Planning on going to Martha's Vineyard midweek in July. Any advice on where to moor, anchor? Is the pond open at Vineyard Haven? Suggestions for a marina? We may want to stay at one for a night. Two adults. Where have you enjoyed your stay most?
Martha's Vineyard advice
- Thread starter Andy65
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Planning on being on the Vineyard for a couple of days in mid-July. Made reservations at Oak Bluffs marina. Have not been there before but will be meeting some friends there who say it is nice and "calmer" than Vineyard Haven.
Will you be picking up a mooring of staying at a slip?
Oak Bluffs has a 3 boat to a mooring rule, so if the moorings are all taken you have to allow other boats to raft up with you,, which can be a good thing or a bad thing. They have limited slips available which shouldn't be a problem during the week but on the weekends it can fill up pretty quick. There is more to do ashore in Oak Bluffs than at Vinyard Haven, IMO. The harbor is well protected also.
Vinyard Haven is a bit more laid back than Oak Bluffs if your looking for more quite. If you are looking for a mooring you want to try inside the breakwater first, there are moorings outside the break water also but it can get a little bumpy depending on wind direction.
I don't have any experience with Slips in Vinyard Haven so I can't help you there.
There is also Lake Tashmoo on the west side of the Vinyard, there are moorings there which are managed by the Vinyard Haven harbor master. A call ahead to the harbor master can get you more info.
Enjoy!
Dan.
Oak Bluffs has a 3 boat to a mooring rule, so if the moorings are all taken you have to allow other boats to raft up with you,, which can be a good thing or a bad thing. They have limited slips available which shouldn't be a problem during the week but on the weekends it can fill up pretty quick. There is more to do ashore in Oak Bluffs than at Vinyard Haven, IMO. The harbor is well protected also.
Vinyard Haven is a bit more laid back than Oak Bluffs if your looking for more quite. If you are looking for a mooring you want to try inside the breakwater first, there are moorings outside the break water also but it can get a little bumpy depending on wind direction.
I don't have any experience with Slips in Vinyard Haven so I can't help you there.
There is also Lake Tashmoo on the west side of the Vinyard, there are moorings there which are managed by the Vinyard Haven harbor master. A call ahead to the harbor master can get you more info.
Enjoy!
Dan.
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We have stayed at Oak Bluffs Marina in 2004 for a Formula rendezvous and got stuck there for a couple of extra days as Hurricane Charley passed by.
We took cabs to the rest of MV and had a great time
We felt secure in our slip with the 60-70 MPH winds –But there are no floating docks at the slip and you back up to a seawall with wooden ladders – no problem for people, big problem for dogs
We took cabs to the rest of MV and had a great time
We felt secure in our slip with the 60-70 MPH winds –But there are no floating docks at the slip and you back up to a seawall with wooden ladders – no problem for people, big problem for dogs
Quick run down of MV
Oak bluffs: as noted above by all. Slips and Moorings. Lively (sometimes too lively) night life, but great fun. Kids love the carousel and proximity of shops. Not much privacy in slips. There is a dink dock as noted above.
Vineyard Haven: More laid back slightly longer walk to town. Fairly quiet at night. small picturesque harbor. We usually stay at Tisbury Wharf comapany and have a beautiful view of the harbor and the Black Dog and Shannandoah swinging on their moorings. There are slips available from several marinas, but have found Tisbury Wharf company to be the most reasonable although a bit further (5mins) walk from town.
Edgartown: Classic MV. Great shops, food, and some fun nightlife.n Slips are prohibitive ($). Moorings are great. If you want peace, quiet get a mooring in the back field. Great place if you do not want or need to have a slip.
Menemsha: Quaint old fishing village on western portion of MV. Not much to do, but very relaxing. Take the dink and explore and order some fresh oyseters/lobsters and have dinner back on the boat. Slips here are available on a first come first serve basis call at 7am when harbormaster office opens.
Let me know if you have anyother specific ?'s
Ted
Oak bluffs: as noted above by all. Slips and Moorings. Lively (sometimes too lively) night life, but great fun. Kids love the carousel and proximity of shops. Not much privacy in slips. There is a dink dock as noted above.
Vineyard Haven: More laid back slightly longer walk to town. Fairly quiet at night. small picturesque harbor. We usually stay at Tisbury Wharf comapany and have a beautiful view of the harbor and the Black Dog and Shannandoah swinging on their moorings. There are slips available from several marinas, but have found Tisbury Wharf company to be the most reasonable although a bit further (5mins) walk from town.
Edgartown: Classic MV. Great shops, food, and some fun nightlife.n Slips are prohibitive ($). Moorings are great. If you want peace, quiet get a mooring in the back field. Great place if you do not want or need to have a slip.
Menemsha: Quaint old fishing village on western portion of MV. Not much to do, but very relaxing. Take the dink and explore and order some fresh oyseters/lobsters and have dinner back on the boat. Slips here are available on a first come first serve basis call at 7am when harbormaster office opens.
Let me know if you have anyother specific ?'s
Ted
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I second all the comments from TheoMD. I love Edgartown. The problem from a boat perspective is that the reserve moorings are a pretty good dingy run to town and for an expensive place, the facilities for boaters like showers, groceries, etc... stink. In addition, with the pond open to the sea, there was a pretty good current cooking thru the harbor. You can make mooring reservations on the website but they fill up fast. You could probably get a trasient mooring during the week without trouble as long as you arrive by around noon.
I have never stayed in Oak bluffs on a boat but would like to this summer. It is definitly the moust roudy of the towns. And the slips back right up to main street so I would not call it peaceful.
Vinyard Haven is much quieter with less to do. It is also a dry town if that matters.
Either way, you can't beat MV, it's beautiful and a great destination.
I have never stayed in Oak bluffs on a boat but would like to this summer. It is definitly the moust roudy of the towns. And the slips back right up to main street so I would not call it peaceful.
Vinyard Haven is much quieter with less to do. It is also a dry town if that matters.
Either way, you can't beat MV, it's beautiful and a great destination.
Here's the website for the Edgartown Harbormaster. I hope that you have a great trip!
http://www.edgartownharbor.com/index.php
http://www.edgartownharbor.com/index.php
Just got back from Edgartown....no problem getting a non-reservable blue mooring. Mid day Sat. they seemed full, but toward the evening a few opened up (day trippers seem to grab them). Showers OK, supplies are far (Stop and Sop is about a mile - but you can grab the free shuttle). Lots of current in the bay, can't swim at the mooring during full flow and the flow usually overpowers the wind so you may not get the best ventilation.
The overflow from the Monster Shark Tournament was a non issue. One of the launch companies makes a HUGE wake at times and the other uses the bow thruster grinding well into the AM hours.
Ahhh, if only I could have the quiet of Cuttyhunk and the town of Edgar.
The overflow from the Monster Shark Tournament was a non issue. One of the launch companies makes a HUGE wake at times and the other uses the bow thruster grinding well into the AM hours.
Ahhh, if only I could have the quiet of Cuttyhunk and the town of Edgar.