Navigating to Greene's Basin in Sailboat
 

Hi there.
We are embarking on our annual sail trip on the lake and are thinking of visiting a forum member up at Greene's Basin. Before we commit to that we want to make sure we are being smart about navigating up there in a 27 foot sailboat with a 3'6" draft. We have an inboard diesel that we can use the entire time.

Any thoughts, warnings or tips we should know?

Just wondering how the mast will fit under what they call a bridge at the entrance.

There is no bridge on the way to Greens Basin from Moultonborough Bay.

Well having been there many times by powerboat, I would be a little leary of going there in a sailboat with that kind of draft having never been before. There are a couple of narrow passages and shallow areas that you need to be aware of.

If possible I would recommend going by powerboat first to check it out if at all possible... Not saying it can't be done, just would be a lot easier if you did...

Enjoy!!

Dan

Agree, don't remember the markers off the top of my head without looking at the chart, but have been through there a 100 times in my bass boat. Not sure I would attempt with a 3 1/2' draft sail boat.

Duh....thinking about someplace else. :)

"Navigable"
 

For our lake, I think "Navigable" generally means 6 ft depth, so 3'6" should be OK. I've been there many times in various cabin cruisers that draw that much. No problem. However, water under you does not mean you have tacking room. Consider that for a good part of the time you will want to start the engine and lower the sails. Not many sailboats in that area, so plan to wave to a lot of people.

I have passed through the Hole in the Wall with a sailboat coming the other way, under sail. We took ourselves out of gear and waited for them, partially to be courteous, partially just to watch a skilled sailor. We were in a 12' beam twin engine cruiser, so if we had been side by side, and one of us made a mistake, there would be a lot of paperwork. No reason to rush when you're boating.

Green's Basin sailboat
 

I took a ride up there this morning. I thought about you along the way. I believe you will be fine. But you really need to watch your chart. I could brief you in areas where you need to pay attention.

sailing into Moltonborough Bay
 

You actually could sail depending on your wind up from Barber's Pole past Chase Point and then tack around Melvin Island and continue sailing into Melvin Bay. You know that area well. Then head to Moultonborough Bay.

Now you have a couple of channels to go through. Depending on your wind you can tack through them. I have with my sailboat. Go North of Flashing black white 12. Proceed to and passing Flashing 13 red and white on your Starboard. Continue on a close haul to the entrance to the channel. Start your diesel engine and take the sails down.

Motoring you will be going less than hull speed and have time to take a visual on all the markers. You will pass Flashing 14 on your starboard. You will be able to see the markers all the way up. It is clearly marked just follow staying East of black and white and West of red and white.

When you get off of Ganzy Island on your starboard and Guay Island on your port slow down. You are entering a NWZ at flashing black white 50. It is narrow but at least 5 feet under your keel. Continue on and head 270 degrees mag toward flashing 52. Here is where it gets tight and large rocks on both sides of you. Only enough room for you. Remember You don't have much maneuvering capability versus a power boat.

If there is wind coming down the channel from the West Southwest you will be heading right into the wind. If the wind is from any other
direction like West Northwest you will have to power through this channel.

Before going into this channel you might want to contact Green Basin Girl to come out and meet you and have her escort you into Green's Basin. Otherwise once you get through this 100' tight passage you are pretty much there just to continue following your chart. You should be good to go.

Pm me if you need additional clarification.