Approaches
The entrance to Red Brook is not especially difficult, but it is intricate. There are two channels; one passes to the north of Bassetts Island and the other to the south. Both are narrow and twisting, but are well marked with frequent government and occasional private buoys. Controlling depth in the south channel is reported to be 7 feet on an average low tide, but with various obstructions (both charted and rumored) strewn throughout. It is frequently used by local boats, although there's little margin for an unfamiliar navigator to experiment.
North channel depths are said, by Kingman's, to be at least 8 ft mlw, and we spoke with a local boat who said "I draw 5'10" and go in & out all the time with no problem." Our depth sounder gave a slightly different report {2005}, indicating a controlling depth of just better than 6 ft mlw in the vicinity of can "13". NOAA's chart 13236 shows 5 ft here, at mllw. Norman Martin, a reliable navigator with a recently calibrated depthsounder, carried 7 feet all the way around Bassets Island on an average low tide in 2007.
Bottom line: The north channel is wider and straighter, with 6 feet if you follow the buoys and avoid a drain tide. A boat drawing 7 should not try either channel on the back end of a falling tide. And with the 4 foot tidal range, a boat drawing 8 feet should be able to get in and out the north channel if the tide is halfway up and rising. Once inside you'll find adequate depth at the moorings and slips.
As for charts, the Maptech ChartKit (reprinting NOAA's 13229) does not show several crucial buoys marking the north channel behind Bassetts Island, including N "12" and C "13". The large scale chart 13236, also reprinted in Maptech's Embassy Guide, shows all the buoys, but even its detail is vague in key spots. For electronic chart users, some portions of the channel are close to the limits of GPS accuracy. And the screen of a handheld may not offer sufficient resolution and look-ahead at the same time.
Again, the entrance to Red Brook is not difficult - hundreds of keelboats are moored here - but a navigator unfamiliar with the harbor who tried to enter without proper charts and good daytime visibility would be flirting with a grounding.
Anchorages
Hospital Cove, off the south channel, is well-sheltered with depths of 7 to 10 feet. If it's too crowded, the narrow finger of deep water just east of Bassetts Island is a popular alternative. South of nun "12" it's unmarked, so it requires a little groping around with the depthsounder. More convenient, though less protected, is the large open cove between the south end of Bassetts Island and Scraggy Neck. This outer anchorage is more useful as a short stop before or after transiting the Canal than as a cruising destination. Finally, in the little cove just inside the northern entrance there is typically room to anchor a boat or two on the edge of the mooring field.
Moorings & Slips
Both Parker's and Kingman have moorings and launch service.
Parker's is a 3 generation, family-run yard that has for years specialized in sailboats. Kingman is a full-service marina with gift shop and restaurant. Their extensive float system makes them the primary source for slips in Red Brook, though Parker's may also have tie-up space available.
As you enter, Kingman's moorings are to the left (north) of the fairway and Parker's to the right.
