Memorial Day Weekend Ushers In Boating Season On The Sakonnet

Yearning to get out on the water this Memorial Day weekend?

From Tiverton to Little Compton, throughout the Sakonnet River basin and into many coves and inlets areas in between, hundreds of avid boaters will finally get their chance to launch and operate their cherished vessels.  

There are various boatyards, marinas and clubs throughout the area where boats have finally been shed of their plastic wrap, serviced and launched, or commissioned, as they gently get placed into the water.

Two of them are old standbys and nautical neighbors, in Tiverton and in Portsmouth, on the western shore of the Sakonnet River in Island Park- almost literally a stone’s throw from Tiverton. Indeed, only the destruction of a portion of Stone Bridge by Hurricane Carol in 1954 still prevents a direct link from Portsmouth to Tiverton.

Standish Boat Yard has been run and owned by the Hilton family for over four decades. But the actual business can be traced back over six decades ago to the original owner, Jack Standish.

“We will be working seven days a week throughout the summer,” says Kenneth R.  Hilton III, Vice-President of Standish, as he helps to prepares vessels, along with Edward Delisle for safe and efficient operation. “We have 65 moorings and 24 slips and can handle boats up to 65 feet. But we usually deal with vessels from 16 feet to 40 feet.”

Their hydraulic crane, with a capacity for 16,000 pounds, has lifted , but not before close inspection and utmost attention to getting the vessel in operating condition.

“We look for any leaks before we put it in the water so we keep straps on until the last second," Hilton said. "And we always keep a watchful eye on them even after they have been running a while.”

Hilton emphasizes Standish Boat Yard “is a not a place for dock rats,” referring to the amenities such as pools and other conveniences modern marinas may have to attract people who want to linger around.

“People come here because they want to be out in the water," he added.

Hilton said his industry is neither an easy or inexpensive venture, nor do boat yard owners stand to profit from the high price of diesel fuel.

“We have to pay insurance to cover and other possible emergencies and accidents,” he said. "We also have to provide safe gasoline storage, have environmental response contingency plans, pay for recycling, dispose of almost any chemical we use, and have spill prevention measures. If there is an accident it is a $32,500 fine per day per violation.”

Standish Boat Yard also deals with commercial boats such as the 70-foot long Grand Banks fat trawler whose tanks can hold up to 2,000 gallons of fuel.

Pirate Cove Marina

Across the way is Pirate Cove Marina, another full-service, family-owned boatyard. Constructed by founder Thomas Kidd in 1967, the marina is protected by a solid breakwater of sand and rocks whose appearance is reminiscent of the geographic hook of Cape Cod.

“There are no vertical restrictions heading south and once you cross under the Sakonnet Bridge, heading north you can hit all the islands and have no encumbrances that I know of,” says third generation owner, Brandon Kidd.

“Larger sailboats with a rig height up to almost 70 feet can still get moorings or slips with us,” he said, pointing out boats already in the water such as a 65’ Viking and 65’ Clark-Marquis.  

With 80 slips and 50 moorings at Pirate Cove Marina, Kidd says boats in the harbor are so well-protected many boats remain in the water throughout the winter, including some live-aboards.

“It does not freeze and I don’t know if there is a marina in Rhode Island that is more protected than this place is," he said.

Brandon Kidd is the latest legitimate Captain Kidd (being licensed as a captain) in the family-owned business, now in its 44^th year. He recently earned his captain’s license, putting him in the same company as his father, Donald, and grandfather.

Recently, Kidd was patiently lifting and depositing a large sailboat into the marina waters with a 60-ton lift, 35-ton mobile crane.

Sakonnet Yacht Club

For the past 11 years, Charlie Hall has become a well-known figurehead and working manager of the 300-member on the Little Compton waterfront.

“Most of the area is used primarily for recreational boating,” Hall said. "The majority of boats here using mooring and slips are for recreational fishing. There is a commercial fleet of about 10-12 boats that do primarily lobstering and some who do long lining to gill netting. And some charter fishing is available. Some commercial boats will  go to Galilee and New Bedford.”

“The yacht club has been servicing the area since 1939 when it was officially incorporated,” Hall adds. “Sakonnet Point Club is also part of the boating activity here with the Sakonnet Point Marina.”

"We also have a popular Youth Sailing Club with fourteen 420’s and 18 sunfishes, along with Lasers,” he noted.

With high diesel fuel and gasoline costs an issue again, Hilton, Kidd and other marina owners and managers concede short trips will be in vogue again this summer.

“Do not top off the gasoline tank, especially on shorter trips because that just adds to the weight and the engine only works harder,” advises Hilton. “Take short trips with less fuel if you’re just going down the river.”

"You won't see as many all-day or overnight trips to the Canyon (over 100 miles away and more) as you have in previous years," Kidd agrees.

In the meantime, there are plenty of opportunities to do activities in and about area waters. And several local marine-related businesses and others will be catering to the needs of tourists who come to Tiverton and Little Compton, many to use their boats for fishing, sightseeing or relaxation.

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