Trip from Long Island to RI

J

jbboater

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Joined
Oct 14, 2001
RO Number
6434
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I am bringing my new to me 36' Express home Sunday. It is 1996 with a little over 400 hours. Port engine is fresh. Anyway. I plan on running the most direct route up the middle of Long Island sound. I have planned the route through Chart Navigator and it seems fine. i am curios if anyone with local knowledge sees any problems with my plan. Also looking for input on a place to refuel 1/2 to 3/4 along the way preferably on the CT side. I will have on board fluids for cooling, v drive, transmission, steering and engine. i also have spare fuel and oil filter, belts and raw water impeller kits. Installed new vhf and antenna. A net book loaded with the chart navigator with a gps antenna will back up the installed plotter. My phone with Navionics east and paper chart will also be on board. I know it sounds like overkill but I'd rather be prepared. So, what did I miss and does anyone see any problems with my plan. did I mention this will also serve as my sea trail of the boat? Any feedback of marinas along the way in case of problems would be appreciated as well.

I have a pdf of the chart with trip marked but i cannot figure out how to attach it.
 
A trip through Long Island Sound is easy, so long as the weather is good. West winds are the best, looks like it will be out of the north and a bit gusty. You should run closer to the CT shore. Watch out for rocks and shallow water close to shore. The sound is well marked, just follow the buoys.

Good stop for fuel is on CT River, right after breakwater on port side.

Up the river from them is Essex Boat Works, if you need repairs. Any of the Brewer yards would be a good stop for overnight or repairs.

Do you have Sea Tow or BUS towing coverage?

If not, get it..
 
The middle of the sound is fine but if you wind is coming from th north

I always refuel at pt Judith marina, usually best price around, as much as 40c cheaper. Easy in and out, some current but predictable
 
quote:
Originally posted by jbboater

I know it sounds like overkill

Click to expand...

I respectfully disagree. It sounds to me like you are responsibly prepared.

Have a safe trip.
 
Another thing I would add would be to have off line access to Active captain data in case to need to come in somewhere for repairs or if he weather changes on you

The best way to get it is navimatic charts n tides on your phone, or PolarNavy on a PC...
 
Your list is good. Make sure to have basic tools, PFDs, Flares and an EPIRB. Boat US will rent one to you if you don't have one.

This is a fairly easy trip in good weather. The Sound can be nasty in the wrong wind.

Good luck and enjoy.
 
As stated above, wind direction and speed will play a factor.
In our area you don't want a strong east or west wind. If the tide is working against the wind it can stack up tight and tall because of the shoals and contrast of the water depths.
You will be traveling east so avoid a strong east or north east wind. If you boat handles good in a following sea southwest and north west won't be so bad. I've had to argument about the wind coming out of the east or west before and it depends on where you are in LIS. Bridgeport west isn't bad I hear. Newhaven east to at least fishers island it's not fun.
I know a guy in a 70 footer who wisely decided to stay put in westbrook while traveling south with strong winds coming from the west.

Bottom line, if you have good visibility and light winds you'll enjoy the trip

If you need help in the Westbrook / Madison / Clinton area Cedar Island Marina has a great staff and nice facilities.
 
where in portsmouth is home? Are you at NEB?

As everyone has stated, fairly straight forward trip running the sound inside. Your list sounds pretty complete - handheld vhf wouldn't hurt but your cell should work everywhere in the sound if your main vhf goes out.
 
Thanks for the help and tips everyone. I will keep an eye on the weather. I think I'll also plot a course closer to shore just in case. I was not aware there was a way to use active captain offline, I'll have to look into that after work tonight. I have seatow, never had a need and hope to be able to say that Monday :). Tim, we are on a mooring in Blue Bell Cove just off Spectacle Island. We spent may years at Brewers, I found we use the boat more being on a mooring. Thanks again everyone. I'll let you know how the trip went.
 
jb, you don't say where you are actually starting from, so not sure exactly where the 1/2 - 3/4 marks are for you...if you are hugging the CT coast and it fits your distance profile, there are fairly convenient and protected fuel docks, from west to east, in Clinton (Cedar Island), Westbrook (Brewers Yard, just NE of Duck Island), Saybrook (CT River - Harbor 1 at saybrook point, more up river)...after that they become a little less convenient...New London (heavier and larger boat traffic), Noank/Mystic (if going inside Fishers Island), Stonington (again, if inside FI)...after that I would say Pt Judith. I think all the areas I mentioned do have restaurants close by, so could incorporate a lunch stop in with your refuel...enjoy the trip, looks like decent weather.
 
I promised I'd update so here it is. We got off the dock at 9:30 am. The boat performed well for the first 40 minutes. Since this was the first time out I was scanning the gauges constantly. I noticed the port oil pressure was slowing dropping. Once it hit 20 I stopped to investigate. As soon as I opened the hatch I noticed the bilge had a lot of oil in it. So we headed to CT on the starboard engine in hopes of finding a Brewer Yard since a Brewer yard just replaced said motor for the PO. The closet one was 40 miles away so I ended up leaving her at Palmer Point In Cos Cob. They will have a mechanic look at it tomorrow. Hopefully it is only a line or something simple like that. It makes me wonder since the reason the engine needed replaced was a broken oil line. You don't think they could have forgot to replace the failed line?? They wouldn't do that would they?

So had to call future son in law to drive 3 hours to pick us up. :(
 
Sorry to hear you had trouble but glad to hear you were paying careful attention and may have saved your motor from major damage.

Best of luck with the repair and the rest of your journey.
 
sorry to hear of your troubles but nice work keeping an eye on things before it got worse.

Hopefully you'll be in RI this coming week or weekend.
 
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