Running an Inlet

[M&M's_Beach_House]

Well I have a few questions for those experienced boaters. My wife and I are one season into our 2007 240DA and love it. We didn't take much risk and enjoyed the local NJ rivers, bays, hot spots, etc.. This year we were thinking of doing a couple of longer trips. One to Atlantic City (hopefully with CSR) if we are free that weekend and another through the Manasquan Inlet up the Hudson a ways, maybe through the locks to Lake Champlain.

In planning this, I can't seem to find the best material to learn about boating an inlet and the proper way to handle a boat in seas, chop, etc.. I have come across some videos but none seem exactly what I'm looking for and I haven't come across any books yet. Can some recommend the best videos for a beginner like myself to learn how to drive a boat in

-2-4' chop in the local NJ Bays
-running an inlet during all kinds of weather
-running close to shore in the ocean
-handling a smaller 24' cruiser in this weather

If anyone has some tips, anything would be nice for us. We are still learning (been on boats for our whole life but never owned them until this year and drove them full time). We'd love to learn the proper techniques to boat handling. We have docking down fairly well but can always use more practice. Our focus now is on learning to drive this boat in more adverse conditions and even in everyday conditions that we find on the NJ shore.

We are docked in the Meteteconk River in NJ for anyone interested by the pilot house. BTW, we do plan to hire a captain to give us tips on our own boat but I'd like to learn a lot over the winter right now.

 

[hack4alivin]

Great post and excellent timing, we will be doing our first Ocean trip this season when we go from Baltimore to New York. I am looking forwards to the replies here.

 

[sprink56]

Not to sound like "Captain Obvious"....but have you looked at Chapman's Piloting and Seamanship?

Also...contact your local Power Squadron or Coast Guard Auxiliary and inquire about advanced boat handling courses offered in your area. This will expose you to some local "Old Salts who are experienced and familiar with conditions in your part of the world.

 

[M&M's_Beach_House]

Not to sound like "Captain Obvious"....but have you looked at Chapman's Piloting and Seamanship?

Also...contact your local Power Squadron or Coast Guard Auxiliary and inquire about advanced boat handling courses offered in your area. This will expose you to some local "Old Salts who are experienced and familiar with conditions in your part of the world.

Thanks for the advice. I do have Chapman's but we were looking for some more info with regards to videos in particular and anything online that I could find. I definitely plan to find some local Captain to give us some advice on our boat this season too.

 

[lucknow]

Not to sound like "Captain Obvious"....but have you looked at Chapman's Piloting and Seamanship?

Also...contact your local Power Squadron or Coast Guard Auxiliary and inquire about advanced boat handling courses offered in your area. This will expose you to some local "Old Salts who are experienced and familiar with conditions in your part of the world.

Stole my thunder, We took the Coast Gaurd Auxiliary course and the learning curve was amazing. Of course I went to the course knowing "ALL", after the weeks passed, I realized I knew nothing. The course actually left me desiring more training. Looking at other boaters and the handling of their vessel makes a good point to why everyone should take that course within 1 year of buying a boat. It is amazing there are not more accidents and damage to boat owners without training. These courses usually take place over the winter so contact them now!
Good luck, I know the training will provide you the skills needed to have a "safe" enjoyable boating lifestyle.:thumbsup:

 

[M&M's_Beach_House]

Stole my thunder, We took the Coast Gaurd Auxiliary course and the learning curve was amazing. Of course I went to the course knowing "ALL", after the weeks passed, I realized I knew nothing. The course actually left me desiring more training. Looking at other boaters and the handling of their vessel makes a good point to why everyone should take that course within 1 year of buying a boat. It is amazing there are not more accidents and damage to boat owners without training. These courses usually take place over the winter so contact them now!
Good luck, I know the training will provide you the skills needed to have a "safe" enjoyable boating lifestyle.:thumbsup:

Which course did you take. I'm looking at a bunch now and it looks like the Boating Skills and Seamanship might be a nice fit for us? I've contacted them too since they don't offer any in our area right now. Great idea, thanks guys!

 

[wetpaint]

Although I agree with taking courses, there is no course/book that offers experience.....I would recommend you/anyone new to boating to hire a licensed captain for whatever time is necessary to become confident in docking, rules of the road, boat handleing, inlets, anchoring, electronics, etc. It is cheap money for on the water training. Most places that sell Searays also have a captain or two they use for orientation, deliveries, etc.....

