Mooring on Narrangansett Bay or thereabouts?

[BillyBudd]

The first season, by chance and luck, for the 20' Chebacco has been on a freshwater lake. It has a mooring and we're learning the ropes, getting just a wee bit smart about the boat. Next season would not be a loss at all if we continue on freshwater, but there's a real desire to head for the coast for more extensive sailing/cruising/overnighting in semi-protected waters (bay, coastline, etc.). Although trailering is resonably easy with the boat and our small pickup, I'm really pleased (like WOW!) with mooring and would be less pleased but pleased enough with dry dockage (boat on trailer in a protected yard). Hauling the boat home is for us a rather huge effort that we're starting to see as a twice a season event if we can get away with it.

We're about 3 hours from Greenwich, RI which would be a preferred (but not set in concrete) mooring area. Anything on the Bay's west side or even in the Connecticut River somewhat near the mouth would be considered. Protected, controlled mooring waters seem a real need. We'd be showing up to sail, say, twice a month or so.

Cost is a question. Club or not a club (we're currently in a low-profile club which, as it turns out, lacks ties and sport jackets -- barefeet and no club house! -- this is just fine.) So, from western MA to you guys in RI and CT, have you some info to help on locations/costs/opinions/advice?

[Tom Hunter]

My mooring knowledge is all a local to me, Salem and Marblehead.

But I do know that you can get a lot of useful information by making a quick call to a local harbor master. Even if you call one who's harbor is full they will be able to tell you nearby harbors that have space available.

[JimConlin]

In those parts, moorings are in short supply and therefore not cheap. The fact that you don't need a lot of water (2 feet?) is in your favor.

Start with the harbormasters in East Greenwich, Wickford and Jamestown.

[T.A.R.]

In Wickford you could try Pleasent Street Wharf. Most towns have mooring lists 20years long. But, do try the towns because you never know. The draft helps alot.

[Woxbox]

Seriously, that's not such a big boat. I would trailer-sail it some more. Once you get used to the routine, it will become a lot easier and less stressful to launch and retrieve it. Plus, cheaper. A lot cheaper. Plus, you won't get the bottom all gunked up. Plus, you won't be worrying every time the weather gets nasty and your boat is out there on its mooring miles away. Plus, you'll be doing maintenance when you wouldn't be sailing anyway, and sailing wherever you want to.

But if you're not convinced, talk to the Woods Hole Yacht Club and see what they might have to offer.

[Carlsboats]

If you want to consider Mystic CT, I can give you a name or two, including a laid-back place on the Mystic River that might have space
at a price below the charges you see at the usual commercial spots.

[Figment]

I hesitate to dampen your spirits, but really I think you're nuts.

I would be completely blown away if you actually managed to use the boat twice a month when located three hours away. Last year I barely used my boat twice a month and it was only 40 minutes away. Even if you spend friday night on the boat so that you have the whole of saturday to enjoy it, you'll still need to be back on the road early sunday afternoon. Essentially six hours on the road for one day of sailing, and you'll have maybe six such days over the course of the summer.

Keep the boat close to home where you can use it on a whim, the boat that wins is the boat that gets used the most!

[Mhija]

Since your boat is shallow draft, there may be space for you at the
northwest corner of Greenwich bay near the town of Apponaug which is part of Warwick, which kind of wraps around E. Greenwich. There is a small river that runs into the bay there and a laid back marina where many moons ago I found a dock for an 18' sailboat that drew about 4'. I had to watch the tides when entering or exiting the narrow channel there ( read as I ran aground a time or two..) but I was thrilled to find a dock space anywhere in RI..... Best of luck.:)

[BillyBudd]

Currently we're an hour from our mooring and we sail at least once, often twice a week. That's being "nuts" about sailing.

Would like to know names of places.

[David W Pratt]

in Wickford has a mooring field (401-295-4600).
Good luck.