Cruising - NJ to LI Sound & ? - flotilla?

[backinblue]

Originally Posted by jitylu

QUESTION ABOUT THIS ROUTE: I'm dreamily planning the reverse trip as i wait for a 34 Mainship Trawler to be surveyed. In the fall of 2023, plan to travel from Mattituck to Virginia. When i was looking at dockage/marinas to stay at in the Waterways Guide, all of them were private. What transient dockage is available halfway from Mattituck to Mamaroneck and then after passing through the East River? Thanks for replies.

Mainship calls all their boats Trawlers, not that it matters much. I'm guessing you are talking about a 34' Pilot? That's really stretching the term Trawler, not that it's not a great boat. Similar to mine in many ways.

Yes most marinas and yacht clubs are private, but most also offer transient dockage by the day. There are also some good anchorages especially in the Sound. It sounds like maybe you haven't done much cruising? Or maybe just new to the area? Either way it's a pretty agressive trip especially if it's your first on this boat for a delivery.

Anyway, good luck, and if you can provide any more details I can give you some more specific info, especially to NYC. You could also PM me if you prefer.

[smitty477]

Originally Posted by jitylu

QUESTION ABOUT THIS ROUTE: I'm dreamily planning the reverse trip as i wait for a 34 Mainship Trawler to be surveyed. In the fall of 2023, plan to travel from Mattituck to Virginia. When i was looking at dockage/marinas to stay at in the Waterways Guide, all of them were private. What transient dockage is available halfway from Mattituck to Mamaroneck and then after passing through the East River? Thanks for replies.

Are you leaving from Mattituck on the LI sound side or the Peconic bay side?
How many miles are you targeting for a day and what are you looking for in your preferred stops?

[smitty477]

Originally Posted by backinblue

Mainship calls all their boats Trawlers, not that it matters much. I'm guessing you are talking about a 34' Pilot? That's really stretching the term Trawler, not that it's not a great boat. Similar to mine in many ways.

Yes most marinas and yacht clubs are private, but most also offer transient dockage by the day. There are also some good anchorages especially in the Sound. It sounds like maybe you haven't done much cruising? Or maybe just new to the area? Either way it's a pretty agressive trip especially if it's your first on this boat for a delivery.

Anyway, good luck, and if you can provide any more details I can give you some more specific info, especially to NYC. You could also PM me if you prefer.

FWIW - we owned 2 Mainship 34 Trawler, one was a 1978 and the other was a 1979. Single engine, steady sail, large keel, etc.

[backinblue]

Originally Posted by smitty477

FWIW - we owned 2 Mainship 34 Trawler, one was a 1978 and the other was a 1979. Single engine, steady sail, large keel, etc.

Thanks, I was not familiar with those older models. I do know that my boat was one of the last Mainships built and they were using the name "Mainship Trawlers" on thier literature, etc, but I wouldn't call my boat a Trawler. Anyway, good questions to the OP. Too broad a question with few details.

[jleonard]

Originally Posted by mickand

I'd be heading for Port Washington for the first night and take a big yellow mooring ball - they are free for the 1st night.
Then using Eldridge, I'd decide on the best time to leave to catch a following current all the way down the East River.
Great Kills YC on Staten Island will take transients - it's slightly out of the way but not much.
From there I'd head to Manasquan, and with a 34ft boat you could take the NJICW all the way to Cape May as long as you're mindful of the tides. -

I agree with Port Washington/Manhassett Bay and a freebie mooring ball.
After that it depends. I never worried or cared about the current, I went thru NY early morning.

[Hippocampus]

Generally use no marinas in LIS. Stay at anchor in Atlantic highlands leaving or entering NYC.

Occasionally will stop in sag harbor for my $25+ hamburger:-)

[Cleanslate]

The real Hell Gate is the Schinnecock Canal. We went through there two summers ago. From Cap May to Jones inlet up all the way on the inside of South Shore L.I.
It’s like barnegat bay, shallow with mostly narrow channels. You have to run slow and pay attention to your markers / buoys. You also have lots of Bridges to deal with. Not all open on demand. Also most of the South Shore inlets are not the best and require calm seas and / or local knowledge .

Anyway Schinnecock Canal has been my most personal hair raising experience thus far boating and I’ve been at it for 50 years. The current is extremely swift with all kinds of boils and eddys . The Canal operators were worthless and un responsive and offered no help. First time going through we went into the current , unknowingly how bad it gets once in the narrow part of the canal, you are now at the point of no return . To dangerous to turn you vessel around and abort the 5 plus knot current.
I have twin 300 hp diesels DD 71s . Felt like I was starting to go backwards at 1200 RPM had to bump up to 1600 to make slow headway while the water raced by along with the boils and eddies wanting to push the boat around.
Our return trip through with the almost slack tide , current with us, was not much better. Still hair raising.
I would not go the south shore route. Take the NYH - East river route with deep water and unique scenery .

[AnsleyS]

We are also planning the Triangle Loop this summer and we will be passing through LI Sound the first part of June. We will be heading for the Hudson so we will wave as we go by.