Going around Sandy Hook NJ

R

Richd

New Member
Apr 3, 2016
20
Sparta NJ
Boat Info
2015 Sea Ray Sundancer 310. Brand new twin 300 hp mags w/ axius
Engines
twin 300 hp mag w/ axius
Hello everybody so My girl and I took my new 310 Sundancer "Luna Sea" up the canal and out the Manasquan inlet, well, just because it was a beautiful day and we played follow the boat in front of us.

There were absolutly no issues in spite of what I seemed to read about going in and out could be treacherous, Im sure depending on weather conditions.

Well once we got out there were big swells but many feet between them so no problem there. Man I was very impressed with the seaworthiness of this boat, I didnt have to use the trim tabs or anything, (just the stern trim to keep her level, but what a smooth ride. Hats off to a 10' beam. (Ya know I read an article about Formula's and how there steep deadrise and top heavyness causes them to ride side saddle, dunno how true but my Sea Ray definatly rode true with no pitch, roll or yaw.

So with smiles on our faces, and good weather all around , the water was open and deep so we headed north and recognized Asbury Park, where we had a beer and then turned around to head back in., maybe a few miles.

Only other time I was on the open Ocean was a trip to Nantucket on a Ferry, and everybody got sick.

This time it was exilarating, loved every minute of it. So now thinking Id like to head up to NYC one day, soon, and wondering how is it , going around Sandy Hook, any tips or things I should know. I would appreciate any and all answers.

One last thing I did make a trek once from Liberty Landing Marina to Highlands (Bahrs restaraunt) in my friends 30 ' Baja and halfway between the Verranzo bridge and Sandy Hook the water got hugely open and giant swells that in spite of his bow being up waves came right over the bow and we took on much water. was a bit unsettleling but mostly we just got wet. Up much higher in the Sea Ray but dont feel like going thru that again!

Anyway, thats it. Advice , or tips please. and thanks!
 
Richd said:
Hello everybody so My girl and I took my new 310 Sundancer "Luna Sea" up the canal and out the Manasquan inlet, well, just because it was a beautiful day and we played follow the boat in front of us.

There were absolutly no issues in spite of what I seemed to read about going in and out could be treacherous, Im sure depending on weather conditions.

Well once we got out there were big swells but many feet between them so no problem there. Man I was very impressed with the seaworthiness of this boat, I didnt have to use the trim tabs or anything, (just the stern trim to keep her level, but what a smooth ride. Hats off to a 10' beam. (Ya know I read an article about Formula's and how there steep deadrise and top heavyness causes them to ride side saddle, dunno how true but my Sea Ray definatly rode true with no pitch, roll or yaw.

So with smiles on our faces, and good weather all around , the water was open and deep so we headed north and recognized Asbury Park, where we had a beer and then turned around to head back in., maybe a few miles.

Only other time I was on the open Ocean was a trip to Nantucket on a Ferry, and everybody got sick.

This time it was exilarating, loved every minute of it. So now thinking Id like to head up to NYC one day, soon, and wondering how is it , going around Sandy Hook, any tips or things I should know. I would appreciate any and all answers.

One last thing I did make a trek once from Liberty Landing Marina to Highlands (Bahrs restaraunt) in my friends 30 ' Baja and halfway between the Verranzo bridge and Sandy Hook the water got hugely open and giant swells that in spite of his bow being up waves came right over the bow and we took on much water. was a bit unsettleling but mostly we just got wet. Up much higher in the Sea Ray but dont feel like going thru that again!

Anyway, thats it. Advice , or tips please. and thanks!
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:smt043:smt043You're hooked....padlock your wallet.
 
The ride up to manhatten From you is wide open. Very nice ride as long as the season are good. Pick your day and enjoy the ride!
 
I have done the trip a bunch of times. We have our boat either at our house in Ocean Beach on the bay or in Jersey City. Going out of Manasquan is no trouble unless you hit dead high or low. Then you get turbulence, especially if the ocean is rough. Going up past Sandy Hook you have to either stay in channel that runs close to Sandy Hook or head out into shipping lanes. There are shallows of 6-8' or more in the "false hook". Not that you will run aground but in a good swell or rough seas the waves will break in the shallows. On a calm day you won't know the difference but I typically stay in the shipping lanes. Study your GPS and you will see. Would be happy to help you out.

Bob Hughes
c 201-739-4411
 
Bob
I will give you a ring as we are planning on making the run to Atlantic City in July and then spend a week heading north through the ICW and then heading home from Liberty Landing. Pointers always welcome :)
Ron
 
The only thing I would add is that there are a bunch of fish traps about 1 mile off the coast as well as on the west side of Sandy Hook. Have a look at your chart and you will see the zones. There are small buoys marking their locations. But you'll need to keep your eyes open if you run through those zones.
 
