Day One: Cape Cod Circumnavigation
Posted by Joe Kelly on Fri, Aug 19, 2011 @ 06:19 AM
A perfect day on the Skiff!
After packing up the boat at the shop in Marshfield, MA we took the boat down to the water. We put the boat into the water at a marina in Plymouth, MA. By the time I had stowed my gear on the boat, did my final check on making sure I had everything and put my life jacket on it was 7:30am.
We knew the biggest weather issue for the day was the strong south westerly that would start to pick up as the day went on. As I drove the boat out of Plymouth harbor it was blowing about 10 knots and the seas had not had time to start to build much chop. I turned the corner near Plymouth light house and took off going south towards the Cape Cod Canal.
The trip down to the Canal took about an hour and a half. The boat averaged about 20 knots. During this leg of the trip I had my morning coffee and a breakfast sandwich with a big smile on my face.
10 more miles until the Cape Cod Canal
I knew that I would be going against the current in the Canal. When planning the trip we were faced with the option of leaving early and missing the heavier wind in the late afternoon from the sea breeze but having current with us in the canal or we could have done the opposite. We chose early trip but LOTS of current. As we went through the canal there were 4-5 foot standing waves that were built up by the water rushing through. These rough patches though are easy to dodge as long as you are willing to dodge back and forth.
After going through the canal I wanted to fill up on gas. I took the boat into Onset. This is a small town just west of the Canal. The Onset Bay Marina staff was very nice and had lots of questions about the skiff. At the gas dock I put in 4 gallons or a little under a quarter of a tank.
Onset Bay
I left Onset around 11am and headed out into Buzzards Bay going towards Woods Hole. Buzzards Bay is notorious in a South West breeze for being choppy. It lived up to its reputation yet again!!!!! After a 15 mile slog up the bay going due south west I turned the boat into Woods Hole. I had the current going with me and shot half way through Woods Hole. I decided to take a break near the Woods Hole Oceangraphic Institute and the Steamship Authority Ferry Terminal before the last 5 miles to the Vineyard.
Woods Hole
After the little break in Woods Hole I took off for the last leg of the day. I pulled into Vineyard Haven on Martha's Vineyard around 2:30pm. I made a quick stop at the Black Dog Marina docks to run in and grab a few supplies. I then took the boat over to Owen Park and tied up to the town dock. It is one of my favorite places to keep a boat for the night. Very protected and lots of beautiful boats to look at!!