Long Island to Cape May

R

Reel Antsy

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Hello everyone. In a couple of weeks, I'll be helping a friend bring his newly purchased boat from NY to Baltimore. His boat is presently at Oakdale Yacht Club on the Connetquot River.

Can anyone offer some cruising advice and local knowledge info from this area on out toward Sandy Hook? I believe we'll be heading through the Sound and out Fire Island. The run down the coast to Cape May looks to be pretty straight forward. I would also appreciate any offerings from Cape May to the Chesapeake Bay. I have done some southern cruises down to the Carolinas and back to the Chesapeake but I have not done any northern route cruising and am looking forward to this trip.
The boat is a Meridian 441. Any offerings would be greatly appreciated.

Hope everyone is doing well!
Thanks!
 
The Sound? I think you mean Great South Bay.
First and foremost, make sure you have a EPIRB.
If you don't, rent one.

Second, make sure the radio and all safety equipment is good.

Ok, now my take on the trip, if conditions are good for outside run.
From Oakdale, I would take North Channel, to West Channel, run towards lighthouse, water is skinny here, stay in channel!
Go under bridge and head towards fire island inlet.
Your gonna want to chat with seatow, inlet has changed over winter, so I can't give advice. Buoys are not your friend in inlet, so make sure you know path. Catch Slack to going out if possible.

From there, you have 2 choices, beeline or hug coast.
If it was me, I would hug coast, sure more fuel, but you will be safer if something goes wrong.
If beeline then let CG know your intended path if possible.
Ocean is fine if calm, but watch for debris. I have seen cardboard, whales, logs, etc.
That can sink a boat in minutes!

Now, if going inside, then you will deal with alot of skinny water, so make sure you are well plotted.
If inside, then instead of west channel, stay in North channel, under RM Causeway to babylon cut, that takes you south to state channel, follow state channel to wantagh bridge, you may need it to open, if you do, plan on a long wait, 1 operator for 2 bridges! You can call him ahead of time.
Once under bridge, you can follow around and go out Jones Inlet or stay inside to East Rockaway.
Pretty easy inlet hear but don't turn west too early.
From there again, beeline or hug coast.

Sandy hook is a target as you say to get to Jersey coast, from there stay offshore and follow coast and know your inlets for emergency.

I believe right around Little Egg Inlet you don't want to be too close to coast.
After than I can't help you much but should be easy!

Good luck. Nice run if nice day!
 
Just north of Atlantic city there is a submersed jetty that extends out quite a bit....keep an eye on your charts.
 
Yes, I meant the Great South Bay. That is very helpful, thank you both. Yes, I have the inlets marked well.
 
From oakdale like dave said . out fire island inlet an id cut straight across if weather permits .

Good luck

Rob
 
I have done the trip to the Chesapeake. It is a great run. watch the ocean conditions, especially south of Atlantic City. It can get rough quick. Fuel stops in Manasquan Inlet and AC. Take the Cape May Canal across to Delaware Bay. Fuel and overnight are available there. The trip up the Delaware Bay to the Canal is straightforward. There are marinas along the canal for fuel and food. Once in the Chesapeake, simply follow the buoys. Enjoy the trip.
 
From Seatow. They have a pic on Facebook too.

EARLY SPRING FIRE ISLAND INLET OBSERVATIONS- This could be a tricky year for transiting Fire Island Inlet as a new sand bar that crosses the entire channel has emerged, and the old spot between buoys 6 and 8 has just gotten worse. As always transit at your own risk, and make sure to have an active Sea Tow Membership for piece of mind!www.seatow.com
 
Thank you CurrentSea for sharing that info.
Yes, I got this image about a week ago from them. I also understand Buoys were removed over the winter and they are not placed back in yet.

Seatow.png
 
Safest Inlet may be Jones inlet but then your dealing with bridge.
 
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