Long Weekend Destinations from NJ (Northern) Ideas

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Northern Ivy

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So we are looking to take our first long weekend trip from the sandy hook area in NJ; we are thinking of leaving on Friday AM and returning on Monday.

Since this is our first overnight trip away from our home marina we are looking for a destination that are interesting upon arrival but at the same time offer less complex docking and arrival procedures (crazy inlets; skinny water, ETC.).

The choices as we see them are take a ride up the hudson, up to the southern end of LI sound; or down the NJ coast.

I would love some input from others as to what might make a nice triangle from Sandy Hook. We are traveling on a 38' LOA twin oil burner that makes 22 knots easily; We were thinking that we probably did not want to run more then 4 hours a day.

Thanks for the ideas in advance!
 
You could run up to the LI Sound and stop at Norwalk Cove Marina. There is a nice aquarium in Norwalk and plenty of good places to eat, pool, nice beach close by. I think only $2 foot plus electric.

That would be on the top of my list for a quick destination from sandy Hook.

Jonathan
 
Jonathan, thanks for getting back to me so quickly. Would you make this trip a triangle with a second stop or is there enough to do in Norwalk to keep us busy? I don't have a charting program here in the office; any idea on distance from the VZ bridge to norwalk?
 
You can figure around 2-2.5 hours at 20knt from the VZ Bridge depending on whether you are with or against the tide in the East River.

We just spent a long weekend at Farley in AC and had a great time.
 
Norwalk should be around 2 hours from VZ bridge. There are rocks that you need to steer clear of entering Norwalk.

You could try Port Jeff, however you might not get a reservation for the weekend at Danford's, which is the only marina there.

Up the Hudson, Tappan Zee Marina, just north of the TZ Bridge might fit you bill. Good restaurant right there, within walking distance of Tarrytown.

South shore of LI has lots of low water, but Watch Hill is a fantastic destination. If you follow the charts and buoys, it is do-able. You need to get there by Friday to have a hope of getting a slip.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Northern Ivy

Jonathan, thanks for getting back to me so quickly. Would you make this trip a triangle with a second stop or is there enough to do in Norwalk to keep us busy? I don't have a charting program here in the office; any idea on distance from the VZ bridge to norwalk?

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You could spend the whole weekend in Norwalk.

Aquarium and then walk around town one day have a great meal in SoNo (South Norwalk).

Poolside another day relaxing.

Take the boat out and anchor near many of the beautiful spots in the Norwalk Islands.

Go to the beach that is right ajacent to the marina.

If you are looking to relax, not burn so much fuel, not have to travel so much, then you could do Norwalk for that amount of time if you want.

Jonathan
 
Thanks, everyone!!! It turns out the the weekend that we had targeted (9/7-9/10) is the same weekend as Oyster fest in norwalk. I called Norwalk cove and they have room for the weekend. The wife agreed so the destination is set; now I will work on getting us there and back and having a great time for the weekend!

Thanks again!!!
 
Take a look in the LICC forum for a thread on the chase boats for the baloon race. Someone was coming from NJ to Norwalk and I believe there is some good information there regarding entry to the harbor.

I've been there once (last year) and I thought it was well marked.
 
I was in Norwalk as a chase boat for the Balloon race last week.

Very easy, relaxing trip. Everything is well charted and there is a clearly marked channel that leads right into the marina.

The staff was nice and the facilitiy was world class. Great fuel dock with Valvetech gas and diesel, reasonably priced. Valvetech gas was 3.70, same price as regular ethanol at Liberty Landing.

The condition of the dock was excellent. They looked new. Shore power had twin 30 Amp and one 50 Amp but all 110V so if you need 50 Amp 220V like I did, you will need a reverse Y adapter. Bring a piece of Coax, they have free cable TV. They also have WiFi for $8 a day.

They have two restaurants, and the best Ship's Store I've ever seen at a marina. They also have a huge service department. There is a park and beach in walking distance.

We didn't go to the aquarium. We had dinner at Norwalk Inn which is a $12 cab ride.

The surrounding area is nice. The only real hazzard is all the crab pots.

I can give you the route I put into my chart plotter if you need it. You will be on your own to get to the VZ bridge but I'm sure you can handle that. My route will take you from the battery.

In the LI Sound you have to watch out for Execution Rocks and Success Rock. Those will be right in yout path. From Success Rock, it's about a 19 1/2 mile staright shot to Norwalk, then you follow the channel right in. The Marina is on 68 and 9. web site is norwalkcove.com

Let me know if you need any more info.
 
Michael, thanks for all of the great info! I will drop you a pm and maybe you could shoot me an email with an export of the waypoints that you used. For planning purposes how long did it take you to get from LL to norwalk cove? We want to try and plan our arrival for hightide so that we have some extra water getting into the marina for the first time. Thanks again for all the great info!
 
Northern,

I'm not a member. Don't send a PM. Send an email.

It took just about 2 hours to go the 48 miles from Newport to Norwalk. But don't worry about the tides. There is good water the whole way. If anything, low tide might be safer because you will be able to see the rock hazzards.
 
Just an FYI. There is a town dock and a fuel dock next to the ferry dock in Port Jeff. Danford's is on one side of the ferry dock and the town dock on the other side. Danford's although a nice dock and marina facility is not the only choice in Port Jeff. The fuel dock, all the way out on the end of the town dock, has a docking arrangement with the town. Gas and diesel is available. It seems the fuel dock concession has the outer third of the dock with the rest run by the local town. The fuel dock was leased by Silver Bay Marine(631)689-8262. Also, Silver Bay's dockage rate lower than the town dock rate. There is a shower/head facility at the head of the dock. Plenty of stuff to see in Port Jeff, it's a nice small town.
 
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