SBYC has three buoys — one on the LI Sound/Smithtown Bay beach north of our Club, one in the "Back Bay" and one in Port Jeff Harbor (Old Field).  If you haven't yet visited them, give them a try!  Here's how to find them:

BEACH BUOY

Leave the Smithtown marina and take a turn to starboard into Porpoise Channel. Take Porpoise Channel to the end. At the end of the channel (R14/G15) head 242° directly towards the White/Orange 5 mph buoy near the far shoreline. (The 5 mph buoy is .33 nm from the mouth of the channel). Take the buoy to port and come to 191°. The Yacht Club buoy is .42 nm from the White/Orange. There is better water towards the shore. You will cross over a sand bar. Pick your way carefully. A visit to this buoy is best done within 2½ hours or so of high tide. At the buoy you should have about 9 feet of water at high tide.

The Port Jeff buoy is a bit harder to find — many more buoys in the area; much more congested — but is actually a bit easier to reach and tide is virtually no concern at all. It’s located on the west side of Port Jeff harbor; north side of Old Field Harbor/Conscience Bay. Entering Port Jeff harbor, turn to starboard around R4 and take a heading of 295°. The buoy is approximately .4 nm from Red #4. You’ll have to search a little to find the buoy in the crowd, but (as is the Back Bay buoy) it’s in a beautiful setting. You should have no less than 20 feet of water at all times.

The buoys are there for the use of all members (obviously). If you’re the first one there, help the later arrivals to raft up. Communicate on Channel 10. In general, if you’re anchored out (anywhere) with the Yacht Club burgee flying it is an invitation to other Club members to raft with you. Please make our newer members feel welcome. If you’d prefer your privacy, merely roll up the burgee. If you find a non-Yacht Club member on the buoy, politely inform them that it is a private buoy and you would appreciate it if they would vacate the buoy.

Happy boating. Happy rafting.