South shore Ocean voyage, How far off beach?

JohnEGraham

JohnEGraham

Active Member
Aug 5, 2008
1,013
Long Island, NY.
Boat Info
250 Sundancer 1998 5.7.
Engines
350 Merc / Bravo 3
Hi, We will be taking our first "Out of the Great South Bay" Voyage to Liberty landing NJ This weekend. I am programing my GPS. My question is regarding the trip out from the Jones Beach inlet past Rockaways. How far off of the beaches should I go for the best, calmest ride. The forcast is for 1 to 2 ft waves at "Ocean nearby".
I see the Red line "Magnetic Track" a couple miles out. How close to that?
My other question is after I past Breezy point and head north. should I just take a line right to Verrazano Bridge and than should I hug the West side ( Staten Island )
 
The main thing is to consider the depths. When we're cruising along NJ shore I usually stay 1-2 miles away in a range 25'-40' of water. As I recall from our trip LI shore line has deep enough water, so you can go even closer to make admiral feel better. I dodn't notice a big difference in seas conditions in dpeths between 30'-60' while there's a difference between seas in 10'-30'.

As for building your route, since these are new waters for you just plot the route to stay in the channel, unless you can clearly see plenty of water and no ostructions near the channel, then you can take a short cut. Don't be affraid of the shipping channel in the NY Lower/Upper Bays. As long as you allow plenty of room between you and the approaching ships it's no big deal, just watch their wake and slow down to prevent slamming the boat.
 
If it were me, I would head in a straight line to red buoy 8 or 10 off rockaway point. This will put you in the channel to NY harbor. Then just follow the channel markers in. How far out I go would depend on how the swells are coming in. If the swells are more from the east, then I would just ride them in all the way. If they are more from the south, then I would probably head out a little further to catch a better angle into NY.
 
Thanks for the info.
Regarding The Currents & Tides and the & shipping channel in the NY Lower/Upper Bays.
Once I get there and all is well. ( knuckles have color) I may want to take a cruise up north. I understand that the currents can be strong ( really not an issue in the Great south bay) If we want to head north. I assume on a rising tide the ocean current will pushing up North and when it is falling the current will be heading back out ( South) so I should take advantage of that and leave a little before High tide if I want to head north? Or all of this is not a really big deal. since if the current is flowing one way you get the free ride and need the extra power / fuel the other?
If we do it on Sat. I assume there less commercial traffic on the weekends and as a rule should I stay closer to NJ or NY?
found cool site for area: http://www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/12327.shtml
 
Last edited:
John,

Don't worry about the currents that much, you're on the power boat....LOL. The boat traffic is not a big deal as well. As I mentioned, all you need to do is leave plenty of room for larger vessels and watch their wake. Don't be to consern about which side to be closer NJ or NY. You're going there to enjoy the trip, so do exactly that. Take a ride to both sides and explore. You'll have ferries from each side, but there's plenty of room to stay safelly clear of them. Even if you happen to be close, no worries, just slow down and go over their wake in controlled manner.

As for cruising the Hudson in general you'll have to make a decision whether to stay on plane or go slow. Mike's experience shows that it's best to be off plane. On my last trip there I was on plane and hit a huge log. It was the only log I saw the whole trip, but it found me before I was able to spot it. the problem is that these logs can be floating just below the surface, so at times it's just not possible to see them.

Here's the link if you didn't see the thread: Barnegat Light (HBHYC) - NYC – Haverstraw Vacation
 
Last edited:
Thanks Alex, Regarding my speeds, I guess it will also Depend on traffic. I can typically can stay "On plane" down at 16 -17 MPH. So I don't plan on going much faster and I will be checking out for " Logs"
 
depending on the day, NY harbor can be like a washing machine. Just take your time, watch for stuff, and avoid getting run over by the ferry boats.
 
You should miss most of the Ferry boats heading to Liberty Landing... Most are north, except for the Staten Island Ferry... Watch the depth south of the Statue of Liberty. Keep an eye out for floating debris. I usually hug or stay outside the channel to aviod shipping. If you have young children, they may like going to the Liberty Science Center... You can walk there from the Marina... Enjoy your trip...
 
watch out for alligators and snakes. Don't buy a watch in China town either.
 
