Rhode Island can point to a healthy boat ownership rate of 35 vessels per 1,000 residents for a total of more than 56,000 recreational watercraft as evidence of its vibrant boating scene. Alternatively, Rhodians can highlight their state’s nickname, the Ocean State, to demonstrate this historic region’s long ties to the sea. But the best way to discover yachting in Rhode Island is to board a vessel and explore the state’s beautiful and jagged coastline. With 400 miles of stunning shore, countless bays and inlets, 108 distinct islands and a slew of America’s most charming and traditional waterfront towns, it’s no wonder Rhode Island attracts over 28 million visitors per year.
Narragansett Bay is the largest estuary in New England with 147 square miles of navigable water lined by gilded age mansions, picturesque shoreline and historic retreats. Out here you can fish for striper, bass and blackfish, or spend a weekend hopping from waterfront town to waterfront town, soaking up the best of the New England scenery. For a good place from which to explore this stunning bay check out the Harbor Lights Marina in Warwick for 225 slips, or the nearby Safe Harbor Cowesett where 380 slips await.
The captivating historic town of Newport is sometimes called the “Sailing Capital of the World”, and for good reason. This beautiful island city hosted every America’s Cup challenge between 1930 and 1983, is home to the US Naval War College, remains the starting point for the famous Newport Bermuda Race and boasts storied institutions like the Ida Lewis Yacht Club and an outpost of the New York Yacht Club. You will have a wide choice of marinas dotted in and around the city, with popular options including Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard, where there’s 60 slips and 3,500 linear feet of dock space, and Newport Yachting Center, a full-service marina with 70 slips up to 180-feet in length. Start your boating adventure from here to explore the best of Narragansett Bay or ambitious cruising out into the Atlantic Ocean.
For a more vibrant and bustling experience head to state capitol Providence, located on the northern edge of Narragansett Bay, where you will find upscale Providence Marina right on the river just moments from Downtown. Another popular boating opportunity in this state exists in the backwater Salt Ponds that run parallel to Rhode Island’s southern sandy shore. Greenhill Pond, Ninigret Pond and Quonochontaug Pond possess an atmospheric and languid appeal, and are well stocked with a variety of saltwater fish and shellfish.
Boating generates over $2.6 billion dollars each year for the Rhode Island economy, supporting more than 13,300 jobs. In fact, boating makes up approximately 4.7% of Rhode Island economic output, one of the highest such industry shares in the country. Boat-making brands based here include NorthCoast, known for their high-performance sportfishers with classic Downeast curves, and Newport Yacht Builders, who have a strong line in vintage-styled Downeast yachts with a heritage look and feel.
Since 1964, SI Yachts has been helping our clients through the processes of buying and selling boats, many times it's their 10th or more boat sale with us. We take service very seriously and we are able to retain some of the best service talent in the industry giving us an incredible advantage when it comes making sure our customers enjoy their boating lifestyle. When you buy a yacht from us, our industry-leading mobile service team is just a phone call away. With a service facility located in Staten Island and mobile service throughout the Northeast and South Florida, SI Yachts has a true north-to-south connection for our seasonal cruising clients.
