon and couldn't have been more thrilled with our first cruise together.

Perth Amboy, NJ to Block Island, RI

After doing a lot of research on the web, we picked Block Island for our first long cruise and our first over night ocean passage. The forecast was perfect - light winds, sun and no weather for at least 5 days.

July 3rd

We departed Saturday morning in ideal conditions. The sail across Raritan Bay
was an easy start to the up coming ocean stage.

Once past Sandy Hook, we headed a few miles off shore so there would be less
traffic to worry about. Winds were from the west so we poled out the
jib and sailed wing and wing at a steady 6+ knots. There was swell from the
south that made the pole essential else the jib will deflate each time Tanqueray
slides down a swell.



Here we see Queens and the Manhattan skyline in the background before the swell arrives.

Even though we were making 6 knots, it was surprising to see how long it took to pass JFK tower - which is easily visible from out at sea.

It was a slow, relaxing enjoyable sail as we made steady progress along the south shore of Long Island. We both felt slightly queasy because of the swell so we each popped a Dramamine. We may have been able to avoid any seasickness without it, but we wanted to understand if Dramamine works for us and if there were any side effects.

We are happy to report it did make us feel better and not at all drowsy or dry mouthed.

Our natural sleeping schedules are not the same. I like to go to bed early and rise early. Viviane is the opposite. So, it was decided that I would try to catch a few
winks first and then take the early morning watch.

No sooner did the sun begin to set did the fireworks start. It was almost the 4th of July after all. We were treated to hours of spectacular displays and thunder as the sound carried easily over the water.

July 4th

At some point during the night the wind died but the swell did not. That makes for an unpleasant ride as the sails, spars and halyards all bang and rattle. At about 10am, we started the engine and motored towards BI at about 4 knots. There are two advantages to motoring: we can use the autopilot without worrying about battery consumption and we can turn on the compressor to keep the fridge cold.

Huge mansions line the south shore of LI once past the Great South Bay. After passing what seemed liked hundreds of them, Montauk Point came into view late Sunday afternoon.



Just before the famous Montauk Point light house, there is a huge radar tower that looks like it was build in the 50s.



We saw almost no boat traffic once we past the center of LI but now numerous fishing vessels appeared off the point. It was strange sailing past the tip of LI as it seemed there was nothing between us and europe, but the GPS didn't lie and after about 1 hour of motoring, the cliffs of Block Island came into view.



By now the winds had filled in and we probably should have started sailing but we wanted to be sure to make the entrance to Great Salt Pond before dark. By the end of the trip we realized that with only 10 knots of wind, we can often sail as fast as we motor.

We arrived at the harbor entrance at about 7pm and and no problem entering. Find a mooring was a different story. The harbor was mobbed. Boats everywhere. We motored down the main channel looking for the town's lime green mooring balls. Eventually we found them, but after driving around, it was clear there they were all full. It was very tricky maneuvering around the harbor as the wind was blowing 10+ knots and there were boats and dinghies everywhere.

Once we found the area where boats were anchored, we weaved in and out trying to find a gap for ourselves. It was a little nerve racking but we finally settled on a spot and dropped the hook in 25 feet of water. Luckily it grabbed right away and even putting her in reverse it would not drag.

It took a little time to unwind and relax after the stress of Great Salt Pond, but a perfect sunset, a gourmet diner and amazing sunset made us very glad we came.






July 5th

Monday morning we took the launch into the dock and made the short 1.25 mile walk into town. There were people everywhere enjoying the prefect, albeit hot day. We had lobster salad lunchs over looking the old harbor. The ferry was busy shuttling tourists back and forth to the mainland.

If it wasn't so hot we would have rented bikes to see more of the Island but having flown in once before we were somewhat familiar with the beautiful old, new england style homes that dot the island.

After a few Narragansett Light Beers (only $2, VERY cheap for BI) at The Oar we took the launch back to Tanqueray for a refreshing swim and another wonderful dinner. It is amazing how clear and clean the water in Great Salt Pond is.