Boat capsizes in Raritan Bay

[pcheesesteak]

Sad.


https://www.nj.com/monmouth/2020/11/...ities-say.html

[Gerry Zagorski]

Very sad... Not sure of the details but a lot of people get caught off guard thinking “It’s the bay, how bad could it get?”

I’ve encountered a lot more and much worse conditions in the bay over the years then in the ocean. This typically happens when you have a strong wind against tide situation. This causes the waves, particularly in the bay, to get very steep and stack up so close, they break on each other and you’re like a cork in a washing machine. If you were to loose steering or your engine in these sorts of conditions it’s trouble, especially in a small boat.


Be safe and remember, getting back in is more important then getting out.

[Poppa Devil]

Prayers to the family.

Very well said Gerry the bay is no JOKE

[Gerry Zagorski]

Originally Posted by Poppa Devil

Prayers to the family.

Very well said Gerry the bay is no JOKE

For sure Poppa and even for the experienced boater. Last fall I saw a forecast for 15 to 20 out of the west and it was nearing the end of the season and the Stripers were running hot. I knew the ocean would be flat like a pancake in shore but I had to be careful timing my trip through the bay both out and back. Looked at the tide chart and the plan was run out on the beginning of outgoing and come back home and through the bay right around slack tide so I'd avoid wind against tide.

Well it certainly was nice on the ocean side, even with the wind picking up to more like 20-25 out of the dead west it was flat calm. I started my trip back home from the Sea Bright area so I'd make slack tide when I rounded the hook. Saw some birds playing around and Stripers swirling on top on the way home and made the mistake of stopping on them.

Next thing you know I'm an hour past slack with an incoming tide and I know it's going to be evil once I turn the corner at the hook.. As I get up towards the hook I warn the guys it's going to get rough so secure everything, sit down, hold onto something and get ready.

A pretty crazy ride once we turned the corner and headed west... Pulled the throttles back just enough to make way and we're taking green water over the bow and hard top. Not a word was said the entire ride slugging it home through the bay.

You couldn't of fit a playing card between the cheeks of my butt and I couldn't turn the wipers off of and relax until we were well inside the break wall at the marina.

Lesson learned.

[Detour66]

Very sad. I hate to read this kinda thing The bay is almost always rougher than the ocean. Especially with a wind against the tide situation. Better to be safe than sorry.

[amr72]

The bay has tried to kill me more than once.