Greenport to Shinnecock Inlet - Local knowledge needed please!

OK, maybe I CAN do the whole thing on one tank if I leave Greenport on Full. Once I hit Manasquan Inlet I can take on more fuel. From there it's an hour but a lot of no-wakes. About 10 miles.

Frank, I'd rather not get involved with carrying extra fuel. I'd rather kill time stopping twice if need be.

Cod, watched a few youtube vids on the canal. Would much rather do any canal at slack tide but I'm going to take what I can get. Jacksons was on my list of places to call, and I will, but I'd rather not try and negotiate docking in a 4 knot current with a new-to-me boat, thruster or not.
 
The current is really not a factor at Jackson's.. It is a factor at the other marinas further up the canal but Jackson is at the mouth of the canal and very little current as it opens up and you don't have the "funnel affect".
 
Update:

Picozzi's - fuel docks open.
Port Of Egypt - fuel docks open.
Hampton Watercraft - new pumps being finished up - should be open in a week or so
Jackson's - new pumps too but can gas up at the older pump section. new pumps may be open by April 12.
Oaklands - website has a 516 #, which went voicemail of the cell phone of a guy Doug Oakland.

Pretty much all of these are going to require a phone call that week to be sure.
 
cod said:


........................................................................................................................​
Ron.. Take note of the notice below. In regards to fuel, can't you simply have the broker fill it and charge it to your credit card? This way you are ready to go when you get to the boat.
28 February 2013
NY, Shinnecock Bay, hazard to navigation

Reported By: Ted Stehle (WG Staff)


The Coast Guard has received a report of a submerged hazard to navigation 20 yards east of Shinnecock Bay Buoy 30 (LLNR 30867) in
approximate position 40-52.658N 072-29.284W. All mariners are urged to use caution while transiting the area.
To view on the Waterway Guide Planner Chart click here.
Click to expand...


Great post, I was not aware of that website.

Ron. Using that website I found this warning with regards to the Point Pleasant Canal:
navigation-alert_2.png
navalert
Lat/Lon: 40°5.058'N,74°3.941'W
Reported: Mar 26th, 2013
Source: WG Staff


The following is from the CG 5th District NTM 13/13.

Mariners are advised that work continues at the Route 88 Bridge in the Point Pleasant Canal in Point Pleasant, NJ. A barge will be on site with
winch cables attached to the pilings on the west side of the canal. Work will continue for approximately 5 weeks. During this time the barge and
winch cables will be obstructing part of the channel. Mariners should use extreme caution when transiting the area and pay special attention to
the cables associated with the construction activities. Chart: 12312.

To view on Waterway Guide Planner click here.​
 
Good one Vince! I'm hoping that on a mId April Saturday evening around 6pm there won't be any canal traffic, or things could get VERY interesting. The painting barge parked in there last summer was a real hassle too.

That obstruction in Shinnecock Bay is also listed on Activecaptain. Great site for doing marina reconnaissance.
 
I'd expect nothing less!
 
could you have the marina its in fuel it for you before you get there.maybe the broker could fill it for you the you just pay him or the gas dock direct.you say their fuel dock is working so tell them they have to work something out for you.I do know there are tankers that deliver fuel right to the dock,as long as the marina will allow it.
 
Pay close attention heading south of the shinnicock canal starting at Buoy 26 through 22. Water is very shallow and channel is tight. Also read below on how to navigate the canal, i have used this from another website, Be cautious if you proceed when the locks are open, water is moving good and you need to position through the lock which is about 18 feet wide.

Shinnicock Locks
The locks are open 24 hours a day. The Lock Operator controls all movements of
boats by light signals and horns. The Lock Operator can be reached at
631-852-8299.
When approaching the locks, boaters should see light trees. Green: Lock is ready
craft may advance. Red: Crafts must wait. No Light: Crafts must wait. Six
flashes of Red or Green: Remain stopped and await further instructions.
On Entering the lock chamber, boats should move as forward as possible to make
room for others. Have your fenders and lines ready prior to locking. Do not tie
your lines instead just loop over the wall cleat and adjust as the water level
rises/falls depending.
As soon as the water in the lock reaches the proper level the gates will open.
Proceed at a reduced speed as the canal is no wake zone. That being said, when
the locks are open the current can flow very quickly, stay on your power and
ignore the no wake zone.
It is actually easier to lock through when the gates are open than
closed but only for small boats. The current flows hard at times and ifyou have a larger boat it may be wise to lock through when the gates are closed your 1st time.
Some tips:
When the gates are closed boats will start lining up awaiting their turn to
enter the lock. Do not cut the line. Keep your boat off the walls and any nearby
boat. Do not crowd other boaters. The canal gets tight when the wind is east or
west. Have your lines and fenders ready prior to entering the canal. Move as
forward as possible when the lock opens and you get your turn.
 
John
The marina gas dock will NOT be open by the time I'm ready to leave. I've asked the broker if they'd allow a tanker in. Typically they don't but he'll find out for sure for me. Not too worried about fuel. Sounds like there are a couple of places within a few miles that I can fill up at that morning.

Rocket, did you say you have to power through the lock at idle speed and it's 18' wide at that point? YIKES!
Can't tell that from this video...

[video=youtube;gPYd7Z8tL4I]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPYd7Z8tL4I[/video]
 
Ron, He is correct... When the lock is open, Northbound vessels use the lock, southbound vessels go thru a gate that is 18 feet wide. Dont worry about making a wake, just power thru.. You'll be fine...
 
