At the early spring meeting of the Western Long Island Sound (“LIS”) group, I was asked to pull together some information for Manhasset Bay/Port Washington for those heading to Greenport via LIS. Hopefully this is not too late to be useful.
Manhasset Bay is on the north shore of Long Island about 4 miles west of Throgs Neck Bridge where the East River estuary meets the LIS. Port Washington is the town on the Bay. Opposite the mouth of the Bay is Hart Island (aka Potters Field for New York City) and shortly before that is City Island. Hart Island was an actual prison and was also where Typhoid Mary was kept to keep her from infecting others.
There is lots of commercial traffic and adding channel 13 and 16 to your radio scan is a good idea. (I suspect you will have already figured that out having traveled the East River.)
FYI – once you pass Plum Point/Green 1 (about a mile into the Bay), you are in a no wake zone. Probably not a problem with our boats, but possibly with our dinks.
Fuel: two locations in the Bay – Safe Harbor Capri Marina (Safe Harbor Capri - Safe Harbor; channel 9) is closer to LIS and if you just need fuel, the spot to go as it is much closer to LIS and easier to get to. Head into the Bay and just past Green 1 at Plum Point you will see Capri on your port side. Manhasset Bay Marina (https://manhassetbaymarina.com/ ) is deeper into the Bay. Follow the channel – do NOT take a short cut. They also monitor channel 9 and it is probably worth a call to them to guide you in.
Anchoring: not something I do, but numerous boats anchor just off the Town/Water Taxi moorings and off to the south past the yacht clubs.
Dockage/moorings: Capri should have transient slips, reserve through Dockwa (and free if you are a Safe Harbor member). Capri also has a few transient moorings. They have two restaurants – Butler’s Flats for casual and Nino’s for fancy. MB Marina has transient slips as well. I believe you reserve by calling 516-883-8411. They also have a restaurant – Dirty Taco – it tends to be a bit rowdy there.
Port Washington Water Taxi (https://www.portwatertaxi.com/ ) has transient moorings at $35/day, including the launch. The Water Taxi monitors Channel 9 and runs a couple of blue Crosby launches as needed. Their moorings are on the channel after you pass Capri; yellow mooring balls. They are good people, very helpful. They also service Capri’s moorings.
Yacht Clubs: there are three in the Bay – North Shore Yacht Club (established 1871, Commodore yours truly), Manhasset Bay Yacht Club and Port Washington Yacht Club.
NSYC (https://nsyc.net/ )is the first you will see entering the Bay with a mooring field off Capri’s docks. We have a few transient moorings at $50/night. Best to make a reservation by calling 516-883-9823. Leave a message and the club steward (Cap’t Vic) will get back to you to make the reservation. We are not a full service club, but do have excellent launch service, showers and a club house with a kitchen and grill you can use. We monitor channel 78. If my wife and I have not left yet for the Rendezvous, you will see Rendezvous on its mooring near Green 3 off to your port.
MBYC (Home - Manhasset Bay Yacht Club - Port Washington, NY) is straight down the channel past the Town moorings. They do not advertise transient moorings but do have reciprocity with numerous clubs. They have a big pool and a variety of dining and drinking services. They monitor channel 73.
PWYC (Home - Port Washington Yacht Club - Port Washington, NY ) is also deep into the Bay, to the south of MBYC. It is a full service club with guest moorings, pool, and restaurant, all available via reciprocity. They monitor channel 74.
Repairs: Best bet is going with the two marinas.
Shopping: for food, take the dink or the Water Taxi into the “Stop & Shop” dock. Stop & Shop is right across the street. That is also the best bet for a hardware store (Ace), although you will need to walk a bit to get to it. West Marine is closing or is closed. Do not count on it.
Pump-out: there is a pump-out boat, Thursday through Monday, hail on channel 9 from about 9 am to 3:30ish. Jamie is the operator and is also a good guy. An excellent racer and member of NSYC for what it is worth. If the pump-out boat is not running, there is a pump-out station at the Town Dock, at the end of the channel. I have never used it (having an Airhead) but understand there is 6’ of water at low tide. Call the Harbor Master on channel 9 for info.
Restaurants: lots of options, many within walking distance of the Town Dock. Some are Manhattan pricy, but very good.
In a jam?: Call me if our boat is still at its mooring. We plan on heading east on the 14th. I will help if possible. I am in the Registry under Lim (my wife’s – aka the owner’s - name).
I am interested in hearing from people coming through the Bay. We have never taken our boat to Greenport and worry a bit regarding the timing on Plum Gut. It appears we will need a mid-afternoon transit of Plum Gut. Our current plan is Northport, Port Jefferson/Mt Sinai, Mattituck and then Greenport.