Joshua Tree ashore in Montauk

[Kettlewell]

I don't know anything more than is revealed in this Tweet as seen this morning on X.

[GordMay]

A small sailboat, “The Joshua Tree,” washed ashore in Turtle Cove on Wednesday morning after its skipper, who recently purchased the boat, tried to anchor in the ocean to rest during a voyage from Connecticut to Bristol, Pennsylvania — apparently unaware there was safe harbor nearby. The lone sailor aboard was not injured.

More photos ➥ https://www.instagram.com/p/CzG5pT3A...2F&img_index=1

[Kettlewell]

Weird place to try to anchor. I think that is just south of Montauk Light. I wonder if there is more to the story, like engine failure possibly?

[steffan]

Originally Posted by Kettlewell

Weird place to try to anchor. I think that is just south of Montauk Light. I wonder if there is more to the story, like engine failure possibly?

"skipper, who recently purchased the boat" is probably enough explanation IMO.

[Danm1]

At least he had his bumpers out.

[Shrew]

Weird. He could have pulled into Lake Montauk and anchored. It was right around the corner. Westbrook, CT is right across Block Island Sound. You could motor from Westbrook to Montauk in about 3 hrs.

Turtle Cove is a steep wall from 3 feet to 40 feet. New boater likely didn't have enough scope. I couldn't imagine anchoring there with an onshore wind.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Shrew

Weird. He could have pulled into Lake Montauk and anchored. It was right around the corner...

Indeed.
“... tried to anchor in the ocean ...
... apparently unaware there was safe harbor nearby...”
As reported in post #2 ➥ https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...ml#post3838144

[Chotu]

You really, really need to know the weather and bottom contours to try anchoring like this. I’ve done it many times going up and down the east coast, but not in spots with this type of bottom.

Sometimes, you’re on a delivery and just need to sleep for a short night and press on.

This looks like a poor choice for a spot, however.

[hugosalt]

Friend, who lives out there, sent me a picture shot from west to east with Mont. Lighthouse in bkgd. a short couple hundred yards away with lots of hard stuff very close by. Very fortunate came ashore where she did. Unfortunate captain not aware of bottom and/or safe harbor inside in Lake Mont. or very easy open entrance to Fort Pond bay just a bit further than the lake. Or even further west than where came ashore (a short 3 miles?) bottom becomes all sand.

[hugosalt]

Pic attached

[hugosalt]

Now attached Attachment 1

[psk125]

So... he didn't want to stay inside Long Island Sound and headed out into the Atlantic
in November? On a maiden voyage? With no charts? To go to Pennsylvania?

[ArmyDaveNY]

There are many good observations in the preceeding comments. I rather like thecomment by Steffan that the skipper was new to the boat. It isvery possible that the captain was not only new to the bost but new to sailing.

Chotu also makes a good point. A tired person often makes poor decisions.

To me, this reinforces the need to do proper prior planning. If he had prepared for stops along the way he may well have avoided this problem. I mean any stop, planned or unplanned.

I recall my early days of sailing, and am reminded of the phrase "There, but for the grace of God, go I." Fortunately, my time inthe Army and flying taught me to prepare for contingencies.

Regardless of why he went ashore, I wish him good luck with salvaging his vessel.

[Hoodsail]

Originally Posted by psk125

So... he didn't want to stay inside Long Island Sound and headed out into the Atlantic
in November? On a maiden voyage? With no charts? To go to Pennsylvania?

Just doesnt make any sense with Montauk harbor just around the point, of course, only if you know that...
Only been around that point once leaving Montauk harbor heading south east to bermuda and once clear of the point the Atlantic is unobstructed until you hit europe or points east so seas can get markedly more "sporty"! Good she's on sandy beach and hoping for a uneventful tow to get her floating again.

[SailingHarmonie]

Sailing to Bristol PA?????

Has anybody looked at a chart for the final approach to that location????????

This makes NO sense.