Sailing School- Rhode Island- Passage Making Itinerary and Curriculum

New England Passage Making Curriculum and Itinerary- Block Island, Cuttyhunk, Martha's Vineyard, Newport, Rhode Island

Day 1
After prepping the boat, i.e. jack lines, harnesses, life raft, lights, etc. we'll consult our charts, tide and current tables and choose from several wonderful options for our day one destination which include Wickford, Dutch Harbor or Jamestown. While underway we’ll cover man overboards, sail trim, piloting and fixes (both visual and GPS).We will sail under the Mount Hope bridge, past Bristol and short tack down the East Passage leaving Melville to port and Prudence island to starboard. Reaching off a bit will put us in the West Passage of Narragansett Bay arriving at our chosen destination.

Day 2

We'll have some time in the morning to explore ashore before preparing the boat to night approach Block Island. En route day and night dead reckonings (DR), fixes, GPS, commercial and non commercial lights, night time approach and anchoring in New Harbor, Block Island. Beating into the afternoon south westerlies leaving Beavertail light to port and further on Point Judith to starboard, Block will show low on the horizon to the SSW.

Recommended onshore activities: Catch a launch into the village and have a nocturnal look around this boaters' paradise. There are plenty of bars and restaurants to catch a late bite, dessert, or a night cap.

Day 3

During our 40+ mile sail to Cuttyhunk Island we'll cover skills that include set and drift, GPS, and more DR fixes. The rhumb line being 5-10 miles offshore doesn't allow for spot on land fixes, so use of the log and dead reckoning skills is enhanced. Arrive Cuttyhunk mid day. 

Recommended onshore activities: Cuttyhunk is a lovely island to tour on foot, renting bikes is also a terrific option. Order up conch chowder and lobster dinner delivered to the boat by launch.

Day 4

Our destination is Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard. Test your newly acquired knowledge of tides and currents by determining the preferred route for your passage to Edgartown, i.e.  Buzzards Bay or Vineyard Sound.   Both routes will require savvy piloting and navigation with currents on one side and numerous shallows and currents on the other.   We’ll sail past historic Wood’s Hole, Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluffs enroute to Edgartown, anchoring off Chappaquiddick Island.

Recommended onshore activities:  Another great walking town with beautiful scenery and plenty of nice shops and terrific restaurants. Take a guided tour, or self tour of nature trails, sanctuaries, lighthouses.

Day 5

Destination: Newport, Rhode Island  50+nm
Negotiating Wood’s Hole current up to 6 kts, sail past Marion, MA, Mattapoisett, Padanaram, Westport, and Sakonnet; pilot/navigate along New England’s southern shore arriving Newport late afternoon.  

Recommended onshore activities:  A quaint town with terrific harbor side restaurants.  Walk the docks and find yourself at the International Yacht Restoration Museum.  Tour the mansions on Bellevue Ave and Ocean Drive and finish by watching the sunset at the Inn at Castle Hill (our favorite spot).  Tennis Hall of Fame.

Day 6

On our return to Brewer’s Sakonnet Marina our final leg will include sailing under the Newport Bridge, past Prudence Island as you return to the head of the Harbor.  Take a relaxing dip in the pool.  Finish up any testing.  Debrief and good-byes.