Long Island Destinations-August Boat Trip

CAMELLA

Active Member
Dec 14, 2008
1,046
Annapolis, Maryland
Boat Info
2016 510 Fly
Engines
Cummins QSM-11
My family and I are taking a boat trip from Annapolis MD to Mystic CT the beginning of August. We have a family wedding in Mystic and we thought why not take the boat up for it. My wife is from Mystic so most of our time will be spent there. The way up it will be my wife and two kids (5 and 8). Stopping in Cape May, NYC (Jersey City), and then onto Mystic. Only spending one night at each stop, goal is to get to CT. After the wedding my parents will fly in, I plan on taking them back to Annapolis with me, my wife and kids will fly back. My parents are interested in the Hamptons, my thought was to leave Mystic Tuesday August 11th and head to Sag Harbor. What other destinations are a most see? The goal it to be back in Annapolis Saturday or Sunday.
 
Jon,

Here are some ideas. On the way to Sag, you might want to stop by Greenport. There are few choices of marinas, but even if you just want to tour the town for few hours, you can either pull up to one of waterfront restaurants (Cloodios charges $1 p/f) for lunch or just go to Mitchel's marina, which is in the heart of the town.

if you want to see some beautiful gunk holes, don't miss Shelter Island (Coecles Harbor or West Neck Harbor). IF you're pressed for time and will decide to head directly to Sag, then you have another excellent spot 3 Mile Harbor on the way to Montauk. Stay in Montauk Yacht Club to get most from your experience. Whatever you decide, don't pass on MYC. It's very close to Sag and well worth to stay there for couple of nights.

If you need any other details, just ask.
 
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West neck Harbor in Shelter Island, Island Boat yard is an amazing little Marina. They have a restaurant, pool, outdoor bar and live music. They also have a shuttle service and will bring you anywhere on the island at no charge. MYC as Alex suggested is our favorite destination. Pools, restaurants, beaches, endless things to do. If you have Tues through Saturday you really only have 4 days to settle in. I would personally do all 4 days at MYC. If you stretch another day, then so 2 days in West neck, 3 in MYC.
Sag Harbor is nice if you have never been there, but it is extremely expensive if you stay at the marinas and not on a mooring. With only 4 days i'd skip SAG.
 
Thanks for the response guys. I really don't even have 4 days.
We depart Mystic Tuesday Aug. 11th for SAG then need to be in Cape May Friday Aug 14th, maybe Sat. The plan is to be back in Annapolis Sat Aug 15 or Sunday Aug. 16th. My wife and kids won't be with me on the way back, just my parents. They don't have any interest in dropping the hook, they like walking the towns, good restaurants, and have no interest in pools. The problem I see all the hot spots are relatively close to each other (Sag, Greenport, Montauk), nothing gets us closer to Cape May to break the trip up. Sag Harbor is a destination my parents picked and they really want to see it. We were going to stop at the Brielle Yacht Club on the way to Cape May, it also allows them to visit friends and it breaks the trip up. Has anybody made a straight shot to Cape May from Shinnecock Inlet?
 
Jon,

I've done the straight run from MYC to Brielle. You're looking at roughly 120NM run. Shinn. Inlet to Manasquan Inlet is about 85NM. And Shinn to CM Inlet is about 155NM.

Considering that you have couple of extra days, I would go from Mystic to MYC and then from MYC to Sag. This makes you move logically closer to your destination, allowing a visit to great ports.

In regards to which legs are better obviously depends on number of factors, with two primaries, the seas and how your crew handles the seas on the long leg. If you look at the charts, you'll see that coming from SI after about Barnegat Inlet, you'll be getting closer to the shore and eventually just hugging the shore, giving you couple of options to jump inside. Good example is Beach Haven and Atlantic City. From AC you're off to CM. Regardless which leg you pick, from Shin you should have plenty of fuel to get you to CM. BTW, there's fuel just before you jump out of SI.
 
Alex, I like your idea about stopping at MYC first on the way back. I'm thinking this for the total trip.

With wife and kids
Annapolis-Cape May (2 nights)
Cape May-NYC (1 night)
NYC-Mystic (5 nights)

With parents, no wife and kids
Mystic-MYC (1 night)
MYC-Greenport (lunch)
Greenport-Sag Harbor YC (2 nights)
Sag Harbor-Brielle (1 night)
Brielle-Cape May (1 night)
Cape May-Annapolis

Has anyone stayed at South Jersey Marina in Cape May?
 
Sounds like a GREAT trip!
 
...
With parents, no wife and kids
Mystic-MYC (1 night)
MYC-Greenport (lunch)
Greenport-Sag Harbor YC (2 nights)
Sag Harbor-Brielle (1 night)
Brielle-Cape May (1 night)
Cape May-Annapolis
...

Jon,

I like the return trip itinerary for the exception of staying only 1 night at MYC. In ports like this I always try to do at least 2 nights. Other than that, you broke up the legs nicely in terms of cruising for 4-5hrs on longer legs. Perhaps, the only other option I would do, is to add extra night to MYC and shoot from Shin to Cape May, skipping Brielle. But, only you would know if this would be comfortable for your parents to cruise for extra 2hrs or so.
 
Jon, just be careful when you run from Sag to Shinnecock inlet. The locks at times when they are open can run really fast, 6 -7 knots. If open you need to carefully position yourself through the lock gates which are about 20 feet wide. With a 14'8" beam not so easy if the tide is running with you. Also after you exit the locks you will be in Tianna bay. Low tide the water is shallow, 4 feet. There are 2 ways to go. I will look at my charts and email you. Google the locks. Several videos and pictures to become familiar.
I think your parents will really like Sag from what you describe above. More time is needed in MYC as Alex suggested.
 
