Tag Archives: Martha’s Vineyard equipment rental

How Does the Steamship Authority Work?

Matha's Vineyard Steamship Authority Ferry

For those of you that have been to the island of Martha’s Vineyard, you know that the process of bringing a vehicle along on your Vineyard vacation can be very trying if you don’t know the process!  Our island population goes from around 15,000 year round residents to 100,000 August visitors.  You really do need to take a ferry to and from the island.  It is a 45 minute ferry ride from the Cape.

Oak Bluffs Beach Front Rental

Once you have booked your Vineyard vacation rental, you will need to work on making arrangements for getting here.  The Steamship Authority does not take reservations for the summer season until sometime in January.  This year they open reservations online and via mail on January 20th.  Mark your calendars!  They will open the phone lines up on January 27, 2009.

Sometimes it feels like you have won the lottery when you get just the right times for your reservations for your August vacation.   The process can seem unbearable much of the time but following are some tips that might help:

  • Go online to the Steamship Authority and sign up for your profile number and pin prior to making your reservation.
  • Go online as soon as you can on January 20, be patient as you may get bumped off the site due to high volume.
  • Book any time you can on the day of travel or as close to the day of travel and request to be wait listed for your preferred times.

You should know that the wait list system does seem to work out for most travelers that are reserving their tickets this far in advance.   The steamship has represented in the past that they do not completely book all of the boats so they will have some flexibility.  Things do shift around but you may not know for sure right up until travel time.  They do also have a day of sail number you can call to try to change your reservation while you are on the road.

I once had a customer call and book a house one Saturday in August, drive down and get right on the boat and arrive at my office to pay for their vacation home and pick up their key, all in the same day.  This is not the norm and I do not recommend you wait to see if this works but, please realize that some of the systems that may seem very flawed can work well in the end!

A Quick Guide To Boating On Martha’s Vineyard

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 “For whatever we lose (like a you or a me), It’s always our self we find in the sea.” – E.E. Cummings

With the weather finally turning towards the better, it seems like more and more boats are slowly trickling into the harbors. People are prepping for the season, and I can’t wait to get my boat ready as well. Boating is a large part of the lifestyle here on Martha’s Vineyard, and luckily you don’t have to know someone in order to take advantage of that. There are so many different programs & businesses on Martha’s Vineyard, that finding a way to get out on the water is a breeze.

If you’re looking for some excitement on the high seas, sport fishing is the way to go. We recommend Smokin Eel Charters, or Larry’s Tackle Shop Charters. These two Captains have been fishing these waters for 30+ years, and know the island’s best fishing spots.

If you’re looking for a family day out on the water sailing, call the people over on the schooner Ishmael at 617-355-8610.

Would you like your children to learn how to sail? Check out Sail MV. They have an amazing sailing program for sailors at every level of sailing.

 

If you are looking for something else out on the water, please give us a call. With so many connections throughout the Island, we can help make your summer dreams a reality.

 

Sandpiper Rentals, Inc
Rent@SandpiperRental.com
CLICK HERE  to search our Martha’s Vineyard vacation rental home SPECIALS
or
CLICK HERE to search through our inventory of over 500 homes

We’re Growing!

~ WE’RE GROWING ~

 Happy Thanksgiving

Sandpiper Rentals is excited to announce that we are moving next door

into a larger space at 62 Winter Street as of January 1, 2014.

 

Are you considering listing your home for rent?

or

Are you looking for the “perfect” vacation rental home this summer?

 

It is our pleasure to offer custom and precisely orchestrated

services ~ exceeding expectations.

Sandpiper Rentals, Inc
Rent@SandpiperRental.com
CLICK HERE  to search our Martha’s Vineyard vacation rental home SPECIALS
or
CLICK HERE to search through our inventory of over 500 homes