Horseshoe shoals is off of Popponesset and Cotuit. For years I boated out of Popponesset bay, and then Cotiut Harbor. Both were very tricky locations, with shifting sand and shallow water. I actually grounded out my powerboat once while trying to aide someone who had grounded. The vessel drew inches of water. I threw out the anchor and waited for the tide, no big deal.

When I was young I would head off from work, and head off with friends to fish the shoals after dark. We navigated these tricky channels without a lot of difficulty. I had a Thompson 18 at the time, a wonderful wooden powerboat with beautiful lines, and lots of freeboard.

Horeshoe Shoals is a good distance from the shore, and is in fairly deep water. As you approach you can see the waves breaking as they hit the shoals. As you come up on the shoal itself it is very surprising how quickly the depthsounder goes to three to five feet of water. No area for a sailboat to be in, the sand bar is actually shallow enough to get out and stand on at times. It is a rather mystical place, as deep sea creatures are found in abundance. I remember once seeing a ray swim up and over the shoal, totally undisturbed by our presence. Another time I saw a figure jumping out of the water and diving back in. It was quite a sight, looking just like a human jumping in for a dive. I can only think that it was a very large fish, chasing bait up and out of the water.

It has been many years since I sailed this area, but I remember it as a spot where precise navigation was needed, way before GPS existed. Using a compass and constant eye on landmarks, we stayed off the shoals, most of the time.