Conference unifix::sailing

We've made the passage from Marblehead to Provincetown and back several 
times. The winds have usually been light (often too light) and generally 
southwest. One return trip we had 15 to 25 knots (est) apparent wind 
from the SW and 4 to 6 foot seas. The seas can build quickly but won't 
get too high as the fetch is short with a southwest wind. Northerlies is 
another matter. However, one trip down we were hit by a >50 knot (est)
squall with driving rain. With double reefed main and 70% jib the lee
rail was under on a broad reach. This lasted maybe only a half hour and
wasn't forecast by NOAA until after the fact. If the forecast is good,
it should be a safe trip. 

Provincetown has rental moorings between the piers behind the jetty and 
the Coast Guard station. Just pick one up (they're marked as I recall) 
and someone will be out quickly to take your money. There isn't a good 
place to leave a dinghy (no town dock for transient dinghies in past
years). The mooring folks also provide expensive launch service -- $5
each way per person as I recall. Anchoring is no problem -- lots of room
and good holding -- and the harbor is well protected. There isn't room
to anchor behind the jetty -- just tuck up under a lee shore. You can
leave a dinghy at the boat launching ramp east of the Coast Guard
station which gives you a bit of a walk to town. The town itself I can
skip forever more. The Red Inn is excellent for dinner. Leave your
dinghy at the boat ramp and walk away from town and you'll find the Red
Inn almost at the end of the shore road. 

Have fun,

Alan

    Jim,
    
    I'm glad to see this note as Patty & I are thinking of a similar
    trip the same week - perhaps we'll see ya.
    
    At any rate given the experiance you have I thought you would know
    better!!!   
    -- YOU REALLY SHOULD HAVE MORE THAN 25 feet OF RODE ON YOUR ANCHORS --- 
    I know the CQR was expensive but really don't be so damn cheap -- 
    I think you'll find you draft requires you to drop the hook in more
    than 3.5' of water.

                                       See ya on the pond,
                                                           Lou

I have made the trip from Boston to P-town about 11 times.  It's a good 
cruise.  It gives you the feeling of being "offshore" without really
being that far away from land.  On a clear day you can see the Pilgrim
Monument from Minot's Light off Cohasset.

Now to answer your specific's;
     
>     a. How is the passage from Cape Ann to Provincetown ? 
 
I haven't sailed form Cape Ann area, but the general conditions and
distance from Boston Harbor is about the same.      
    
>        The question I have is how difficult is the crossing ?  The
>        crossing would be fairly exposed, so does anybody have any
>        experience as to how rough it can get out there, and how fast.
>        Would it be more wise to go down to Scituate and cross over ? 
 
The crossing should be pretty straight forward.  If you have a good 
compass and Loran you souldn't have any problems.  As Alan states, the
weather does kick up every once in awhile, but if the forecast is fair 
the sail should be pretty good.  Sailing accross to Scituate and then to
P-town would only extend your sail.  Head right to P-town.      
        
>     b. If we make Provincetown, who can I contact about getting a transient
>        mooring/slip for the July 4th weekend (other than the harbormaster) ?

CALL PROVINCETOWN MARINA IMMEDIATELY!!!  They get booked early for 
holiday weekends (most weekends in fact) and want a deposit before
guaranteeing a slip.  Moorings go just a fast, but most times a 
deposit isn't needed, just a call ahaead.  Use your VHF to contact
them from sea with an ETA to ensure they hold one for you.  It's 
usually first-come, first-serve.        
        
>     c. If we decide to go down the coast instead, we have no problem
>        making Salem the first day and we know where to stay. The next
>        day's sail would be Scituate or Cohasset. From the looks of the
>        chart, it would be much better to make Scituate. Does anybody know
>        who can we contact about a transient mooring/slip in Scituate ? 

Scituate is the best place to stop.  Cohasset has a narrow channel and 
very few good places to anchor.  Moorings and slips in Cohasset are 
non-existant.  Don't even try.  If you go by Cohasset around lunchtime
you can pull in and tie-up at Hugo's Lighthouse restaurant float for
an hour while you eat (if you can find a place, it's usually crowded).

Scituate harbor is full of morrings.  Just pull in and pick one up.  Call
the Harbor Master on your VHF and tell them where you are and he will
either let you stay on it (Charges vary, but $5/night is avaerage) or
will tell you where to move to.  At the head of the Harbor there are
slips, but space is a premium.  The Harbor Master is the best person to
let you know what's happening.

