South Bay behind Jones Beach

[truckmen]

Hi all,

Does that Bascule bridge behind Jones Beach open? That might be a stupid question but I am offshore in the Gulf of Mexico at the moment and don't have access to some of my resources and it's bugging me to no end.

I am attempting to begin my sailing voyage from Lindenhurst to Bucksport, Maine on September 8 and want to come out from the South Bay at Jones Inlet, and in fact, I see 2 bridges at least on NOAA chart 12362B. My boat has a 25-foot tall mast, and it looks like only a 21-foot clearance.

 

[Brian D]

Can't answer your question, but have you see that YouTube video where the guy used buckets or bags of water to heel his boat to go under a bridge? Maybe it wasn't a video but I think I recall it was. Let me check.

 

[truckmen]

Thanks, Brian.
Upon closer inspection, I have the feeling I may have to run eastward under the Robert Moses Causeway, but then, I'll have the issue getting out west of Fire Island.

 

[Brian D]

Good luck. I looked for the video or photos but could not find them. They may be archived on this site. Basically the skipper swung his boom out to port and attached either a large bag or barrel into the water. Then when he raised it out of the water, the boat heeled over because of the weight, which effectively lower the mast (change of angle) and he went under the bridge. It was brilliant. Wish I could find it. I'll keep looking.

===Added===

Found it!
http://forums.pearson.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=93459

And one more with links to videos.
http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthread.php?107349-Getting-a-tall-mast-under-a-low-bridge

 

[RAD]

At Jone's inlet there are 2 bascule bridges and one operator....he opens and closes one then gets in his car and drives to the other......at Fire Island inlet the bridge is pretty tall and you'll fit under it fine.....give a shout when your getting close and we'll help with directions and local knowledge

 

[Billbeard]

You gota have big big hairy bags to do that!!!!

 

[CalebD]

This is an excerpt from the Coastal Pilot #2:
"Fire Island Inlet, about 28 miles westward along
the south coast of Long Island from Moriches Inlet, is
the only direct entrance from the Atlantic to Great
South Bay. The inlet is subject to frequent changes and
has been moving westward for many years. Mariners
are warned to beware of extreme tidal turbulence especially
during times of tidal change and should seek
South Coast of Long Island ■ Chapter 10 ■ 361
local knowledge of the latest conditions before entering.
Navigation of the inlet is difficult even with relatively
calm seas, and for small craft it can be extremely
dangerous. During heavy weather, the entrance usually
is obstructed by breakers."
The ebbing tide flowing through FI Inlet (and Jones for that matter) can kick up the breaking waves mentioned. Pick your weather and tides carefully.

 

[RAD]

"Local knowledge of the latest conditions before entering.
Navigation of the inlet is difficult even with relatively
calm seas, and for small craft it can be extremely
dangerous. During heavy weather, the entrance usually
is obstructed by breakers."
The ebbing tide flowing through FI Inlet (and Jones for that matter) can kick up the breaking waves mentioned. Pick your weather and tides carefully."

Caleb,
I couldn't have said it better.....and the only way to enter that inlet is high tide/slack water because of shoaling this year and no $ to dredge

 

[CalebD]

Thanks RAD but I merely cut and paste from the Coastal Pilot #2.
While the Coastal Pilot is pretty long and long winded it contains some useful tips about specific inlets and waterways. It is also free to download: http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/nsd/cpdownload.htm
I only wish that I had read this before heading out FI Inlet on a calm day with the ebbing tide in a MacGregor 26 S and an old 8HP Evinrude our only propulsion to push through the 10' breaking waves. Suffice it to say we survived but there were some white knuckles (knuckleheads) on that boat until we cleared the mini race caused by the ebbing Great South Bay. The Atlantic had only 3' swells on it after we cleared the mayhem.
Doing the East River transit around Manhattan is a cake walk in comparison.