Westhampton to Fire Island... any tips? - The Hull Truth

sparta · 03-13-2005, 06:05 PM

Would like to take my 18' runabout from Westhampton to Fire Island, stay overnight, and return.

If anyone has information or ideas or suggestions that you think might be helpful in planning this trip, please let me know. Thanks.

JJC · 03-13-2005, 11:11 PM

Watch Hill has a large marina run by the National Park Service, it's across the bay from Patchogue. You shouldn't have problem getting a slip for your size boat, it's all first come, first served with no reservations. There's a nice beach, bbq area, snack bar (not that great), small store for supplies and about a 1/2 mile walk west to Davis Park which is a little more busy but only a couple places to eat. Walking east there is 8 miles of protected beach with not a single structure on it, it's a beautiful area. If you're looking for more of a town area a bit further west is Ocean Beach which has much more in terms of restaurants and places to hang out.

I haven't been east of the Smith Point Bridge in a while so not too familiar with that part of the trip. Once you're in the bay and past the bridge it's a fairly easy trip. The channel heads north once you pass the bridge and then turns back more to the south and west before straightening out. You have to stay near the channel on the north side of the bay until you get to around Patchogue, then the bay gets pretty deep most of the way across if you are going to Watch Hill. Check the chart as there is a shallow spot straight north of the Watch Hill channel. If there's a strong southwest wind that section of the bay can get surprisingly rough, so keep that in mind when planning the trip.

Freedom · 03-14-2005, 10:48 AM

Are you looking to stay in a hotel? There is a great place in between Atlantique and Ocean Beach that caters to boaters. It's called Tequila Jacks. They have 5 rooms upstairs, bar and restaurant downstairs. There are about 20 slips at the dock, and during the high season they have a launch service to pick up those that had to anchor out in front of the place.

The rooms are spartan from what I am told, but the food and drink are good. It's a fun place to hang out during the summer.

Birdman · 03-14-2005, 12:12 PM

From an 18' boat, I'm guessing your looking for a hotel to stay at, correct?

If so, you have 3 options, and I would rate them in this order:

1. Ocean Beach, Housers bar and hotel:* You can dock your boat on the Housers dock, and stay the night at there hotel which will be expensive ($300+ per night I think).

2.* Ocean Bay Park, Dock or anchor near the Flynns bar/marina.* Walk up the walk to the Hotel (forge the exact name but there is only one there, ask anyone and they will give you the name).

3.* Atlantique Beach, Tequala Jacks.* As mentioned above, dock and stay.

ALL will require advance reservations and payment.* ALL will be expensive.* ALL rooms will be nothing but a bed and night stand.

As far as the trip in your 18' boat, you will have no problem.* Just follow the channel from West Hampton to the bay, plenty of water thru there for you.* Buy a chart for the area at local marine tore, and plot your course on paper before you leave, it will make it MUCH easier to understand where you are while underway.