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Does anyone know if it is possible to boat from montauk to block island in a boston whaler montauk(17'). Maybe someone has had an experience doing this they lived to talk about. I would leave montauk on a calm day, stay on block for the weekend and return during good weather. Should I attempt this or not?
Yes its most certainly possible, but I myself wouldnt do it. Ive seen nice days go bad quickly, and the waters in between BI and Montauk are not protected. Just watch the weather and run with another boat if possible.
On a calm ay it is not a problem, but you don't know what the weather will be like on the way back. Its a tough little boat, so you can go in rough weather, but you will get beat up in anything over 2 feet. its about 15 miles from the Montauk Breakwater to the New Harbor. Depends on how bad you want to abuse the kidneys. I have seen days you can make it on a surfboard and others where you should leave the queen mary home. A good,lasting Bermuda High will give you the weather window. Remember to pay attention to more than the seas. Check that dew point. Fog in a small boat is no fun. - definitely have a hand held gps, just in case. Don't leave in the fog. That stretch of water can have the worst fog you will ever see (or not be able to see in).
I have taken a 13' Whaler from RI to Block Island more than once. Of course I was young and stupid. The weather and the seas in that stretch can change QUICKLY and what was calm when you left has turned into torture. Same thing for the return trip, you could go a full week+ without suitable weather to make the run back.
Personally, I would not do it.
To give you some perspective, here is a 70+' ferry returning to Pt. Judith from Block Island - and many regard the RI run the calmer when compared to running to Montauk.
__________________ Move along, nothing to see here.
I wouldnt do it in that small of a boat.... the weather can be off, the SW rips can be nasty so dont even think about going around to old harbor.
There is a guy I have seen who comes from Point Judith in a small 17' boat....
basically, it can be done..... most likely you will be fine.... but if you are not fine.... you will wish you never thought up the idea.
Tim
It's doable if the weather is real nice but I wouldn't recommend it. Fog is often an issue, and there is a strong tidal current in that area and if you get wind against tide it doesn't take much for it to get pretty rough, some areas will have rip lines with breaking waves. This is especially true on an outgoing tide with any sort of swell coming in from the ocean.
Yes! !!!!!!
Plan on doing it... Just do not do it unless you have an 8 hour window of 2 - 4 seas.
Take all the precautions and safety equipment and then run with a few other boats that are making the same trip.
I myself would do it with a good forecast for a day or two. The weather changes quick and often the forecasts are unreliable. I have been stuck in old harbor for days with a honking east wind while the forecast 24 hours prior was calling for light winds. What concerns me most is that you would have to ask if it is possible, do feel that you have enough experience to handle the trip if it gets snotty?
If you do decide to go make sure you have a good forecast, GPS, good offshore life jackets, a water proof handheld VHF and a back up plan ….you can always take the ferry back to Montauk if necessary. Good luck and just be careful, the waters can be treacherous but it not like going around the Horn.
i have done the RI to BI in my 18' CC boats, and like RI builder have ventured out that way in a 16' Wahoo (whaler wanna be) before. I have only done it when following others, and we go early in the morning, and come back late the same day (haven't done an overnighter yet. We are planning on taking our 18' Century out there in a couple of weeks, and it is NOT a great open water boat. As long as I leave early, watch carefully, and as soon as the chop comes up, I have to slow WAAAAY down, I do OK.
This weekend we'll be out there in the Tall Ships parade, and I guarantee there will be some BIG waves from all the traffic. Last time they were here i was out in the Wahoo, and managed to stay relatively dry, and the wife was only a bit nervous...
__________________ 2003 Century 1800 with Yama F115
2000 Malibu Response LX ski boat (325 HP Indmar)
A long time ago, I was flying a single-engine Cessna 120 from Boston to Florida. The weather got crummy and so I had to land in Connecticut and wait a while. While I was waiting, a young lineman asked where I was going, then said he'd never attempt that trip. I asked him how many flying hours he had, and he said about 50. (I had about 1,200 at the time.) I told him he was right not to attempt such until he had more experience, and the judgment to know when to go and when to stay. Other than waiting for weather--and largely because I DID wait for weather--my trip was uneventful.
I'v seen 17' Montauks out in Butterfish Hole, The Dump and the fingers. All returned safely. The limitations to making the trip safely are on you, as captain of your boat, not on the boat.
The Montauk is a good hull, but in my opinion, not made for that type of offshore trip. Reasons are low freeboard and no deep v hull. They have their advantages, but by and large, you don't see that many well offshore. 21' would be the bare minimum for that type of trip.
__________________ I'm not a boater, but I play one on THT.
You can make it there, just make sure you have enough money with you because it may be days
or weeks before you get good weather to come back. BI is not a cheap place to stay and food is
very expensive. Remember the weather rules. leaving on a friday coming back on a sunday, you
will need a little luck on your side. Take the ferry and have a ball they rent boats at Aldos over
by Champlins so you can have some fun in the harbor. Less stress that way. BI is a fun place but $$$$$$$$$$$
I can tell you this I did the trip leaving from Greenport LI and going to Montauk then over to Block Island. My boat at the time was a Scout 185 CC with a 90. The trip was ok but bone jarring. We stayed overnight then left the next morning. On our way back the wife and I decided that we needed a bigger boat and shortly after bought a Grady White Fisherman 222. The problem with staying overnight is that if you are like me you worry the entire time about the trip back and the weather and have a hard time enjoying the trip. So I guess the answer is sure you can make the trip but it might not be too comfortable.
block island from montauk in a montauk 
