RIBnet New England Meet - Mass Bay - 9 June 2007

[dctucker]

There seem to be enough of us about now to try to organize the first New England RIBnet gathering. I'm thinking of a trip out to Stellwagen Bank for a whale watch. I've heard it's already a good season for krill, therefor a good whale watch season. I'm planning on doing this a few times this season, but I'd love to have a couple of boats with me the first time. If the weather's crummy for running the 20 or so miles offshore to Stellwagen, we could run up the coast to Gloucester or down to the Boston Harbor Islands or something. Or postpone date to Sunday.

Since I'm the sucker stupid enough to try to get this started, I'm going to suggest gathering in my town, Marblehead, MA on June 9th. There's a good public ramp with parking for trailers and car at Riverhead Beach, the head of the harbor. It's a very nice, double width concrete ramp, but only good within about 3 hours or so of high tide. No good at low tide, but if you're in by 9 AM or so it should be fine. High tide is 6:11 AM and 6:46 PM. There's another ramp at the other end of town (near Ribcraft USA HQ) that's tough to find if you don't know your way around, there's not much parking, but it can be used at all tides.

There's a good public dock downtown, with 2 good pub options upon returning, Maddie's or The Landing. I'd suggest we stage there, at Tucker's wharf, near the fuel dock.

Anyone from Ribcraft lurking? Can you help promote this idea? Maybe we could also arrange a tour of your local assembly facility?`

Who's interested? Lot's of selfish ideas based on what I'd like to do, and where I'd like to do it! I'm wide open to other ideas, but hopefully this will get the ball rolling...

Google Maps view of the ramp There are loads of docks stacked up in the parking area in the satellite view, those will be gone.
Google Maps view of Tucker's Wharf/The Landing
About Stellwagen
Whalewatching Guidelines

[dctucker]

Another option would be to meet somewhere in Gloucester, go up the Annisquam River and back around the outside, circumnavigating Cape Ann (or the other way round). I've always wanted to run the Annisquam, it's beautiful...

I don't know have a suggestion for a rally point though. Maybe Brown's Yacht Yard, they're the Zodiac dealer where I bought my ETEC, and have fuel. Don't know about launching ramps either.

[MtStPipier]

Tally-Ho will be there Am up for either whale watching or the Annisquam.

[603doug]

Game for either, 9th june good for me. Just go for a ride or dive too.

[dctucker]

Sounds like we're on, subject to weather... Two local boats for sure, two more tentative, and hopefully more! I think it would be a hoot to have 5-10 RIBs gather. I just need to make a 2500 mile road trip to retrieve my boat.

Let's make sure we pull this off and beat those PNW folks who could only manage one boat

[Donnie144]

Originally Posted by dctucker

Sounds like we're on, subject to weather... Two local boats for sure, two more tentative, and hopefully more! I think it would be a hoot to have 5-10 RIBs gather. I just need to make a 2500 mile road trip to retrieve my boat.

Let's make sure we pull this off and beat those PNW folks who could only manage one boat

YA but who did theirs in march and braved the wind and rain? As long as the beer holds out the crew stays happy.

[Donnie144]

You guys should have a blast I do hope you get a better turn out. But if you don't we still had a great time with only the one boat.

[ribfan]

We need the details, being it's a bit of a drive from CT, but we're in.
It would be awsome to get a dozen or so ribs out there. I can also give Brian or Adam at Ribcaft a call if the date is firm. See if they have interest in getting involved.

Bill

[603doug]

For me if I put in in dover nh the distance is about 48 miles, by land it is 60 miles. If parking is not a problem I might trailer down, but if Marblehead is anything like Nahant a stranger in town get fined, arrested and excuted on site (a friendly little community)

[dctucker]

Originally Posted by Donnie144

YA but who did theirs in march and braved the wind and rain? As long as the beer holds out the crew stays happy.

Just poking a little fun. Getting any RIBsters together in the US is a good thing!