Safe Boating

A few tips before sailing to Block Island

By Roz Butziger
Posted 5/5/16

You’ve had a boat for a few years now, had a safe boating course, taken trips over to Potters Cove and Newport, but now you are ready for adventure. Block Island beckons you.

About a 10-mile …

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Safe Boating

A few tips before sailing to Block Island

Posted

You’ve had a boat for a few years now, had a safe boating course, taken trips over to Potters Cove and Newport, but now you are ready for adventure. Block Island beckons you.

About a 10-mile run from Point Judith, it is not too challenging for a first venture out of the bay. There are two Block Island destinations for boaters. Let’s start with New Harbor. What should you know about your destination if you plan a two- or three-day stay? First, and most expensive, is a slip. The advantages are that it’s easy to tie up and very secure. Also, it is convenient to hop on and off to grab a windbreaker or to let the kids go run around while you sit in the cockpit with a cool drink. Electricity, though, costs extra. There is fresh water to wash down, too. The downside is the expense. It costs as much as a hotel room. Also, depending on your neighbors, it could be noisy. There are three marinas in New Harbor - Block Island Marina, Champlin’s and Payne’s Dock.

Another option is to grab a mooring. Some are private and you should avoid tying up to those. Most of them are owned by the town. If in doubt, call the harbormaster on channel 12. The mooring balls you see are attached to huge permanent anchors that are sunk deep into the bottom. Many of these are large mushroom anchors. You can tie to a mooring and feel secure that you will not drag anchor. Are there any tricks to mooring? First see how other boats are facing on their moorings. You want to face the same way. Gage both the current in the area and the wind. Which is going to affect your boat more? Come up to the mooring buoy into the stronger – wind or current. Now look for the small float attached to the mooring buoy and have the boat hook ready. Tell your crew to hook onto the float and pull it onto your deck. Stop the boat while your crew ties the line to your cleat. After you tie on, the harbormaster will be around before the day’s end to collect the fee. When it is time to leave, go forward a little and drop off the buoy. Just be careful not to get the line fouled in your prop as you depart.

The third option, of course, is simply to anchor, but you need to know a few things first. You cannot anchor in the mooring field, so you need to choose a location where anchoring is allowed. As you enter New Harbor, the channel runs fairly straight right to Payne’s Dock – the last marina. There is no anchoring on the right side of the channel as you enter the harbor, and starting about halfway down, where there is a designated mooring field, marked by “no anchor” buoys. Look on your chart to find an anchorage.

If you are on a mooring or at anchor, a boat will come around for pump outs if you call them. You can row or motor in to Dinghy Beach at the east end of the harbor. Pull your dinghy up there and just walk across the street to the magnificent Crescent Beach for a swim, or stroll down the road to some shops, have lunch or dinner at one of the many offerings. If you walk your dog, remember to bring a bag and pick up after him. There is a launch that can ferry you in if you prefer. If you haven’t seen the island, by all means, take a taxi tour and learn about the exciting history. They make sure to stop for photo ops. Mopeds and bicycles are a fun option, too.  

In the morning, you will hear “Andiamo” and a small boat from Aldo’s, laden with muffins, coffee cakes, juice, fruit and more will make its way from boat to boat delivering deliciousness. Just go to your stern and wave, and they’ll be there. In a while, swans and geese will come to the stern of your boat looking for any crumbs you might have left over. Friends who are small boat-phobic can still join you on Block Island by taking the ferry from Point Judith. Watch the weather and maybe go with another boat, but when you are ready to venture out, this is the place to go! And don’t forget to take a Safe Boating Course. There is one starting June 6 in Warwick, taught by licensed captains and USCG Auxiliary members. It will take place over four weeks, Monday and Thursday nights. For more information, go to: www.northstarflotilla.com and click on Boating Classes. See you there!

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