[Public-List] Block Island

[gordon white via Public-List]

     The discussion February 25th of the Albergs sailing offshore to 
Block Island and Mystic Seaport next year was certainly useful. A few 
thoughts:

     To sail from Cape Charles direct to Block Island imposes a likely 
two-day sail from the Annapolis area to leave the Bay at the Virginia 
capes, which just lengthens the time involved for those in the Upper Bay 
compared to going through the C&D Canal and offshore from Cape May. 
Also, Cape May Harbor, a place to re-fuel and possibly re-supply,  is 
very close to open water compared to Cape Charles Harbor, which is maybe 
20 miles from the open water.  The distance from Cape May to Block 
Island is 200 miles, or 2 days and nights at 4 kts compared to 320 miles 
and 3+ days and nights from Cape Charles. For those either short-crewed 
or older and with less endurance going round the clock, that is 
significant. We'd prefer to leave from Cape May

     Once in Long Island Sound, it would be a pity not to visit Newport, 
RI, a great sailing destination itself, as well as Mystic. And go up the 
Thames to look at the sub base at New London.

       Having been through New York several times, I have never found it 
that much of   challenge as long as you carry the tide with you through 
the East River. I have anchored in Gravesend Bay when it was convenient.

     Having used radar a number of times, I believe I'd opt for AIS 
instead, especially with a chart plotter to navigate among islands and 
buoys. I see that you can get an AIS transceiver that hooks to a 
chartplotter as the display for $580 at Boat US. Maybe cheaper on-line. 
I find that you have to look constantly at radar, it's pretty fuzzy for 
point to point navigation, uses a lot of power and adds weight aloft, as 
well as being expensive. And AIS puts out your location to big fast 
boats. There is a display of AIS on the West Marine web site at

_http:://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/centerx:-12/centery:25/zoom:4 _

     I also see you can buy an EPIRB for $470. At that price I might 
just buy one this year.

          - Gordon White

Brigadoon II