Anchoring in Lake Montauk

[seadaddler]

Starting to plan some trips for 2008.Has anyone anchored out in lake montauk with a 5 ft draft.Friends will be spending a week or so out at Montauk this Julyand we are thinking of visiting them,is 5 ft draft OK and can weuse the dinghy to shore OK.May shoot to Block after that.Nick

 

[Alan23153]

We're first timers

We're heading to Montauk for the first time this summer. We're planning on staying at the Montauk Yacht Club. I hear the facilities are top notch. Should keep crew( 2 boys and a girl ages 15,13,9) and wife happy. We are planning to go from Milford CT to Watch Hill(stay 2 days) then shoot to Montauk (13 miles I'm told). We generally go to Noank to Block then Newport. This is change for us. We're there the last week in July-first week in Aug.

 

[seadaddler]

Watch Hill

Where do you stay at Watch Hill,last year went to mystic to pickupmy wifes kids(adults) and headed past watch hill I think and went to block.This year we want to visit new port also maybe the cape too.Nick

 

[RAD]

Nick,

I was speaking with a friend today who keeps a boat at Montauk and he said he seen a pretty large fishing boat anchored on the southeast side of Star Island and if you look at a chart there's a lot of water in that araa, I looked in my cruising guide and it said there was poor holding while at anchor FWIW

 

[Scott]

NOt many sailors seem to visit Montauk ...

We've often trailered our ski boat out to Montauk and we use the town ramp on the west side of the bridge to Star Island. There are docks along that stretch and boats on moorings. I've never seen anybody anchored there because there is very little room. The sailboats I've seen anchored are always on the western shore line of Lake Montauk, just past the yacht club piers (on the right as you enter the lake from the Coast Guard Station at the head of the island.I've seen people dinghy over to the town ramp from the anchorage, even though they have to go completely around the island to get there.The water seems to be at least 6' at low tide throughout the lake. I don't think there would be any problem with depth. We water ski all over that lake (including the anchorage - it depends upon where the water is the smoothest and I've never touched bottom.I've never seen many sailboats in Montauk ... it seems to be a sport fisherman destination.

 

[seadaddler]

Thanks

I 'll do more checking into anchoring at montauk.I am retired so I can always sail over from Greenportwhen the weather gets better.Nick

 

[Rich Stidger]

I've been there several times

It is a powerboat destination. Sailboats are almost out of place. I have anchored in the lake, and the depth is fine for a 5' draft. Be aware of the dogleg turn at the south end of Star Island and note that the channel is on the west side of Lake Montauk. Once you get past the private aids you can turn to the east and anchor. There is a 7-8' spot between cans 5 & 7 where I have seen sailboats anchored but there is shoal areas just outside the 7-8' spot and I don't know first-hand how if the holding is good.It is a long dinghy ride to the town docks from the lake and getting around on foot is a long walk everywhere.If I sound negative it's because I am. I honestly can't think of a good reason to visit Montauk in a sailboat.Now Watch Hill on the other hand is a very nice spot to visit. Good anchoring, lots of room, easy dinghy ride to the docks, interesting stores, merry-go-round, ice cream stores. Only a couple of decent restaurants but a bakery, store with old books, and one of the better beaches in the area. Swimming can be done on the ocean side or the bay side. There is a long narrow channel at the entrance that you need to keep in, but it is not difficult. There is a narrow point right at the entrance that looks a bit scary the first time you enter, but it is really quite easy.

 

[seadaddler]

Rich

Thanks Rich watch hill sounds like a great stop over from Block or New Port or even just great place to visit.I have been to Montauk many times many years ago but the traffic was crazy going through the Hampton's.My friends from up state NY are visiting Montauk in July and since it's been a long time since we've been and my home port is Greenport,we could stop off on the way to Block and spend a day with them and they with us sailing.Thanks for the info.Nick

 

[BarryL]

Montauk Yacht Club

Hello,I spent 5 days or so at the Montauk Yacht club in June '07. It was great. The trip over from Mt. Sinai was long but fun.Montauk Yacht club is expensive but very nice and has greatfacilities. There were few sail boats there, but that didn't matter to me. The crew at MYC was helpful in getting us tiedup, bringing ice, etc. I would recommend them and I could go back. Montauk is a great town and a great place to visit. The Montaukpoint park is beautiful, the beaches on the ocean side are great.The town is small and nice also.After we left montauk we sailed to Greenport and spend 2 daysthere. There were a lot more sail boats at Greenport, but so what?We stated at Townsend Manor marina which was not as nice asMontauk Yacht club, but was much cheaper.Barry

 

[Paul Akers]

I Have!

