Conference unifix::sailing

    I don't know if you're interested in going a few miles up the river
    from Kittery, but if you are there are (as of last Sunday) some
    moorings left at the Great Bay Marina in Newington NH. Also I find
    it difficult to believe everything is gone in Newburyport. I'm up
    there every Sunday and if you like I'll ask some of the locals if
    anything is left open. 
    
    If you send me mail today with your particulars, I'll ask around
    Sunday and get back to you Monday by mail.
    
    Good luck

    Newburport is filled up with moorings for sure. I live there.. However
    there are quite a few slips available; in front of the waterfront
    condos and at Windward Yacht Yard. I think they run about $1-2k.
    If you go up river to Yankee Marine they also may have some slips.
    Perhaps even a mooring. It's a bitch of a harbor to get in/out
    with anything coming from the E/SE or NE. Current runs 3-5 kn.
    Ed

     I just rented a mooring in Salem. I can't tell you anything about
    the place though (this is my first year there). I can tell you what
    i heard from a close friend who moored there for years (of course
    this is just hearsay). He told me that Salem, although a bit crowded,
    was very nice for the price and that the harbor there seems to be
    less subject to fog then other places. So for what ever that is
    worth...Ask again in a few weeks and maybe i can tell you more.

     Well the great Mooring hunt is over thanks to the efforts of one of 
     the readers of the SAILING Vaxnotes conference. Jack Schuffels
     (MILVAX::SCHUFFELS) keyed me to a place called River's Edge Marina
     in Newburyport. This is the new area, by the River's Edge Condominiums
     just after the Route 1A bridge. They have about 40 slips (all full
     at this time) and 8 moorings (only 3 are are reserved at this time).

     The marina has showers and bathrooms (which were cleaner than most
     I have used). They have two slots on the end of a dock for the use
     of the moorings which have power and water. Dinghy storage is on
     the shallow side of the docks. There is parking although it looks
     like it might be a little tight if there are multiple cars per boat.

     The marina is managed by Mary Rocco who is the wife of the harbor 
     master. The price is $450 for the season.
     
     /jim

     RE.4 
    
      Congratulations, thats a real nice area also. Do you have to go
    through the mouth of the Merrimack to get into any water? If so,
    it might be worth it to talk to some people who have sailed there,
    to get some pointers. I understand it can get pretty rough there.
     ENJOY!!!

     Well I have been through the mouth several times in my boat and 
     on a friend's Tartan 30. It can get quite interesting, but as
     long as one uses discretion it shouldn't be too bad.

     On the darker side this article appeared on the wire services, talking
     to several people there was a very healthy rip going on in the mouth
     and the seas were running very high also. A small power boat didn't
     stand a chance. A sailboat's keel does seem to track better through
     the breakers at the mouth of the harbor, but discretion is still the
     better part of valor ....

     Associated Press Sun 11-MAY-1986 22:20                   Capsized Boat

     Boat Capsizes in Merrimack River, One Man Missing

     NEWBURYPORT, Mass. (AP) - Coast Guard boats searched for a man
     who fell overboard Sunday when the boat he and four others were in
     capsized just outside the mouth of the Merrimack River, a Coast
     Guard spokesman said.

     The 15-foot motor boat turned over in rough waters at about 9:30
     a.m. Sunday, according to Petty Officer Chris VanderWolk.

     The Coast Guard identified the missing man as Michael Chinn, 26,
     of Hawaii. VanderWolk said Chinn was a friend of the boat owner.
     VanderWolk said the search was suspended indefinitely at
     nightfall. He estimated survival time in the 48-degree water was
     about three hours.

     The four others were picked up by a passing recreational boat.
     James Jewells, 29, of Lawrence was placed in the intensive care
     unit of Anna Jacques Hospital for exposure, according to night
     supervisor Chris Wallace. He was listed in stable condition.
     Salvatore Messina, 24, of Andover, was treated for exposure at
     the hospital and released.

     The two others, Michael DeSalvo, 25, of Lawrence, and James
     Harvey, 26, Boston, were treated at Amesbury Hospital and released.
     VanderWolk said he did not know which of the men owned the boat.

     Coast Guard officials dispatched a helicopter and two utility
     boats after receiving the initial report at 10:05 a.m. Emergency
     divers from nearby Seabrook, N.H., also searched for Chinn.

     There were 6- to 8-foot seas at the time of the accident,
     VanderWolk said. He said the boat turned over about one-fifth of a
     mile from shore.

    Yea, and the CG turned one of their 30' ers over there two weeks
    ago. I came in right after... When the bar is breaking badly stick
    to the North jetty, really close, and time the breakers. I cam in
    sans-masts and made it without catching a breaker. However the boat
    behing kept further off the jetty and caught a few really big ones
    over the stern. But they were 'swell-driven' breakers and had no
    real punch. When the wind is from the North/NE or E and the tide
    is out (or going out) practice mouth-interruptus..
    Ed

    I've been through there with my Hobie 14, very tricky to get through
    on just wind. Have actually been sailing in reverse, sail full of
    wind but the current just to strong to make any headway.
    
    Nick

    
    RE: .3 
    Is the jury in yet on the Salem mooring now that your first season
    is over? What's the verdict? Would you recommend it or not?
    
    charlie

     I guess i can't complain too much. I will probably be back there
    next year. My only real problems with the place are:
    
            The traffic from rt. 128 into Salem could be a real pain
            at times. But i guess that is the case at most coastal areas
            during the summer months.
    
            Parking was a problem at times.
    
            Due to the distance involved and lack of a dinghy storage
            area, you are forced to use the launch service (at least
            if you are renting from Barnegat Trans. Co.). I didn't really
            care for the launch service but most people seemed pleased
            with it.
    
