Reprinted from the July / August 1998 edition of Northeast Sailing Magazine with permission.

Boston Harbor Shipyard & Marina

“A first-class marina with first-rate service”

You might want to stay at this marina for longer than you planned. A bit of surprise is this place tucked into the small-town-in-a-big-city known as East Boston. Right betwixt and between Logan Airport and downtown Boston, the marina occupies part of what used to be the Old Bethlehem Shipyard.

Since its inception in 1988, the facility has grown to 180 deep-water slips on floating docks extending off an unusually large and sturdy pier. With 40 feet of water in the marina, including 25 feet at low tide at the gas dock, the marina can accommodate most any boat. Barges serve as breakwaters to protect the slips, although in its location at the very top of Boston Harbor, the place is already liberally protected. It's also in a great spot for sailing and for shore duty.

A friendly atmosphere prevails here and the staff caters to their clientele. A golf cart with a small trailer zips up and down the main pier carrying groceries, luggage, etc to the boats. On Saturday and Sunday mornings guests are greeted with a complimentary breakfast at the end of the main dock where, on the last Saturday of each month, the management hosts a party with a DJ. On request, they'll summon Rob McPherson's water taxi to ferry you to Boston's North End for an Italian dinner or a local cab to take you to Logan. From your slip you have a bird's eye view of harbor or activity with downtown Boston to starboard and the inlet to the ocean in the distance to port. On nights when the wind's just right, the music from the Harborlights concert tent, directly across the harbor, can be clearly heard from the cockpit of your boat.

For some reason, East Boston has many excellent restaurants and more than a few will deliver full dinners to your boat. Manager Pat Gately and her staff can help with your selection of places to call or with directions so you can just walk down the street to dine, shop or jump onto the Blue Line of the MBTA and zoom underground into Boston. The town is just minutes away so you'll not lack for distractions while tied up here.

This summer will bring the Tall Ships to the harbor for the U.S.S. Constitution's bicentennial and you couldn't find a better viewing spot than a slip at BHS&M for that event or any other event the busy harbor has to offer.

In addition to its staff, beautifully maintained premises, BHS&M offers proximity to great sailing grounds. Less than one mile away lies Massachusetts Bay. Hang a right and a good day of cruising will bring you into Provincetown, take a left for lunch in Marblehead or dine at anchor in Gloucester.

If you consider leaving your boat in the Boston area for an extended period this is one of the premiere places to do so. From BHS&M, daysailing is a joy with Boston Harbor's myriad islands to explore. So, if you want to sail, tour the Freedom Trail, go to museums or the theatre and some great restaurants while on your summer cruise, you now know where to go.