Scenes From Today

Very busy out on the water today. A lot of boating activity and things to see.

The Nantucket Lightship was docked at the east face of the Steamship Authority dock today. Not sure if she's still there.



I spotted the big catboat, Gannet, in her usual spot up at East Polpis today while I was making the rounds.


Hither Crick as seen from Millie's Bridge early this morning.


Plenty of striped bass to be had at the rock pile today. I caught this one at noon. Most people don't ever stop here and fish for bass.


Swans.



As an aside, I noticed the Boat Basin had very few boats in it today as I motored my old girl through it. I have never seen it so empty before at this time of the year.

New Charter Boat/Lightship/Other Stuff

There's a new charter boat in the fleet. Her name is Fishy Advice and she belongs to Captain Kenny Wiggins. She's a 24 Privateer powered by two Yamaha 115 horsepower outboard motors. Good luck with your new venture, Ken!

The Nantucket Lightship arrived here recently and dropped anchor just north of the bar.


The fireworks barge anchored off Jetties Beach.


There were several people clamming in the Horseshed this morning. I watched one guy try to exit via the south end and ran hard aground. Most boaters don't know that the only way you can leave the Horseshed at dead low tide is to go way up to the north end and pick your way out.


Ya think these lines ever get wet??


Happy Fourth Everyone.

POSTSCRIPT:
My brother's 23 Mako is no longer offered for sale.

Egg On My Face

If you are an avid reader of my blog, you know that I followed the construction of the new Children's Beach boat ramp from day one until the day it was completed. It's all in the archives. I said it was too shallow and that I would never be able to launch my boat there. Well I was completely wrong. I used the new ramp twice now launching my 23' Sea Ox with absolutely no problem. I barely had to get the back tires of my pick-up truck wet in the process. I think that part of my success is the fact that I bought a brand new roller type trailer before I used the ramp.

I still see people having problems with the new ramp but the majority of boaters are not.

I will be eating crow for dinner tonite.

Ospreys & Scenes Around The Waterfront

It was a beautiful day to be out on the water today. Here are a few shots I took-


A family of Ospreys at Jackson's Point, Madaket.

Here you can see the two chicks waiting to be fed.

Nervous parent soaring above the nesting site.


Click here for info on Ospreys


Captain Blair heading offshore in the Shearwater.

Captain Andy Robert's conch boat.

Old tug and barge moored just off Brant Point.

One of my favorite places on the Island. There are a few under(salt)water freshwater springs bubbling up here. I know of no other underwater springs anywhere else on the Island.

Off Topic

I received this story and pictures from a buddy of mine.

65' Custom Built Motor yacht, staterooms, GPS navigation, twin Supercharged diesels, etc. = $2.5 million
Crane and Rigging complete with faulty turnbuckle = $2,500 per hour
Champagne and Strawberries, dockside, for the excited "soon to be Owners" = $250.00
Watching your dreamboat nose dive into the harbor, accompanied by two Corporate representatives just prior to "inking" the final Paperwork... Priceless...

Check out the guy on the stern, holding on for the ride of the day!!!

Nice Sunday

It was a nice day Sunday to be out on the water. Here are a few pictures I took:


Captain Tobey rounding the point.

Captain Blair waiting for a slot at the Town Pier.

A couple enjoying a sail down harbor.

A Hinckley heading out.

Captain Dave Coombs on his scallop boat.

Captain Dave. Always tinkering.

Where's Summer?

It felt like late October rather than late June today. Cold and windy. Will it ever warm up here before the Summer is over? I spoke with Captain Blair Perkins this afternoon and he seems to think we will see a change in the weather pattern beginning next week and that it will get warmer. I hope he's right.

Anyway, there is still something to see around the waterfront. here are a few scenes I grabbed today.


The old girl, Belle in her summer berth.

Dog is my copilot.

Arabella anchored in the general anchorage.

Nice 23 Parker.

Day boat sea scalloper at the end of the Town Pier.

Captain Tobey's water taxi.

Ida Lewis

Here are a few pictures I took of the buoy tender, Ida Lewis through the years. The Ida lewis was used to transport the illegal alien criminals this week from Nantucket to New Beige. {EDIT} Woods Hole.

Best Time Of the Day

The best time of the day to visit the waterfront this time of the year is between 4 and 6 am. After 6 in the morning it gets way too crowded with people. There is always something going on at that time of the day.

Brant Point is a good place to start-


Fluke boats heading out-



Most people never see this-


This sailboat owner has a serious rat infestation problem. I spotted this one on his boat early this morning. It was as big as a Volkswagon!

'Nother Nice Day

A few scenes from today:

The big sailboat from London anchored out in the sound this morning.

A tern resting on a harbor channel marker.

A triple header of bluefish I caught on an umbrella rig between the #5 can and the green light at the end of the east jetty. (I was fishing for bass).

A nice 52 Grand Banks trawler steaming down the main channel.

The Endeavor heading out with a full load.

George Bassett and family wire lining for stripers.

The Cormorant rookery at the rockpile at the end of the east jetty.

I counted at least 6 nests.