Sandy Hook to Green port..

Last summer I went from shelter island to Huntington through the sound. I would say the first 2/3 of the trip was smooth and the last 1/3 was choppy but still doing 22kts. My 02 340 with 8.1's went through 3/4 of a tank of gas. It was eye opening how little economy I was getting. That's one of the main reasons I moved to diesel. Coming from the west, there is gas in manhasset bay, glen cove, oyster bay, and Huntington. I know there is also gas in Stamford which is slightly cheaper than the ny side.
 
The only thing I worry about Shinnecock is the locks... Never been though a lock... I hear just tie up to a wall and let them do there thing... And the weather. Im sure i can find fuel somewhere.
 
Siboatguy said:
The only thing I worry about Shinnecock is the locks... Never been though a lock... I hear just tie up to a wall and let them do there thing... And the weather. Im sure i can find fuel somewhere.
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I've never done it either, but I found plenty of info online, and was out there watching it in person several years ago.
Google "Shinnecock Canal" for a video.
Looks like if you have at least one other person and a couple of fenders with you it is pretty straightforward. I'm usually pretty cautious, but felt confident after looking at the video. I was more afraid of the shallow depths in Shinnecock Bay, and whether or not the buoys were in there yet, than I was about the locks.
Pull alongside wall with fenders deployed, loop fore and aft lines around dock cleat in the lock (do not tie off), and hold boat in place while water level changes until locks open.
 
JVM225 said:
I've never done it either, but I found plenty of info online, and was out there watching it in person several years ago.
Google "Shinnecock Canal" for a video.
Looks like if you have at least one other person and a couple of fenders with you it is pretty straightforward. I'm usually pretty cautious, but felt confident after looking at the video. I was more afraid of the shallow depths in Shinnecock Bay, and whether or not the buoys were in there yet, than I was about the locks.
Pull alongside wall with fenders deployed, loop fore and aft lines around dock cleat in the lock (do not tie off), and hold boat in place while water level changes until locks open.
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I have been through the locks several times. Its a piece of cake if they are closed. Like stated, pull up to the wall with a couple fenders out and someone on the bow. Loop a line over a cleat while holding the other end. Once they raise or lower the lock & open the other side, unloop, pull in the fenders & head out. The water is calm as can be. It's scarier if you catch the canal just before they start locking through. The canal is relatively narrow, current is running fast & swirling and you usually have a group of yahoos casting fishing lines with sinkers in your direction from the shoreline. Also, its a no wake zone but, if you are running through the current power up as much as you need to maintain control.
As far as the inside route on the south shore of Long Island goes, its not that bad. If you find that the ocean is not great you can stay inside. As stated the channel through Moriches bay is narrow & its very shallow if you stray outside. There is one area that tends to shoal over a little causing the channel to shift. You can call the Moriches Sea Tow for local knowledge. You can also check Boaters Ed dot com. Look under the LICC (Long Island Cruising Club) and you will find a title related to Moriches bay. There you will find testimonials from people that have traversed it this season. West of there is the Great South Bay which has plenty of water in the middle & north side. Stay away from the south side until the IC channel shifts that way as there are many shallows there. You can head west to the Fire Island inlet or Jones Inlet from there.

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Well trying to plan the route and i can't believe the difference in gas prices on longIsland from NJ... My first stop for gas is going to be port Jefferson, Danfords. Was going to get lunch there but they charge you 2 bucks a ft to dock for dock and dine never heard of that before. Just one question from the LI sound into port jefferson is that a no wake zone or can i cruise in? And is that the best stop for gas in that area looks like it might take a lot of time?
 
SIboat guy. I boat out of Sea Clif, it where Brewers Glen Cove is. I'd suggest gassing up at CosCob CT the gas there is usually about .60 to .80 less then what Brewers charges. Granted it's probably 20 minute detour, as it's about 8 to 10 minutes up the river, but some beautiful homes to look at while going in.

The number to the fuel dock dock at Cost Cob is 203-661-1243.
 
The ride into Port Jefferson Harbor from the sound is 5 mph strating from the jetty at the harbor entrance
 
Had drinks at Danfords this past weekend and then walked the docks and they were charging 3.50 per gallon for gas. It should take you about 10 mins from the entrance of the channel to the town. I want to say we've paid $25 to pick up a mooring for a few hours at the Port Jeff Yacht club and they provided a launch.
Siboatguy said:
Well trying to plan the route and i can't believe the difference in gas prices on longIsland from NJ... My first stop for gas is going to be port Jefferson, Danfords. Was going to get lunch there but they charge you 2 bucks a ft to dock for dock and dine never heard of that before. Just one question from the LI sound into port jefferson is that a no wake zone or can i cruise in? And is that the best stop for gas in that area looks like it might take a lot of time?
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FYI: gas in Huntington today was $3.31 and .10off with sea tow membership you can run on plane all the way in to the lighthouse (Wyncote marina) just another option it's approx 20 miles west of Port Jeff.
 
Siboatguy said:
Well trying to plan the route and i can't believe the difference in gas prices on longIsland from NJ... My first stop for gas is going to be port Jefferson, Danfords. Was going to get lunch there but they charge you 2 bucks a ft to dock for dock and dine never heard of that before. Just one question from the LI sound into port jefferson is that a no wake zone or can i cruise in? And is that the best stop for gas in that area looks like it might take a lot of time?
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My boat is in the Port Jeff harbor complex (Setauket) so I know PJ harbor well.

