Good Marina in Martha's Vineyard

Post by **dougl33** » Mon May 16, 2005 6:01 am

On our way back from Nantucket in July we are contemplating staying in Martha's Vineyard for a night or 2. Since I haven't been to the Vineyard by boat since I was a kid I was wondering if anyone had any marina recommendations. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA

Brian Davin · Post by **Brian Davin** » Mon May 16, 2005 7:38 am

Doug, I've stayed in Oak Bluffs before, town slips are managed by harbor master's office (small office on pier as you enter harbor), I believe. Most all slips back into a bulkhead with boarding from the stern. Not sure if there is a specific Marina in harbor or not (they may be part of the 2 gas docks). Edgartown has small marina you could possibly try. Vineyard Haven has small marina too. All three harbors give easy access to their town by foot and there are schuttle buses between these three towns too, I believe. I'd go for Oak Bluffs myself, you have a lot to do, you're half way between Vineyard Haven and Edgartown and you have the Ginger bread houses to walk around and admire. Brian '90 Bertram 33' FBC Never Say Never Westbrook, CT

Sean B · Post by **Sean B** » Tue May 17, 2005 5:12 am

I've been at Oak Bluffs several times on my buddy's boat. Always had a good time there. Sean Burlingham "Island Time" 1987 Bertram 33 SF Melbourne, FL

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Wed May 18, 2005 2:38 am

Doug, Are you looking for a slip or mooring ? I'm over there all the time and if you have a dingy, I'd stay on a mooring. In Oak Bluffs moorings are first come, first serve. But they allow you to raft up with other boats if all the moorings are taken. The # for the Harbormaster is: 508-693-4355. The Monster Shark Tournament is July 14-16, so you won't have to worry about that crowd. In Edgartown they have blue moorings that are first come, first serve but you can also reserve them, call: 508-627-4746, ask for Charlie. If you take your dingy directly south in Edgartown Harbor you'll end up at the south side of Wasque, a wide open sandy beach that has great swimming. Vineyard Haven isn't a bad take either, pretty much moorings only and it's a dry town....so BYOB. Grab a nice bottle of wine and dine at LeGrenier, a nice French Restuarant with great steaks and deserts. For reservations call: 508-693-4906 If you're taking kids, I'd stick with either OB or Edgartown. Buy gas before you get to the Vineyard, there's 2 places in Falmouth that have the lowest prices....Edwards Boat Yard - 508-548-2216 (I just paid $2.57/Gal for 89 Octane) or East Marine 508-548-2216. I'd call both before filling, they seem to alternate week to week on being the lowest price. East Marine has 87 Oct, but they wanted $2.88/gallon for it on Monday. Take Care, Rick

Brian Davin · Post by **Brian Davin** » Wed May 18, 2005 5:40 am

Rick, I was looking at the picture of your boat and was curious if you keep the boat in Green Pond, East Falmouth? Brian '90 Bertram 33' FBC Never Say Never Westbrook, CT

Post by **dougl33** » Wed May 18, 2005 8:28 am

Rick and Brian, Thanks for the tips. I'm kind of partial to slips rather than moorings so we'll see how it goes. It all depends on what Bill and I agree to do on our way back North. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA

Bob S · Post by **Bob S** » Wed May 18, 2005 12:21 pm

I have stayed at Edgartown, OB and Vineyard Haven and now only go to Vineyard Haven Marina. They are on the internet. It is a small place and they sort fit you in amongst larger yachts but Liz and Wendy are great. We plan at least 2 trips there a summer and always have a great time.

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Wed May 18, 2005 12:48 pm

Brian, That's where I keep it, have you been there ? Doug, All 3 ports have their unique qualities, you can't go wrong with any of them. OB will probably have more slips. Take Care, Rick

Brian Davin · Post by **Brian Davin** » Wed May 18, 2005 1:01 pm

Rick, I knew it looked familiar. I worked at Green Pond boat yard for 7 summers growing up. My family owned a house on Green Pond, Seatucket Road off of Davisville Road, from 1968 - 2000. In fact, I initially commuted to work at the boat yard in my 8 foot hydroplane. My wife and I own a house in Great Harbors. Are you year round on the Cape or Seasonal? I still know several people around there. Brian '90 Bertram 33' FBC Never Say Never Westbrook, CT

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Wed May 18, 2005 1:28 pm

Brian, Small world ! We're seasonal, but hope it's permanent someday. For now, we just go down there and stay on the boat. This will be our 5th summer in Green Pond and we really like the area. Do you plan to be around there this summer ? Take Care, Rick

Brian Davin · Post by **Brian Davin** » Thu May 19, 2005 4:05 am

Rick, We lease out our house year round in Great Harbors, but plan on coming to the Cape once or twice this summer. I'm contemplating doing the mini-Nantucket rendezvous at the end of July, so if we do, I'd probably stop over in Falmouth. Do you own the slip there or just lease it out for the summer? I might know a couple of people with boats at Green Pond --- does Kevin Andrade or Steve Augusta keep their boats there now? Brian '90 Bertram 33' FBC Never Say Never Westbrook, CT

Post by **dougl33** » Thu May 19, 2005 4:18 am

I think we're shifting our focus to something a bit low key since we'll be spending a week at Nantucket. Does anyone have any experience with Red Brook Harbor? It looks like a pretty neat place. Quiet and out of the way. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA

lobsta1 · Post by **lobsta1** » Thu May 19, 2005 4:53 am

Doug, Someone else will jump in on this, I've stayed there a few times. DO NOT stray outside of the channel markers. If you stay there, make dinner reservations as soon as you check in. Good restaurant & very busy. One time there in my old Sea Ray as I was approaching the fuel dock in a 25 kt wind, tranny locked up in reverse. Reversed around the harbor until I could get in position up wind from an empty mooring & then cut the engine & hope I had it figured right. That was when I found out about the little corroding ball behind the shift lever in a Borg Warner tranny. Al 1978 33 FBC NITES OFF

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Thu May 19, 2005 4:56 am

Brian, I own it. I thought I was crazy (and my wife did too!) when I bought it but it's turned out to be one of our best investments! Kevin & Steve are there, I saw Steve last weekend. Both great guys. In fact a lot of good people on the docks, a nice place to be.

Post by **dougl33** » Thu May 19, 2005 5:00 am

Thanks Al. According to my marina guide book there appears to be 2 marinas in Red Brook. Which marina are you talking about? It also says that Old Horseshoe Beach is a short dinghy ride away. Is that true? Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA