Fire Island Inlet

[tommyc_37]

Hey guys,

I'm planning to make a weekend trip this summer to Fire Island by boat. Just recently I've been hearing rumblings that the inlet is almost impossible to enter due to shoaling. Is this the case? has anybody been out that way yet this season?

 

[gnealon]

Hey guys,

I'm planning to make a weekend trip this summer to Fire Island by boat. Just recently I've been hearing rumblings that the inlet is almost impossible to enter due to shoaling. Is this the case? has anybody been out that way yet this season?

I haven't been out there yet this year but have never had a problem in the past. Some really big boats go out there from Captree all the time. May want to give Captree Boat Basin a call and see if they know anything. Good Luck!

Captree Boat Basin: (631) 669-0449

 

[Alex F]

Hey guys,

I'm planning to make a weekend trip this summer to Fire Island by boat. Just recently I've been hearing rumblings that the inlet is almost impossible to enter due to shoaling. Is this the case? has anybody been out that way yet this season?

I've heard the same from last year from CG and other boaters, so I picked Jones Inlet insted when I didn my trip.

I'd suggest to call FI CG to get most up to date info:

631-661-9101 - CG for FI (This is the info CG told me last year: buoys 4, 5, 6 have less than 4' do not come in on ebb. come in on the flood. Leave tree stakes on the port side when going east.)

516-785-2995 - CG for JI (depths are 8'-9' at low tide)

 

[tommyc_37]

Hmm, so for me boating from NYC, wouldn't cutting into Jones Inlet add a LOT of distance to the trip? Alex, thanks for the info. So basically, if I'm entering Fire Island Inlet at or near high tide, I should be fine - right?

 

[tdschafer]

How do you figure entering at Jones Inlet will add alot of distance? Jone's inlet is WEST of Fire Island inlet and NYC is WEST of Jone's inlet. You have to pass Jone's inlet to reach Fire Island inlet. Am I missing something here?

 

[Alex F]

Hmm, so for me boating from NYC, wouldn't cutting into Jones Inlet add a LOT of distance to the trip? ...

The only difference is the time, but not the distance. Basically, you would travel eastbound toward FI area either on the outside (in the ocean) or inside (via ICW). The difference with ICW is that you have a little more zigzagging and some no wke zones. If you're not in the rush I would take JI for several reasons: 1-avoiding questinable inlet, 2-calm water for 1.5hrs in ICW, 3-much more fun ride due to the scenery vs. just running for those 1.5-2hrs in the ocean along the coast.

BTW, make sure to stay in the channel. I remember that I gave a little more room to the charter boat and wnt close to the red marker and touched the bottom with my stbd prop. I was idling, so it wasn't a big deal at all, but it's a simple wake up call to be closer to the middle of the channel as long as you can. So, skinny water would be another difference between the ocean.

Last year I was cruising in LI South shore for the first time and it was easy enough (for the exception of known trouble spots like Moriches and Shinnecock Bays).

....So basically, if I'm entering Fire Island Inlet at or near high tide, I should be fine - right?

From the last years report I got from the CG I'd say you should be fine. But, to be 100% sure, call them and confirm the conditions for this year. Chances are it's fine on the high tide. I'm sure that it's navigatable during mid/low tides, but you'd have to have a local knowledge. Since I don't, I take the conservative routes. Better be safe than sorry.

 

[tommyc_37]

How do you figure entering at Jones Inlet will add alot of distance? Jone's inlet is WEST of Fire Island inlet and NYC is WEST of Jone's inlet. You have to pass Jone's inlet to reach Fire Island inlet. Am I missing something here?

Well, I know that. But by looking at a map, it appears that entering through Jones Inlet in order to reach my final destination of Fire Island, that route would take me significantly further north than I'd need to go, not to mention having to navigate through those marshy islands in the East Bay and South Oyster Bay. Am I wrong?

I've never made this trip before.

 

[cod]

Well, I know that. But by looking at a map, it appears that entering through Jones Inlet in order to reach my final destination of Fire Island, that route would take me significantly further north than I'd need to go, not to mention having to navigate through those marshy islands in the East Bay and South Oyster Bay. Am I wrong?

I've never made this trip before.

It doesn't really take you "significantly" north. Its just going to take longer due to the little bit of zig zagging and several 5 mph zones. Your first will be at the bridges you go under. After going under the 2nd bridge, I believe it is 5/mph until you pass Zach Bay. Then its a nice staight run. Then you have 5 mph zones at Tobay beach, Cedar beach, Frank and Dicks dock and Captree.

If the outside is snotty, go inside and enjoy the scenery and the ride. Stop at Frank and Dicks for lunch, great little spot with a Tiki bar....

