I'm planning a trip from Lindenhurst to Sag Harbor next week and I haven't run this course in quite some time and wanted to determine if I should run inside all the way or run the ocean to the Shinecock inlet? My boat is only 25' and I don't want to get pounded out in the ocean, but all the 5mph zones are a pain when running inside. How can I best determine ocean conditions just before I leave in the morning?
Lindy to Sag
- Thread starter blueflew
- Start date
Best way is to check the weather buoys -
http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=44025
http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=44017
Long wave periods indicate widely spaced swells that are easier to run in, short periods indicate steeper, choppy waves.
http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=44025
http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=44017
Long wave periods indicate widely spaced swells that are easier to run in, short periods indicate steeper, choppy waves.
I would take the inside, much more scenic ride. FYI, from Lindenhurst to the locks is not any faster than going the inside, we timed it a few weeks back. IMHO, the only reason to go the ocean is if your boat draws alot of water.
Walter
Walter
blueflew,
Unless you have a deep vee then Walter is right. Not much time savings if you run the ocean. Also to watch for is every afternoon the SW breeze picks up and the ocean between FI, Moriches, and Shinnecock can get lumpy...especially on an outgoing tide at each inlet. If you have young ones or people who don't like a lumpy ride then stick to the inside...nice, easy, and the views are pretty cool. Outside's nice too if you can run it. Not a tough ride at all if the surface is fairly flat. From Moriches inlet to Shinnecock inlet is approx 40-45 minutes depending on cruising speed.
Enjoy!
Perry
Unless you have a deep vee then Walter is right. Not much time savings if you run the ocean. Also to watch for is every afternoon the SW breeze picks up and the ocean between FI, Moriches, and Shinnecock can get lumpy...especially on an outgoing tide at each inlet. If you have young ones or people who don't like a lumpy ride then stick to the inside...nice, easy, and the views are pretty cool. Outside's nice too if you can run it. Not a tough ride at all if the surface is fairly flat. From Moriches inlet to Shinnecock inlet is approx 40-45 minutes depending on cruising speed.
Enjoy!
Perry
Thanks for the info and I'm going to run inside as the admiral doesn't like getting bounced around. I've made the run to West Hampton Beach many times, but haven't gone east of that in many years. Any locations I need to pay extra attention to or any shallow channels on the way to Sag Harbor, east of West Hampton Beach?
blueflew,
Tiana Bay...there's a dogleg...miss it and your gonna go high speed clamming...the rest is fairly easy. And the canal...don't go thru when its honking...just before it closes and just after it opens are a great time to traverse if the locks are open. If they're closed then locking thru is very easy...just be prepared with fenders and lines prior to entering the canal. Check out the 'sticky' thread for more details on the canal.
Enjoy the trip!
Perry
Tiana Bay...there's a dogleg...miss it and your gonna go high speed clamming...the rest is fairly easy. And the canal...don't go thru when its honking...just before it closes and just after it opens are a great time to traverse if the locks are open. If they're closed then locking thru is very easy...just be prepared with fenders and lines prior to entering the canal. Check out the 'sticky' thread for more details on the canal.
Enjoy the trip!
Perry
blueflew,
Honking is my term for an 8+mph current as the water flows from the Peconics to Shinnecock through the canal (as in that current is really honking). It can be like going upstream of a white water rapid. Not so difficult in a center console. Much more of a white knuckler in a larger boat. I left my charts on the boat, lemme check on-line and I'll get back with you on the buoys.
Perry
Honking is my term for an 8+mph current as the water flows from the Peconics to Shinnecock through the canal (as in that current is really honking). It can be like going upstream of a white water rapid. Not so difficult in a center console. Much more of a white knuckler in a larger boat. I left my charts on the boat, lemme check on-line and I'll get back with you on the buoys.
Perry
Perry,
I would think the locks would be unbearable just before they close... ( thats why they close them ) We went tru saturday 15 mins past opening and I was way not amused.... Rather lock tru any day... U get the guys that stop mid lock get spun around ... people yelling no wake meanwhile ur going backwards so u have to power tru... but u get one guy confused and everyone behind him is doomed. WE tried the wait for the boat to clear the locks numerous time people go right around u ... So from a trouser change point of view locking tru is way easier.... I cant imagine going tru with the current. All experiences have been going against the current and thats pleanty...
Rob
I would think the locks would be unbearable just before they close... ( thats why they close them ) We went tru saturday 15 mins past opening and I was way not amused.... Rather lock tru any day... U get the guys that stop mid lock get spun around ... people yelling no wake meanwhile ur going backwards so u have to power tru... but u get one guy confused and everyone behind him is doomed. WE tried the wait for the boat to clear the locks numerous time people go right around u ... So from a trouser change point of view locking tru is way easier.... I cant imagine going tru with the current. All experiences have been going against the current and thats pleanty...
Rob
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If you get to the locks just as they open for about 45 minutes they are not rushing, the same goes for about 30-40min before they close. Just go right though, no hassel.
The lock # is
631-852-8299. They can explain.
Brad,
I guess im dense .... To me the locks close just as the difference between the two bodies of water gets too extreme... so the water would be blasting tru the gates... I have pictures of the locks being open prior to closing that show a never ending mess of swirling white water and a center console on plain making no headway.... THAT"S when the locks close... ( in my mind ) but i think im wrong since everyone has stated the opposite.
Rob
I guess im dense .... To me the locks close just as the difference between the two bodies of water gets too extreme... so the water would be blasting tru the gates... I have pictures of the locks being open prior to closing that show a never ending mess of swirling white water and a center console on plain making no headway.... THAT"S when the locks close... ( in my mind ) but i think im wrong since everyone has stated the opposite.
Rob
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Rob, the best thing would be for the traveler to contact the lock master for details. But for the last few years, I have been timing them if possible, so I can go thorough at slack tide when they just open or about to close. This past trip on 7/22, I called and they said they were going to close about 3:30-4:00. So I hung out in Greenport until about 2:30 and then made it to the locks at about 3:30 and went though with almost no current.
From what I was told and from experience, when the locks open they begin to rush after about 45-60 minutes for about 5 hours then slow down before they close. When the locks are open and rushing it can be very unpleasant going through. Did it once, not again…. S to N is not as bad but you are canoeing going N to S.
If you can’t time it so you can go through while open an NOT rushing, you need to wait and lock though. This is not a hard process, but sometimes there can be a build up of boats and lines with AH’s cutting the line. If possible I try to catch the 45min window on each side, before they close and just after they open.
I think i get it ... As for the AH we tried spacing the 4 boats going tru so that the first boat would clear the locks before the 2nd boat entered. As i stated before the MF fishing AH go right around and just hop in ... then get all sideways by the current and tottaly screw the rest that are trying to stay away from the boats coiming down the locks ... I just hate it... so when we went tru I was behind a 38 so I had currrent and his wake in the lock .... I was not happy... But we made it ... We time the trip with moriches the so the locks are a crap shoot ...
Rob
Rob
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This is why I stay in WHB for a night when I can. Most of the time I can plan both an easy lock condition (closed or little current run through) and the Moriches high tide. It is not alway's an option to spend the extra night at WHB, but nice when we can.