 

[hack4alivin]

Ok, but what about some specific advice on:

A: Running the Inlet, fast or slow?
B: offshore, close or stay out?

I have never been in the ocean with my boat, but we have been in very heavy seas out in the bay. When we get into 4 and 5 foot waves we slow down. I’m hoping we don’t have those types of seas out in the ocean as it sure would make for a long trip.

 

[wetpaint]

On any trip you make whether it is a simple trip or offshore...

1) Give yourself as much knowledge prior to leaving the dock.....weather, tides, winds, seas, navigation challenges, etc.

2) Once armed with this information you can make the decision whether to go or stay put. Wait a day, wait a few hours.

When planning any trip, dont forget the items in No 1 for the return trip too.....Many times when I leave on Friday it is going to be perfect......I need to look at Sunday just as hard for the return trip....I have not gone on trips because of the Sunday forcast.

 

[tdappleman]

Ok, but what about some specific advice on:

A: Running the Inlet, fast or slow?
B: offshore, close or stay out?

I have never been in the ocean with my boat, but we have been in very heavy seas out in the bay. When we get into 4 and 5 foot waves we slow down. I’m hoping we don’t have those types of seas out in the ocean as it sure would make for a long trip.

I think the answer to both is 'it depends'. If it is a calm day with a slack tide you can typically run fast. In my area if you don't stay on plane you will be blocking a lot of charter boat traffic. Oregon Inlet is my local ocean access and it can be tricky to say the least. I've taken my Parker and the 270 out in all types of weather and conditions and it can still be a crazy place.

In general - I'd recommend going out with someone if you have never been out through an inlet before. Tides, currents, wind and other boats can be very intimidating. Going out - stay in the marked channel and follow another boat if possible. Coming in - if you haven't been into the inlet before than I'd recommend starting at the sea buoy and following the marked channel in. There are usually short cuts if you know the area but conditions can change if they are truly passable or not. In the meantime - get used to your boat in sheltered waters - how it handles, how to dock it,, how to deploy the anchor quickly if needed, etc. The classes will give you a
good starting point.

For running offshore - it really depends on what you are wanting to accomplish. I'm usually only out to go fishing so it depends on what I'm going after. I typically do not go too far out but do like Mahi so will venture out to have a go. If just cruising - staying closer to shore will give you some sightseeing opportunities. Be mindful of depths as they can change pretty quickly - also in my area are various shipwrecks to watch out for. Being out the open water is a lot of fun - sometimes it's just nice to be out with no one else around you.

Good luck and be safe!

 

[comsnark]

The Barnegate Bay is not quite the Chesepeake.

Considering the depth of the Barnegate (what. . 6-7' IIRC in the Meteteconk), if you have 4' swells in there. . you are in BIG trouble. But even the 2-3' swells can be real annoying because the period is so short and if the wind is blowing the tops off. . .uck. Still. .. it is more annoying to the crew than the boat.

Motion of the boat on the Ocean is VERY different than on the Bay. Takes some getting used to

I like tdAppleman's advice. "It depends". Tides, winds, and boats can make things intimidating. Particularly on weekends in the summer. I would "practice" either on a weekday, or before Memorial day to get your feet wet.

I have only run the Manasquan Inlet a few times - > I really can't say much other than to say it seems to work best if when you are coming in that you should try to match speed with the waves so you are not launching over the top of them. The inlet certainly raises my heart rate even on "calm" days.

I never really had issues with the markings getting into / out of Manesquan. It seemed fairly straight forward. The only thing I noticed is that everyone (I mean EVERYONE (except me) seems to ignore the no wake bouys between the Point Pleasant canal and the first bridge. And every time I go through. . I seem to end up waiting for a train at the rail bridge.

I have not run the inlet in rough weather. For me, it takes about an hour to get there by boat . . and if the weather is gnarly, I generally simply make other plans

 

[Vince_nj1]

Years ago I had a 26 foot Sundancer in Green Cove marina (right next to where you are). I drove that boat up and down the Jersey Coast to the NY area at least 20 times and I drove my friends 30 footer at least 50 times. I lived up by NY and had a shore house in Chadwick Beach Island. My friend and I would take his 30 footer from NY harbor down to Chadwick on Friday nights and return on Sunday afternoon every weekend. I think we put 250 hours on his boat the first year he owned it.





