MA Launches between Nahant and Eastern Point

[d0uglass]

Hey!

I just moved to Lynn, MA and I've been out a couple times from the causeway in Nahant. Wondering what are the other windsurf launches in the area, and which get the best wind and waves in different wind directions. Thinking about feasible after-work locations; not driving all the way down to the cape.

Thanks,
James

[swmckay]

- NAHANT
Best directions: NNW to NE

You've already found this. After nor'easters, you can get logo high waves once you've got past the shore break. But the shore break can stymie the very best local sailors -- it can be endless.


- REVERE BEACH -- in Revere
Best directions: NE, SE

This can get nice chest to head high peeling waves with side-shore conditions, making for nice gentle wave sailing. It seems best when the tide is starting to go out, at the north end of the beach.

This is also a good, safe kiting spot in side-shore winds.


- PLEASURE BAY -- William J Day Blvd, Boston MA
Best directions: ENE through SW; avoid in WSW through N

Nice, safe sailing spot. Flat water, totally enclosed. It can be a total blast in storm conditions (like hurricanes), because even if the wind hits 60mph, you can always just drop your rig and get blown to shore.

You can also sail outside of the "bowl" in southerly winds.


- SQUANTUM -- Shoreham St, Quincy MA
Best directions: WSW through NNW

When the wind speed is good at Pleasure Bay but the direction is wrong (WSW to NW), go a bit further down Rt 93 to Squantum. Again, this is flat water sailing, but the bump-and-jump can be a total blast. Rig on the side of the road on Shoreham St, then just carry your gear across the street to the obvious launch area.


P.S. Dude! Lynn! What were you thinking?!?!

[d0uglass]

Wooooot!

Nahant was fantastic today in the N / NW conditions. Cleanest waves I have ever sailed, and perfect side-off conditions to be powered most of the time on my 6.8 and 106 liter board. I'm not used to waves being so widely spaced and breaking so cleanly over such a long, gradually sloping beach. Amazing.

-J

[sailingjoe]

[windswell]

Marblehead, Gloucester and Essex and Ipswich all have beaches with waves in various wind directions, though the wind is fickle and water is cold. I haven't been up that way for years.

Pavillion Beach over to the south end of Plum Island can be great in a NE, but wicked tides, so don't sail alone.

Wingaersheek in Gloucester and it's private extension Coffin Beach bordering Essex Bay is often good on NW and offers incredible variety and is safer than Pavilion .

[jayturcot]

Just moved here as well! Had my first session on a NW at Nahant Saturday (met locals John and Daniel).

Saw your slalom video on your blog from yesterday Douglass (I assume it was you).

This weekend looks like it could be good there... (if you trust a forecast 5 days out).
Someone correct me if I'm wrong: strong NE winds for a day (Saturday) clocking to NW (Sunday) should set up some gentle waves at Nahant with side-offshore winds?

[dcharlton]

I learned at the Pavillion at Ipswich, another great location nearbye is called Eagle Point. Mapquest Eagle Hill Rd and you'll see it. You have to time it 3 hours on either side of high tide but it's a cool place to hit.

DC

[blockidog]

James,

nice meeting you on Fri.

Best direction for Nahant - S to SW (IMHO). Great starboard jumps. If there is swell, great/clean wave sailing. SE works real well also.

NE - launch from King's Beach in Lynn just before the Swampscott town line. Holey getting out but it gets you into the wave for front-side rides to the rotary.

As you know, Fri (WSW) and Sat (WNW) went off with 3' to 5' ground swell...

[d0uglass]

Hey Blockidog-

Yeah, Friday and Saturday were awesome with the side-off 4.2 wavesailing at Nahant. I put those videos on my blog. Your sail probably flashes by at some point.

Can't wait to try Kings Beach on a NE.

-James

[blockidog]

If today's IW forecast holds, Nahant will be good this aft/eve...