 

[tdschafer]

Well, I know that. But by looking at a map, it appears that entering through Jones Inlet in order to reach my final destination of Fire Island, that route would take me significantly further north than I'd need to go, not to mention having to navigate through those marshy islands in the East Bay and South Oyster Bay. Am I wrong?

I've never made this trip before.

Larry on this site made this trip about a month or so ago. He had to run a boat from Ct. around to the south shore of LI via NYC. We reviewed the route together on the chartplotter software. At the advice of Shadow9999 on this site, who made this trip last fall, he used JI. There is a channel that runs pretty straight along the north shore of Fire Island that they both used without incident. FWIW.

 

[rcmafgny]

the ride inside is a much nicer ride.
if not in a rush, highly recommend it.

the Captree charter boats go out of Fire Island inlet every day, multiple times a day. id be very surprised if the issue as bad as made out to be.???

 

[Havana Shamrock]

I agree stay inside , its slow but worth it. As for the inlet i went out the inlet last august it
Was plenty deep at mid tide, also fast and straight. But nothing to look at.

 

[Alex F]

....the Captree charter boats go out of Fire Island inlet every day, multiple times a day. id be very surprised if the issue as bad as made out to be.???

Ron,

First of all, let's clarify that the inlet is officially navigatable. The latest warning by CG is only to alert us to use extra caution due to more shoaling. The biggest difference between charter boats that go through the inlet every single day and transieting recreational boaters is that they have all the local knowledge that's necessary to have safe pass-thru while we don't. So, for someone who's never been there or still a newbie to the area it's wise to either choose an alternative route or approach on the high tide.

Last year when I was collecting the info on FI CG told me that Moriches Inlet was safer and deeper than FI, despite the fact that it's officially aknowledged as non-navigatable inlet (this means that if you screw up, chances are that insurance has a good case not to cover your expences). So, having that info at hand I simply asked myself, is it really worth the trouble? The obvious answer was NO and I picked the alternative and safer route. If I recall, I would be passing FI on the low tide during my trip.

 

[rcmafgny]

no argument here. Always better to be safe and extra cautious. Last weekend we went into Zachs bay and there was no water where we easily cruised through last summer. The winter made some fundamental changes to the channels

 

[tommyc_37]

Thanks guys. On a related note, how hard is it to get a transient slip in the heart of the season (July)? I have a friend who has a house in the Ocean Beach section, so I'd need to dock or moor at a marina within walking distance to Ocean Beach. Since we won't be sleeping aboard the boat ... are there any mooring areas nearby? How much would I expect to pay for Thursday night through Sunday?

 

[Rocket]

If you want to stay near Ocean Beach, you will need to stay at the public dock. Coming in a thursday will most likely not be a problem. Check the web site http://www.villageofoceanbeach.org/rates.htm.

 

[Boatingfool]

We did it last year with the same concerns, it was fine. Get a Sea Tow membership and call them two weeks before your trip. They will escort you through. Give them a nice tip.

Worked great for us!

 

[Alex F]

We did it last year with the same concerns, it was fine. Get a Sea Tow membership and call them two weeks before your trip. They will escort you through.....

Boatingfool,

Can you share your navigation experience? What was the depth in relation to the tide (I hope you recall these details)? I just want to understand if there's a real need to be concerned or if you just follow the buoys at mid or high tide it's a walk in the park?

 

[Half Fast]

Thanks guys. On a related note, how hard is it to get a transient slip in the heart of the season (July)? I have a friend who has a house in the Ocean Beach section, so I'd need to dock or moor at a marina within walking distance to Ocean Beach. Since we won't be sleeping aboard the boat ... are there any mooring areas nearby? How much would I expect to pay for Thursday night through Sunday?

As mentioned there is the town dock at Ocean Beach - which is first come first serve but usually open on a Thursday. Be aware that Ocean Beach has a reputation of being the "Land of NO" - and that applies to the public dock there as well. They don't even want you sitting and drinking on your own boat. YMMV but just a warning. There is a marina in Seaview which is *just* to the east and a 2 minute walk to Ocean Beach. It is a mix of year-round and transient slips - if you call you can likely reserve a slip here. If you want to save some cash - you can stay a little further east in Ocean Bay Park at Flynns. It is very reasonable, has power and water, and they give you a portion of your dock fee back in credit at the restaurant/bar. It is a 15 minute or so walk to Ocean Beach - but you can take a water taxi over for $7.

have fun!

 

[Havana Shamrock]

Seaview is our favorite spot now, we stayed there half dozen times last year, it cost us about $100 for the night but it is small, quiet and a gated marina, the walk to ocean beach is short, we loved it and recommend it .

 

[rcmafgny]

joe,
do they take reservations there?
ron