Block Island Trip

  • Thread starter Thread starter blouderback
  • Start date Start date
Everyone here is trying to save you and your family from getting over your head and in lots of trouble.
I have friends that have been boating around long Island for a lot of years and have 25 to 26 cuddy cabins and won't go with out another boat or two.
There is a camp ground in east hampton called cedar point its right on the water really nice place to camp my favorite for sure,kids and family will love it.
Putting your boat in water will cost but you can walk along beautiful beach and swim and fish,also can anchor over night in cove if weather conditions are good.
I did a lot of boating from there to shelter island,sag harbor ,greenport,plenty to do all around.
You should have spent the extra $$$ for the 21 cuddy cabin much better boat.
 
"Obviously, a 21' bowrider would not fair well in the conditions above. I would never venture out in that kind of weather. That's why I'm inquiring about camping in the area of LI and southern CT or RI, and then waiting for that perfect day to make a quich 45 minute run over to Block Island, maybe stop in and get an ice cream, and then return 2 or 3 hours later.

I would think that I could watch weather reports and find a 4-5 hour window that would allow me to do this, no?"

No, the weather reports are not that accurate - nor would I trust them. On the very day that picture of the Ferry was taken, I was boating and swimming in the west passage in flat calm water. You could leave port in mill pond conditions and have that kick up half way there - then what Bob?

Yes, I have seen boats smaller than 21' at BI (truth be known I once made the trip in a 13' Whaler and will tell you it was stupid) and I often think they are taking a big roll of the dice.

My boat is designed for offshore fishing and is fully rigged for it (read multiple GPS, multiple VHF's, EPIRB, life raft, etc) and I have been boating the NE waters since I was born. I will tell you there have been times I left BI, turned around left my boat there and either flew back or took the ferry.
 
"Everyone here is trying to save you and your family from getting over your head and in lots of trouble."

Almost everyone, I say go for it, what the heck you only live once. :) These guys don't have a clue,I saw pictures in a book and the Block Island Sound is like a bath tub. I bet more people slip on a bar of soap in the shower and die than people that die going to block in a very seaworthy boat like yours.

They are just jealous because you are the adventureous type. Hey, I am sure your boat can do close to 40 miles an hour, so what are we talking about a 15 minute ride? Gees, what could happen in 15 minutes.

Just make sure you have lot's of gear, gas, and people on board, the more weight the more stable your boat will be. If you don't have a VHF radio don't worry, those things are way overated, a good cell phone is all you need. Bring plenty of beer and have a few brews before you set sail (I reccomend no less than a six pack) this will losen you up.

Also, since you will be traveling during the day you won't need any flares, a good mirror is great to have I have heard. I think it is good because on a windy day your hair will get messed up, you don't want to have messy hair when you are taking pictures of your first trip to Block.

Oh, almost forgot, for your safety and the safety of your crew bring plenty of sun block, the sun can be a real killer.

Walter
 
Walter,

I think you're pulling my leg, but, you do have a few good points. On a calm day, I think I could make it there in 30-45 minutes, so you are right, what could happen in that short time? Also, good suggestion on the sunblock, and gear/gas.

The boat won't be overloaded. It'll have 2 adults and 2 children, full tank of gas, and standard safety gear. I will watch/listen to the weather reports before and during the adventure. I have a VHF, GPS, and a plain ol' compass and charts (now that you all helped me figure out how to read them!). I think my cell phone (and my wife's) will probably get a signal the whole way there and back, so there's a comm backup or two. I have 2 ski tubes that can be used in an emergency. The bow cover will be snapped in place. ALL (including me) will be wearing life vests. I'll leave a float plan so that SAR will know when and where to start looking.

What else should I do?

Some of you say I shouldn't do this without any ocean-going experience. How does one gain this type of experience?
 
The cool thing is that we can all sell our expensive ocean going boats, buy a 21 foot bowrider with no advanced electronic gear or seakeeping ability, and go out into the deep ocean anyway. God will freeze the weather so winds will not whip up in fifteen minutes, and the weather radio will now always be correct. We are all stupid, and Bob is leading the way to enlightenment. Think of the dough we will save!

Bob clearly has no understanding that a flat calm can turn into 5 foot seas, merely on a fifteen minute tide change. Add in some opposing wind, now you have eight foot seas on a bright clear blue sky day. Mix in a fog drop and that nice day has just turned into a horror show within fifteen minutes.

Bob is 10 miles offshore and can't turn back, so he continues and things get worse. Soon Bob is praying and he wishes he had never got into boating in the first place. Bob does not understand most of us on here have been through this in our BIG boats.

And oh yeah, things are now SO bad, if he makes it by miracle, he has to leave his boat at Block for two weeks and take the ferry back. His kids are now so terrified they will NEVER go out in his boat again.

We have told him all this before, yet he ignores us. Scary indeed.
 
If you're not convinced by what has been said, consider this: You go ahead, take the 21 and defy the Gods.

