LBI... marinas/inlet?

[Converse48]

Hi all... part of the "deal" that was cut with the Admiral that landed me the new boat ('07 44 sedan) was that I'd take the crew to LBI this summer on the boat. The Admiral has a good friend there and we'd like to go spend a few days there.

We're based in Rock Hall on the upper Chesapeake so we'll go up through the C&D and down that godforsaken Delaware Bay to Cape May and then up to LBI.

It seems like there's a good base on NJ boaters here so I'm hoping you can provide some guidance on two things:

1- What is a good marina for transients with kids (7 & 9) on LBI? I'm thinking somewhere in Beach Haven?
2- I'm assuming coming from Cape May the the Egg Harbor inlet is the best bet. How passable is that inlet? How is it marked? I've only done the Cape May, Absecon and Manasquan inlets in the past. (One particularly hairy experience has me a little wary of inlets!).

Thanks!
Tim

 

[osd9]

Tim:

I haven't stayed at any transients in LBI as it so close to our house that we drive there when we want to visit.

MM Brant Beach MAY, and I emphasize MAY, be able to accomodate you if you give them enough notice....Don't know if you read the thread "Navigate the Chessapeake", but a few of us are planning the trip in the other direction. Maybe you can work in that schedule. Do you have dates planned yet?

As for the inlet, you DEFINETLY want to head out at Cape May Inlet and then go north from there on the outside....(going inside and north from there is not a fun ride...IMHO).....and then you could come back inside either at Atlantic City (Absecon inlet) or go straight in at Little Egg Inlet....Both are well marked with the AC inlet being an quieter ride....however, if you chose to come in AC, you will have to deal with the fisherman in the marshes for about 40 minutes north of there.....and that is not fun either.

I think Morrisons has a few transients also, but again, they only have a few and you would have to book early.

I'm sure others will be able to help better with marinas...good luck with the new boat....

 

[Nanisworld]

Hey there! Our boat is kept right across the bay from LBI. As for inlets, it's personal preference. Barnegat Inlet has its reputation as being a tough one. We all know that. As for Little Egg Inlet - we used to go in and out there all the time 2 seasons ago - then heard last season that quite a bit of shoaling had taken place and that you really had to be careful. Last season if we were heading south, we went out the Absecon Inlet. It's an easy inlet, but you will have to deal with going "the back way" to LBI. That means STAYING EXACTLY in the channel, despit the fishing folks in their rowboats in the middle of the channel. Watch your marks like a hawk.

Morrisons is the only spot (other than Beach Haven Yacht Club) that I can think of in Beach Haven. Don't forget the Morrisons Restaurant is gone (burnt down over a year ago) but the marina is alive and kicking.


Gotta fly - hope this helps!

 

[Converse48]

Thanks... I'm not getting the warm and fuzzies about either of those inlets (Barnegat or Little Egg). And I wasn't wild about the trip up the inside from Absecon. But I guess running aground in the ICW is beter than running aground in an inlet! Also, I will give Morrison's a try!

 

[osd9]

Tim:

Barnegat Inlet is not as bad as it used to be. There are now North and South jetties that really help to calm her down. However, Barnegat Inlet would be out of your way by at least an hour to an hour and a half.

Little Egg Inlet is well marked and well traveled. You shouldn't have a problem following someone else in if that makes you feel more comfortable.

When the dates get closer, post your schedule, and maybe some of us locals will be in the area and we can "lead the way".

As a general rule, I try to schedule my inlets ventures as close to the slack Hi tide as possible. Low tides bring the breakers, and that can cause anxiety for even the most seasoned inlet traveler. Always try to avoid an outgoing tide with an incoming wind....that's when the inlets really start to rumble.....

Good luck and keep us posted...

 

[Converse48]

osd9- I like the following somebody idea, I'll post when we're heading up.

Also, my "inletophobia" was fueled by having to blast through three rows of standing waves in my 36' Carver as an outbound tide was bucking an onshore wind at Cape May in the fall of '04. I haven't been the same since...

Of course, I've sinced wised up and bought a Sea Ray... that being said, I'm not looking forward to a repeat performance of that act!

 

[rondds]

prodigal
we've been hitting LBI, particularly beach haven every year for the past 4 years. we've always stayed at beach haven yacht club marina. here are the pros: easy to get a slip (but call a few weeks in advance); cheap ($2.75/ft); cable tv hookup; WiFi; walk to everything; they lend you bicycles; they give you beach passes; the dock hand (a guy named May) is top notch; cheapest fuel (gas or diesel) on barnegat bay, BAR NONE.

here are the cons: wicked 5 - 6 knot current, 5 foot tide drop and fixed docks, cheesy bathrooms; marina is real close to the end of the ICW no wake zone (so you can rock and roll as people throttle back coming in from Little Egg Inlet); the main pier sticks pretty far out, thus if you are in a slip towards the end, where the gas dock is, you are not sheltered and with a good north or northeast blow, you can get seasick at your slip (this happened to us the day we left - the first week of august!); no pool.

the upper crusty alternative is Shelter Harbor Marina, also in beach haven. beautiful place nestled in amongst townhomes/condos. Pros: pool; a shorter walk to everything; floating docks (not piers).
Cons: expensive ($125/night any size), very difficult to book; pool. as for booking, they have 2 transient berths which, when i called last april, were booked for every day in august and july. if you are travelling with more than two boats, you cant all stay together. sometimes, one of their tenants is away so there is an extra slip open, but that is hit or miss and you'd have to be very lucky to get that. as for the pool being a CON, if you have kids, you know that once they're in, you cannot get them out of a pool. if you are going to beach haven, there is so much stuff to do and you MUST get to the beach. you do NOT want to be stuck by the pool all day.

Beach Haven is a great place to make your destination, esp. for families. if you decide on shelter harbor, you'd better call NOW. i'll probably book another couple of days this summer at BHYCM. granted, it aint no yacht club, but i like it just fine!

 

[EKM]

We have our boat at Shelter Harbor and in my opinion is the nicest in the Beach Haven area. Three block walk to the beach, clean showers, 2 hot tubs and pool. Cable tv provided too. Morrison would be next choice but may have some more spots. Another place is Eastern Marine...right next to Shelter Harbor. No amenities and baths may be a mess but close to beach. All three of these places are close to the hub of Beach Haven amusements and shopping.

Also plan on fueling in Beach Haven as fuel is least expensive (AC is probably $.50 to 60 more). If the seas are ok, the outside route is faster (and less prone to grounding) than the inside bay route.

Have fun...Ed

 

[Converse48]

Thanks Rondds and Ed... very helpful. We are flexible on when we do this so I'll let availability (or lack thereof) at Shelter Harbor drive the timing. I know there are other options on the Jersey Shore, but my wife's freind lives on LBI, so that's where we want to be.