launching at Pleasure Bay

Fiji · Joined: 31 May 2008 Posts: 4

Where is the launch point at Pleasure Bay?
How is the Parking?

Thanks,
Steve

DanWeiss · Joined: 24 Jun 2008 Posts: 2296 Location: Connecticut, USA

Steve: Parking is pretty easy with free lots and street parking. The interior launch into the "pool" is mostly on the SW corner of the Bay, although I'm no fan of sailing inside the Bay as the wind is a bit disorganized compared to sailing on the other side of the parking lot into Dorchester Bay. That's where the quality windsurfing really is, IMHO.

-Dan

npiankov · Joined: 14 Oct 2004 Posts: 82

The launch in P-bay depends a lot on the wind direction. Most people try to launch from a point that would allow them to start sailing across the pond right away. So, in the SW or NE winds (best wind directions, probably) we park in the NW corner of the bay. Go around the traffic circle around the monument, keep driving until the nose-in lots start on the right side - that's usually the best spot.

In the E or W winds we usually park halfway between the lot above and the castle.

If the winds are SE or NW (quite rarely), the best spot is under the flag on the SW side of the bay - same parking lot Dan would use for outside-the-bay sailing, I guess.

Dan is right that the wind is often somewhat stronger on the outside. Plus you can occasionally catch a good piece of chop and jump. However, most people prefer the inside. No boats. No chop (easier to sail and a lot easier to get/continue planing). If stuff breaks, you are never in any danger of floating away from land. When the wind is up (steady 20mph+), the inside pond develops nice predictable chop/waves that you can use for jumping.

icesailing · Joined: 04 Feb 2008 Posts: 172

You will have to wait till after the holiday weekend it is closed to sailing through the summer. But were real close.

DanWeiss · Joined: 24 Jun 2008 Posts: 2296 Location: Connecticut, USA

sailingjoe · Joined: 06 Aug 2008 Posts: 1087

How deep is Dot Bay? A guy once told me that it was more crowded with boat traffic on weekends than Waquoit Bay, but I can't believe that. I think there are many more boats moored or docked in the W.B. estruary these days than around D.B. How clean is the water these days? The city storm drains still feed into it, don't they?

npiankov · Joined: 14 Oct 2004 Posts: 82

P-bay is closed to windsurfing only during the hours when the lifeguards are present. These days it means we can go in around 5.30. This works just fine for after-work sailing. But if you managed to get out at 3 to catch the best wind, you pretty much have to go outside.

pueno · Joined: 03 Mar 2007 Posts: 2807