Conference unifix::sailing

I sailed a CAL25-II from Hingham to Barnstable, then on to East Greenwich,
R.I. in May.  While I can't speak for the direct, point-to-point route, I
absolutely loved following the coast, stopping at Situate and Barnstable - 
and then backtracking to the Cape Cod Canal.  Since prevailing winds tend
to be Southwest, you can make pretty good time roughly following the coast,
especially on the last leg to Provincetown.  

Situate is a beautiful harbor and easy to get in/out.  There are some
great resturants as well.  You could easily make it there from the North
Shore in a day (I left Hingham at 4:00 P.M. and made Situate by 8:00 P.M).
Boston and Minot Lights are also quite picturesque.

From Situate, you can either follow the coast (the scenery picks up south
of Plymouth) or cut across to Provincetown.  We experienced a full-spectrum
of winds: 5 knots to 35 knots/drifting and surfing at 8 knots.  We took on
a lot of spray and the sail was quite chilly - but fun.

If you have time, Barnstable is a good harbor to anchor in with some decent
resturants nearby.  The beaches are sandy/marshy and very pretty.  I have
no experience beyond this.  The Waterway Guide rates Wellfleet as a good
harbor.  

So, depending upon your time and inclination, you can either make the sail
a 1 to 3 day trip.  Point-to-point in 23' (I assume you didn't mean 23")
boat could be kinda harry in all but the best weather.  Two days via
Scituate is possible with a long second day.  Three days is a pleasure
cruise.

Have fun, 

-RPR-

We have made the round trip from Marblehead to Provincetown three times,
following the offshore buoys there the first time and taking the rhumb
line course the rest of the time. I would not recommend the rhumb line
course in most 23 foot boats. True, most of the time the summer winds
are reasonably light. One trip home was maybe 15 to 20 knots downwind
with four to six foot seas (1980) and just outside Provincetown two
years ago we were hit with a squall (not forecast, as I recall) I would
guess to have been over 50 knots (lee rail under on a beam reach with
double reefed main and a 60% jib in a stiff and moderate displacement 32'
cutter). The rhumb line takes you maybe 15 miles offshore, which makes 
the nearest port several hours away. After nine years of sailing in New 
England I am still surprised how quickly the weather can get very, very 
bad, even on a nice summer day. 

Alan

I've made the run from both Beverly and Scituate on a number of occasions. I'd
suggest that you try the direct route the first time only if you've got a good
(reliable?) weather forecast. As noted, the weather can change alot out there
in a day's time. (Make sure you have an adequate supply of fuel on board as
I do remember a labor day weekend a few years ago where I had to motor half
the way across due to lack of wind!)

The Scituate route is shorter and there is an "H" bouy about half way across
to get a fix on. I second the comment that Scituate is a good jumping off point
to a number of destinations. An RDF comes in real handy on this sort of trip.

These trips are always more enjoyable with another boat or two to follow along.
In your case you might want to ask around to see if anyone (ideally in a 
similiar size boat) would be interested in making the trip with you.

Which brings to mind an idea. How about a DEC sailors rendezvous weekend? I'm
sure that we can find a time or place (like Scituate?) in the next 6 six weeks
or so.   Anyone interested?

Bill C.

If you go the Scituate Harbor route, call EZ-Rider (Scituate Harbor Launch 
Service) on channel 16.  They are very good at finding you a mooring for the
night if they think you will use the launch.  There are at least six places to
eat with in walking distance of the harbor, with the Mill Wharf, Pier 44 and theHarbor View located right on the water.  Drop by and say hello if you come in;
I'm the blue J30 (MOMENTUM) by the #11 can.

						Thos.

re: .4 (Scituate)

Just for the record, there are also slips owned and operated by the town. They
can be found by following the marked channel to its end past the Coast Guard 
station (to port) and the town pier (to starboard) where the fishing boats tie 
up. These slips will put you adjacent to a municipal parking lot (great for 
exchanging crew) and only a short walk to the main street where you can get 
dinner, groceries, etc.  Last time I tied up there it was $15/boat (the going 
rate for a mooring was $10 - now I hear it's $15).

Though I usually prefer a mooring, it is nice to be able to get up in the 
morning and take a walk to breakfast at a nearby restaurant. Sometimes it's
a real rush to get in and out of a restaurant in time to catch the last call
on the launch.


P.S. The harbormaster is equally hospitable in finding a mooring for you if
	you can't hail the Easy-rider (privately operated). The harbormaster
	is available 24 hours a day (monitoring ch. 16) - so no matter how 
	late you pull in someone will be able to help you out.

I have just returned from sailing round trip from Gloucester to P-town, on
a 23' Sloop.    The trip was fine.   I sailed to Situate then to Race Point,
and then the direct route back to Gloucester. (40 mi down-wind).   I only
ran into one storm on the way and I ducked into Cohasset harbor for a
couple of hours.