Just curious if any of you guys. Ever made the trip across the ocean to Jones beach or up the long Island sound..From sandy hook.. looking into a 320 and want to start traveling this year with the boat..
 
Not lately, but we made those trips many times when I was a kid. We cruised from Red Bank out to Watch Hill national park, a great place to stay by the beach. We did that trip the inland route or the outside route, depending on the weather. We also cruised up the East River, into Long Island Sound, and out as far as Nantucket, making multiple stops along the way, including places like MV, Block, and Cuttyhunk That's a fantastic trip. We also cruised up the Hudson, past Albany, through the barge canal and locks, and into Lake Champlain. Another awesome trip. You should have no trouble doing those trips with a 320, other than cost of gas and range of the boat before fuel stops. We did it in a 30' Pacemaker way back when, and we would run about 8-10 hours a day. We're looking forward to doing some trips of that type in the 330 we just bought this winter.
 
Im looking to take a trip to Green port long island this year... Theres a place up there claudio's. I've been there before just never been there by water. How is the long island sound? Just like the hudson? Deep water? Nice Channel? The only places i traveled too so far is around NYC and down the hudson.
 
Siboatguy said:
Im looking to take a trip to Green port long island this year... Theres a place up there claudio's. I've been there before just never been there by water. How is the long island sound? Just like the hudson? Deep water? Nice Channel? The only places i traveled too so far is around NYC and down the hudson.
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There's a couple ways that you can reach Claudio's. You can go thru the sound, plenty of deep water & a nice ride. You can also come from the Atlantic side. Either come in Atlantic, Jones, Fire Island or Shinnecock inlet. Coming in the former 3 means running inside in some tight channels & skinny water in the Great South Bay & Moriches Bay but totally doable. I did it last year following GPS without incident. If you run to Shinnecock inlet you can come straight north of there thru the Shinnecock Canal and into Peconic bay. There's fuel as soon as you enter Shinnecock inlet and you can hit Shelter Island, or Westhampton as layovers if needed. I believe there are a couple marinas with transient docking as well along the canal.

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Siboatguy said:
Just curious if any of you guys. Ever made the trip across the ocean to Jones beach or up the long Island sound..From sandy hook.. looking into a 320 and want to start traveling this year with the boat..
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We keep our boat on the south shore of Long Island at almost equal distance between the Jones and Fire Island Inlets. I've been to NY Harbor several times with my old 300 Sundancer, and gone up the East and Harlem Rivers, and up the Hudson as far as Kingston.
All of it is very doable in a 320.
The Jones Inlet is very straightforward and once inside heading east in the State Boat Channel is easy as long as you follow the markers. The main destination you'd probably head for would be Zack's Bay which is behind the Theater at Jones Beach and a great spot for the Memorial Day Air Show.
If the ocean is a little sloppy you could cut about 12 miles off by coming in the East Rockaway Inlet and travelling behind the Long Beach peninsula. It will add time to the trip though.
IMHO: The Fire Island Inlet is a little trickier than Jones Inlet, but if you run outside to it you'll cut a lot of time off of a trip to some nice destinations on Fire Island.
Oddly enough, I've never ventured east of Fire Island by boat yet. I don't think there is much to see or do for a transient until you get out to around Shinnecock.
 
tdschafer said:
There's a couple ways that you can reach Claudio's. You can go thru the sound, plenty of deep water & a nice ride. You can also come from the Atlantic side. Either come in Atlantic, Jones, Fire Island or Shinnecock inlet. Coming in the former 3 means running inside in some tight channels & skinny water in the Great South Bay & Moriches Bay but totally doable. I did it last year following GPS without incident. If you run to Shinnecock inlet you can come straight north of there thru the Shinnecock Canal and into Peconic bay. There's fuel as soon as you enter Shinnecock inlet and you can hit Shelter Island, or Westhampton as layovers if needed. I believe there are a couple marinas with transient docking as well along the canal.

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Are you located out east? I'll be picking my new to me 410 up in Westbrook Ct. in April and bringing it back to my dock in Lindenhurst. I've never been through the Sound before and as much as I'd love to do it I probably won't be able to take the time to make a scenic trip of it going that way with an overnight in or near the city.
I'm thinking the quickest way to go would be across the Sound, through Plum Gut, across the Peconic Bay, Shinnecock Canal, out the Shinnecock Inlet, and then run outside to the Fire Island Inlet. I've never been out that way east of Fire Island by boat before. Any tips or things I should watch out for?
 