The first wave that you're looking into..not at mind you, but into...it's a pretty greenish-blue...and then swamps your bow will more than convince your family this was not a good idea on your part.

But don't believe anything that's advised....we're compulsive liars.
 
Hey Bob...........Question: Know why you'll never see a 21' bow rider at Block Island ????

Answer:....BECAUSE THEY NEVER MAKE IT THERE !!!!!!!
 
"Some of you say I shouldn't do this without any ocean-going experience. How does one gain this type of experience?"

Scroll up and read my post about boating in Narragansett Bay. How did I start boating offshore? Fortunately I was born intom a boating family and learned much from my father. Still when I was boating on my own, I stuck to the bay for a while to learn and gain experience. My first few YEARS offshore, I either had an offshore experienced Captain on board or I was part of a flotilla of fishing boats - i.e. buddy boats.
 
quote:
On a calm day, I think I could make it there in 30-45 minutes, so you are right, what could happen in that short time?
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One thing that I don't think has been mentioned is the area from Montauk to Block is strongly affected by tidal currents. Picture going through an inlet with wind against tide, but for 17 miles. Conditions can change dramatically in an hour or less if the tide changes. If you do make the trip do not go if the wind is against the tide (especially strong wind or swells from the south against an outgoing tide), with any kind of wind you'll come across tidal rips with breaking waves.

John
 
quote:
Originally posted by blouderback

Walter,

I have 2 ski tubes that can be used in an emergency.

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Bob...

A fews ago, my wife and I, sis, and bro-in-law were in the Apostle island chain in Lake Superior. Big water, but the benefit of islands spaced out every few miles. Water on average is about 150-200' and is about 50 degrees year round...hypothermia in twenty minutes.

Departure from marina was clear blue skies, slight breeze out of the NW...near calm condiions, so I pushed the boat into a comfortable 30kt cruise speed. A couple of hours later, we're near the boundary islands staring right at the heart of Lake Superior, meaning, a very long fetch of water for the wind to use.

About 30 minutes later...off to the NW is a cloud bank building and the light breeze is stiffening. I figure I've got about 1 hour til all hell breaks loose.

Turned the boat for the nearest marina about 20 miles off, and firewalled the throttle. I'm doing near 60 mph. As soon as we hit the marina channel, heavy rains, high winds and near zero visibility are on us. That was a twenty minute run, Bob. Mother fooled me...I figured an hour.
 
Walter........His boat is fine.........but his oars leak !!
 
Bob, snapping the canvas cover over the bow secton will not keep the water out, it will collapse under the weight of the green water. I've done Block, MV, and Nantucket. No one seems to have mentioned the large ships and speeding sportfishermen that are zipping around. When you're socked in fog, and a LARGE Ship's foghorn goes off, you won't know the direction or distance from the ship and believe me, your wife will not be amused. Apparently you must make this trip, so camp on Cape Cod and zip over to MV on a calm day, there are spots where it's only a couple miles. In the past, I've taken leaky 12' aluminum boats with a 9.9hp engine, and an 18' trihull bowrider from Sandy Hook to NYC many, many times. Crossing to Block in your boat is a dramatically different proposition, and one that no one would recommend.
 
See guys, you're all missing the big picture here(all except my friend Walter). Remember on one of Bob's other posts how he let it slip that he was going to outlive his wife? This is how he plans to do it!
Greg
 
quote:
Originally posted by Gregory Saracco

See guys, you're all missing the big picture here(all except my friend Walter). Remember on one of Bob's other posts how he let it slip that he was going to outlive his wife? This is how he plans to do it!
Greg

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If/When Flounder decides to do this, can I bring the booze and munchies and ride with one of you guys to watch? ;)
 
This has ended up just like the troll a few weeks ago about chart reading. He does not want an answer, just wants to argue and stir sh!t, then take the position that everyone is dumping on him when is given sound advice.
Bob, just take Walter's advice and go, just go by yourself, no need to involve your innocent family.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Msibley

quote:
Originally posted by Gregory Saracco

See guys, you're all missing the big picture here(all except my friend Walter). Remember on one of Bob's other posts how he let it slip that he was going to outlive his wife? This is how he plans to do it!
Greg

Click to expand...


If/When Flounder decides to do this, can I bring the booze and munchies and ride with one of you guys to watch? ;)

Click to expand...
Mike, Your on!!!
now i now why he's named Bob - because that's what he will be doing in the water
 
Another question.

After Flounder founders...who gets salvage rights for motor parts?
 
quote:
Originally posted by Msibley

quote:
Originally posted by Gregory Saracco

See guys, you're all missing the big picture here(all except my friend Walter). Remember on one of Bob's other posts how he let it slip that he was going to outlive his wife? This is how he plans to do it!
Greg

Click to expand...


If/When Flounder decides to do this, can I bring the booze and munchies and ride with one of you guys to watch? ;)

Click to expand...


Absolutely. Although you will probably be much more comfortable on Abalmuth's boat as my CC certainly has no where near the amenitites that he has.

Although, I could probably out run him.
 
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