Watch Hill (Fire Island)

Shaps

Well-Known Member
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Nov 4, 2019
2,456
Long Island,NY
Boat Info
2010 Sundancer 500
2015 Brig Falcon 330T
Engines
Twin Cummins QSC550 w Zeus Pods
Heading to Watch Hill on Fire Island this weekend and am hearing the entrance is even more shallow than last year.
Can anyone confirm/deny?
Is one side of then entrance better than the other? (not that its wide anyway)

Thank you!
 
Heading to Watch Hill on Fire Island this weekend and am hearing the entrance is even more shallow than last year.
Can anyone confirm/deny?
Is one side of then entrance better than the other? (not that its wide anyway)

Thank you!
Stay between the buoys in the channel on the way in from the bay.
Once you make the right turn onto the entrance, incoming traffic uses the center of the channel. Outgoing traffic should Stay to the east side on the way out as they pass the pump out station.

there was a red marker earlier in the season to show the shallow area on the west side of the entrance just before the pump out station but I haven’t seen it in a while.
 
Stay between the buoys in the channel on the way in from the bay.
Once you make the right turn onto the entrance, incoming traffic uses the center of the channel. Outgoing traffic should Stay to the east side on the way out as they pass the pump out station.

there was a red marker earlier in the season to show the shallow area on the west side of the entrance just before the pump out station but I haven’t seen it in a while.

Thank you!
 
Ive got a 3'9" draft... Am I going to hit bottom? I didn't last year, but there was 'pucker factor'
WatchHill.PNG
 
If I remember correctly, usually 5-6 feet minimum in the channel at low tide.

the ferry uses the same channel so I assume you’d be good.

Immediately outside the buoys is very shallow so stay on track!
 
Shaps with is the name of your boat, I will be at Davis this weekend an usually walk over to Watch Hill.
 
Well... We literally just cancelled..
We were staying just one day as we have Atlantique on Sunday. Received a message from the dockmaster that there is a 2 night minimum so we would be paying 340 for one night... I like watch hill.. but not that much...
 
Well... We literally just cancelled..
We were staying just one day as we have Atlantique on Sunday. Received a message from the dockmaster that there is a 2 night minimum so we would be paying 340 for one night... I like watch hill.. but not that much...
Here’s the fall weekend special rates. Just took this picture today.
B3459193-32C2-4648-BD43-E5FFBCA652E3.jpeg
 
If I remember correctly, usually 5-6 feet minimum in the channel at low tide.

the ferry uses the same channel so I assume you’d be good.

Immediately outside the buoys is very shallow so stay on track!

The ferry has a 3' draft and has run aground in the channel more times than I can remember. At low tide there's more like 3-4 foot depth in a few spots. I've been in and out of Watch Hill hundreds of times over the past twenty years. The channel and, in particular, the entrance have needed a dredging since reopening in 2019. The draft on my 58 was 4'6". Arriving and departing required timing with tides and wind. Not pleasant but deep draft boats can do it with planning and care.
 
This just posted on the friends of Watch Hill fbook page:
The approach channel to Watchhill has been completely dredged and the spoils were used to backfill both A and E land!


269705248_4573804276033977_1162081764018417524_n.jpeg
 
We are planning on going to Watch Hill this summer. We have only been there by dingy while staying at Mystic. We would like to get a mooring there but I can’t find them on Dockwa. Who manages the moorings there?
 
We are planning on going to Watch Hill this summer. We have only been there by dingy while staying at Mystic. We would like to get a mooring there but I can’t find them on Dockwa. Who manages the moorings there?
This topic is about Watch Hill Fire Island NY.
 
B8E4D6AA-C5E9-4538-8E53-BCC53C928587.jpeg
We are planning on going to Watch Hill this summer. We have only been there by dingy while staying at Mystic. We would like to get a mooring there but I can’t find them on Dockwa. Who manages the moorings there?
Jeremy if you hit Watch Hill RI best bet is to anchor. There is a small marina but not worth staying there in my opinion. We are staying in mystic now and Watch Hill is our go to spot. Let us know when you’re heading down our way. We are planning to do 4 weeks in MV this summer (vacay/working remotely).
 
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Jeremy if you hit Watch Hill RI best bet is to anchor. There is a small marina but not worth staying there in my opinion. We are staying in mystic now and Watch Hill is our go to spot. Let us know when you’re heading down our way. We are planning to do 4 weeks in MV this summer (vacay/working remotely).
Thanks Dean, I appreciate the info. I’ll let you know when we’re coming down that way. Do the same when you’re up in MV.
 
Has anyone been to Watch Hill yet this year? I couldn't tell from the website whether the restaurant was open or just the food truck and tent.
Also, what are your preferences in terms of which dock you request and why.
Thanks in advance for your input.
 
Has anyone been to Watch Hill yet this year? I couldn't tell from the website whether the restaurant was open or just the food truck and tent.
Also, what are your preferences in terms of which dock you request and why.
Thanks in advance for your input.

Restaurant was torn down, entrance channel was dredged and A land was rebuilt from the dredged sand.

Still have the tent and the food truck along with entertainment. Problem right now is that the last ferry leaves at 4:30 so anyone staying later needs to go to Davis to return. This affects the later crowd and entertainment.

-Kevin
 
Oh and for your boat you probably want to be in A, B or D. A and B are nice but a little more exposed to a north wind. On the A/B pier you can get a nice breeze when it is warm. B land used to be great with the restaurant right behind it but now it's an empty deck. I feel C land and pier a little tight with my 340 but doable. D has more room and accommodates bigger beams. D land is nice but can be a little buggy because of the dunes in the evening but is the choice for many boats.

-Kevin
 
Oh and for your boat you probably want to be in A, B or D. A and B are nice but a little more exposed to a north wind. On the A/B pier you can get a nice breeze when it is warm. B land used to be great with the restaurant right behind it but now it's an empty deck. I feel C land and pier a little tight with my 340 but doable. D has more room and accommodates bigger beams. D land is nice but can be a little buggy because of the dunes in the evening but is the choice for many boats.

-Kevin
Thanks Kevin.
 

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