Scott
We actually live in the very northeast corner of the state, a small town called Park Ridge just off exit 172 on the Garden State Parkway. Our trip to Stamford is 33 miles and normally takes about 40 minutes. There are several people in our marina that travel up to two hours to get here. The LI Sound is a great place to sail especially from Stamford. The are many close destinations if you like to sail for a few hours and then drop the hook and relax, eat, drink, swim, whatever, you get the idea. We are right across from Cold Spring Harbor and Oyster Bay, a little further is Huntington Bay and Port Jefferson all on the south or NY side of the sound. On the Ct side you have the Norwalk Islands, Branford and the Thimbles Island and so many other places to go. If you have time you can sail further to Mystic, Marthas Vineyard and Nantucket just to mention a few. During our 10 years in the sound July and August are sometimes a little lacking of wind but the mornings and afternoons have always be ok to very good. The last couple of years I have not noticed any lack of wind at all. I did buy a light wind sail this year which helps dramatically on those days. If you look at the picture on my second posting you will see it furled just forward of the jib. On the days we chose to just day sail we often pick up our mooring in Stamford Harbor instead of dock sitting at night. If you are into racig there are numerous clubs that sponser races all season long, from the big triangle in front of the harbor to others that are overnight around Block Island and back non-stop. The Jersey shore, in my opinion, does not offer anything nearly as good. You fight your way in/out of an inlet and sail up and down the coast until you get tired and go back to your slip. Travel time for you would probably be about the same for Jersey shore locations as for your trip to Ct. the only savings that I can see is that slip space at the Jersey shore is probably less expensive then in Ct, but in my opinion againm is still worth it. Envious, ahh not really, the winter break as related by many other who have replied to this track, does have value as you need to do other things. When the boats is in the water I am dfrawn there with blinders on, I can see nothing else to do, boat guilt, maybe? I love the water and the wind. It is probnably the only time I really relax. Being in San Francisco and seing all the boats on a beautiful day just made me yearn for spring to come, it is only 10 weeks away. Enjoy the Lake until you are ready for a bigger pond. I have been on the late in a power boat several times there but never sailed. It's not a bad place. Hope that clears some things up Bob sv Kathryn, Stamford, Ct
Oh well - you guys get the idea 