JVM225 said:
Are you located out east? I'll be picking my new to me 410 up in Westbrook Ct. in April and bringing it back to my dock in Lindenhurst. I've never been through the Sound before and as much as I'd love to do it I probably won't be able to take the time to make a scenic trip of it going that way with an overnight in or near the city.
I'm thinking the quickest way to go would be across the Sound, through Plum Gut, across the Peconic Bay, Shinnecock Canal, out the Shinnecock Inlet, and then run outside to the Fire Island Inlet. I've never been out that way east of Fire Island by boat before. Any tips or things I should watch out for?
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I keep my boat in Bluepoint, on the Great South Bay. The route you stated above would be the same way I would go. I haven't been through Plum Gut as I am usually heading to Montauk or Block when I head up the canal and then points eastward. One thing that comes to mind is that I would try to time it so you can lock through the canal. Its not very wide and locking through is a breeze. Its very calm then. If you go through when the locks are open, the currents can get a little hairy if they are near locking time. In addition there are yahoos tossing their weighted fishing lines at you just to add to the excitement! Lol
If the seas end up being bad you can stay inside instead of going out the Shinnecock inlet. Its a relaxing (sometimes slow) ride. The only real problem area would be in Moriches bay, usually around the mid 20's buoys due to seasonal shoaling. Before you depart, call Sea Tow or Boat US, whomever your towing service is, and get the local knowledge update from them. You should also go on Boater Ed dot com & check the LICC (Long Island Cruising Club) section. Most times you can find a current thread on the channel conditions in Moriches Bay. Once you get past that skinny water, your home free. Plenty of water the rest of the way.

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Thanks! I've never been through the canal but locking through looks pretty easy. I'd like to try to avoid Moriches Bay altogether. I go on LICC regularly and have read about problems with the buoys in there for years so I don't want to chance it in a boat that is new to me.
I've got some flexibility with dates to make the trip so I'll probably wait to get a day with a decent ocean forecast. I'll probably look to depart Connecticut shortly after sunrise so I can time it to be tucked in Fire Island inlet well before the afternoon wind starts blowing.
 
JVM225 said:
Thanks! I've never been through the canal but locking through looks pretty easy. I'd like to try to avoid Moriches Bay altogether. I go on LICC regularly and have read about problems with the buoys in there for years so I don't want to chance it in a boat that is new to me.
I've got some flexibility with dates to make the trip so I'll probably wait to get a day with a decent ocean forecast. I'll probably look to depart Connecticut shortly after sunrise so I can time it to be tucked in Fire Island inlet well before the afternoon wind starts blowing.
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If you go through at high tide & follow the local guides on where the buoys are moved you should be fine. I usually go slow in that one area & have had no issues. Its just a nice option if the weather takes a turn for the worst. I really have no issues going through there.

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Todd. Remember the joe adventure :)

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rcmafgny said:
Todd. Remember the joe adventure :)

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That's only because he couldn't read a GPS!! And that occurred in the no wake zone through the Westhampton canals!!! We were all radioing him that he was going off course, heck even my wife looked at the GPS for the first time & said "Shouldn't he be turning left?"!

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Moriches should only be for kayak's. Real boats belong in more than 2' of water. That channel should be closed. Ok I made a slight error by moving 3' in the wrong direction but it's ridiculous.
Take the North shore route it's super deep with many places to stop.and if you deviate more than 3' off your route you'll still be in 60' of water. I'll never transit moriches again. Just check out activecaptain for the best route.and have fun.
 
Thanks for everyone's input.
If I take the north route through the sound I'd want to make a trip of it and spend the night in the City somewhere. We've stayed at Liberty Landing before and really like it. We may even want to try the new place in Brooklyn. The problem is that I don't know if we'd have that kind of time.
Going the south route I could have my wife drop us off early in the morning and she could take the ferry back with her car from New London to Orient Point. The boat is in fantastic shape and went through survey and sea trial with flying colors but it's still new to me. I really doubt that there would be any problems, but if something should happen and I had to pull in to a marina somewhere along the way it will be nice to have my wife close by with the car.
I do think I'm going to wait for a day with a decent ocean forecast so I can avoid Moriches Bay though. I really don't want to take a chance with a boat that is new to me.
Sounds like Peconic Bay, Shinnecock Canal, Bay, and Inlet are all pretty straightforward. Once I'm in the ocean I've got a clear shot back to the Fire Island Inlet.
 
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