Boat capsizes in Raritan Bay

[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.