posted 08-06-2003 12:09 PM ET (US)        

Can anyone provide some input on local waterways and ramp locations and access to visiting Whalers?

posted 08-06-2003 05:34 PM ET (US)            

Staying on Little Plains Rd., South Hampton Village, NY...

Should I bring the boat? Any ideas on where to launch nearby?

posted 08-06-2003 06:57 PM ET (US)            

But as you are only about 8 or 9 miles from Sag Harbor I would suggest that you launch at the village ramp in Sag Harbor. I believe that the fee was around four or five dollars the last time I checked. Call the Harbormaster at (631) 725-2368. As with most resort towns out here things get crowded fast in season so launch early!! The ramp is at the intersection of Rysam and Bay St's and you should have no problem finding a place for the trailer and tow vehicle up on Rysam.

Besides being a place that you shouldn't miss, putting in here at the harbor lands you right in between the Peconics and Gardiner's Bay with short hops to places like Greenport and Shelter Island. Lots of weekend boat traffic so, if you're able to, head out on a week day.

If you’re up to it the trip to Montauk Point is only a little over 20 miles. Usually a piece of cake for a Montauk with a 90...The usual weather caveat goes here as it can blow up into a nasty chop real quick.

I see that you have a '75 Montauk with a '96 Evinrude 90..... I'm in the middle of a restoration job on my 1976 Montauk with a '96 Johnson 90 ...I must say you have you have good taste in Whalers ;)

posted 08-06-2003 07:39 PM ET (US)            

Thanks for input...Sounds good...I off to the garage right now to prep boat for trip!

I do like you choice of whalers...I try to post a photo of my '75 Montauk in next week or two...

posted 08-21-2003 10:32 PM ET (US)            

Thanks for input guys...Got delayed but just spent three days WHALERING in the Hamptons...Some good, some bad to report:

SOUTHAMPTON
Searching for a useable ramp for a non-resident is tough. Southampton Trustees control 9 of 10 Southhampton ramps...$150 seasonal permit is only option for non-residents (no daily launch permit)...Bottom line, "trailer-boat trash doesn't belong here and isn't welcome here"...They suggested I try Hampton Bays, the next town to the west. What I eventually learned (which they did not tell me) is that the Southampton Parks and Recreation Dept. controls the one "other" ramp owned by Southampton. under the bridge (Pomaque ?)at the South end of Shinnacock Bay...This was only $25 for non-resident season permit. The bay and the inlet were beautiful and bayside beaches great for anchoring and swimming...the fishing great (weaks, blues and fluke)...The ramp was empty, new, adequate parking but tricky to use with strong wind from SW.

SAG HARBOR
Friendly harbor master gave mixed message...Sure you can use the ramp (only $5)...but, "I have to warn you", he said, "the ramp is unuseable at low tide because it's short and you'll drop off end of ramp, there is no place to park a truck and trailer without special permit (can someone drop you off?), in order to lauch or retrieve a boat you must back across Bay Ave into ramp, blocking main drag thru town, which local police will not allow you to do...this is a particularly tough problem when launching by yourself (launch before 6 am and retrieve after 1 am ?)...

Bottom line here is this area is not too friendly to visiting trailer boaters...You are probably better off finding a marina that will provide transient slip for length of your stay...Local waters (Peconic Bay, Sag Harbor, Shinnacock Bay, etc. are clean, beautiful, scenic and well worth the trip if you plan accordingly.

posted 08-22-2003 09:48 AM ET (US)            

I live across Peconic Bay from Southampton. Sorry to hear about all the problems. That is ridiculous. Next time, make a left at Riverhead and take the North Fork of Long Island to Jamesport. There is a very nice State Ramp, free!!. Plenty of parking. And its only a ten minute boat ride to the Shinnecock Canal locks to get over to the Hamptons. But don't forget the north side of the South Fork. Plenty of good places here to.

posted 08-22-2003 02:16 PM ET (US)            

Just had a thought...Is anyone aware of published or internet sites providing info for out of town boaters, such as boat launches, marinas for transients, good fishing, inlets, general recommendations...

posted 08-22-2003 04:02 PM ET (US)            

Noreast.com is also another good site for general info.

I launch my Montauk out of New Suffolk on the North Fork and have had only good experiences thus far (I do have the benefit of my father in-laws resident sticker).

Good luck,

posted 08-26-2003 02:17 PM ET (US)            

Sorry to hear about your experience with the Harbormaster, and I have to agree that it sounds very anti-visitor. (Surprising in a village that promotes itself as a boating destination)

You did get a bum steer about the parking. He was referring to the spaces immediately adjacent to the ramp....All 2 hour.

He should have mentioned that you could park your rig on nearby streets with no hassle. Rysam is the street that runs right down into the ramp and is wide open for parking (except for in front of driveways of course). I have never seen it parked up other than during very large events. You probably would end up within 200 yards of the ramp

I can see where a single handed launch or retrieve might be a problem with traffic. (I should have given you my cell #).

There used to be some pilings with a plank walk,next to the ramp, to tie up to while you moved the vehicle and trailer ...It seems to have been lost to the slip on the East side.

As far as the ramp goes, I guess I've just gotten too used to it and forgot to mention that little quirk. I am very aware of the drop at the end, but find that I can launch easily at all but the lowest tides.

I'm going to poke around a little more and see what can be done to make trailering a boat to the Harbor a little friendlier for visitors. I count the Mayor, Police Chief and most of the Harbor Board as friends. I'll see what they have to say.

BillB

posted 08-26-2003 11:56 PM ET (US)            

Thanks!

HarborMaster was friendly and courteous...I really believe he was just being helpful...

Next time out there I may give it a try...thanks for parking tip!

As usual, once you get in the water things are good...I really enjoyed Shinnecock Bay around the inlet...

Biggest hasle is trailering over GW Bridge, Cross Bronx Expressway, Throggs Neck, LIE. etc..I need a trailer I can pullwith a Cessna!