>        Likewise what anchorages are available and what advice do you
>        have about them ?        

There are no protected achorages near Cohasset.  Scituate is too crowded
to drop the hook in the harbor anywhere.  If you're adventurous you can
pass Scituate and turn in the North River.  It has a narrow channel, but
nice places to anchor.        
        
>     d. How is the passage from Scituate to Provincetown ?

Piece of cake.  Usually a run or broad reach.  Takes about 5-7 hours.
        
>     e. If we decide against the passage to Provincetown, how is Plymouth
>        to visit, and who there can we talk to about a transient
>        mooring/slip ?

Plymouth is a very long way from the ocean.  From Gurnett Light the trek
into Plymouth Harbor is about 3 miles.  The only valid place to tie up is 
Plymouth Marine.  The docks are all floating concrete and the amenities
are plush.  Mostly big (and I mean BIGGG) power boats there, but they
don't discriminate against sailors.  Call for reservations.  They want
deposits for holidays also.
        
>        Likewise what anchorages are available and what advice do you
>        have about them ?        

DON'T!  Plymouth and Duxbury harbors are small and crowded with morrings.
Anchoring in a mooring area is foolish because moored boats and anchored
boats swing differently and collision is inevitble.

Enjoy you week!

        

    Sorry about the error, but that should read 250' of 1/2 Nylon three
    strand (NE Ropes).
    
    I have thimbles on both ends, so i can shackle the two rodes together
    to make one 500' rode.
    
    /jim

    I called Provincetown Marina and they said they don't take reservations
    for moorings (it's first come, first served). Since we plan to get
    there Thursday night, the person who answered the phone said there
    shouldn't be a problem getting a mooring, since there are slips still
    open for Thursday night.
    
    They do run a launch service, and the cost is $1/person/direction.
    
    Does anybody know who I can call to see about mooring in Plymouth
    or Scituate ?
    
    /jim

    See the end of my previous reply.
    
    Have a good time,
    Jeff
    

    SCITUATE:  Call Easy Rider on channel 16 when you enter the harbor.
    He will find you a mooring and provide launch service for $15/night.
    It's first come, first serve, but you should have no problem.  I
    don't think the harbor master will do too much for you, although
    you may be able to get dock space at the town marina, if you are
    so inclined.  If you go by a dark blue J30 (Momentum) off the town
    fish pier, drop by and say hello.
    
    PLYMOUTH:  Call the Yacht Club on channel 16.  The rate is $15/night
    (at least in '86).  The price includes launch service and the use
    of the club.
    
    						Thos.
    

    I Haven't sailed down in Mass for about 4 years, but I can tell
    you once you get through the Canal, you probably will have a 
    tough time getting a moring without a reservation.  I didn't have
    much trouble getting morings in either P town or Scituate, and
    both are nice harbors to stay in.  There is a directory book out
    that I think covers the entire East Coast.  It gives info on the
    cost or morings/slips, VHF contact frequency, showers/laundry. The
    best part of the book is having the info so you can call ahead and
    make reservations.  I think it is called the Cruising Directory.
    I guess that I can't say much about the winds/seas, my boat doesn't
    go fast under even extreme conditions.  
    
    Since your in the neighborhood just down the road, stop up and 
    stay in our harbor one night.  I am located in Little Harbor
    about a 4 hour sail from Newburyport.  It is a nice harbor and
    well protected.  They have launch service, showers, ice, and rest
    near by.  Don't spread it too far but there are about 4 morings
    on the left side after you enter the harbor that are marked PYC
    not many people know about them or use them.  I'm straight
    across from the morings in a Cheoy Lee (OMEGA).  Maybe we'll see
    you some weekend when the Isle looks like Route 3.
    
    Have fun on your vacation, and hope you get good weather.
    
    Regards,
                         Bob

RE .9  (tried to make a .10 and a .11 but no luck)

I believe the book you're referring to is called the Boating Almanac.
It's very helpful in planning a cruise as it contains  a list of
the marinas, yacht clubs, and boating services that are along the 
coast. I just picked up this year's edition over the weekend ($8.00 at BOAT US).
There is more than one volume so make sure that you get right the one for 
your area. "Don't leave home without it".

(Alan, wasn't that you I saw in line at the register on that rainy Saturday?)

bc