If you are only coming into Danfords for gas and a bite, I would advise against it. Instead I suggest continuing 2.5 miles east to Mt. Sinai harbor and stopping at Ralph's Fishing Station. I personally go to Mt. Sinai for fuel and not Danford's. Here's why:
  • Fuel at Danford's is usually more expensive than Ralph's for a lower grade. Ralph's is 93 octane Valvtect.
  • Fueling at Danford's is a pain in the rear. You get fuel at the fixed pier; there are no floating docks. You have to tie off to the pier and climb up and down the ladder. If the tide is low it's interesting to say the least.
  • Ralph's has floating docks. Very easy to tie up and the staff will help out.
  • Entry time: Danford's is 2 miles from the harbor entrance. The entire channel from the harbor entrance to town is a 5 mph no wake zone - no cruising and the harbormaster enforces it. That's a 25 minute ride each way. Ralph's is 1/4 mile inside the Mt. Sinai harbor entrance. It's 5 minutes or less.
  • If you want a bite, Ralph's has a "snack bar" call The Roost. They have burgers, hot dogs, clam strips, ice cream etc. Beer inside the chandlery. It's very good - we cruise over there for dinner a couple times a season.

Downside to Ralph's is that there is no town there and no attractions except Cedar Beach. If you are inclined to stop for a while and so some site seeing, by all means Port Jeff is a nice town with many shops and restaurants.

Local knowledge: If you decide to go to Mt. Sinai beware that the entrance is narrow and the current can run fast. After the harbor mouth there is a 90 degree turn to the east when coming in. There is a sand tongue and shoaling on the north side that makes the area narrow. The shoaling makes for a fast current. When entering be careful to stay right, almost right up on the beach.

As for tides on the sound, I try to time them to be favorable when we take take a trip. The tidal currents can run 2 mph (generally) so it can make a difference in fuel burn on a long trip. If I can time them I will, but sometimes it just doesn't work out and I deal with it.

Coincidentally I'm working on a trip to Greenport myself next week. This thread has been helpful!
 
Ty for the help. Im leaving for greenport out of sandy hook July 7th. prob around 8 or 9am... So ill prob be around the port jefferson area around 11 or 12... What kinda tides do you want to play outgoing or incoming? I know high tide is at 11:07 at port jefferson. If i have to leave earlier or a little later i can do that but gonna be hard, to leave later. Where are you staying in Greenport. And just FYI there are fireworks at sunset beach in shelter island on sat night..
 
Its generally better to go east in the sound with an ebb tide and west with a flood tide, or try time it near a slack period. However, I'd say it's much more important to try to get through Hell Gate at or near slack than worry about the current in the sound. As long as you have a fuel reserve it'll be fine.

We're looking at staying at Brewers Stirling Harbor. It got very good reviews on Active Captain, and looks to be more quiet than other highly rated spots like Mitchell Park (which is between the ferry and Claudio's). I know Brewer's is further but they have a shuttle to town. It's not definite yet as we're waiting to hear from my inlaws if they want to travel with us in their boat. If we go it'll be staying over on Thursday to Friday, then likely going to Mystic Seaport on Friday-Saturday.
 
FYI- I filled up at Cos Cob on Sunday for $2.69.

I'm not trying to push this, but ..60 cents or more per gallon, makes an impact (imo) when taking on 150+ gallons of fuel.


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I went through Hell Gate a couple of times with my old 300 Sundancer and never had a problem. If you can time it for slack tide, that would be great. Same with the East River. It's good to be able to go through the East River without having to go against the tide so you make a little better time.
But if you do want to alter your schedule too much to catch slack tide in the East River or Hell Gate, it's no big deal to get through in your size boat. I wouldn't worry too much about it. Neither one is that long to get through and your 320 should handle it just fine.
 
Thanks guys... I'm staying at Mitchell Park Friday though Monday, with a few stops at shelter island... Going to try the place called Salt on the back side of the island i think... They say theres deep water there i hope.... That Cos Cob marina on the ct side.. Thanks again but a little out of the way and too early to get fuel... I might run pass Port Jefferson now and stop at Mt. Sinai saying ill be there at high tide... Fuel I'm stopping at 1/2 tank mark so should be fine.. And so far the weather is looking great!!! Hope it stays like that...
 
Hope you have great time it Greenport. I was just there last weekend for nephew's high school graduation. Town was packed with tourists, but that's ok. If you get a chance, take a cab over to Brewer's Yacht Yard, just down the street from Brewers Stirling Harbor and go to Billy's By the Bay restaurant. Cool little place, locals hang there , good food and great drinks. Weekday happy hour is 2 for 1 drinks till 6pm . Hope you have a great trip !
 
Salt is great. There is fuel if you need it also. As always, need to stay in the channel and you will be fine

Siboatguy said:
Thanks guys... I'm staying at Mitchell Park Friday though Monday, with a few stops at shelter island... Going to try the place called Salt on the back side of the island i think... They say theres deep water there i hope.... That Cos Cob marina on the ct side.. Thanks again but a little out of the way and too early to get fuel... I might run pass Port Jefferson now and stop at Mt. Sinai saying ill be there at high tide... Fuel I'm stopping at 1/2 tank mark so should be fine.. And so far the weather is looking great!!! Hope it stays like that...
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That whole area out there is nice to visit. I can't wait to go by boat for a few days. Have fun!
 
Thank you everyone for all the info.... I know there saying rain for Friday am and then nice Sat,Sun and Monday. The wife really wants to take the boat so a little pop up storms say ill run though it... Just the wind worries me a little... Could never get the hole wind thing down. As in witch direction make it more choppy....ps.... HAPPY 4TH OF JULY EVERYONE!!!!
 
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