kitetamer wrote:
Hi All, Just purchased a TI this summer Having a blast, been tooling around on a lake in the Adirondaks, and sailing out of Island Park LI. Looking for more adventure. Tried to sail out of Hecksher State Park a week ago but looks like I need a permit to leave my trailer in the parking lot. any one know where I could get a permit or if I can being a resident in Nassau County? Thanks Tom
Hi Tom, Another Tom here. I live in Central Islip so Heckscher is in my back yard. If you pay to get in Heckscher or have an Empire pass you pay nothing extra for the boat. You can use the boat ramp but then have to get out the inlet, most kayakers, wind surfers & sail boats(Sunfish, Lasers, Hobie Cats Etc) launch from the beach at the overlook beach parking lot. There is a small county park just out side Timperpoint park that allows access to the Connetquot River just north of the bay(Follow Connetquot Ave all the way south, it's name changes but keep going. Right before you enter the Pillers for Timber Pt Park, make a left on to the dirt road). You can park a trailer there but not launch from the trailer(I use the Hobie beach cart). The problem with sailing Heckscher during the summer is the south wind. That is the widest point of Great South Bay, so you get waves that slow you down. On those days my friend Bob & I take our AI's out to the DEC ramp in Moriches(by the Coast Gaurd station. The South Hampton part of Fire Island blocks the waves but not the wind. The water in this sweet spot is about 3' deep so boats stay out. One time during the summer we had a blast there & were seen by another sailor. He went right down to Captian Kayak & bought an AI! LOL! Also a great fishing spot.