Easier than bucking the tide. It is a tactic from sailing days
How do you not buck the tide when you leave NYC and head for RI with a 6 knot boat?
The only answer is to time the tides and travel for less than maybe 6 hours a day.
With hitting stops (marinas) along the way on each leg that will lead to a longer trip and maybe a 4 day travel time.
8-9 knots methinks. I'm planning for 7, 19 hours of travel.
I don't think the ebb/flow once reaching LI Sound is that dramatic in terms of speed, is it? Just looked it up, less than a knot...
You want to hit the Race at the right current conditions and preferably not an opposing wind. It’s discussed pretty well in Eldridge Tide and Pilot Book. If you don’t have one, it’s essential for that neck of the woods.
8-9 knots methinks. I'm planning for 7, 19 hours of travel.
I don't think the ebb/flow once reaching LI Sound is that dramatic in terms of speed, is it? Just looked it up, less than a knot...
8-9 knots methinks. I'm planning for 7, 19 hours of travel.
I don't think the ebb/flow once reaching LI Sound is that dramatic in terms of speed, is it? Just looked it up, less than a knot...
Destination and insurance are all set.
I was planning for a slower 7 knots. I'm going to check the power/speed curves again to be sure that's achievable.
I keep hearing a lot of flows/tides/ebbs = fast, but the data I find online suggests 0.75 knots maximum. Can anyone speak to it being faster in the middle of the sound? Sure, exiting the East River it will be up to five there (and will be timed), but once in the sound I'm not seeing the currents everyone is talking about... (again, I'm not the captain on this trip, but I'm going to study like I am).
If you go through the Race then you could see 4 kts of current, but you don't need to go that route. It is not any longer to go inside Fisher's Island where the current should be no more than a knot or two at worst.
David
If you go through the Race then you could see 4 kts of current, but you don't need to go that route. It is not any longer to go inside Fisher's Island where the current should be no more than a knot or two at worst.
David
You want to hit the Race at the right current conditions and preferably not an opposing wind. It’s discussed pretty well in Eldridge Tide and Pilot Book. If you don’t have one, it’s essential for that neck of the woods.
This /\ . And have an active SeaTow or BoatUS membership.
Seatow hauls their boats in winter. You're on your own.
Only 2 open water spots. LI to BI, BI to Newport. I think they're both about 20 miles. Typically very choppy following sea heading north. You can always follow the coast up and be closer to marinas although trip would be longer.
I think I would second the suggestion to take the boat out for a day and push it hard. Warm clothes mandatory. Dinghy with working outboard would be very high on my list of necessities
I think most of you are underestimating the inherent danger of the Long Island Sound in winter. You will be truly on your own. The Sound can be treacherous. I have boated on the Sound from the East River, through the Race and on to ports in RI to Boston for over 50 years. I personally would wait until Spring. If you do go now, go alone so that you don’t put anyone else at risk. You don’t know the boat. Wait until you do.
I hear you, but can you be more specific? I'm trusting the captain, but maybe I shouldn't go?
A couple of posts back I gave my weather parameters. Even if those are met?
I bought a boat from a friend. It was in mint condition. Our first cruise was across the Sound from Westport CT to Port Jefferson NY. Distance of 15 miles. Halfway across a squall hit us. Winds clocked at 60 mph and waves to 5’. That day reports indicated numerous capsized boats and one death. We had no issues other than the loss of a canvas hatch cover. Lesson learned that the weather can change in minutes.
If you get into a rough weather situation you may not be able to deal with a simple filter change or hold your lunch down in a hot rolling engine room. You really need to shakedown this KK before you start risking your safety. If seas get dicey you can stir up dirt in your fuel tanks and shut down your engine. And if it does shutdown I can bet it will be at the worst possible time/place.
I’m not trying to be a “wet blanket,” just trying to apply some risk management.
They do? https://youtu.be/_C16ieMjg7k
I think you're the first person to suggest a dinghy. I was between a dinghy and a life raft and I think I'm going for the life raft. I don't plan on going in the water and if I do all hell has broken loose.
Think it's possible to wait for a forecast that allows one to know that a squall is 95% unlikely? Or can they pop up on the calmest of days in the winter?
I'm interested in the estimated risk, no wet blankets here. Life is risky but we can affect it quite a bit. No sense in senseless risk.
I hear you, but can you be more specific? I'm trusting the captain, but maybe I shouldn't go with him?
A couple of posts back I gave my weather parameters. Even if those are met?