18'? NICE! I love a challenge on a boat I've owned for 2 hours!

Looks like LOW TIDE at the canal for April 13 is 0901 - I'll probably be getting there around that time or a bit after. Does that mean the tide will be just about slack and all doors open?
 
Thats what fenders are for...........

you will be fine.
 
In case anyone is interested, just spoke to Doug Oakland over at Oakland's. Their fuel docks open at 0700 and are fully functional. He says the inlet was just dredged and he advised trying to avoid passing through the bay at low tide if possible (for me, on april 13, not possible).
 
Ron,

I did the trip the first year I got my 420DB, actually for this trip Rod and Nancy joined us for very exciting vacation time.

Here are the basic stats from my log to give you an idea (we headed back home from Sag):
6:50am (Sag to LHM): arrived to Shinn Cannal 15NM, 7:45am. The locks were opened so we just plowed through the gate.
8:20am, 19N, Stopped at Shinn Inlet to fuel up. Filled p90g/s70g @ $4.30p/g.
Left SC 9:05am. Arrived to MI at MI 1:55pm, 101NM.
Arrived at LHM 3:25pm. 116NM

All in all you'll love cruising this area. There's nothing there you haven't done that would keep you on your toes. So, just relax and simply enjoy your new yacht as she takes you home via beautiful bodies of water. Make sure to bring camera and take lots of pictures. Study the charts and plot the safe route, the rest will be walk in the park.

Peconic Bays are simply a pleasure to navigate. They're deep and there's no channel to follow, just watch occasional markers and mostly the scenery. Don't you worry about the lock, it doesn't matter if it's open or closed. I've done it both ways and it's fine either way. If the lock is closed it's even easier. All you need to do is tie up and wait in the chamber for the lock to open and water to level. Untie and off you go with minimum current. If the lock is open it'll be nothing more than like going through PP Canal (only very short one). Having bow thruster you should have zero concerns, but you won't even need it. Just use a bit more power and plow thru to maintain the control of the boat.

Shinnecock Bay, I don't recall having any very low or troubled spots. I actually timed it to go at the LOW tide due to the fixed bridge clearance. But, of course this was before Sandy did the HVAC to the area. I would call CG and local SeaTow to get latest info on the safe passage thru there. But, IMO as long as you stay in the channel you'll be fine.

The inlet is nothing more than your usual Manasquan inlet. From there you'll enjoy the ~5hrs run in the mighty Atlantic. I'm sure you remember our posts that we got our butts kicked out there on our return home, this was due strong South winds and 4-5-6'ers constant chop (you know the deal on every 7th...LOL), short sequence. Rod didn't feel it as much as he was hiding in my wake, but I took some nice water up on the bridge that would block viz for a good minute when a bigger wave would hit. I had to button everything up and put away my fan as it would jump all over the bridge.

To make the ride smoother I changed the course slightly to go more directly in to deeper water (away from LI coast of 40-50' deep water). As we entered 100-120' of water I would adjust the angle to take the waves better, adjusted the speed to 18-19kts and headed on to the MI with occasional tacking. As we got closer to NJ shore the winds were blowing 25kts and gusting over 35kts, I almost lost my cushion cover.

Sorry for a bit bragging, but setting proper expectation is what will help you plan this trip. Full tanks before leaving the SI is a must as you don't know what will meat you out there in those 5hrs. Slowing down due to seas will burn more fuel, so having full tanks will give you piece of mind. Other than that your boat will do just fine and you'll enjoy handling of larger SR.

Let me know if you need anything else.

Good luck my friend.
 
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Alex.
Thanks. Great info. I spoke to King Neptune and he said nothing about 5 footers for April 13th.

Your times are pretty much what I estimated. Sag to Manasquan is pretty much the identical ride as GP to Manasquan. I'm probably not going to make the same speed as you did but if the weather cooperates, there will be less tacking and a more direct route. If I can arrive in Brick by 3-4pm with a fuel stop, I'd be thrilled.

Since Oakland's at the inlet is open, I'll make that my last stop until Manasqan. I'd still call a day before to be sure they'll have enough fuel!
 
If I recall, Oakland's is where I got the fuel as well. It's the place right before the inlet, you can't miss it. Their prices are reasonable too.

I'm not sure who you'll have as a crew, but if it's just boys, then it's not a problem. However, if you're taking your girls along for the ride I'd take a close look at a plan B, which is going around the bend in to LIS. I've used it in the past and we liked it so much that it's now my main route. It may seam like it's longer and you'll burn more fuel, but it's not. The distance difference is around 10-15NM, but the "trick" is that you'll be in calm water most of the trip so you'll be able to use the sweet spot of the boat with ease and use less fuel compare to plowing through the ocean for 5hrs. If I recall I've used less fuel and time via LIS route vs. the straight shot SI to MI. The scenery is always there, it's a fun ride compare to boring and nothing to see the minute you leave the SI. NYC and the Islands are always nice to pass by water, even if you've done it thousand times. Your ocean run is only couple of hours at the most (between Ver. br and MI). If the tides are in your favor you'll gain the speed and save even more fuel, but I never watched them. Don't worry about the Hell's Gate, you'll zip right through it in minutes.

Just a thought.
 
Last edited:
Bugsy24 said:
Alex, your Slipping!!! I was expecting a Powerpoint Presentation and a Spreadsheet! :grin:
Click to expand...

You're right, Marshall. But I have perfect excuse. Its a spring time, my eyes are glued to my spring recommissioning spreadsheet and my head is spinning 360 from looking at my projects spreadsheet. :lol:
 
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