Hey I bought a watch in Chinatown once!! It cost 10 bucks and lasted almost 6 months!!
Todd
 
Hey, I actually work "up-town" Manhattan 136 st. ( ccny) ( Harlem) so I know all about shopping for "Nock-offs"
I have taken the "Zepher" from South street sea port but its a diffrent thing when it will be me at the helm and its a 25ft. DA. Safety first :)
 
rcknecht said:
You should miss most of the Ferry boats heading to Liberty Landing... Most are north, except for the Staten Island Ferry... Watch the depth south of the Statue of Liberty. Keep an eye out for floating debris. I usually hug or stay outside the channel to aviod shipping. If you have young children, they may like going to the Liberty Science Center... You can walk there from the Marina... Enjoy your trip...
Click to expand...

Amen, watch out for this one... she is fast!
 
ALEX

What happen?? any damage??
QUOTE:On my last trip there I was on plane and hit a huge log.
 
Be aware of ocean liners leaving New York. Earlier this month while coming into the river (couple miles before the bridge right before NY Harbor) from Fire Island Inlet several Ocean Liners were coming out to Ocean. One was double passing the other ocean liners and put out (no exaderation) two very close and violent 14/15ft waves).

Result for my boat was the loudest wave pounding I've ever heard, plus a loose & then leaking shaft seal for my boat; friends 42-ft Cruisers wasn't as fortunate with nearly $5K damage from the wave.

So if you see an Ocean Liner making like hell, drive WAY out of your way to avoid its wake.
 
billnpat said:
ALEX

What happen?? any damage??
QUOTE:On my last trip there I was on plane and hit a huge log.
Click to expand...

I guess you missed this thread:
Hit a huge log – what would you do?


Boatingfool said:
Be aware of ocean liners leaving New York. Earlier this month while coming into the river (couple miles before the bridge right before NY Harbor) from Fire Island Inlet several Ocean Liners were coming out to Ocean. One was double passing the other ocean liners and put out (no exaderation) two very close and violent 14/15ft waves).

Result for my boat was the loudest wave pounding I've ever heard, plus a loose & then leaking shaft seal for my boat; friends 42-ft Cruisers wasn't as fortunate with nearly $5K damage from the wave.

So if you see an Ocean Liner making like hell, drive WAY out of your way to avoid its wake.
Click to expand...

Wow, that's some scary experiense. Did you guys go after the vessel's management comp. to pick up the bill for the damages?
 
Last edited:
Boatingfool said:
Be aware of ocean liners leaving New York. Earlier this month while coming into the river (couple miles before the bridge right before NY Harbor) from Fire Island Inlet several Ocean Liners were coming out to Ocean. One was double passing the other ocean liners and put out (no exaderation) two very close and violent 14/15ft waves).

Result for my boat was the loudest wave pounding I've ever heard, plus a loose & then leaking shaft seal for my boat; friends 42-ft Cruisers wasn't as fortunate with nearly $5K damage from the wave.

So if you see an Ocean Liner making like hell, drive WAY out of your way to avoid its wake.
Click to expand...

Wow, that's scary!! I was on a cruise ship coming out of Manhattan on Sunday, Aug. 8th. The Queen Mary (I think, have to check my pics) was in front of us and we appeared to be jockeying for position all the way out into the ocean!! I wonder if it was the same ships? I was on the Holland America MS VeenDam. I did see some private cruisers going toward the harbor that day.
Todd
 
Thanks alex, hope all's well....
 
Not Easy to "Sue" a Cruise ship line due to outdated Maritime laws. Unlike when you Sue a US. corporation the company has to come to court where you file the Law suite. Maritime laws make the Plaintive ( you) go to where the Cruise ship Home base. So if its out of the Country it it very expensive.
I was injured on a "Carnival Cruse line" but lucky for me they are based out of Florida, Living in NY. I almost had to go to Florida 2x but finally settled the Case. Also due to the extra work the lawyers took 40%. Ouch twice
 
Boatingfool said:
Be aware of ocean liners leaving New York. Earlier this month while coming into the river (couple miles before the bridge right before NY Harbor) from Fire Island Inlet several Ocean Liners were coming out to Ocean. One was double passing the other ocean liners and put out (no exaderation) two very close and violent 14/15ft waves).

Result for my boat was the loudest wave pounding I've ever heard, plus a loose & then leaking shaft seal for my boat; friends 42-ft Cruisers wasn't as fortunate with nearly $5K damage from the wave.

So if you see an Ocean Liner making like hell, drive WAY out of your way to avoid its wake.
Click to expand...



Hello Mike,

While in Cape May a couple we met told us to watch out for 12 to 14 foot waves in the Hudson…. I wondered what could possibly make a wave like that. I am sure glad we did not run into anything like that.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,253
Messages
1,429,333
Members
61,128
Latest member
MinecraftRuSwilm
Back
Top