markstephens Posted August 3, 2004 Share Posted August 3, 2004 A friend is planning a two-day circumnavigation of Nantucket Island, and we are looking for information on currents on the south side of the island. Eldridge doesn't cover the southern half of Nantucket, but there are reportedly some tough currents down there (two swimmers died last year after getting caught in rip currents.) I know a few hardy NSPNers paddled to Nantucket last year (Ken, Alex, Armand), so maybe you can help?Thanks,Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djlewis Posted August 3, 2004 Share Posted August 3, 2004 MapTech shows three current stations south of Nantucket: * Old Man Shoal, Nantucket Shoals, SE of Island (+-2 kt)* Tuckernuck Is, SW of Nantucket (+0.5, -1 kt)* Miacomet Pond, S of Nantucket (+1, -1.5 kt)I thought these would be in Eldridge, but I canot find my copy (never use it now that I have MapTech). If not, holler and I'll send more info. You can also find info online by googling the name (like "Old Man Shoal") and "current".--David. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markstephens Posted August 3, 2004 Author Share Posted August 3, 2004 Thanks, David, I'll look at those, but Tuckernuck Island is on the northwest side of Nantucket, not southwest. So I'm already dubious of your source. :-)Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex_L Posted August 3, 2004 Share Posted August 3, 2004 Mark, when we crossed to Nantucket last year, we also came in more on the NW side of the island, by Eel Point and Madaget Harbor, so not gonna be too much help to you there. I can tell you there are some scarily strong, and not always well described currents, even in that area, as we found to our dismay at the end of a really long day.You might try approaching some of the fishing charter captains, as they are going to likely have the current charts, especially the unpublished ones, embedded deeply in their minds. Good luck- it is a really cool place.Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djlewis Posted August 3, 2004 Share Posted August 3, 2004 Well, I'd say Tuckernuck is off the extreme western end of Nantucket. As such, it's probably the closest land to this current station. It looks like many tide and current stations are named that way, expecially if there is no nearby marine feature. Ah, look at this NOAA page... http://co-ops.nos.noaa.gov/currents04/tab2ac2.html and find Tuckernuck. It's listed 4.2 SSW of ... It's truncated there, but I'm guessing that's Nantucket, or maybe even Tuckernuck Island itself. As for trusting MapTech, it's been awfully good so far. I certainly haven't seen any errors as blatant as that would be. And it's pretty popular, so I'd guess that such errors were long since wrung out. --David. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markstephens Posted August 4, 2004 Author Share Posted August 4, 2004 Thanks, Alex. She plans to talk to some fishermen, and/or the Coast Guard on a scouting trip over there this week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick crangle Posted August 4, 2004 Share Posted August 4, 2004 Hey Mark, When I was looking into things for Jed last year for the trip several NSPNer’s took there, (I was unhappily away for that trip) I talked to one of the local outfitters there. Last season, there was a lady running a kayak tour business from a little stand at the beginning of Straight Wharf and New Whale St. I talked to her and one of the people she worked with and during the conversation about tides and currents, her friend said he was stationed at Nantucket Island with the Coast Guard for years. So this might be a good starting point for questions, he kayaks, and is CG local knowledge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markstephens Posted August 5, 2004 Author Share Posted August 5, 2004 Rick: Great tip. Thanks, and I will pass it on.Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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