|  |     1. Go to your library and get the Cruising Guide to New England
    (can somebody help me with the authors, please?). Go through the
    section(s) on Naragansett for a starter. If you like the book get
    your own copy it's something you'll go back to for the rest of your
    life.
    
    2. Go to a marine store and get a chart that shows the whole Bay.
    Learn where the coves, channels, flats ,etc. are.  THis'll save
    you a lot of time.
    3. Go to the shows (Wooden, Used, Newport) and talk to people from
    the marinas.
    4. Go to the marinas; talk to the people who run 'em and the people
    who use 'em. You'll learn a lot.
    5. Talk to Harbor Masters about moorings and anchorages.
    6. Next Fall get on the waiting lists ( :<) ) at marinas you like
    and the ones you don't like (just in case!!)
    7. Try to get involved with a Power Squadron in the Naraganset area.
    The people you'll meet will be able to help you.
    8. Don't take any money or a checkbook to Newport!! 
   
    Above all, enjoy yourself!!
    
    Ed
 | 
|  |     By refering to harbors I assume you mean a permanent place for the
    new boat, not just neat overnite places.
    
    There is no one authority in the bay.  Each cove and harbor has
    its own rules and (usually) Harbor Master.  Some coves allow
    privately placed and owned moorings, some are owned by the local
    authority and others by clubs, and marinas.
    
    I found the 2 best sources on who to talk to about moorings are
    Cruising Guide to New England and Waterways Guide (Northeast Edition).
    The Waterway Guide is available at many marine stores, I dont know
    about libraries.
    
    I suggest you look at the Bay charts, figure out generally where
    you would like to keep your boat, and use one or both of the above
    books to identify the opportunities and who to call.
    The bay is generally divided into 4 areas.  The Southeast includes
    Newport and Jametown. Northeast covers Bristol, Barrington and Bends
    Boat Basin.  Northwest is Warwick and East Greenwich. Southwest
    is Dutch Island Harbor and Wickford.    There are other towns in
    these areas too, but the most boats are kept at these centers.
    
    We chose the Northwest section due to commuting convience and marina
    availability.   Each section has a slightly different appeal and
    its own drawbacks depending on your style.  You may want to visit
    each area by car before picking a general area.
    
    Good luck.
    Walt 
 | 
|  |     If you haven't found a place by now you might try Norton's Shipyard
    in E. Greenwich, R.I.  I just moved off my mooring there onto a
    slip.  (401-884-8828).  Another possibility is Allen Harbor.  This
    is in a pretty little cove near the old Quonset navy yard.  The
    town of North Kingston just took it over and are putting in moorings
    and slips.  I have my name in for a slip, but there are moorings
    available.  I sailed there so I don't have a phone number.  You'd
    have to call the town of North Kingston.
    
    Adam
    
 | 
|  |     Re: .3
    
    Allen Harbor is a super place except for the 4-5' low tide depth
    at the entrance.  We anchor there on the weekends when we want to
    get away from the dock but dont necessarily want to put in a long
    sail.
    
    I wish the harbor master would stop expanding the moorings myself.
    The place is getting more and more crowded each season, which means
    I will have to go farther afield or anchor in more exposed areas
    to have a little privacy.    As they say, "Wish in one hand..." 
    
    Walt
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