Skiing on the Delaware River?

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stevec

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My wife and I are in the process of buying our first boat. We're looking at a 20 foot bowrider to use primarily for tubing and water skiing. We'd plan to keep the boat in the Dredge Harbor area.

My question: Is it realistic to plan to water ski on the Delaware River, or would we be in for a big disappointment?
 
I'm sure you'll find plenty of others enjoying the Delaware River come summer. There sure are plenty of boats on the river in the Riverside/Delran area. Have fun
 
Yes it is very realistic to ski/tube on the river. There are a lot of spots that are very good for it. If you find it is a little rough to ski, where you are (Normally happens when the wind is coming up the river, and you have an out going tide.) just head north of the Burlington Bristol Bridge, it is normally calmer up there.

The rive can be a lot of fun!!!
 
That's great news. I've always heard people talk about how dirty the river is. I didn't know if that was people just complaining or if it would put a damper on our fun. It sounds like we'll be able to enjoy the summer on the river.

Thanks!
 
quote:
Originally posted by stevec

That's great news. I've always heard people talk about how dirty the river is. I didn't know if that was people just complaining or if it would put a damper on our fun. It sounds like we'll be able to enjoy the summer on the river.

Thanks!

Click to expand...


Yeah, it aint the cleanest of places, lots of run off is dumped in river. For years, we boated and jet skied off the Trenton ramp, the further south you go, the cleaner it seems.

Just keep an eye out for those floating rocks, oh, and those bodies. Stay away from the bodies!
 
I don't have any first hand experience, but I have read that Rancocas creek is good for water skiing.
eric
 
There is good jet and water skiing in the mouth of the Rancocas but beyond Hawk Island Marina there is alot of no wake and low water. I think towards Trenton above the cove is the best skiing on the Delaware. Good Luck with the new boat puchase.
 
Yea almost the entire Rancocas is no wake at this point. The river isn't to dirty north of Philadelphia.
 
Steve,

I keep my boat at Dredge Harbor so welcome. Your best bet for skiing or tubing is the Rancocas Creek, it is just North of Dredge Harbor. There's also some quieter areas North of the Tulleytown cove.

Although I do see people tubing and skiing on the Delaware I would not recommend it unless you are above the cove I mentioned. In my opinion there is way too much traffic and way to many uneducated or inexperienced boaters...it can be dangerous.

Do yourself a favor and take a boat safety course. Have a great first summer with the boat
 
Just to chime in about "how dirty the Delaware is" I had to go diving in the Delaware this weekend, "Long Story" But the visabilty was great 10'-15' which for a river is outstanding.
 
OK Bob, but only because you asked.

Working Yacht Club. We put our docks in and pull them ourselves. While we were putting the docks in, we drop 2 pilings off the dock into the water. I got to go swimming for them. Last year when pulling the docks, we realised on of our anchor chains, was not in place, 100' of chain to a 2x2 concrete block. I went looking for that, no joy on the block and chain, the current was to strong to do a good search, and we did not have a good location. The next weekend when we went to pull two more chains from the shore to the docks, the chain kept coming and coming, they had broke off the blocks, so back again to look for them. No luck there either but I did find a large mushroom anchor, 4 feet long 2 feet round, and a very large black bra, I could not stop laughing!!!

In the summer, when it is warmer I am going back to look for the rest of the missing blocks. This time if year after 30 minutes you can not feel your fingers.
 
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