Barnegat bay with 7' draft?

[I_Like_Eggs]

As the title says, would I be able to get into the bay with a 7' draft? I know the entrance is sketchy, but from the charts it looks like it may be possible. Just not sure if it is worth the risk. Any opinions?

[Pandor]

The approach is deep with a least charted depth of 33 feet to within 0.7 NM of the entrance where a shifting bar with depths of 11 to 17 feet covers the entrance. Approach channel buoys are uncharted due to being frequently shifted to mark the best water.

The tidal range is 4.2 feet. So i would be cautious, but at high slack under ideal conditions it sounds achievable.

Please report back if you try.

[Davidasailor]

I’m not as experienced with the inlet, but once in the bay I don’t know that you’d be able to do much. With 7’ draft you wouldn’t have access to the anchorages or many of the marinas. Basically just the main channel, which is bookended by a 60’ bridge to the north and 56’ bridge to the south.

[hpeer]

If all you want is a night stop, yes. But it can be a tricky inlet.

As a boat to enjoy on the bay? Unlikely.

[phorvati]

Dont do it at night or if weather is bad. I.e don't try to dich into Barnegat. Otherwise, its tight, you might bump few times. Have means of working yourself off bars. For instance I ended up filling 10' rib with water and hoisted it on a halyard to heel the boat and get off. It was on my old c&c 38.

[boatpoker]

I'm there now.
Don't try it unless you have Seatow or TowBoatUS coverage.