Hells Gate at Night

[chef2sail]

Going south we usually get a free mooring at Port Washington and ride the ebb all the way out NY Harbor. You can travel the whole stretch and be in the ocean off the Jersey Coast in in less the 4 hours . We have done the trip through Hell Gate over 40 times. I prefer going through with the current not at slack . Many of the barges plan going through at slack so there is more to contend with.

I would prefer a daylight transit mainly because of the traffic in NY Harbor . It's confusing enough in daylight with AIS. The fast ferries from Atlantic Highlands look like fast moving comets on my radar.

While Manesquan is a fairly easy inlet with no shoals lining the sides, unless you have a marina slip there is no place to anchor. Also the rr Bridge loses frequently for the commuter trains.

Barnegat can be treacherous, however we use it. Atlantic City is fairly easy and you can anchor off the CG station., Cape May is also easy , but you contend with the speeding head boats going in and out at Speed heading to and from fishing grounds. It can be like the Indy 500 with wakes.

[kerrydeare]

Originally Posted by chef2sail

... While Manesquan is a fairly easy inlet with no shoals lining the sides, unless you have a marina slip there is no place to anchor ...

Although a bit hidden and out of the way, there is indeed an anchorage just inside Msq Inlet used by local boats awaiting weather or tide. Sailing boats with up to 5.5 feet draft use it at most normal tides.

Enter Msq and pass FlR "2" minor light before starting a gradual turn into Crabtown Creek (as charted). Locals refer to the whole section as the "Glimmerglass." The bascule bridge into Watson Creek opens upon request.

This is a very secure location, but perhaps a bit "cozy" for some. Shore access depends on your luck but may be possible if local residents are in a good frame of mind. Refer to 12324_3 for additional details.