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We are planning some overnights with our 268 Vista and are considering an excursion to Block Island from the Connecticut River. To the fellow members in the area who have made the trip, I have some questions:

I have been told to expect and prepare for foggy conditions and not to make the trip without having radar (We have GPS). What are your thoughts?
Should I be concerned about specific sea conditions on Block Island Sound?
Is it better to make the trip in the morning or afternoon?
About how long is the trip?
We need suggestions for a slip in a relatively quiet marina.

I appreciate any additional thoughts you may have. Thanks.

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2008 V338
Twin Volvo Penta 320hp DP

2002 268 Vista
1987 225 Sundowner
1986 170 Horizon
1975 Steury V415SS

Hey Special K -

I haven't done the trip yet but I'm always reading about it as I will be making it at some point. There is a lot of local knowledge posted in the Long Island section of Boater Ed - it's definitely worth searching and scanning as all of your questions are answered there. There is also an ongoing hammering there of a particular marina because of some bad experiences. In a nutshell, plan for fog even though you may not hit any. Plan for rough seas even if the Sound is calm when you're leaving the river. It sounds unpredictable at best but worth the trip - probably best to do with another boat your first time out.

If you make the trip I would love to hear your thoughts.

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

Made the trip two weeks ago. The trip over depends on the day. Sometimes its six foot seas, sometimes dead calm. We have encountered fog and do not have radar. I am not sure how you are as far as fog goes, but people have been traveling for many years in fog without radar. be sure to check the forcast for LI sound as well as Block Island sound. You can check here.
http://www.wunderground.com/MAR/AN/330.html
Sometimes you can run to the outside of Fishers Island, sometimes you should run inside. The later is usually more comfy. The run for us from Mystic is about 15-17 miles. It takes us about 1 hour 15 minutes from the Brewers yard in Mystic to the pond in Block. The last time we ran there it was about 3 footers there and about 2 coming back. Be mind full of the tides as well as the winds. If its too windy it will be choppy, not enough wind, usually = fog. Have a back up plan in case it gets crappy.
As far as marinas go, if you want quiet, call the Boat Basin. Always a private slip. We usually do the hook, but you can also get a mooring.
The most important thing to remember about the trip to Block is, Most will say its very hard to get to with out radar, take it slow and easy, dont rush and have a great time.

I have been there three times this season alone; my last was this past weekend. If you are not dropping a hook I would recommend Payne’s. They don’t take reservations but are easy to deal with, unlike Champlain’s, and very laid back. I call as I am heading out to see how busy they are.

Be watchful of the ferry’s especially the high speed ones; they are on top of you before you realize. The channel entrance is VERY narrow so stay within the markers; expect fog and hope for clear skies. Our second trip out this year it was clear when we left Mystic then we hit fog 3 miles off the island with very limited viability. We crawled in and at about 100 yards off the islands entrance marker we were surrounded by a dozen or so boats entering and several sail boats leaving following Race Week. The good news is most people who head out that way have half a brain and some boating knowledge too. I hope I didn’t detour you I made the trip from Clinton in a 22’ cuddy before; yes insanity may run in my family, that’s what happens when you grow up in Westerly, RI and as a teenager would make the crossing in a 13’ Whaler.

Enjoy, the island its is a great destination and don’t spend too much at Ballards, it is the definition of tourist trap.

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“Growing Older, But Not Up”
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2008 Four Winns V248
2004 Stingray 220CS