     On the positive side:
    
            The price is right at $12.50 per foot (although the launch
            service costs another $300.00)
    
            The Bay seems fairly calm. I don't think i saw the seas
            ever exceed 1 foot.
    
            Plenty of fun places to sail.
    
            No waiting list for moorings. 
    
            About a 50 min. drive (i live in Hudson Ma.) 

I've had my boat moored in Salem for four seasons. I agree 100% with .10
and would like to add a few comments. The major hassle for me has been the
Salem power plant and its coal dust. It really does a job on the hull. It
can get really difficult to get it off if you are not on top of it.

The next complaint is boaters ( mostly power boats ) not keeping the 5MPH
speed limit inside the harbor. If you get a mooring, try to stay away from
moorings close to the channels.

Besides that, I got to say I am pleased with Barnegat Transportation services
and facilities. I believe the price is right. In addition there are lots of
nice places in Salem to dine and go shopping.

I believe I will be going back to Salem for my 5th season.

							- Al -

    AFTER 5 YEARS IN SALEM,MA. WE ARE VERY SATISFIED WITH THE HARBOR.
    WE SAIL A BRISTOL 32 AND WOULD LIKE TO MEET OTHER SAILORS INTERESTED
    IN WEEKEND AND DAYSAILING RENDEVOUS. AS A NEW EMPLOYEE (1.5 WEEKS)
    I'D LIKE TO ESTABLISH SOME SAILING CONTACTS IN THE COMPANY.    
    I AM IMPRESSED WITH THIS "NOTES" PROGRAM AND THE AMOUNT OF EXPERTISE
    AND INPUT RE: SAILING BY THE USERS. THE ONLY NEW TOPIC I COULD COMMENT
    ON IS THE TRUCKING OF A BOAT BACK TO ONE'S HOUSE/YARD. I'VE DONE
    IT FOR 5 YEARS AND STRONGLY ADVOCATE IT. I'LL ADD IT AS A SEPERATE
    NOTE WHEN I GET A CHANCE.

    I would be interested in any inputs regarding trucking back to one's
    home. This is my first year with a boat in this area, and I'm likely
    to truck my Pearson home around the first of Oct. My mooring is
    on the Marblehead side of Salem Harbor, & I think it's a fine place
    for a mooring.
    
    Joe
    
    

    	Assuming the survey on the Tartan 30 I am hoping to buy goes
    well tomorrow I plan to be bringing it home from Falmouth Maine
    to about the only place I could find a mooring in a hurry. As stated
    in the base note Salem still seems to have moorings available. I
    checked out Barnagette (sp?) today as well as Hawthorn Cove Marina.
    Barnagette seems to be very difficult for parkling, the moorings
    are quite a distance from the facilities (I don't really want launch
    service, Ill use a dingy...) and it just felt congested around there.
     	Hawthorn Cove however has a parking lot, shower and laundry
    facilties, and was told they hold 3 slips open for folks that moor
    that want to come in and use the water, etch. It not a very
    aesthetically pleasing setting (RIGHT next to the power plant) but
    appears to be a bit more "convenient". Anyboidy familiar with this
    yard? Good stories and bad ones are welcome.
                             
    	Hope to see you out there soon,
    
    Paul 
    

    Paul,
    
    I keep my boat at Hawthorne Cove for much the same reasons you
    describe.  This is my fifth year there.
    
    As you say, it's not much to look at, but it does provide relatively
    convenient access to the water.  I don't know of any extraordinary
    security measures they take, but having at least one HarborMaster's
    boat berthed there does nothing to minimize security.  I've never had
    any problems with the cars or the boat.
    
    The power station is not only ugly, the smoke from the plant contains
    some nasty yellow stuff (sulphur) which precipitates onto the boats. 
    The folks from the power company do go out and clean the boats for
    those of us who complain.  There is a sign-up sheet in the office to
    make it easy to complain.  The power station puts out very warm water
    into the harbor which keeps it from freezing most Winters.  Also may
    lead to some interesting bottom growth.
    
    Yours will be the third Tartan 30 at the marina.  
    
    I've never had a problem getting to one of the wash down slips as far
    as availablity goes.  However, going into the slip area can prsent some
    interesting opportunies at low tide.  You draw about the same as I do,
    5 and 1/4 feet.  I usually drag the keel through the mud at least a few
    times a month.  And there are vile stories at the marina about a rock
    or mooring block in the private channel heading into the slip area. 
    
    Give me a call or drop a line if you want more info.
    
    djc
    

    
       From the N.E.Boat show I gathered the following tidbits.
    
    1. The new bridge between Salem and Beverly is going to be late. Why
    you may be asking???  Cause some nimrod at the construction company
    forgot to order the center span peices of steel. They are talking a
    delay of appr 9 months from the opening date...
    
       Ya think Evil Knivel would want to give it a try and be able to 
    stop doing those lame pizza commericals one way or another...
    
    2. If approved by the Gov'ner (Lt Governer is all for it), there soon will
    be signed a $100M bond/bill to fix up the Mass seacoast areas. Salem is
    going for $18M to build a new 600 ft dock, buildings, and dredge to
    15' minimum. Where to put such a state of the art tie-up for cruise ships
    and mega yachts?  Why between Hawthorne Cove Marina and the power
    plant .  Yessireee, all the jet setters will be hanging around the
    coal piles, with plenty of parking on the far side of the plant. No
    plans to widen any of the streets in the area, but they did put a
    traffic light in for the oil truck delivery route last year.
    
    
    
    Amaz'n ain't it????