CT River - July 6 & 7

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Rick D

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Hi all.

I'm thinking of taking the family up the CT river the weekend of 7/6 to 7/7. Would like to spend a night on a mooring or in a slip... possibly at Andrews Marina.

Haven't been on the CT river before (in my boat)... is that weekend (following the 4th) likely to be crowded? How difficult to navigate is the CT river? What to watch out for? Recommendations of places to see/eat/stay?

Thanks,

--Rick
 
Rick,
the river is well marked and charted all the way up to Hartford...I don't know Andrews Marina so no feedback for you there...will warn you that the river on a holiday weekend is like I95 at rush hour...I make a point to head out to the Sound as early as possible and stay on the hook elsewhere for the duration. Up until last week all the rain had brought a lot of debris down...heavy rain again this week could start it up again. Bunch of possibilities: Anchor at Nott Island and dingy across to Essex, or tie up at Essex town dock if empty, head into Hamburg Cove and grab a mooring (could spend the night) Seldon Creek can be very interesting (your boat about the limit I'd take up there), Blue Oar restaurant up north of Haddam bridge, or all the way up to Middletown and tie up at Harbor Park / Canoe Club restaurant...
 
quote:
Originally posted by JoeBalt

Rick,
the river is well marked and charted all the way up to Hartford...I don't know Andrews Marina so no feedback for you there...will warn you that the river on a holiday weekend is like I95 at rush hour...I make a point to head out to the Sound as early as possible and stay on the hook elsewhere for the duration. Up until last week all the rain had brought a lot of debris down...heavy rain again this week could start it up again. Bunch of possibilities: Anchor at Nott Island and dingy across to Essex, or tie up at Essex town dock if empty, head into Hamburg Cove and grab a mooring (could spend the night) Seldon Creek can be very interesting (your boat about the limit I'd take up there), Blue Oar restaurant up north of Haddam bridge, or all the way up to Middletown and tie up at Harbor Park / Canoe Club restaurant...

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Thanks Joe.

Andrew's is nearly underneath the Haddam swing bridge. They have picnic area for fires and grills. Likely going to take the cruise up Saturday morning and stay in a slip for the night and head home Sunday. Will look into Essex as well. We have two teen kids that are going to want to go swimming and possibly bike around.

Just a bit apprehensive about the holiday weekend and navigating the river for the first time. Is the channel wide enough frequently to allow boats to pass if I choose to meander a a slow pace?

Thanks,
--Rick
 
Rick
Its wide enough, many areas are no wake so there are only "spurts" where there are tight conditions on weekends. There are always sailboats or trawlers going relatively slow, so its manageable. Just past Nott Island to the North is Hamburg cove; a nice relaxing place to grab a mooring to swim for the day. Protocol is grabbing a mooring and if anyone comes to claim your mooring, you move. It has happened to me once or twice in 10 years. There are also moorings you can rent for the day, if available. Even on a holiday weekend you can usually find something available. Good luck!

Jon
 
Andrews is a nice clean spot. You can walk across the brigde for a couple restuarants, Gelston`s (formal, Beer garden behind thay....not formal.. or La vit with good food and tbles outside. Ice cream parlor right up the hill. Or you can motor a mile up the river and tie up at the Blue Oar, byob. Don`t worry about the traffic.. there is plenty of room.
 
Yes, well marked and overall relatively wide channel...it will be busy this weekend, check your charts for the narrow areas, they are pretty evident, but other than those the river is very navigable. Hamburg Cove is a "go-to" destination for folks coming down the river and cruisers coming north. It will be a party scene this weekend, but if you find an open mooring you'll have enough elbow room...STAY IN THE MARKED CHANNEL...the cove entrance is very shallow outside the channel and every year someone will try to take a shortcut leaving to the North and ground...channel is wide, well marked and deep enough...no short cuts!
 
Came out the river yesterday, saw 3 or 4 logs, not bad compared to a couple weeks ago. On the hook in the salt pond now having the third coffee before going in to get a clamming license......got a craving for some casino or stuffed clams
 
quote:
Originally posted by mx8

Came out the river yesterday, saw 3 or 4 logs, not bad compared to a couple weeks ago. On the hook in the salt pond now having the third coffee before going in to get a clamming license......got a craving for some casino or stuffed clams

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Sorry to hear that about the CT river. Might try another attempt at going up it 7/20. Thinking of the 2nd or 3rd week in August for a first attempt over to Block. Should be less crowded then and I have time in my schedule before school starts up for the kids.

--Rick
 
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