May 26 / Day 5 / Montauk, NY to Old Saybrook, CT / 24.3 NM

This morning we woke up to, yet again, dismal weather.  A check of the marine forecast called for NW winds 15 knots with seas two to three feet and being hardy New England folk, we decided to make a run for it.  After all, if it proved too rough, we could always turn around and come back.

At 8:00, I popped some Dramamine and 8:30 we set out to test its’ effectiveness.  Coming out of Montauk, we were greeted at the entrance to Long Island Sound with some pretty rough conditions.  We bounced and bobbed across the Sound, fortunately going with the current, and reached the other side in an hour and a half.  By the by, Dramamine works!

We had originally plotted a final destination of Essex, CT, a bit up river from the Sound.  On our way there, we spotted what looked to be a beautiful marina with much easier access for our departure the next day.  We gave them a call and they welcomed us right in.  I would highly recommend this marina to anyone travelling Long Island Sound.  The Saybrook Point Marina was fabulous.  Three dock hands met us at our slip, secured the boat, hooked up our water and electricity, got us ice, gate key cards, a swag bag (everyone who knows me knows I LOVE freebies) and filled our fuel right at the slip.  When I went to the office to pay, I noticed they had a blue AGLCA flag in the window.  Come to find out, they are a Lieutenant Sponser.  They just joined last year and I commend them for their support as they are not exactly on the Loop route, but close enough!

Saybrook Point Marina

The marina is part of an inn and spa complex and all the amenities of each are available to transients. These included fast, reliable internet, outdoor pool, indoor pool with hot tub, sauna, excellent fitness center, extremely clean bathrooms (with shampoo, conditioner, soap and hair dryers), free shuttle service into town, free bikes and free coffee.  Again, I LOVE the freebies!  As an added bonus, they are very pet friendly and Millie enjoyed cruising the docks with the dockhands.

We had dinner at the on-site restaurant, Fresh Salt and, like everything else, it was excellent. When we got back to the boat, we had a beautiful view of a rainbow over the light house.

Rainbow over the lighthouse