Introduction
From Boston Harbor Islands: One of the largest islands, Peddocks Island is both beautiful, rich in history and off the beaten path. The island once was home to Native Americans, militiamen, prisoners of war, and farmers. Today some private residents still call the island home. Historic structures, such as Fort Andrews, built at the start of the 1900’s, along with the restored WWII-era Chapel, reside at this location. Peddocks Island is also rich in biodiversity and is home to wildlife such as deer and turkeys, making it a fun location to explore.
Navigation
Approaches
The waters northwest of Peddocks are filled with ledges, some exposed, some submerged, that run south from Rainsford Island. They’re marked, but mostly with an eye to the east. If you’re heading towards Peddocks from the west (ie the Long Island Bridge) and you’re careless with the chart, there are a number of rocks you can hit before seeing their buoy. The waters northeast of Peddocks are clear but for one 6 foot spot on Hospital Shoal.
If your destination is the south side of the island, you’ll need to contend with the currents in the narrow guts at either end, described below.
Hull Gut
Currents run in and out of Hingham Bay around both ends of Peddocks Island, turning at just about the time of high or low water in Boston. Hull Gut, between the east end of Peddocks and the Hull mainland, sees velocities over 2.5 knots, while currents in West Gut are half to three-quarters of a knot less. With the current against you, especially if the wind is light, Hull Gut can be just about impassable for a small sailboat — making the extra distance around the west end of Peddocks seem a good bargain. If the current is with you, Hull Gut is a fun trip.
Anchorages
The anchorages in the two coves on the north side offer convenient, sloping depths of 10 to 15 feet at low and a beach to land the dinghy.
On the south side, you can anchor off the middle of the island, but flatter contours will push you further out. The toughest spot to anchor is, unfortunately, off the northeast corner of the island, closest to the pier. Here, depths go from under 6 feet to over 20 feet close to shore, and proximity to the channel means a lot of wake action on busy days. It’s an OK spot if your goal is to land at the pier; if you’re staying aboard, any of the other three anchorages would be more restful.
Moorings
Moorings are available on the north side of the island. You can lie comfortably here on a quiet night, but they are exposed to a mile or so of fetch from southwest around to northeast. It tends to be rather busy on the weekends. A more laid-back alternative are the moorings at Gallops.
You can reserve and pay for a mooring on Dockwa.
Slips
Peddocks has no facilities for extended tie-up. The pier is for drop off and pick up only.
Services
Facilities / Fitting Out
- Water
- Toilets
Peddocks has no supplies for a sailboat.
Contacts
Boston Harbor Island National and State Park
Boston Harbor Now is the non-profit partner of the 34-island Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park