Watch Hill

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walterv

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I was just wondering, why do you all like Watch Hill? My observations are as follows.

1. No great views of the bay, kind of closed in.
2. Mosquitoes are horrible and eat you alive.
3. Ticks are real bad.
4. Depending on the time of year the jelly fish are real bad on the ocean side.
5. No swimming on the bay side.
6. No jet skis allowed, so my kids can't have fun.

So other than catching a buzz and hanging out on the docks, what is there to do?

Walter
 
1) Great bay views, new sunset dock is beautiful.
2) only at sunset, then they stop
3) ticks are seasonal, first year is a issue
4) never seen a jellyfish issue, ocean is great, same ocean as all over long island
5) not true, people swim, anchor, clam, etc
6) who needs a jet ski when there.

Whats wrong with catching a buzz and hanging out? Where else you going to go for less than $2 a foot?
 
I am not picking on the place but trying to get an idea of what it is all about.

Walter
 
It really is not as bad as some people like to complain about it.
It is one of the cheapest and nicest south shore destinations where alot of boats can get together.
If you catch it right its a great place. Don't listen to the complainers.

Lets plan a trip there next weekend, 6/15, you have to got Thursday or make a reservation Friday morning to get in.
Big slips seem to go fast.
 
Has anyone done a run there just to eat in the resturant yet ??

Can you dock in the day slips while your in the resturant ???
 
seems a little far to go for dinner, better choices close in.
 
To add to what Dave said -

1. The fact that it's closed in makes it the most protected of the FI marinas that I've been to. If the wind blows out of the north you won't get bounced around like at Sailor's Haven or Davis Park. It's also away from boat traffic so don't have the wakes like at the Ocean Beach area marinas. Views of the bay are great if you just take a short walk.

2. The mosquitos can be real bad but plenty of times they aren't an issue.
3. I've never really had a problem with the ticks.
4. When the jellyfish are in they are all over the ocean on the south shore, doesn't matter where you are.
5. The beach on the bay side is actually nice, lots of people swim there, more than at most spots.
6. I think most of us would consider that a good thing! Who wants jet skis buzzing around?

The fact that the marina is pretty big also gives most a reasonable chance of getting in on a weekend. For me I like it because it's away from everything else. I have no desire to go to the busy spots like Ocean Beach, I don't need the bars, the crowds, etc... Watch Hill is about the beach, the water, and nature to me. To the east is an 8 mile stretch of beach that's totally undeveloped, you can take a long walk on a weekend and hardly see a person. It really feels like you're 'away' even though it's only an hour from my house.

Of course if you don't like it Rob and I really don't need any more wide beam boats there to compete for slips with :D
 
Walter
How much time do you have to sit down and have me explain why people enjoy Watch Hill?

1-Name a destination within the timeframe you travel to get to Watch Hill that is as nice.
2-Where you have the choice of a bay (claming, fishing, bathing with small children) or ocean (ocean bathing waves and such)
3-As mentioned above docking is protected from wind waves and such
4-Most times peaceful no craziness of night life. (by rule after 10 or 11 quite time) That doesn’t mean after that time you can’t sit on the back of your boat with friends until the sun comes up and enjoy good company and drinks, you just have to be mindful of those around you that choose to turn in.
5-For the most part older crowd, no I don’t mean wheel chairs, but young families with kids to couples that are retired, More of a family type place

You are correct with some of the short comings of Watch Hill, all types of bugs and yes the mosquitoes are a BIG NEGITIVE. Most times the real bad times are at dusk and dawn. Now the ticks seem to have become a bigger problem then in the past.

The one thing that I feel may come back to the boater’s disadvantage is the Park Service has many years ago given Watch Hill out to a concession. They had the option to take back control when they took it back from Mr. G, but they choose to concession it out once more to the new concession person. In the years it was run by Mr. G no money was put back into Watch Hill and the Park Service is to blame for that. Now I am very much aware that the new guy has put money into the place and the rates have gone up $.50 a foot, and the electric has gone up somewhat. Most of us feel it’s still a pretty good deal at $1.75 per foot plus the electric compared to other destinations. My feelings are, compare those cost to other government marinas such as Davis Park (Brookhaven Township), (the Islip Town marina) and West Hampton beach marina. I think we should really stay abreast of things at Watch Hill and not let it get out of control, as far as cost and even rules go. I know that was the reason the Friends of Watch Hill was formed and I did buy into the organization the first couple of years, but the past 2 years I have lost some comfort level in them. I have recently sold my boat (looking to replace it with another) and go to Watch Hill on friends’ boats and the ferry, and will continue going there as I love it. I just hope there doesn’t come the day when we say Watch Hill isn’t what it was.

All that said Watch Hill overall, the marina, campgrounds, bay beach, ocean beach, the wildlife preserve, hands down none better
 
...and for a place that is so " undesirable "........it sure does get full quick !!!
 
Last year the Admiral and I spent July 4th at Zach's Bay, then cruised over to FI without any specific destination. We spent a night at Flynns, then went over to Watch Hill. We had a great time there. It seems like it's more of a boater's community than other marinas. We plan to do the same trip this year - Zach's Bay for the firework show, then the rest of the week at WH. Hope to see some LICC people there.

Don, you'll recognize me because I still have your old fenders on the bow.
 
quote:
Originally posted by interj

Watch hill stinks, everyone stay away!!!

Click to expand...


Same with Hemlock and Garbage coves...

Did you hear about the new Nuclear Bee… it’s a mutation of the green fly and the Amazon killer bee. They love mosquitoes, so they are heading for WH. They only have a four day feeding frenzy, seems to fall between Thursday and Sunday. But is repeated weekly from June 14th -September 21st.

I heard Tequila Jacks is having a free docking season, but you need to bring your own food and drink. The occasional shotgun blast from the neighbors shouldn’t be much of an issue compared to the Nuclear Bees at WH….
 
So....

You have gnats you can see, gnats you can't see, mosquitoes, green flies and ticks.

Wow...the south shore sounds like fun. ;) ;)
 
quote:
Originally posted by Double D

...and for a place that is so " undesirable "........it sure does get full quick !!!

Click to expand...


Yeh, so does the DMV. :}

Ok, I get it, thanks for the info.

Heading to the boat to do some work, anyone around stop over (D55)

Have a good weekend guy,gals and Don :)
 
quote:
Yeh, so does the DMV. :}

Ok, I get it, thanks for the info.

Heading to the boat to do some work, anyone around stop over (D55)

Have a good weekend guy,gals and Don :)
Click to expand...


Ehem.....don't want to rock the boat (no pun intended) but is there something going on between you and "Don", Walter? ;)

Tom & Lisa
 
Doing some errands here and heading down myself, to the boat that is!
 
Walt ,
PLace has great people... ( well a few aholes but we know who they are ) and where else u going to go.... Its a nice ride and all the other things people posted... No place is going to be perfect....

Rob
 
Hey buddy... No we sat at the dock all afternoon friday... i was pretty peeved..... Ended up in cedar saturday.....

I hate that place...

Came home this am.... EARLY ... GOt fuel in ss3 .... i saw ur boat sitting in the slip.. wtf... .sun was out ...

All well... better then being home

Rob
 
Any one here going this weekend ? We got through, reserved a slip and heading out this afternoon late. :)
 
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