Jamestown and Newport, Rhode Island
New England and other Marine Weather Forecasts - NOAA weather warnings, obsevations and forecasts. Maptech Interactive Nautical Chart for Jamestown RI. Initial view is an overview of Narragansett Bay. You can re-center and zoom in on areas of interest. More details appear as the field of view narrows. Jamestown: Jamestown provides an ideal base for cruising Narragansett Bay, Block Island Sound and the Elizabeth Islands with three full-service marinas and boat yards. The Conanicut Marina, 1 Ferry Wharf, (401) 423-1556, is located near Jamestown's commercial center around the old East Ferry Landing. The marina has 100 floating and fixed pier spaces, 205 seasonal & transient embedment moorings. A well-stocked ship's store offers 7000 square feet of engine parts, marine accessories, electronics, hardware, clothing, gifts, boating shoes & boots, sportswear and foul weather gear. Waterside and inland repair and storage facilities provide full service for all size vessels. Operator of The Jamestown Newport Ferry.
The Jamestown Boat Yard, Racquet Road, (401) 423-0600, is located near the Dumplings and Fort Wetherill, just south of the Village Center, offers docking, mooring and facilities for repairs and upgrades. Transient and seasonal moorings, hauling, storage and other services are also available on the west side of the island at the Dutch Harbor Boat Yard, 252 Narragansett Avenue (former West Ferry area) (401) 423-0630. Stay the night and catch the spectacular sunsets across West Passage. UK Sailmakers, Rhode Island, 245A Conanicus Ave. (401) 423-3286 Local loft with worldwide reach. Located at the Jamestown Country Club. Offers free pick up and delivery anywhere in Rhode Island. Share your interest in yachting by checking out activities of the Jamestown Yacht Club and Conanicut Yacht Club. General Information and Resources: The Newport Harbor Guide provides extensive information on Narragansett Bay - including weather forecasts, maps and sources for goods and services needed by mariners - with the emphasis on Newport. The site contains a number of photos taken by Captain Vic, captain of the J30 #505 Vee Jay and enthusiastic authority on Newport and the Bay. Here are some samples of the photos:
Another useful site is Rhode Island Nautical Links. It's goal is to provide the most complete list of all marine-related sites in Rhode Island. Check it out for extensive lists of, and links to, area boat builders and sources of supplies, charters, lighthouse links, marinas and brokers, yacht clubs, museums, publications, resources and marine link libraries. Sightseeing on the Bay: You want to see the Bay but don't own a boat? No problem. Take a tour boat or ferry, or rent a sailing craft and enjoy the sun, wind, spray and views. Newport Harbor cruises are offered by several operators. You can see yachts, racing sailboats, warships, commercial fishing vessels and cargo ships from around the world as you cruise by historic buildings along Newport's waterfront, Goat Island, the Newport Bridge, Rose Island, Jamestown, the Clingstone, Hammersmith Farm, Fort Adams, John Nicholas Brown's Estate and Ida Lewis Yacht Club. All of the cruises last approximately one hour. Your choice of vessel and departure point includes the Viking Queen, departing from Goat Island Marina (adults $8) (401-847-6921; the Motor Vessel Amazing Grace leaving from Oldport Marine on Sayer's Wharf at The Newport Yachting Center (401-847-9109); the Rum Runner, a restored 49 passenger motoryacht built in 1929, operating out of Bannister's Wharf (401) 847-0299 ($17 for the narrated cruise or $22 including complimentary rum beverages); and the Spirit of Newport, boarded at Bowen's Wharf ($9 for adults) (401-849-3575). Each tour covers the Newport Harbor area and a portion of Narragansett Bay.
Another way to see the area from the Bay is from a passenger ferry. The Jamestown & Newport Ferry, (401-423-9900) operates between Newport and Jamestown, leaving every 90 minutes in the summer. The ferry makes additional stops at Rose Island, Fort Adams and Goat Island. The round trip fare is $12. Alternatively, you can take the Providence/ Newport ferry operated by RIPTA, the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority. The ferry leaves from Perrotti Park, which is just a short walk from the Gateway Information Center (adjacent to the Marriott Hotel). There are five round trips on Fridays and Saturdays, four the other five days of the week. The trip takes about an hour and a half each way. The regular adult fare is $4 each way, with discounts available for seniors and children. If you would like to tour the harbor in a gorgeous 78-foot classically designed schooner accommodating up to 60 passengers, the Adirondack II is available. This vessel was built in 1999 specifically to provide day sailing for individuals and private charter groups. There are four scheduled departures per day with cruises lasting 1 1/2 to two hours. Reservations required. Call 401-846-3018 or email from the web site. Six departures per day - $23 per person.
Another sailing vessel tour option is the Madeleine. Five cruises per day are offered in the summer at a cost of $25 per person. The vessel is 72 feet long, with a 16 foot beam and can hold 49 passengers. Her two 69 foot high masts can hold 2000 square feet of sail. (401) 847-0298. Yachting Museum: If you are interested in yachting history, you may want to visit the Museum of Yachting, located in Fort Adams State Park, Newport. The 10,000 square foot museum is home to the Courageous, two-time America's Cup winner. Save the Bay - an Evironmental Education Group: Visit the web site for Save the Bay, a Providence and Newport based organization seeking to ensure that the environmental quality of Narragansett Bay and its watershed is restored and protected so that its natural systems may function normally and healthfully. It offers a wide range of educational activities, including BayCamp for children, classroom activities and shipboard and coastal studies field trips. Islands in the Bay: Did you know that there are over 30 islands in Narragansett Bay? Click on this link to learn a little about Dutch Island, Goat Island, Whale Island and more. Lighthouses:
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