Greetings fellow Nonsuchers
If of interest, please save the date for an informal raft up in Port Jefferson Harbor , Long Island this Labor Day weekend. (40.44.20N x -073.-4.48W - Old Field Point “PJ WHIS” entrance). This raft up will be in similar fashion to one held in Oyster Bay last year. (photo above)
“ Informal” in that no organized plan or fee is associated with the event but camaraderie and visiting other Nonsuch boats in order to share ideas and stories is the plan. Bring your own food & drink and share as you like.
Port Jefferson Harbor was suggested by a few fellow sailors as it might draw from both east and west Long Island sound. Tentatively we would raft up Saturday and/or Sunday based on weather conditions and sailing schedules. Some might sail over and raft Friday too.
If you have any comments or ideas, please share them. A chart along with anchoring location will be distributed in time based on how many boats reply. Pls let us know if you might consider attending. Regards, Gary Forster
Aloki /NS 30329 / Oyster Bay NY
Sounds great! We will definitely try our best to be there. We had a great time last year.
Peter DePascale
Wish I could attend with BIANKA but, coming down with shoulder arthritis is preventing me from sailing this season. I use to sail over to Port Jefferson on many weekends and enjoyed the scene. FYI there is a farmers market on the waterfront on Sundays. I can also recommend the restaurant Pasta Pasta for Italian dishes.
Mike
BIANKA
1986 30U
Long Island
I’ve put it in our calendar! If all goes well we will be returning from a cruise down east the week before. Depending on weather and disposition of the crew this could either extend that trip or replace it!
Thanks Gary!
Will definitely try to make it.
Was just there last Thursday, racing the cold front… I lost but did catch the sunset. Great location
Peter (#3)
Bliss
1983 30C
Huntington, NY
Thanks for organizing this again, Gary. Was lots of fun last year!
We will try to work this into our schedule…
Best regards,
Peter Grabow
S/V CAKE WALK III
1987 30U 430
Stamford, CT
Sheila and I will make every effort to attend. Thanks for putting this together.
Pete DePascale
Irish Mist
Ahoy fellow Nonsuchers,
Pls see above. Chart for location of Labor Day Raft up, Saturday August 30, 2025
North Shore of Long Island, NY . Approach via buoy “PJ” R&W 40.59.21 N x 073.06.40 W
We (on Aloki) will be on station as of Friday evening anchored at aprox location of red dot on chart above. We welcome any rafting boats as of 11 AM on Saturday . Depending how many boats attend, additional anchors might be set. I should note that there is a slight swell when the ferry leaves Port Jeff (not returning) and leaves boats rocking slightly for 2- 4 minutes. Thankfully , that stops around 10 pm.
Touring each other’s boats, cocktails and sea stories will ensue. I request that the raft up disband near sunset and either set their own anchor ( good mud bottom btw) or ‘pirate’ an empty mooring. Meals and drinks are BYOB but feel free to share, we will.
Thanks to all who responded. Best, Gary Forster/ Aloki NS 30329 / Oyster Bay NY.
Peter,
My wife and I are thinking about coming to the Labor Day rendezvous from Narragansett Bay. How deep is the water where we will be anchoring?
Thanks,
Mike Stangl
Mariposa
NS30U / Hull #272
Dutch Harbor, RI
Hi Mike , pls see attached chart detail. We will most likely anchor between red 6&8 as to have maximum distance from the ferry wake. The area circled in green is also a good area to anchor post raft up.
The wake is more a nuisance than an issue. It’s a slow roll for 2/3 minutes when the ferry exits the harbour. The ferry stops running at 10pm and gently wakes you up again around 6:15 am. We’ll all just need to be mindful of it . Hope to see you there. Best , Gary , Aloki #329 Oyster Bay , NY Gpf_200@yahoo.com
Gary:
Be careful when rafting up in Port Jefferson due to the ferry wake. There could be a good chance of the masts banging into each other when rafting up. I heard a VHF conversation while in PJ a few years ago from an angry power boater whose outriggers were knocking into the other rafted boats.
Mike
BIANKA
1986 30U
Long Island
There is a much safer place to anchor in Pt. Jeff off to the West. Its completely out of the way of the ferries and barges.
Bill Barr
Garuda
N26U
Hi Mike and thanks for the tip. We generally stagger masts when rafting but it’s always good to have a reminder. Best, Gary
Lets see if this is useful - I created a “group” for the Raft Up. If you click More in the left hand column, and then click Groups you will see the Labor Day Raft Up group. Join the group.
You will be able to invite other users, message all members of the group. (I looked into having a chat session based on this group, but the way that was implemented is not useful in this case).
If no one joins, I’ll know that this is not a useful feature.
Have a great time at the raft-up.
Jon