My advice is as follows:

• Take a Power Squadron course.
• Keep your boat well maintained and have all safety equipment on board.
• Learn how to use your VHF
• Check fluids and the bilge before leaving the dock.
• Don't go out in the ocean if the seas are greater than 3 to 5. (3 to 5" is doable, but not fun, 2 to 4 is acceptable but not comfortable, 1 to 2 is enjoyable.)
• If you are heading up to NY, make sure you have at least 3/4 tank of fuel before leaving the Manasquan inlet
• Stay at least 1/2 mile off shore and watch out for crab traps when you get up around Deal and Long Branch
• The ocean is usually rougher during mid day. Try to plan your ocean leg early in the mooring.
• The ocean tends to calm down when you get up by Sandy Hook.
• There are more calm days in the ocean in June, July and early August. If your planning a long trip try to do it during this time frame.
• Keep any eye out for debris floating in the water as you head into NY Harbor and all through the Hudson.
• When approaching the Statue of Liberty stay out in the channel. There is very little water just south of the Statue of Liberty. (you can stand there at low tide 1 mile from shore, Don't ask how I know this :smt001) Buy charts and study them.
• The East River is smoother than the Hudson. If you are heading all the way up the Hudson and the water is rough, the East River can be a nice alternate route. You can drop back in to the Hudson just North of the Washington Bridge.
• You can buy fuel in Liberty Landing (just north of Ellis Island on the Jersey side). Cheaper fuel can be found in Alpine (North of the GW Bridge on the Jersey side, directly across from the train bridge for the opening to the East River. Call first to confirm they are still open, it has been a few years since I was there) your next fuel opportunity is in Tarrytown on the NY side of the river just past the Tappanzee Bridge. After that you have Haverstraw on the West side of the Hudson, (next to the Gypsum plant)
• The channel in the Hudson gets very narrow north of West Point, stay in the channel.
• North of the Bear Mountain Bridge you will find an island in the river, stay to the left of it.
• After that you are on own, I never made it past Newburgh.

 

[M&M's_Beach_House]

Wow, GREAT stuff guys, thanks!! As a professional airline pilot, I can attest to the planning of ALL of your advice. Weather is front and center in my job daily and it makes it easier to understand it on the water. I really enjoy the parallels with my job and being on the water plus it's such fun for the family!

Our first time through the inlet and in the ocean will be with an experienced captain. I have the winter blues and was looking into anything to learn more about my area. All the info you guys have given is wonderful.

Places we have enjoyed last season have been many but here are a few:

-F-Cove
-Manasquan Island (I think it's called Pirate Island)
-The Wharside at the mouth of the Manasquan Inlet
-One trip to Tices Shoal but it didn't appeal to us that much with our boat, we'll give it a try again though.
-Down Toms River to Lunch
-Dinner many times at Rest. at end of Meteteconk River right before the canal on the right.
-Up and Down the Pt Pleasant Canal (still need to learn the tides for this one, always get stuck going to wrong way, VERY SLOW against the tide)
-and Chadwick Beach to a friends house

We have more plans for this year to visit AC, POSSIBLY NYC and points north if we have a long week to do it and more suggestions if there are any from CSR!

Thanks for all the help.

 

[M&M's_Beach_House]

The Barnegate Bay is not quite the Chesepeake.

Considering the depth of the Barnegate (what. . 6-7' IIRC in the Meteteconk), if you have 4' swells in there. . you are in BIG trouble. But even the 2-3' swells can be real annoying because the period is so short and if the wind is blowing the tops off. . .uck. Still. .. it is more annoying to the crew than the boat.

LOL, probably what was 2 foot chop looked to me as 4 foot!! I scared myself a few times last year in that chop when it was a bit windy and I was looking for more experience. Well I got it! It's the waves that come sideways that always gets my heart rate up!

Wife hates when the boat tips so we are looking for a wider beam and longer boat for more comfortable overnights that we can afford too.

 

[comsnark]

Yeah, you don't get big waves on the Barnegate -> but that doesn't mean the water is pleasant. Short period nasty stuff that just knocks the boat around and sprays all over the place. Yeah. . if the wind is blowing the tops off the waves, we generally don't go far.

