Stamford Harbor & Guilford Harbor

[rangerscott275]

Has anyone stayed in Stamford Harbor? Any recommendation as to good marina? I was thinking of Stamford Landing Marina. Also, I know Stamford is pretty large city...and kind of industrial, but most of my trip is going to be in quaint towns...thus I was going to go to Stamford for a little nightlife as opposed to achoring in Greenwich cove or equivalent....is this mistake given anyone's experieces in area?

Also I am spending a night in Guilford harbor...was planning on anchoring there in East River and if too full, moving South to Sachem Head Harbor. Any thoughts on this? I have a call into Guilford Yacht club too to see if I could get slip but haven't received call back yet.

I don't mind being on hook, but since the days I'm going to be in these two areas are over labor day weekend...I'm concerned with finding spots given all likely traffic.

I'm going to post my full itinerary here momentarily and welcome feedback!

 

[labrador]

Stamford harbor really doesn't appeal to me much other than dinner at Stamford YC. Labor day weekend is the Vinyard race (sailboat 185 miles) out of SYC which I will be doing. You won't find any space at the YC as the moorings will be taken by visiting sailboats b4 and after the race. There really is not much within walking distance of the marinas unless someone knows more than I do. I would take a cab rather than walk from the marinas anyway as it doesn't appear safe to walk into town after dark(some areas are really depressed there).Best to skip that one altogether. Sorry if I offend anyone from Conn.

 

[trogers]

Kept my old boat at Brewer's Yacht Haven for a season.

I recall that the marina is divided into two sections, I was in the "quiet" section that was a bit removed from the boat yard. Very nice community of boaters. There was a great spot called the crab shack/crab shell that was only a dingy ride away.

Very nice spot. I have great memories, mostly courtesy of the folks I met at the marina.

 

[Bob Bradley]

Sorry if I offend anyone from Conn.

Accuracy is not offensive. I worked out on Shippan Pt back in the early 90's, when IBM Credit Corp was located there. There is a sort of "no mans land" between the waterfront and the downtown area, and I wouldn't walk there either. Taxi's will work though.

If you're looking for a safe spot to hang on the hook, New Haven harbor is nicely protected by 3 breakwalls to the SW, S, and SE. There is also a nice restaurant called Sage American Grill located up in the harbor, up the west channel. Depending on your size, we might be able to find a slip for you at City Point Yacht Club, where I stay. I have a 43C, and take up the largest available slip, so that is a big "might". Slips for large boats are a bit hard to come by, but you can usually pull up to Oyster Point Marina's gas dock. That's where you'd dock if eating at Sage. Call Frannie at Oyster Pt (203-624-5895), and tell him I sent you.

There's also a Brewers in Stratford, on the Housatonic River. Currents are a bit of a challange there, howevrer.
Bob

 

[trogers]

It was a bit of a no mans land between the waterfront and the highway. Which is a good reason to hang out on the boat and toast your good fortune. The Crabshell (finally remembered the name...) restaurant was alot of fun and you could hang out on the face dock on a first come first serve basis (no power hook ups) http://www.crabshell.com/

I haven't been through there in 6 years or so. Not sure what it is like now.

I also spent a summer in Captain's harbor in Greenwhich. Nice spot when you are NOT stuck behind the RR bridge that apparently took/takes 2-3 union certified bridge openers that had to drive in from somewhere out of state prior to the bridge opening.

I think the bridge tender was holding out for a bottle of scotch. Fond memories of CT.

 

[Bob Bradley]

If you enjoyed bridgewatching in Greenwich, you'll just love the Quinipiac in New Haven. Last I heard, they had one operator for all 3 bridges, and he drove around from bridge to bridge as you passed.