Coecles Harbor Info Needed

appleman · Aug 30, 2008

We dropped the the hook there two weeks ago.

It was our first time there. Our O'Day 26 had no problem getting in and out. We stayed just outside the mooring ball area. Our depth sounder is off set to the bottom of our stub keel (2.5 ft) and I thought there was more water than the chart showed. If you go to the marina website, you find that the smallest boat they will rent a seasonal slip to is 35'. Minimum transient mooring, 30'. I didn't check to see where the town dock is located, but the night we stayed there, (8/18)even though we had a stiff breeze out of the SW, the boat never rocked all night. All in all, we were very pleased with our night there.

CalebD · Aug 30, 2008

Coecles Harbor, Shelter Island

GratefulD,
I am jealous. Shelter Island should be a pretty quiet place. I have a friend who was keeping a sailboat there and he mentioned that the harbor entrance can be a little tricky but not impossible.
I think that the Coecles Marina website indicates that it is $45/night for a transient mooring. I am not sure what the 30' number means. I am sure they will rent you one if you are willing to pay.
I have been visiting and day sailing in that area for quite a number of years, mostly from Northwest Creek in my 14' day sailor that I keep out there. I am not sure if you have time to explore a little or if natural settings interest you and your crew but there are 2 gems quite nearby Coecles Harbor. One of them is the Mashomack Preserve on the south east corner of Shelter Island itself, which is a Nature Conservancy preserve. The other is Northwest Creek which is a little farther south and is surrounded by preserves and park land. There are very few structures in NW Creek and lots of wildlife that enjoy it's peat lined shores (not many harbors on LI feature natural peat).
If any of this interests you and you have the time to visit and explore I can give you more info.
Enjoy.

tweitz · Aug 30, 2008

Coecles Harbor

At 3 1/2 feet you should not have a problem. Although Osprey Guide has not been update too recently, it does a very good job on Coecles Harbor. It is one of my favorite harbors and you will certainly enjoy it.

seadaddler · Aug 31, 2008

Great Anchoring

I have anchored in Coecles and it was great with good holding.
It does get crowded but always room for more boats with your 3 1/2 draft.
I still can't believe I have not anchored there this year,too many
other places we wanted to go to.
Someone was asking for info about North west Harbor,I did sail over
Noyack Bay and than anchor in West Neck.
CalebD , I am interested in more info about North West Harbor.
Nick

CalebD · Aug 31, 2008

OK Nick, I'll tell you what I know

I almost hate to give this info out on the web but it seems most people are sensible enough to ignore what I post as the rantings of a lunatic.
Northwest Creek is surrounded on both sides by woods and there is almost no development at all. There is Barcelona Neck state park to the west and a different nature preserve to the east which both extend beyond the head of the creek. There is not much here by way of services (a boat ramp) but it is a pristine little place that some duck hunters use in season.
One reason this place is little known or used is because most of NW Creek is very shallow. I believe that jet-skis are officially not allowed though I once saw a pair in there. I also believe that there is some size limit on boats that is probably in the 30 -32' range allowed for mooring purposes. That said, if your H36 could get in there it would be a nice place to anchor for a night. The gut or channel for NW Creek was dredged several years ago and has begun to get filled in so the channel is not in the middle anymore but closer to the western edge.
Once inside the channel the mooring field is due east (left or port) and I would anchor at the edge of the moored boats. There is a large shoal that extends from the bulkhead all the way to the far shore so don't even think of going further in on a big boat. You might want to time your entrance and exit with high tide even though the tide is in the 2' range.
Once anchored you could set up your dink and explore the rest of the creek. I would go slow as there are lots of shoals and various bird life hanging around here and there. You may notice the smell of the peat which is building up all around the shore in the reeds and grasses. The peat was used as a cooking/heating fuel by folks way back when so many harbors do not have this feature.
I have dug hard shell clams near the gut on the western side, caught bluefish in the channel and sailed my little 14' day sailor all the way to the head of this creek in the past. This place offers very little else so if nature is not your bag then this place is not for you.
The local bay men (Bonackers) use the ramp to launch their working boats so you might hear some motor noises early in the morning.
That is about it.

seadaddler · Aug 31, 2008

I been there

It finally hit me and know where it is just came back to me.
I have been camping at Cedar Point County Park since 1975 with my
kids and many times over the years with many friends.
It has been maybe almost 10 years since I have been back.
I did go in the harbor years ago with the kids with my first
power boat and had a great time catching snappers with the kids,
also kayaked in it with friends a few years back.
I don't think I would try entering it with my 5ft draft Hunter,but
did anchor last year closer to the Cedar park and have seen many boats anchor also.
I remember reading a historical plaque many years ago on the beach at
Cedar point park calling it north west harbor and telling a little story
about the harbor 100 years or so ago,it was our favorite place for camping
and boating,became good friends with the head ranger who lived at the park
and he first got me started into sailing on his Hobie Cat,I than went out
got a Hobie Cat 16 and than 18 and than my first keel boat.
Nick

Coecles Harbor Info Needed

Grateful Dad

.

appleman

.

CalebD

.

tweitz

.

seadaddler

.

CalebD

.

seadaddler

.

Grateful Dad

.