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Cape Dory Sailboat Owners Association

   
 

 

 

 


Cape Dory Rendezvous 2003:
Eastbound Rendezvous Flotilla to Bristol

Wednesday, July 30th

Current as of: 2 June 2003

Napatree Beach/
Watch Hill, RI

 
Click on chart thumbnail for details.

 

Napatree Beach/Watch Hill Itinerary:

 

 

 

We will be meeting in the afternoon on Wednesday, July 30th in the anchorage North of Napatree Point and South of RN"24", and to the West of the port of Watch Hill Cove, Rhode Island. The holding ground is very good. Also, you can anchor relatively close to the beach, keep at least 100 yards off shore so that the tide going out is not a concern. These areas are indicated on the chart thumbnail above.

Mean tidal range is 2.6 feet.

Please monitor VHF Channel 16 and switch to 72 for fleet communications.

The approach to Little Narragansett Bay begins at R"2" Fl R 4s off Academy Rock at Stonington Point. Academy Rock is approximately 29.2 nm E of our previous destination of Clinton Harbor, 3 nm E of GC"7" between Ram and Mason Islands, and 2.2 nm NE of GC"1" off East Point on Fishers Island. From Academy Rock, it's another 2.5 nm to the Pawcatuck River and the approach to Watch Hill Cove.

The entrance into Little Naragansett Bay is 100' wide with a controlling depth of 10'. You will see depths of 5 feet as you pass between G"7" and G"11", after that the controlling depth is 8 feet.

When entering Little Narragansett Bay, follow the channel markers closely. Do NOT try to get into Napatree by going between the North shore of Napatree Point and the Southern end of Sandy Point. The water is very shallow in there and you WILL go soft aground! As you round the North end of Sandy Point near GC"5", you will see sand hard to starboard. This is normal, just watch where you are going and stay in the channel. When you get up to RN"20", you may see rocks both port and starboard, again, stay in the channel, no short cuts!

Once you arrive at RN"2", the entrance to Watch Hill Harbor, turn to starboard and anchor wherever you feel is appropriate. Again, it would be a good idea to stay at least 100 yards from the shoreline, as this is a tidal area.


The Bravermans, hosted a get-together aboard their RH36 Brave New Wind during the 2002 CDSOA rendezvous-- Photo by Bruce Halley


Tuesday night yacht club races in the Napatree Beach anchorage -- Photo by Bruce Halley

 

About the Area:

 

Watch Hill got its name during King George's War, in the 1740's, when a watchtower was built on the hill to warn against attack. In 1808, the original Watch Hill Lighthouse was built. It was replaced in 1856 with a white brick structure and granite tower that remains to this day. And out on Napatree Point you'll find Fort Mansfield built to guard Fishers Island Sound during the Spanish American War.

For those venturing ashore, in Watch Hill there is a convenience store to the left as you come off the dingy dock in the Cove; it is at the end of town on the left. It sells minor groceries, doughnuts, milk, eggs, etc. Ice can be purchased at some of the local restaurants. The streets are lined with antique shops and boutiques. And you'll find a mix of summer cottages and mansions overlooking the water.

The Olympia Tea Room Restaurant (401-348-8211) faces the cove and serves American cuisine. One block further you'll find the Watch Hill Inn (401-348-6300) which has a deck bar & Grille offering home-style meals in a casual atmosphere. (This is where we'll be gatherin Sunday evening for dinner, the awards ceremony and fun.) Or try the St. Claire's Annex (401-348-8407) or the Bay Street Deli (401-596-6606) for sandwiches.

Napatree Beach is absolutely beautiful, but it is a protected area. The natives are very sensitive about the beach grass and dunes. Dogs are not allowed ashore at any time!

 

Points of Interest:

 

Things to do and places to go:

  • NAPATREE POINT CONSERVATION AREA. Beautiful & unspoiled 1/2 mile long barrier beach. No charge to enter. Entrance past shops, Yacht Club & private beach club on the Watch Hill Harbor.
  • FLYING HORSE CAROUSEL. Bay St., Watch Hill. Oldest in America, used prior to 1879. The horses are not attached to the floor but instead are suspended from a center frame, swinging out or flying when in motion. Each horse is hand carved from a single piece of wood and is embellished with real tails and manes, leather saddles and agate eyes. OPEN: Jun 15-Labor Day, 1-9 p.m. (children only)
  • NINIGRET STATUE. Bay St., Watch Hill. Sculpted by Enid Yandell in Paris in 1914. Ninigret was Chief of Rhode Island's branch of the Niantics and first appeared in Colonial history in 1637. The Indian model for the statue was with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show in Paris.
  • WATCH HILL LIGHTHOUSE. (1858) 14 Lighthouse Road, Watch Hill. The present white brick structure with granite tower is situated on the north side of the east entrance to Fisher's Island Sound. Exterior viewing only. OPEN: Watch Hill Lighthouse Museum, Tue & Thu, 1-3 p.m., July & August
  • WATCH HILL BEACH. Family area. Gentle waves, good sand. Small and often crowded. Located behind the Flying Horse carousel in the center of Watch Hill.

Where to eat:

We plan on eating onboard our own vessels. If you want to go to a restaurant, head into Watch Hill Cove and walk up Bay Street right along the waterfront.

  • Watch Hill Inn, 38 Bay Street. Phone: 401-348-6300
  • Seaside Grill, 38 Bay Street. Phone: 401-348-6333
  • Olympia Tea Room, 74 Bay Street. Phone: 401-348-8211
  • Cafe Espresso II, 98 Bay Street. Phone: 401-348-0103
  • Bay Street Deli, 112 Bay Street. Phone: 401-596-6606
  • St. Clair Annex, 141 Bay Street. Phone: 401-348-8407
  Web Site Info:
 

Visit Watch Hill

Westerly-Pawcatuck Chamber of Commerce

Tide Table for Watch Hill Point, Rhode Island (courtesy of HarborTides.com)

 

Cape Dory owners are invited to join the flotilla anywhere along the route. Sail with us the whole way or just for a couple of days -- whatever suits your schedule.

Register Now!
Please download and print one of the following registration forms.:
Microsoft Word (42 KB) or PDF (15 KB)

Please mail your registration by July 1st.

If you have any questions regarding this event, please contact Fleet Captain Michael Heintz, 203-838-7599 or at Mzenith@aol.com or Catherine Monaghan, 732-381-3549 or at catherine_monaghan@merck.com.

Please check this page often as we will include more information as it becomes available.

  Please see the "Events" page for the current Northeast Fleet Rendezvous agenda.
  For information on becoming part of the NE Fleet see the "Fleet Information." 



This page was last revised: 9 September 2003

Modified by: Catherine Monaghan

 
 
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