Effects of Sandy?

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kbeachy46

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Planning to traverse the the Jersey coast from Cape May up to the Hudson in June. We will be running on the outside but I am wondering if there any significant inlet navigational changes or hazards as a result of Sandy.
 
The only place that I have any knowledge of is Barnegat inlet. One of the "hairpin" turns has shifted quite a bit, but they will have the markers moved by June definitely. Ride in deep enough water off shore and you should be fine. Where will you be coming in?
 
Originally posted by kbeachy46

Thanks for the post. We haven't planned that leg of the trip yet so I am open to suggestions. We typically cruise 12 to 16 knots and have made no plans yet on how far to travel each day.

After a quick glance I think Barnegat looks like a good stop over.
Click to expand...
 
I was towed into Barneget once and I went out of it on my own power.
Both times there was some big rollers, with some breakers.
be careful you don't get sideways in it.
Also come straight in.
At high tide there is a submerged rock jetty to starboard.
 
Whoa baby. Although I have a good feel for my boat's comfort zone in various conditions I am not experienced at reading and running inlets. Are there other inlets on the Jersey coast that might be more forgiving than Barnegat? I will not be traveling on a schedule and can easily time my stops to the more safe and comfortable passageways.
 
In my view any inlet is dangerous, it's a matter of knowing the inlet, knowing your boat and being prepared. If you never ran a inlet, my suggestion is go watch the inlet on different days and watch what others do. For the most part it's not bad as long as you maintain control and watch what your doing. When I was towed in, it was a little hairy because I only had 1 engine and needed to make sure I stayed away from tow boat.

If you want to make it easier on yourself, time your arrival for a slack tide.
 
Manasquan is probably the easiest and most straight forward, but you can get some big rollers if the wind is blowing out of the east. Barnaget can be very tricky and once you're inside, the channel is very tricky.

Your best bet is to make the run from Cape May to Manasquan, there are a couple of marinas where you can fuel up and/or stay overnight.

From Manasquan, it's not too far to Sandy Hook and the entrance to NY Harbor. Try to time your passage through the harbor when it is NOT rush hour - as the ferry traffic makes the water very rough.
 
Personally, I would stop in Atlantic City (Absecon Inlet) and skip the others unless really necessary. The shore took a beating and all of the other inlets can be nasty on the wrong day.
 
Thanks for the suggestions. Looks like I have some homework to do. Is there a recommended New Jersey fuel stop prior to crossing into New York State?
 
quote:
Originally posted by kbeachy46

Thanks for the suggestions. Looks like I have some homework to do. Is there a recommended New Jersey fuel stop prior to crossing into New York State?

Click to expand...


Yes, Manasquan or Belmar
 
In the past, Belmar has some of the best prices on fuel. Haven't been there in a few years though.

Also, if you do Manasquan while the inlet is not too bad the railroad bridge you have to go under is very narrow and on an outgoing tide the current really rips. Just something to be aware of.
 
Hoffman's marina is before the RR bridge in Manasquan. They have fuel and transient slips.
 
Manasquan is pretty straight forward. As with anything, know the nav rules, take your time, and you will be fine. Barnegat was where I came in the first time with my new to me 340 EC. It throws you off a bit by hugging the north jetty, then cuts back across to the lighthouse. Oh, don't follow the small CC fishing boats cutting across the unmarked channel. Follow the cans to the bay and your in. Check back in once everyone gets wet up here. Maybe some of us will have explored by then.
 
Thanks for all the great information. After I finalize a plan I will re-post to see if it makes sense.
 
Stay away from Little Egg above Abescon/ Atlantic City. Also make sure you run a minimum of 2.5NM off of the shore near Holgate/ LBI. Little Egg/ Holgate had serious shoaling to almost 3 miles. I'm not sure what it's current state is after Sandy. The area was devistated.
I have run the inlet many times but you can go from 50 feet of water to less than 2 feet in the blink of an eye.
Bill
 
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