For the past two years I've sailed Champlain and a short North Hudson trip. This summer I would like to check out the above destinations. Never having put in in salt water I fret about rinsing the hubs/ brakes w/ fresh water. Critical? Good ramps w/ parking for the above? The Schodack ramp on the Hudson had a great hose to wash off the nasty Hudson anchor muck. Seems all saltwater ramps should do the same. Anybody?
Stephen does that run several times a year and I hope he will login and post some advice.
It's been years since I've been I that area. Fog was a bugger. Block island was one of my favorite places. Not as snobby as Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard. Great memories there.
You don't need to worry about salt on the aluminum trailers. Just spray down the trailer good when you wash the boat out after pulling out and you'll be fine.
I've done Cuttyhunk & Penobscot many times. For CH, I've launched at the Westport Harbor ramp and also at Apponagansett. For Penobscot Bay, I've only used the Rockland launch ramp, which I highly recommend. None of these ramps have wash stations.
I have a collection of ramp reports at the North East Trailer Sailors club website, NE-TS.com, that you can reference on our public forum. These three ramps I've not posted yet, but have the data for. I'm on Narragansett Bay right now and can post the info and links when I get home tonight (Sunday).
For anyone who wants a direct link to NE-TS.com, click the 'globe' tab below my avatar. Then on the left side of the page click 'Online Forum'.
Bob, might we see you at the Champlain Rendezvous this year?
Just got back from Champlain, second shakedown cruise. Not sure if I can make the rondezvous but will try. Regarding washing down the trailer, putting in and leaving the trailer for 4 or 5 days w/ saltwater on the brakes not a problem?
Bob... Missed this thread somehow. We do Cuttyhunk 3x a year for 7-10 days at a time
Launch at Westport...an annual pass is 45 bucks vs 5 bucks a day so if you stay for any length of time just get the pass (town of Westport MA on web, state boat launch permit, 5 business days by mail)
Westport harbor is well marked but resist the temptation to cut the shallows....it's too shallow even for a Mac at lowtide.
Eldridge's chart book for current year is a must for this area, IMHO
Westport gut runs very hard at peak tide +_2 hours, I've seen 4-5 knot currents there.
The crossing to Cuttyhunk is nice and is visual on a nice day, we sail it on two compass legs if it's foggy. There can be a lot of trawler and tug/barge traffic on a Buzzards Bay.
Big boats anchor/moor outside Cuttyhunk harbor, Macs go in and anchor either on the northeast corner (hard a starboard after entering the inner harbor) or work their way into the back northwest corner. It's tight back there and there are rocks.
Island is laid back and things are done slowly. It's not unusual for motor yachts to come in and depart an hour later when they find out all the island offers us rest and relaxation, sailing , swimming, and great people.
For the past two years I've sailed Champlain and a short North Hudson trip. This summer I would like to check out the above destinations. Never having put in in salt water I fret about rinsing the hubs/ brakes w/ fresh water. Critical? Good ramps w/ parking for the above? The Schodack ramp on the Hudson had a great hose to wash off the nasty Hudson anchor muck. Seems all saltwater ramps should do the same. Anybody?
