Hi
@kjdoyle1 . Welcome to the Forum.
Congrats on your Catalina 25. Nice boat.
I guess your "New Sailor" identity causes me pause to say "Go for it"
What is the worst that could happen? I think it was Captain Ron who stated "If it is going to happen, It's going to happen out there..."
Perhaps you might want to test the waters before jumping into the deep end. I suspect that the boat (if in a sound condition) will be capable of handling the waters beyond Fire Island Inlet, I have no idea if you are capable. It will be different sailing in the ocean than sailing in the bay. What is the worst weather conditions have you sailed your boat in the bay? In the ocean it can be 5-10 times worse. Then there are days when it can be like a big bathtub.
How are your weather skills? Can you predict the weather? Captaining a boat out into the ocean means you want to know the tides, wind and sea state before you go and how long it will be nice so you cansafely get home before any change.
Fortunately you can give yourself some tests. Sit at home on a Thursday and looking at weather charts identify the tide and currents at Fire Island Inlet. Check the winds, sky and general sailing weather conditions for the bay, inlet and coastal area 5 miles on either side of the inlet.
Then on Saturday go for a drive and see if your Thursday predictions were good. You can drive across the Inlet on the Fire Island Inlet Bridge. Spend a day on the Beach checking out the ocean, have a picnic at the Robert Moses Tower and validate your weather planning capabilities.
Next step is to do a Thursday plan and then venture out the Inlet in your Catalina 25. Of course you'll ask the CG Auxiliary too Inspect your boat before you go, getting a 100% on the "Vessel Inspection". Acquiring any missing safety equipment recommended during the inspection. The Inspector is usually an accomplished boater and you can ask the inspector what are their experiences out in the ocean.
Then proudly sail out the inlet into the ocean and return through the inlet back to your home port, a day sail.
As your confidence builds there are other bays on the East side of Long Island that you can possibly explore. Moriches Bay (28NM), Shinnecock Bay (41NM) to the north of Fire Island Inlet. Note from outside the inlet at 5 knots boat speed they are 5.6 hours or 8.2 hours of cruising from the ocean marker for Fire Island Inlet. This would mean the first would be one day and the second would be 2 days of focused cruising each way. That is why testing your weather planning skills becomes critically important.
Looking forward to hearing about your adventures on your Catalina 25.