Lake Montauk
- Thread starter NYSail
- Start date
sounds great…… yes I was reading in the guide that most marinas let you tie up for restaurants. thanks.
Went there once, about 20 years ago. Took a slip because we had a smaller boat at the time and we were basically boat camping (wanted a shower and to get off to stretch our legs). On the docks it was all about the sport fishermen and their fishing boats sprouting expensive rods and fighting chairs like jewelry. If you like seeing gutted and beheaded sharks hung on giant racks by their tails that’s where you should go. Never felt the need to return, as I didn’t find anything of interest on shore. If you’re into seafood you'll find restaurants to like. I hear it’s nice to anchor in the bay.
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Beware the channel going into the lake. It is marked well, but there is a dog-leg to the starboard that is easy to miss. But that is no problem as long as you don't mind being stuck in the mud until the next rising tide. Don't ask how I know this.
As Rich suggests, you will want to go at high tide if you draw 6'. Deepest part of the lake is less than 8' at mlw. The channel and the marinas are deeper, but then that's where you are -- not out in the "lake". Three Mile Harbor is a lot deeper. i-Boating : Free Marine Navigation Charts & Fishing Maps
I never had a problem at Lake Montauk drawing 5 1/2 feet. Three Mile Harbor was our favorite place to anchor when we lived in NY.
I think they finally dredged the inlet. Until then many deeper draft vessels, including commercial fishing vessels, were restricted in their use of the inlet.
Montauk is a place of contrasts. The harbor is a fishing Mecca with well heeled fishing machines and I suppose you could say "The gold chain" crowd. And, there are day boats on which less well heeled folks will find a place. In the Harbor area there are modest eateries such as Salvators where there was a mounted head of Frank Mundus's record Great White Shark and pool tables. Then there are formerly modest eateries which have upscaled for the NYC tourist crowd - which are now expensive. There is the whole Gosman's complex which could be regarded as a tourist trap, but serves up a high quality lobster dinner which you can enjoy while watching marine traffic transiting the inlet. If you have access to a car there are many other eateries including Durea's - which is very expensive but has a great Sunset view and if you are into it you may see some celebrities, Gurney's Star Island Marina/Yacht Club where I purchased the most expensive lobster yet at that time in my life. There are other dining options in town and going west towards East Hampton including the famous "Lunch."
Outside of the Harbor area, there is ocean beach access, Montauk Downs Golf Course (Public), Camp Hero - where the US Government was experimenting with large radar, Montauk Point State Park, numerous hiking trails, a Dude Ranch where you can ride horses or even see an occasional rodeo.
Montauk is a very special place, where I spent my honeymoon night and many anniversaries since. It is a geographical jewell jutting out into the Atlantic and with it's micro-climates (Fog).
It was undergoing a metamorphosis when I left NY and I can"t say how covid changed it.
I never went by boat. It was regarded as sailboat unfriendly by locals on the North Fork. While I know folks who have anchored in the lake I never did because I always figured that would be the time the lake would close for transient anchoring. The next real harbor is Three Mile which is a bit of a slog.
Montauk is a place of contrasts. The harbor is a fishing Mecca with well heeled fishing machines and I suppose you could say "The gold chain" crowd. And, there are day boats on which less well heeled folks will find a place. In the Harbor area there are modest eateries such as Salvators where there was a mounted head of Frank Mundus's record Great White Shark and pool tables. Then there are formerly modest eateries which have upscaled for the NYC tourist crowd - which are now expensive. There is the whole Gosman's complex which could be regarded as a tourist trap, but serves up a high quality lobster dinner which you can enjoy while watching marine traffic transiting the inlet. If you have access to a car there are many other eateries including Durea's - which is very expensive but has a great Sunset view and if you are into it you may see some celebrities, Gurney's Star Island Marina/Yacht Club where I purchased the most expensive lobster yet at that time in my life. There are other dining options in town and going west towards East Hampton including the famous "Lunch."
Outside of the Harbor area, there is ocean beach access, Montauk Downs Golf Course (Public), Camp Hero - where the US Government was experimenting with large radar, Montauk Point State Park, numerous hiking trails, a Dude Ranch where you can ride horses or even see an occasional rodeo.
Montauk is a very special place, where I spent my honeymoon night and many anniversaries since. It is a geographical jewell jutting out into the Atlantic and with it's micro-climates (Fog).
It was undergoing a metamorphosis when I left NY and I can"t say how covid changed it.
I never went by boat. It was regarded as sailboat unfriendly by locals on the North Fork. While I know folks who have anchored in the lake I never did because I always figured that would be the time the lake would close for transient anchoring. The next real harbor is Three Mile which is a bit of a slog.
I haven't been there in sailboat but I've had my ski boat in Lake Montauk via access at the town ramp numerous times. There are plenty of interesting places to see. Every time I've been there, I've seen at least 3 sailboats anchored adjacent to Star Island. Gosman's Dock is a worthwhile visit in my book. I've had an exceptional lobster dinner with fresh corn on the cob on multiple occasions. It's crowded and fun! I would never avoid an opportunity to visit Montauk. I'm curious about Napeague Harbor as an anchorage. It's a beautiful bay and I've windsurfed there on many occasions. I've had my ski boat in there also, and have been hassled by locals. Interesting comments in Active Captain. Locals seem to have closed it down for anchoring, but their authority seems to be assumed by nobody else but themselves. I don't think local authority is legal as charts make no mention of any restrictions. We challenged them by water skiing in there on a few occasions, but always slipped in and got away before things got too dicey. 