NYCkayaker Montauk to Block Island

[David Gottlieb]

Colin, 

Crossing to Block Island is quite adventurous and you would need to have at
least BCU 3 skills. The currents and tides are tricky and you would
definitely have to consult the tide and current charts. If you don't have
open water experience this is not a trip I would do. I wouldn't do that trip
by myeslf and even might hesitate going with BCU Level 4 paddlers as I would
not want to hinder them, even though I am a strong paddler, my skills still
need to be honed. If you haven't been in open water, I suggest that you go
with knowledgeable paddlers or better yet, take a tour with a reputable
organization, such as Atlantic Kayak Tours....

Their website is http://www.atlantickayaktours.com/ and I have no business
relationships with them, but I have taken some courses, years ago, from
them. You will soon learn what you are capable of.

Venturing out in open water in a small kayak, with little experience, is
very dangerous. I don't know what your knowledge of tides and currents are
as well as your navigational skills and ability in rough water is. But if
you haven't been in rough water at all, I can only urge that you proceed
with caution and be conservative and honest in judging your skills before
venturing out. Again, this is not a trip I would do alone. You could be
lucky and the swells  and waves could be minimal, but one never knows what
can happen in the middle of the ocean. I would first attempt crossing the LI
Sound much farther inland with some very experienced paddlers before I
ventured out from Montauk to Block Is.

To be blunt, if I were you, I would not attempt this trip.

Good luck. David


On 6/18/08 9:59 AM, "Colin Weatherby" <colin.weatherby at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi all,
> 
> I'm fairly new to the list and kayaking as well.  I've been taking small
> trips around NYC for the past few months and am looking for a bigger
> adventure.  I have some family that will be staying on Block Island in
> September and wondering about the feasibility of paddling from Montauk.
> I've measured it at 16 miles, which seems like a pretty significant
> distance, although I'm not the best at tracking mileage by kayak yet.
> 
> I'm concerned about traveling in open ocean, but this seems like a pretty
> doable trip.  Does anybody have any thoughts?  Any input would be great.
> Thanks!
> 
> Colin
> 
> ps.  My kayak is a collapsible Pakboat.  Please let me know if you think
> that would be a problem.  Thanks!
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