Two Nights in November Off the Jersey Coast ?

[allanpeda]

My friend wants to spend three days / two nights cruising off the NJ Coast. Sort of a last cruise of the season. I'm not so sanguine about the idea. So far I've done LI sound this summer for two nights, and of course the Virgin Islands.

The only anchorage I see in range from my home marina (Gravesend Brooklyn) is Manasaquan NJ, at 40 nautical miles, so maybe that will take 10 hours. This would be in mid November, yeah, I know, cold! This is a Catalina 30 in good shape, but could be better.

Here's the only route I see:
Advanced Google Maps Distance Calculator

Personally I'm more in favor of heading toward Jones Beach inlet. Thoughts?

[Don1500]

Have you been through JB inlet? Not to easy if you havent, but the GSB is a nice place. That time of year Fire Island will be deserted. You could stay the night at Davis Park for free probably.

[allanpeda]

Thanks, so the issue with JB inlet would be shifting sand bars I assume?

[Don1500]

Originally Posted by allanpeda

Thanks, so the issue with JB inlet would be shifting sand bars I assume?

Yes. From Active Captian:

Jones Inlet, about 12 miles westward along the south coast of Long Island from Fire Island Inlet, is the principal entrance from the Atlantic to the inside passages and towns in Hempstead Bay. The inlet, which is used mostly by pleasure craft and fishermen, should not be attempted without local knowledge because the channel and depths are constantly changing.

But go slow and watch your depth and you should be OK if it's not too rough.