Martha's Vineyard MA recommendations

[Brian B]

We are planning to go to M.V. for a few days while relatives are renting a home on the island.
Anyone have any recommendations for anchoring out in the different ports?
From what I've read on Active Captain and a past thread on this site Tashmoo Pond sounds pretty nice.
Thanks

 

[pugtug613]

While passing thru Cape Cod, IMO, a must see is Woods Hole. Menemsha is very nice and Cutty Hunk is really interesting.
Chester

 

[knotflying]

Brian,

I was supposed to do a trip there a couple of years ago, but it never worked out. However, my friend had suggested Lagoon Pond. I am told Cuttyhunk is a nice stop also.

 

[John Shea Jr.]

Oak Bluffs is a good spot to be on a hook. There is a water taxi available and once on the shore there is a public bus system which is very reasonable especially if you are one of the older generation. if you are there over Aug5-8, you might see another R25--us! You might want to plan your stay before 9 Aug or after 25 Aug as your commander in chief is scheduled to be in residence and from past experience he can mess up access to points.

 

[Hydraulicjump]

We have a family house there so I mess around a bunch in boats in MV, but have not taken the tug there yet. My favorite anchorage is Tashmoo. But you need a bike or a cab to get to Vineyard Haven. For a more crowded experience with many New England blue bloods, try the harbor at Vineyard Haven. You can get a buoy or anchor outside the harbor. Very rough outside, but doable. Oak Bluff is the party marina, with a very crowded buoy field or dock and a late night party. Edgartown, despite the currents, is New England whaling town nice. You can anchor or pick up a buoy. I think it is the prettiest of the harbors. Finally, if you want solitude, Menemsha is the place, although it is very hard to get a slip and it is pretty shallow in the pond.

It all depends on where your friends are! As for the President's visit, you'll survive. It is short-lived disruption.

Have fun,

Jeff

 

[Barry Cohen]

Lake Tashmoo, Hadley Harbor, Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluffs, Cuttyhunk if you want to take a short cruise.

YOLO is stuck in Onset due to weather. Headed to Cuttyhunk Thursday.

 

[Brian B]

We just returned from the Vineyard and here are my thoughts:
We spent two nights anchored in Lake Tashmoo, it was quite crowded over the weekend. About a 20 minute walk into Vineyard Haven where you can get a bus that will take you to different island locations, for $7.00 you can ride the bus all day. Tashmoo has a free pump out boat ($5.00 tip suggested), fresh water is available at the town dock where you can tie up your dinghy. No fuel available.
Oak Bluffs does not allow anchoring in the harbor, mooring fee is $40.00 per night. Mandatory rafting of boats, up to 4 on each mooring when it is busy. This is what I saw Sat and Sun, I could just imagine drunks climbing over my boat at 1:00 a.m. so we stayed in Tashmoo. Slips are $3.00 per foot minimum 30' plus electricity. The slips are right against the sidewalks with each one having a ladder you have to climb up and down. You could have a thousand people looking down into your boat on a weekend. As others stated this is the party town on the Island.
Monday we did move to Oak Bluffs as this is where relatives were renting a home for the week and we had a mooring to ourselves. There is also a launch service for $6.00 round trip. Diesel is available in the harbor. Nancy' Restaurant on the waterfront is a bit pricey but the food was excellent. Giordano's in town has good Italian food, Mad Martha's for homemade ice cream.
The Lagoon is a wide body of water and could be uncomfortable at anchor if it is windy. There is a bridge to deal with, not sure of the clearance and the opening schedule. Quite a long dinghy ride over to Vineyard Haven.
We went by car to Memensha where I spoke to the harbormaster. They have limited dockage but there is good anchorage outside the harbor depending on the wind direction. This is an old time quaint New England fishing village. There are two fish markets selling cooked seafood, this is the cheapest place for a lobster roll that I saw on the Island, at 10:30am I just had to have one.
Edgartown is extremely crowded, hard to find a parking spot, you can shop till top you drop here. Luckily we couldn't park anywhere so the Mrs just did some ride by shopping.
We will definitely go back and spend more time in the area in the future.