Cape Cod marina recommendations

[Tomfoolery]

We're going to spend a week in the 'elbow' of Cape Cod this summer, in or around Brewster. The admiral suggested we trailer the boat there, which is fine by me.

Can anyone recommend a marina I could slip the boat in for the duration? Being that there isn't anything on the Cape Cod Bay side in the near vicinity, that leaves Pleasant Bay, Chatham Harbor, Stage Harbor, or maybe Barnstable Harbor on the north shore, but west of Brewster. And protected water isn't a bad thing, as I'll have a variety of passengers, including my 1-1/2 year old granddaughter at times, and my boys and I would be the only ones enjoying spirited sailing.

Suggestions for interesting sailing areas and places where I could beach the boat, or anchor and wade, would be most welcome, too.

[Tomfoolery]

Nothing?

<crickets>

[npsrangerchuck]

I'd also consider looking into Onset as well. Don't know what may be available as far as a marina (terrific anchorage though) but it offers great protection, a really cool little "town" area (good for walking) and quick access to Buzzards Bay for long-reach sailing...

It's old school Cape, with fewer crowds and some great charm. Also avoids having to battle the vehicle traffic over the Bourne or Sagamore Bridge, which in summer, can be a real turn off!

[Tomfoolery]

Thanks for the suggestion, but the admiral wants to be near Brewster. Our oldest is coaching in the Cape Cod League (top level college summer league) this summer, and will be based there. So the boat should be near. Onset is close to an hour away.

Bass River Marina looks like it's not too far. Less than $500 for a week for a 26 footer. About 20 minutes away. But I'd have to drop the mast to get under the bridge every time, as it looks like a fixed bridge at 15 ft clearance.

[Tomfoolery]

Bump, in case anyone with ideas didn't see it.

Nauset Marina may be a possibility, though I may have to use a mooring. And ramp launch - I was hoping to use a Travelift so I don't have to dunk my original steel trailer in salt water.

http://www.nausetmarine.com/marina/

[Harry van der Meer]

I suggest you eliminate Chatham. It is a very dangerous harbor with strong currents and shifting sands. It's fun to watch it from near the Chatham Light house. Great town to visit though.

[Catigale]

I've done Barnstable. Very strong currents and 10 foot tides. The flats are amazing but you better be back on board on the flood. My stay is on the other end of course.

[Tomfoolery]

Well, I booked Nauset Marine East, north of Pleasant Bay (the outside of the 'elbow in Cape Cod) in Meeting House Pond. About as far north as you can go in that water. Moorings only, but that's ok, as long as I don't stay out too late and miss the launch. But I have an embarrassingly tiny blow up 1-person (and probably not as big as me) dinghy I can stow, just in case.

Protected water all around, which most of my crew will like. Except my boys. But it will be different, that's for sure, starting with it being salt water, which I don't think this boat has ever seen.

There's a ramp, and trailer storage is included. Should be dock space for picking up and dropping off crew, as many wouldn't be able to manage getting out of a launch onto the X. Pleasant Bay looks to be about twice as long (N-S) as Irondequoit Bay, and I can have fun in Irondequoit Bay, so I should be able to keep folks busy in the protected waters. And there's always Nantucket Sound, if I can get away long enough to get there, and if the water isn't too big for the boat.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll follow up later this summer with a trip report.

[Catigale]

Tom...let me know if you want to borrow an Optimist sailing dinghy for the trip. Good for two kids or one adult

[Tomfoolery]

Thanks for the offer. As much as I'd love to play with a sailing dinghy, the admiral is already thinking a couple of hours at a time is plenty of time on the water. She thinks four hour on a boat is an eternity. And we're going to visit family primarily, so it's not really a boating trip.

I'm keeping the MMOR open as a sailing trip this summer. A solo sailing trip. Assuming they don't overlap.

[Catigale]

Thanks for the offer. As much as I'd love to play with a sailing dinghy, the admiral is already thinking a couple of hours at a time is plenty of time on the water. She thinks four hour on a boat is an eternity. And we're going to visit family primarily, so it's not really a boating trip.

I'm keeping the MMOR open as a sailing trip this summer. A solo sailing trip. Assuming they don't overlap.

It wasn't you I was thinking about for the Optimist. Have a great trip. Stop in Albany - perfect for your four hour break on the road, almost perfect half way point to the Sagamore Bridge