Conference vicki::boats

    There are public ramps in Falmouth - I dont have the book in front
    of me - Call the Chamber of Commerce for names and numbers
    
    As for fishing, the middle ground produces fish as does Nomans and
    the Cuttyhunk shoals.  (Nomans and Cuttyhunk are a distance from
    Wood's Hole)  My suggestion is to fish the east end of the Island
    Cape Porge (sp?) and Wasque.  The Wasque rips are big time bluefish
    and bass hangouts.  
    
    As for hazzards, Woods Hole is suppose to have quite a hard current,
    the fog can get rather heavy and the draggers/trawlers on way to
    New Bedford seem to run on automatic.  

    I launched my 16 ft Bayliner in Woods Hole a couple of years ago and
    had now problems. As I recall if you follow the main drag through the
    center you can't miss it. I think it's near a small aquarium and a
    cedar sided house across the street from a bank/park. You can park
    right next door to the ramp in the houses parking lot. When I was there
    I didn't see any other boats around leading me to believe that It's
    only used by the locals. It has a pier and long enough to get out at
    low tide. Also when I left launch I did'nt seem as if the Vineyard was
    all that far away so the cruising was good and I went all the way to
    Oak Bluffs. Coming back was a little more rough but there was only 2 of
    us on the boat and we had'nt been drinking so we took it easy. I should
    mention though that that day was a 9 on a scale of 10 so to say how it
    would be on less than a perfect day could be quite different.
    All in all it was a memorable day.
    

    Have been through Woods Hole on many occasions.  Watch the conditions
    especially if you are heading West into Buzzards Bay.  This is the
    most narrow part odf the channel and has the most current. (Have
    seen the channel markers virtually under water due to the speed
    of the current).  Can also get real rough especially when the current
    is running form the sound into Buzzards Bay against a stiff Southwest
    wind.  Heading East into Vinyard Sound is usually smoother.  Wider
    channel and somewhat less current.  However the sound can get bumpy
    pretty fast, usually in the afternoon.  Launching from Falmouth
    into Vinyard Sound will eliminate most of your Woods Hole passage,
    unless you head West.  You should find good fishing on both sides,
    especially with a good running tide.  There is also a nice little
    protected harbor on the left as you leave Woods Hole headed into
    Buzzards Bay (Name slips my mind).  Great place for swimming, raft-ups,
    etc.
    
    Have fun
    Herb
    
    

    Hi.
    
    I do most of my boating in the Buzzards Bay/Martha's Vineyard area.
    We are a 38-foot Aft Cabin Cruiser.  Here are some of my observations
    of the area:
    
      1) Have a chart handy of the cut through woods hole.  The markers
         can be very confusing, and there's not much time for decision
         making.  There's a good current here, but by far I think the
         toughest thing to deal with is the traffic going through the
         cut.  Duck in behind someone else coming through and you'll
         do fine.
    
      2) There's a lot of fine fishing off of Cape Poge, which is the
         spit of land that comes out from Kataama bay in Edgartown,
         Martha's Vineyard.  Other fine fishing comes off of the shoals
         off of Hyannis (near Nantucket).  
    
      3) An excellent place to relax with a view is Hadley's harbor
         (this was mentioned one reply back).  If you head toward Buzzards
         Bay, look to your left (Uncatena Island) and you'll probably
         see the masts of the sailboats anchored in that harbor.  The
         island around it contains a lot of homes for Malcolm Forbes,
         and they're quite pretty.  It's a crowded little hole, so 
         anchoring may be a bit tricky.  Worth a visit for a swim though.
    
      4) Larry's Bait and Tackle shop in Edgartown is worth a visit,
         and you may get some tips on where the blues are running. 
         Call them on channel 68.
    
    If you happen to hear the Seanair (pronounced shawn-air) on the
    radio, that's me.  Feel free to hail me.
    
    John (who stays in Red Brook Harbor club [Kingman Marine])

    Thanks for all your suggestions, they have been real helpful.

    Have you considered launching from the boat ramp at Fairhaven, just
    across the bay from New Bedford. Or from the ramp at HorsenecK Beach,
    note this only applies if you are hauling north of the canal.
    

    Well after all that preparation, new Loran and all,,, we never got any
    further than the launce area from Green Pond in Mashpee....the fog
    was real bad and the wind was better than 20 knots. We decided not
    to venture any further, not being experienced with the Loran.
    
    Ill look into that suggestion about leaving from Horseneck Beach. How 
    many miles is it to the Vineyard from there? It may make sense to save
    the long haul by car..... 

    Another good ramp is the ramp at the new Bourne Marina off of
    Rte 28 in Buzzards bay.  Access to Buzzards Bay is right off of
    where the Mass Maritime Academy is.  It's a really nice ramp (state
    run) and there is plenty of parking.  The only catch is you have
    to motor up Buzzard's Bay and through Woods Hole, which can be a
    bit messy, even on the nicest day.  Worth a shot though.  They charge
    you to put in there [I think].  It's also a very nice marina with
    probably the cheapest gas in the area.  
    
    John

    there is a public landing in falmouth near the mashpee line. it's
    on rt.28 about 5 miles from the 151 rotary. i use it often and 
    have never had any problem. once you follow the well marked river
    out, the vineyard is a straight shot across. (no more than 5 miles)
    
    have fun
    
    jim