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All good information.
I will see if I can adjust my schedule to spend more time at MYC. Am I better off 2 nights in MYC and only 1 in Sag Harbor?
How can I time the lock so it's closed when I approach it?
 
All good information.
I will see if I can adjust my schedule to spend more time at MYC. Am I better off 2 nights in MYC and only 1 in Sag Harbor?
How can I time the lock so it's closed when I approach it?

You can usually call the locks and ask them the times as you get closer. I know we timed it to go through when they were closed this past summer on the way to the flotilla. It's definitely less stressful. It was a bit hectic the year before when a group of us were heading north in the the open locks. We dealt with roaring rapids coming at us & 2-3' rollers & swirling currents while we dodged fisherman casting into the channel! That got the pucker factor up for sure! It didn't help that it was the first time I ever went through the locks.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Todd
 
Definitely 2 nights in Montauk, versus 2 in Sag. The MYC is a destination in itself, and you'll enjoy a full day taking in all it has to offer, if you're looking to relax. Another thought is you could pick a port as home base, rent a car, see everything including the wineries, and then some. No matter what you decide, you and the in-laws will have a great time.
 
If that becomes the only option, then I would also switch it around and stay 2 nights in MYC and 1 night in Sag.

Don't stress too much about the lock, if you have done locks before. And obviously don't modify your schedule to fit with the locks schedule. Based on suggestions Mike and Todd provided, just set your expectation properly. Closed lock, it'll take extra 15-20min but will be nice and easy pass. Open lock, leave plenty of room between other boats and plow through. Don't be shy to use the throttles. The middle gates are even narrower. I remember worrying about the height (there's fixed bridge I just clear), but when I was going through middle gates one time, I wasn't sure what I was concerned more about, the height or the width. It felt like going bow in to a slip at 7kts. :lol:
 
Jon, best to head to Sag first, then MYC, from there head around Montauk point and dont have to deal with the locks and skinny water. I understand Logistically it makes sense to hit MYC first then travel west Sag. But heading through the Peconic, locks, Tiana bay i dont think you will save that much time.
 
I appreciate all the great local advise.

Alex, I laughed about your comment about entering a slip bow first at 7kts.

Rocket, I like the idea about stopping at Sag first then Montauk.

See my itinerary below, let me know if it makes sense.
FROMTOMILESNMTRAVEL HRSOVERNIGHTSEst. Fuel Burn (Gallons)Aug 3-16MARINAContact InfoReserved
ANNAPOLISCAPE MAY1501306.52255Arrive Monday 8/3South Jersey Marina609-884-3800No
CAPE MAYNYC1501306.51255Arrive Wednesday 8/5Liberty Landing201-985-8000 /VHF 72No
NYCMYSTIC100874.35170Arrive Thursday 8/6Brewers860-536-2293/ VHF 9No
MYSTICSAG30261.3151Arrive Tuesday 8/11Sag Harbor YC631-725-0567No
SAGMYC28241.2247.6Arrive Wednesday 8/12MYC631-668-3100NO
MYCBRIELLE1411236.11240Arrive Friday 8/14Brielle YC732-528-6250 VHF 16-19No
BRIELLECAPE MAY100874.31170Arrive Saturday 8/15South Jersey Marina609-884-3800No
CAPE MAYANNAPOLIS1501306.5 255Arrive Sunday 8/16
Total84973836.9131443
 
Jon,

Have a Plan "B" of running back in the Long Island Sound just in case the seas are kicking..... There is predominetly a southwest wind in the summer. Watch the weather reports. No sense getting beat up when you have an alternate route that may be slightly longer but more comfortable......
 
Jon, also consider the town docks at Sag Harbor. Its half the price of SHYC. During the week they can probably put you right on the T dock next to the Pier. Ypu can launch the dink from that spot and enjoy the 100 foot yachts from the water. Bob is the dock master and his number is 631-725-2368
 
Cod, I would think with a Southwest wind it wouldn't be too bad, NO? If not what direction should I hope for, and usually winds in August are fairly light.

Rocket, thanks for the contact, do you make reservations for the town dock? And besides price is there really that much of a difference?
 
Jon,

Have a Plan "B" of running back in the Long Island Sound just in case the seas are kicking..... There is predominetly a southwest wind in the summer. Watch the weather reports. No sense getting beat up when you have an alternate route that may be slightly longer but more comfortable......

Excellent point, Steve.

One year, after coming back from our trip, we got our butts kicked with SW winds 20+kts gusting to 30+kts. It wasn't too bad, but got worst as we got further out. I've tried one of the methods, which was heading for deeper water. But, the improvement was very minimal. Steady 4-5'ers and some 6'ers very close together chop. We had water over the bridge. Some spray was so bad, it would block my vision for good minute, where you see nothing but wall of water. The inside of the fully enclosed bridge was soaked. Any tiny hole felt like someone stock a fire-hose with tremendous pressure. I could only do 17-18kts, it took about 6hrs from Shin to Manasquan inlet. Those were LOOOONG 6hrs for my crew.

Anyway, the "detour" via LIS and NYC is only 10-15NM longer, but it's a night and day difference. Timing and fuel burn could be almost the same. You're mostly in protected waters and can go faster at more efficient speed, and you have great views.
 

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