The Lake is all Soft Mud bottom and I darw 4'9". I was 1 of 5 Sailboats (of about 200+ boats) in there. There were 3 boats in my flotilla. It is a fishing boat heaven, there! There are lots of sport-fishing boats there. So that left only 2 other sailboats there. Anchoring in the pond for large boats is poor. I know one guy that dragged in a wind. He was in a power boat. It's a long way in, so leave time to anchor, if you do go in. I never had a problem in there, but be sure to stay in the channel. The channel takes an immediate right at the corner of the last dock. It you follow the bouys you are OK UNLESS YOU DON'T SEE THEM (like my bro, who got stuck w/3.5' draft (Centerboard up on a Pearson)in pure MUD. The channel turns to the right(inbound) along the shore then cuts left to the anchorage. These are 90 degree turns. Had a beautiful night but be sure to enter/exit on a full/rising tide and anchor in the middle of the pond. Or you can stay in a marina out side the pond (I stayed at STAR Island (expensive) once and Lake's Fishing Lodge another(not too bad)). Email me thru this web site for more info, if necessary.

 

[AXEL]

I like it there

I've been to Lake Montauk many times in my C30. My draft is 4.5 ft. I've stayed at the Montauk Yacht Club, nice place but I have to tell you its very (VERY)expensive. I like Snug Harbor, it's a lot cheaper, very nice, pool, facilities, etc. I have also anchored in the lake many times without any problems. A few years ago some guy who owned property over there was making problems for people anchoring but the last time I was there 2 years ago that problems seems to have been resolved. Just follow the channel around the Montauk YC and you'll see a small beach. I anchor in this area and leave the dingy on the beach. I have also used the MYC dingy dock without any problems. Watch Hill is also nice. It gets crowed over there! The channel is a LONG ride in, about 45 minutes if I remember correctly and you will get pounded by power boats.

 

[tweitz]

Montauk and vicinity

I sail out of Three Mile Harbor in East Hampton. I have never sailed out of Lake Montauk, though I have often been there on my friend's sportfisherman from Star Island. Lake Montauk is a fabulous fishing destination, a lot fewer sailboats. I certainly would consider it. If you are looking for more sail friendly destinations in the vicinity, I would consider any of Three Mile Harbor, Coecles Harbor on Shelter Island or Sag Harbor, all of which are spectacularly scenic. While I have found a lot of crowding around Greenport and Sag, the other two are never crowded and Gardiner's Bay is great sailing.

 

[Rob19574]

Montauk Options

Nick -I would agree with many of the reccos here that Montauk is a powerboat destination. The lake is rather large and muddy. My home port is Mattituck and we try to layover somewhere on the way to and from Block on occasion. Stayed the night in Montauk once and decided against the lake as I thought it was too unprotected and muddy. We docked at Star Island Marina which was pricing but worth the piece of mind at night. If you are just going there for one night, I would highly recommend staying at one of the Yacht clubs or marinas. To my knowledge, getting to and from a dingy dock from the lake could be a distance as well. I am not aware of any public facilities or dingy docks. Montauk is a nice place to visit and has some great restaurants. Three mile harbor might be a good option if you are looking to stay on the hook – Ted knows that harbor well. It’s probably a 10 minute car ride from Montauk if your friends are staying on land.Over the years, I kept track of our New England destinations on my blog – even had a few folks submit their own recommendations. See my link below for my reviews on Block Island, Newport, Martha’s Vineyards and Greenport (which you probably know more about than me ).Good luck and hopefully I will run into you on the water sometime – my boat’s name is “Rum Swizzle” / Catalina 30. - Robhttp://cruisingguide.blogspot.com/