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Old 19-03-2017, 12:12   #1
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Long Island Sound Traffic and current question

Hi all,

I am planning a straight shot from Point Judith, RI all the way to Huntington Bay. (about 90 straight NM) My boat is an Elan 43 and capable of 8kts, but I am considering a 6kts average. So about 15hrs trip.

I am also considering doing it overnight so I can leave RAM Point Marina with the 2pm high tide.
That would put me at The Race around 7pm around Slack Tide and probably with some daylight still.

All experiences and comments regarding traffic and currents are much appreciated.

Regards

Jean Andre
S/V Jellyfish
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Old 19-03-2017, 13:38   #2
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Re: Long Island Sound Traffic and current question

Purchase a 2017 copy of
Eldridge Tide and Pilot Book
I'd consider leaving the dock just before
when the flood starts at the race
You would be with the current for the first
6 hours of your trip and would have a nice boost
through the race
No problem to go through with the current
Did it three times the past 2 years
Always fun
Cheers
Neil
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Old 19-03-2017, 13:41   #3
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Re: Long Island Sound Traffic and current question

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jellyfish M View Post
Hi all,

I am planning a straight shot from Point Judith, RI all the way to Huntington Bay. (about 90 straight NM) My boat is an Elan 43 and capable of 8kts, but I am considering a 6kts average. So about 15hrs trip.

I am also considering doing it overnight so I can leave RAM Point Marina with the 2pm high tide.
That would put me at The Race around 7pm around Slack Tide and probably with some daylight still.

All experiences and comments regarding traffic and currents are much appreciated.

Regards

Jean Andre
S/V Jellyfish
Traffic should be light, relatively speaking, unless you're doing this on a summer weekend. As for currents I would consult the current maps in Eldridge's for the sound, which are excellent and give a great overview of what is happening when and where, showing eddies and such. Can even use an older Eldridge's as the maps never change.
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Old 19-03-2017, 13:49   #4
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Re: Long Island Sound Traffic and current question

Jellyfish M,

With a 15 hour trip you will have the tide against you at some point.

You will be right in the shipping channel, so you will have to keep a good watch out at all times.

AIS will be invaluable on this kind of passage.

Its the Law of Tonnage out there, so keep to the sides of the shipping channel and out of the shipping traffic.

You will get less current if you stay to the sides of the sound also. Most of the current it right down the middle.
.
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Old 19-03-2017, 14:10   #5
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Re: Long Island Sound Traffic and current question

And most of the shipping will run along the north side, closer to CT. Veer down to the Island a bit after you get past the race and Plum Gut.
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Old 19-03-2017, 14:18   #6
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Re: Long Island Sound Traffic and current question

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Jellyfish M,

With a 15 hour trip you will have the tide against you at some point.


.
.
For sure,
But ride the tide for the first 6
by leaving RI when the flood starts at the race
and you would be well through by the change.
Sail through the ebb.
Then ride the flood into Huntington
Cheers
Neil
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Old 19-03-2017, 14:35   #7
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Re: Long Island Sound Traffic and current question

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For sure,
But ride the tide for the first 6
by leaving RI when the flood starts at the race
and you would be well through by the change.
Sail through the ebb.
Then ride the flood into Huntington
Cheers
Neil
Absolutely agree. Free power, what not to like about that.
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Old 19-03-2017, 14:38   #8
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Re: Long Island Sound Traffic and current question

Thanks all for the great insights.

I like the 6hour boost at the beginning of the trip till I get to the race... And i also like the idea of hugging the Island side a bit more.

Trip should happen in April 21-22... I'll let you know how it went.

Cheers

J
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Old 19-03-2017, 15:15   #9
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Re: Long Island Sound Traffic and current question

Here you go
Have Fun
Cheers
Neil
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Old 19-03-2017, 15:43   #10
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Re: Long Island Sound Traffic and current question

Head over to the Orient point side after you clear the race, try to set yourself up to be on the island side by Mattituck. If you have any problems you can jump on there and get situated. The Marina was just re done and is totally protected from all the elements. If all is ok your next stop could be Port Jeff if your tired. Just follow the White with Red stripe smoke stacks from the electrical plants from there. You will see two with red lights blinking on your way to Port Jeff, and when you get to those, you will see the red lights of the four smoke stacks at Northport. From there it's just around the point of Asheroken and a port turn into Huntington Harbor on your starboard side or head to port and down into Northport. Huntington only has one place on the water, Prime to eat and get a drink at and its a tricky turning entrance. I live in Northport, you can tie up at the town dock there. The town is right on the water and is like going back in time 100 years. Great restaurants and bars. New wine bar and a brand new small brewery where you can bring your dog inside and have a few beers. I would definitely go to Northport instead. 10 more minutes then Huntington. I'll meet ya for a brew.
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Old 19-03-2017, 15:51   #11
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Re: Long Island Sound Traffic and current question

The entrance is tricky at huntington if you get there in darkness is what I meant. Narrow and twisty if your not familiar with it.
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Old 19-03-2017, 16:12   #12
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Re: Long Island Sound Traffic and current question

This is a trip I have made many times... Check the tide charts and look for the course which puts you on the weakest part of a counter current. There's plenty of room and if you are not tacking across the shipping lanes it should be no problem at all, Most shipping is tugs pushing or towing, Time you trip for the a fair tide at the race and south of new London Area... Fair winds make a big difference if you are not tacking on this one.
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Old 19-03-2017, 17:43   #13
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Re: Long Island Sound Traffic and current question

Aside from timing the race with current I make sure I have
timed current to be with me well past (west) Orient. As opposing current
in choke area (sound is about 6 miles wide at this point) will slow you to a crawl.
Currents west of area of no great concern, (in half knot range).
As far as traffic goes plenty of room (but I always offset my course off routes as too
many on a/p.)
Huntington Bay easy in, if 1st time into Huntington Harbor and arrive before dawn,
wait for daylight.
I also vouch for Northport.
Have done this many times alone/with crew. day/night, fair/foul weather. Enjoy!
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Old 20-03-2017, 07:45   #14
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Re: Long Island Sound Traffic and current question

Thank you for all the great tips.

After thinking it over and looking at the Eldridge, I decided to go the lazy way. This is just the starting leg of a delivery all the way to Fl So I am going to ride the conveyor belt...
I am planning on breaking this as follows:

Day 1- Ride the current from Pt Judith to Fisher Island
Day 2- Fisher Island to Hempstead
Day 3- Hempstead to Brooklin

This will add just one day to my first leg, but will be more laid back I think... Plus I will sleep at anchor and I will ride with the current for 80% of the time...

Thoughts?
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Old 20-03-2017, 08:00   #15
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Re: Long Island Sound Traffic and current question

I've sailed this area a lot. The advice to time entering the race at the beginning of a flood tide is good. There will probably be some sport fishing going on in the race and an occasional tanker, barge tow and even a possible submarine traffic, but most likely, it will be relatively quiet. Once in LIS, favor the NY coast a little. Stay south of Long Sand Shoal and you should be fine.
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