Holiday Weekend Expectations

[RATS]

I still consider myself a very novice boater, and have not been out on holidays or weekends just trying to become better and safer. With that said it looks like we may be venturing out this weekend and want to know in all honesty how bad it gets out there?
I'm in Sea Bright on the Navesink and was going to be in the river and venture out to the hook bay area. I know a big issue will be my marina is a fueling station and the weekends we stayed docked doing work on the boat and boozing it up that area got hairy and it was not a holiday.
Fire away tell me what to avoid besides being in a boat for the holiday lol.

So looking forward to next weekend when the masses clear out and I can be a bit more adventurous.

[Bass_Appeal]

[Capt. Debbie]

I've been working down inside that area steady as a tow boat operator for 16 going on 17 years.

The scenario you rue is not all that bad. Usually after 430pm or so 75% of the boat traffic is gone. It is not all that chaotic. Things have changed.

Pre- gas hike ($4/gallon) in 2005 and before there was much more boat traffic. Sandy's destruction and the diversion of boat insurance money into home repairs did not help.

So YES, there is more traffic on a holiday weekend as opposed to a weekday. But you'd worry yourself into paralysis thinking of massive carnage awaiting you.

Go out. Expect boats out there. But fearing that is unjustified.

[RATS]

thanks and no offense but I hope I never meet you on the water for a tow lol.

[Walleyed]

Originally Posted by RATS

thanks and no offense but I hope I never meet you on the water for a tow lol.

I'm going to go the other way....if I ever need a tow, I hope it's Capt. Frank at the helm of the tow boat.

[Capt. Debbie]

Thanks! I'm the guy who puts himself at risk leaving the safe dock coming out in the 7 footers to get boats who should not have even gone out. 16 years towing. 570 assistances & 20 salvages.

I know that's one 23 year old 25' Robalo I will not be able to locate.

Originally Posted by Walleye Wisherman

I'm going to go the other way....if I ever need a tow, I hope it's Capt. Frank at the helm of the tow boat.