Favorite Harbors and Anchorages

We have been on the water and cruising for many years on three different sail boats and now a trawler.  In that time we have enjoyed numerous coves, harbors, anchorages and marinas.   This page is devoted to naming and describing some of our favorites.

MID-COAST OF MAINE
We have spent many weeks in Maine on our sloop GLORY and intend to return soon on the trawler.  There are endless coves, harbors, and villages...way too many to name.  But here are three pictures from our cruises there.
A common scene in Mid-coast Maine

At anchor in Blue Hill inner anchorage

GLORY (blue hull) off Great Diamond Island

COECLES HARBOR,  Shelter Island, NY
This one is no secret, but it is a great anchorage.  Protection is good from almost all points, but especially from the SE and SW.  Beaches are very nice and part of a preserve.  Depths are between 5 and 15 feet.  On a very busy summer day there may be 30 boats anchored and there is no feeling of being crowded.  At the head of the harbor is the Coecles Harbor Marina and Boatyard, where among other things the Billy Joel line of downeast boats are built.  On the east side of the harbor is the famed Rams Head Inn where dining is elegant and expensive.
A corner of Coecles Harbor on a breezy July weekend


BARNEGET BAY, New Jersey
The inlet to this wonderful harbor has a mixed reputation.  We have entered in fog, small sea running and calm.  The only real challenge in our experience was the bar at the very mouth of the inlet which can throw up a few feet of surging water.  Once past that it is more than amply deep.  The anchorage is to the  south of the light.  We have never seen more than a few boats here (probably owing to the bad rep of the inlet), but we have found it calm and protected from the SE and S and SW breezes.  It would be wide open to northerlies.  Beaches are gorgeous.  Holding has always been good in less than 10 feet of water.

Looking northeast from the Anchorage to the light.



EDGARTOWN HARBOR, Martha's Vineyard, MA
A favorite of just about everyone who has called here.  Anchorage space is not as great as it was some years ago.  A storm a few years back breached the Katama Beach and as a result there is now a pretty good current in the harbor.  Further the number of moorings is reduced for the same reason.  Once you are there you will find the launch service, water barge, fuel docks and other services to be first rate.  The village is a shoppers dream for just about anything but food.  For groceries you will need to take a taxi to the Stop and Shop.

We have been here in some good blows and never really felt at risk, but the NE blows do challenge an anchor.

Too many good restaurants to list them.

In 2011 a mooring was $40 per night.  There are no slips available.

In the Edgartown mooring field

DUTCH HARBOR BOAT YARD, Jamestown RI
This harbor has good protection from most points.  Over 60 moorings for transient and seasonal renters.  Easily approached from the West Passage of Narragansett Bay.  We based CODA here for the 2011 season.  Services include launch, showers/heads, The Shack for light breakfast and lunch menu, trash, water and pumpout.  All in all, a nice setup staffed by well-trained and pleasant people.  Usually calm but with breezes over 15 it can get rolly.

Dutch Harbor south mooring field from the service dock.