    I did practice my Dead Reconing skills in lots of fog.  I was quite
accurate each time.  (Plotted position every 30 minutes.)   All in all
an excellent trip!

Frank Lazgin

Certainly glad you had a good trip. However, see the article in the 
August 1985 CRUISING WORLD (The Emperor Has No Clothes) regarding
the inaccuracy of weather forecasts. We too have been out in a lot
of unforecast bad weather. Again, I question the safety of venturing
as far from shore as you did in a 23' boat.

Alan

RE: 1470.0 by CADSE::VENNE

I'm replying here to keep discussions together.

> We're buying a boat in Plymouth and planning to hop over to Provincetown 
> before going home to Newburyport.  We're planning this trip for mid-May.

> Does anybody have any sea stories to recount concerning Ptown harbor and 
> Cape Cod Bay?

You might also want to look at stories about the entrance to Merrimac river.

I don't know your experience level,  but I'd feel uneasy taking a boat that
I just bought on that trip at that time of year.  I know that there are things
about a new boat I just couldn't or wouldn't know without some time on the
boat.  Need a list?

Depends on the risk level you like as well.  If you like to climb big mountains
jump out of airplanes and/or ski on glaciers,  nevermind.  On a untested
boat,  assuming little experience on your part,  you are taking a significant
risk.  Spend some time with the boat,  then take it up the coast via (say) 
Salem,  and generally take your time,  and it's no more risky than driving 128.
Perhaps also ask an experienced crewperson for one or both days..


Phil

    To add my $0.02, although the ride to Newburyport may be interesting,
    the most interesting may be to get into Newburyport at that time of
    year.
    
    When the river is high from Spring runoff/rains, and the weather is
    still predominately from the East, the inlet gets unpassable. Many
    seasons I have had to plan the trip down from Portsmouth (where I store
    the boat) around the condition of the inlet (two years ago I had
    to delay the spring trip by 3 weeks due to the condition of the
    inlet.)    
    
    Some advice;
    
     1. Be prepared to stay over someplace if the weather is bad,
        preferably Gloucester. If Newburyport is bad, then the Parker
        River will be bad also. Rockport can be difficult to find space,
        and Ipswich/Annisquam can be difficult to get into also. Once
        you round Cape Ann the next safe harbor is Portsmouth.
        
     2. Unless the conditions are like a mill pond call ahead to Coast
        Guard either by Landline or VHF, they will gladly tell you the
        condition of the inlet.
        
     3. If you have a preference hit Newburyport at high tide. This
        is when the inlet is the calmest.
        
     4. As you come to the inlet make sure that the strobe light at
        the old coast guard station on the south side of the inlet is
        not flashing. (If the light is flashing it means there are breaking
        waves in the inlet.)
        
        
    The trip from Ptown to Newburyport is about 60 nm so it will take about
    12 hours. Since at that time of year you only have about 14 hours of
    daylight plan accordingly. You might want to leave during the daylight
    at Ptown since in the first 12 nm of the trip you will be crossing the
    Boston Harbor shipping channel, and often you can catch sight of many
    whales off Race point. One of the big things to watch for in Ptown
    is fog.
    
    If you are not familiar with coming into Newburyport at night there are
    several tricks we can give you (the problem is that after you make the
    jog past the old Coast Guard Station all the bouy lights line up with
    the town's lights and its hard to find the buoys).
    
    If you need any other help/advice give me a call.
    
    /jim
        

RE: .9,  (minor additions to a lot of good advice:)

>>>     Rockport can be difficult to find space,....

Early in May there probably is no problem.  If you can call ahead the day 
before, or as much before as you can, the Harbormaster likely will find a 
spot for you.  If it's an easterly wind stronger than a healthy zephyr, 
plan on Gloucester or Annisquam, though.  (The latter has the main
advantage over the former of putting you an hour closer to the Merrimack.)
Rockport is open to the east, and a real roll can set up in there, making 
for an uncomfortable time, not to mention hard on gear if you're pierside.
        
>>>    The trip from Ptown to Newburyport is about 60 nm so it will take about
>>>    12 hours. Since at that time of year you only have about 14 hours of
>>>    daylight plan accordingly. You might want to leave during the daylight
>>>    at Ptown since in the first 12 nm of the trip you will be crossing the
>>>    Boston Harbor shipping channel, and often you can catch sight of many
>>>    whales off Race point. 

If you really do face that choice, consider leaving 1-2 hours before dawn. 
You'll spend that time getting around the hook and abreast of Race Point 
before having to keep a watch out for fishing boats on Stellwagen Bank and 
Boston Harbor shipping traffic.  And you'll have a wider window on the aft 
end of the day.

J.