Frankly, that was a primary reason we went for a 28' cuddy over a 220 sundeck -> I watched many 22' bowriders bobbing like corks when anchored on the weekend, and it just didn't look like fun. That, and I REALLY don't want to worry about the engines if I pop out onto the ocean.

Vince's list is pretty darn good.

I echo his sentiments about not venturing out if the forcast is for more than 3-5. And he is in a bigger boat. . .

In addition to his tips about provisions; I would add two items;
1) SeaTow membership (or equivilent)
2) Some foul weather gear. Bad enough if a storm pops up. Even worse if you are wet and miserable and still have to drive!

 

[hack4alivin]

Years ago I had a 26 foot Sundancer in Green Cove marina (right next to where you are). I drove that boat up and down the Jersey Coast to the NY area at least 20 times and I drove my friends 30 footer at least 50 times. I lived up by NY and had a shore house in Chadwick Beach Island. My friend and I would take his 30 footer from NY harbor down to Chadwick on Friday nights and return on Sunday afternoon every weekend. I think we put 250 hours on his boat the first year he owned it.

......

Great tips Vince, I’ve already made a print out of your post. Thanks for the help!

 

[rcknecht]

I had 95 250 which I bought new and put over 550 hours in three years on the Jersey shore:smt101... I ran it in out of most of the navigatable inlets in NJ... Bottom line is don't go out in an inlet when there are small craft warnings... Avoid, if possible, when the wind is against the current. Try to go inside when the seas are over 4 ft, unless the wind is out of the west. Stay more that 3 miles out when passing great egg inlet. Remember your boat can take the rough sea better than you can. I once ripped my Bimini screws out in 7 ft seas North form AC. (I dislike the inside between AC and LBI) Go slow when it is rough... Also, if you go inside south of LBI, follow someone who has done that trip before. Lastly, if you keep you boat in are near the Barnegat Bay, join us for a raft up at the “secret spot”:smt038…

 

[Bodkin Creek George]

Ok, here's my 2 cents worth.
I have made many trips thru the C&D Canal and down to Ocean City Md. The tide and or current runs very strong in the Canal and the Ocean City inlet. Let's talk about the C&D Canal first. If you enter it from the Chesapeake Bay heading to Delaware the first thing you will experience is an unusual amount of debris floating in the water. You must constantly be on watch, especially after a very high tide. Second, be on the watch for large commercial craft in the canal and be sure to obey the speed limits as long as you can still make headway and proper steerage. And third access the buoy wave height and duration reports that you can access on line. Once you enter the Delaware Bay all bets are off. That's a great big body of water from the Atlantic slamming into the shallow bay. If you are heading south you will be glad when you finally reach the safety of the ocean with the waves spread further out. Now for the inlet. You need to know your boat and the most important thing is to not fall below the power curve for safe maneuvering. Ignore the speed limits and use your own judgment to properly navigate the inlet in regards to current and wind conditions. As I said I have a lot of run time in the Delaware Bay and at best it's a crap shoot on boating conditions. For my money, there's plenty to see and do in our beautiful Chesapeake and if I never run the Delaware Bay again that's fine with me. That's just my 2 cents for whatever it's worth. Boat safe and be a sober skipper. "Bring Um Back Alive"
George

 

[rondds]

Tides! Know them and pay attention to them. As Rod said, always try to avoid an outgoing tide and easterly winds. You'll get battered going out and coming in. As far as our local inlets, Manasquan is great for heading north from the Metedeconk and Little Egg is great for heading south. I do NOT like Barnegat inlet - it's a zoo and trecherous. Many people will get on me for that opinion. But if you continue down to Little Egg, you do have a few no-wake zones along LBI but enjoy the ride - that's what it's all about!

I think Vince said travel in the early AM. That's a great piece of info. I try to get where I'm going by noon, which is when the kooks are out and the winds generally kick up.

I experienced 2-3' chop in BB twice - once was small craft warnings with a direct north wind in August, the other time was leaving Aquapalooza 2 (was it 3??) years ago and heading across to Forked River. Wind was fierce out of the south - spray on the bridge and bay water running down the sides like a water fall .

 

[Four Suns]

As I said I have a lot of run time in the Delaware Bay and at best it's a crap shoot on boating conditions.

I think you have better odds at craps than good boating conditions in the Hellaware Bay.