Long Island sound

[zach103]

Ok so i've been out in a few bigger boats into the sound. only stayed near the shore with the small boats... So heres my question.. have any of you guys gone across the sound to long island or block island in smaller than a 20ft boat with one engine??

 

[Biged007]

Re: Long Island sound

Zach L.I. sound can be a pain many people under estimate that lil pond to answer I have taken an 18 footer across from bridgework to port Jefferson many times but to be honest Block Island You are talking damn near the Atlantic either way the weather is the biggest factor bar none

 

[ralphl]

Re: Long Island sound

made many crossings from Norwalk to LI in my 16 ft Glastron when I was very young and VERY STUPID. There were some very hairy(and scary) trips back to CT. It can go from dead calm to 6-8 ft seas before you can start the motor, knowing what I do now it would take a min 20 footer, especially with kids in the boat..

 

[shrew]

Re: Long Island sound

Ok so i've been out in a few bigger boats into the sound. only stayed near the shore with the small boats... So heres my question.. have any of you guys gone across the sound to long island or block island in smaller than a 20ft boat with one engine??

It really depends on the type of boat and the weather. Your best bet is to hang out in Fisher's Island Sound. We hang out in Fisher's Island sound when it's snotty. Fisher's Island Sound has some great spots, like Watch Hill (Napatree), Flat Hammock, and few other's.

My ride out to Block Island this year saw 6-8 ft. seas on the ride out and <1ft. lake conditions on the ride back 3 days later. You need to pick your days and keep an eye on the weather.

If you decide to go from Long Island Sound to Block Island sound you will need to pass through either 'The Race' or 'Watch Hill Pass' or through 'Plum Gut' then out thorugh Gardiners bay. All of these areas go from deep to shallow very quickly. It looks like an underwater ridgeline there. In a small boat it is best to make these passages in slack tides, with little wind. When wind opposes tides at flood (mid tide) it can stand right up and get very confused. I've seen those sections look like a whitewater rafting trip with waves fully breaking in almost every direction, and would not suggest trying to make the a passage through any of these in a small boat at those times.

Early morning is best for anywhere in the sound when winds are lightest and waves are minimal. On the day we rode out 6-8's out in BI Sound, NOAA was calling for 2-4's. Go Figure. Expect the unexpected and pick your days carefully.

However, again, it depends on the type of boat. I would not be going out there in a lake boat of any kind.

 

[capslock118]

Re: Long Island sound

I have a 19' searay open bow with a 135hp v6 mercury engine.

I have not had the pleasure of traveling to L.I. from New haven yet, but it always has kind of been on my to do list.

Unfortunately we've been out on bad days and it's not pretty; and pretty much sealed the deal for my girl to never want to take that adventure out. I can't imagine the panic my girl (and I secretly) would be in if we were out half way then all of a sudden a bad wind storm rolls in. That doesn't sound like a fun time.

That said, the previous owner of my boat about 3 years ago, stated to me that he travelled out of new haven to Port Jeff. and it took about an hour.

New Haven to Port Jeff. is about 25 miles. Our boat at top speed is about 30mph. So at best on flat water on plane it would take about an hour like he said.

The way I see it, if I did it, I would want to leave early in the morning on a perfectly flat day. Then make the day out of being out there, then in the afternoon check the water. If it's flat then go, if not get a hotel and stay until it gets better.

And you would definately want to fill up both ways.

 

[bowman316]

Re: Long Island sound

you don't want a boat that small out on the ocean with 4 ft swells at best.
a boat like that in 4-5 ft seas does not handle well. i took my boat out on the atlantinc thru ocean city, md, and it did not belong there. I only wend a half mile past the inlet, but i turned around quickly.

but long island almost touches ct/ri. so that may be a safer trip than block island.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Long Island sound

Been out into the sound on an 18 Sea Ray. No worries until it starts to kick up. Even being close to the CT shoreline, bringing the boat back into the river we stuffed the bow a few times. I'm not sure with how quick it can change out there I would take a smaller boat that far. In good weather your all set, in questionable weather, it can be scary.

If you want to do a Block trip let me know. I have room for another couple, and plan to do some trips next year. Block is one of them!!

 

[beattypants]

Re: Long Island sound

I launch from Port Jefferson NY and have made the trip to Bridgeport CT on my 3.0L 20ft maxum several times. I would only cross on a day with no/minimal wind, as the sound can be calm in one spot, rough in another. Just be very careful as you get near the shoreline of LI as there are a ton of rocks (mostly near points) that you can't see, that are just under the surface level, in 20-30 feet of water! Maintain a good safety net of 1500 ft from the LI shore unless you know the area, or are going through a channel would be my advice!