Martha's Vinyard

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Talisman
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Martha's Vinyard

Anyone get into Menemsha Pond or Tashmoo Lake in Martha's Vinyard?  Anchor?  Mooring?

Enrique
Talisman
1998 36 MK2 Hull #1673
Tall Rig Wing Keel
M35BC engine
Old Saybrook, CT Summer
South Glastonbury, CT Winter
 

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Chachere
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Posts: 825

Enrique -
   For many years, Menemsha Pond has been officially closed to overnight anchoring by the town --- and I strongly doubt that you could navigate through the channel into it, anyway, even at high tide.    As a teenager, I was in there way back in 1969 on a family member's 30' boat, and it was dicey; and its now many years that the channel has not been dredged (indeed, the channel bouys marking the passage have been removed).  Even when we dingy in to explore the pond -- a fun trip! - we've noticed how shallow the passage is.
   Moorings at Menemsha harbor are available, however.   There are 2 moorings -- only for sailboats -- inside the tiny harbor, at which there will always be 3 boats rafted on each (i.e., a total of 6 slots available)   There are additional moorings just outside the harbor in the cove off the beach  -- we were on one just 3 nights ago (see photo).  One can also anchor outside, off the beach, as well, good holding in sand.
   The inside moorings are obviously more desirable -- the outer ones can get rolly (try springing the rode if it is) -- and tend to go quickly.  The harbormaster won't take reservations until the morning of the day you are planning to arrive.  The trick is to place a telephone call as soon as the harbormaster's office opens at 7:00 am (if you call at 7:01 am, the phone will likely already be busy with other candidates!).  
  I've never tried Tashmoo (long on the bucket list), but I've been told by local sailors that its do-able.  Downside is that its far from anything (but that can also be a good thing, of course).
   Enjoy!
- Matthew
 

Matthew Chachère
s/v ¡Que Chévere!
(Formerly 1985 C36 MKI #466 tall rig fin keel M25)
2006 Catalina Morgan 440 #30.
Homeported in eastern Long Island, NY

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Talisman
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Joined: 12/26/07
Posts: 243

Matthew thank you.  This is the info I was hoping for.  What do you mean by "springing the rode"?

Enrique
Talisman
1998 36 MK2 Hull #1673
Tall Rig Wing Keel
M35BC engine
Old Saybrook, CT Summer
South Glastonbury, CT Winter
 

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Chachere
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Joined: 10/27/10
Posts: 825

Its a technique for turning your boat into the waves while anchored, if the wind is coming from a different direction.  Helps if things are "rolly".

Basically, you hitch a spare line onto the anchor rode, lead it back to a primary winch. tighten it, and then ease off the rode until the boat is heading into the waves.   You can then make further adjustments by easing off or hauling in the line thats running to the winch.
 
By sheer serendipity, the latest issue of Mainsheet (Fall 2016) has a write-up of this technique on page 6, which has a nice diagram that should make this clear. 

Matthew Chachère
s/v ¡Que Chévere!
(Formerly 1985 C36 MKI #466 tall rig fin keel M25)
2006 Catalina Morgan 440 #30.
Homeported in eastern Long Island, NY

Talisman
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Joined: 12/26/07
Posts: 243

Thanks again

Enrique
Talisman
1998 36 MK2 Hull #1673
Tall Rig Wing Keel
M35BC engine
Old Saybrook, CT Summer
South Glastonbury, CT Winter
 

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