great south bay to montauk

[Lobrim]

Hello all, Found this forum a few weeks ago and have been lurking, reading, learning (also still unsure what move to make regarding dinks for a 280 DA).

Wife has it in her head to go out to Montauk this year. 2nd season with the boat and we have not really ventured anywhere far yet. Anyone made this trek? Is it better to go out in the ocean and hug the coast the whole way? (If I figure out that I can do it on one tank of fuel) or stay inland and go through moriches bay, Shinnecock bay and canal to peconic bay and around. Any thoughts would be nice. I am an overly cautious boater but don't want to let nerves ruin my shot at a great time.

 

[katricol]

Going around the south side of the south fork would be the easier route and faster. The sh. canal and peconic bay is pretty and there are many nice places to go, with a good gps the bay would be doable. You would need to read your charts and pay attention esp. aroud Gardners isle. As far as gas is concerned again check your charts for availability beyond shenn, canal area. Ric

 

[bill1964]

Your 28 dancer is a great boat for the trip to montauk providing the winds are expected to be below 15 knots and wave height no more than 3 ft in the ocean or 1-2 feet in the sound. Generally I prefer to take the fire island inlet with a straight shot to montauk. Usually only attempting this with a light wind from the North and ocean wave height expected to be no more than 2-3 feet ( optimally 1-2 feet)

Having done the trip from the great south bay to Montauk - and on to Block Island about 15 times, I've had my share of "Learning Experiences" everything from running aground in the morriches, to pea soup fog in the ocean off east hampton, to 6 foot following seas in the shinnecock inlet. The past 3 seasons I feel confident in the passage and have my check list in place.

The summer of 2009 has had weather patterns which change quickly and gusty winds. This year we're doing the inland route, through the morriches and shinnecock locks on to Peconic bay.

Quick Guide

Hit the Morriches Passages 1 hour after the posted High Tide for Morriches Inlet.

2008 the Bouys changed in the Morrices with a Sharp Hook heading North ( Heading up to the mainland) than returning south again. Obvioulsy a giant sandbar formed smack in the middle of the previous channel.

Shinnecock Channel on the South Side has a nifty dog-leg channel just before the bridge. be alert, it's fairly well marked.
( I always enjoy watching the color of the boats wake change from a murky green of the Great South Bay to a crystal clear white and sparkling blue in the Shinnecock Bay )

Shinnecck Locks: Time your trip to the Locks being Closed at Shinnecock.. yes Closed.. it's a little time consumming waiting for the locks to open and close but it makes this trip very enjoyable. When the locks are open, you may get caught up in the forceful tidal flow rushing through the locks. Not something you'd want to experience on a pleasure trip. I have the phone # in my log book for the Lock Keeper ( or whoever you call the guy who opens and closes the locks), but not handy to offer in this post... you can call information to get their phone #.. just ask the people working there when the locks will open and close for that day.. the time changes about 50 minutes each day.. to plan your trip, call the day before to make a guess-timet as to when they"ll be closed.

Once your through the locks and escape to the Peconic Bay your trip actually becomes enjoyable. Wide Open Deep Water, and a clearly marked passage out to Montauk.

Taking the ocean route is much easier, but only under the right sea conditions. As far as fuel.. you'll burn about 1/2 - 3/4 of a tank for the trip. Starting with a full tank, you'll deffinetly get to montauk with fuel left over.

I hope this was helpful... enjoy your trip!