On The Water In Oyster Bay

Every couple of weeks Erin and I get a babysitter to watch the Three Amigos while we head out for a date night. Most of the time we end up sitting in a restaurant, basking in the novelty of being able to hold an uninterrupted conversation of more than 10 seconds duration. I’m sure that those of you with small children at home can relate.

This past Saturday we decided to try out something a little different. We had both enjoyed doing some sea kayaking when we went down to visit my father in Florida a couple of years ago, so I was pleased to discover that the Waterfront Center (WFC) in nearby Oyster Bay, rents kayaks and other human powered watercraft by the hour. They also have a well regarded sailing school and they offer daily public sails on the Christeen, an impeccably restored Oyster Sloop whose captain and crew are dedicated teachers of maritime history and local ecology.  

 The WFC is located on the old site of Jakobson’s Shipyard, just prior to the entrance of the newly restored Beekman Beach. Jacobson’s shipyard has a bit of history to it; during World War II it employed over 600 workers who built a variety of military craft, including mini-submarines, for the U.S. Navy. According to the WFC web site, the shipyard was at the center of the Long Island shipbuilding industry and after the war was the largest builder of tugboats east of the Mississippi.

 An interesting history, but I remember the area quite differently. When I was a teenager in the early 1980s we used to drink beer huddled around a bonfire on the deserted, garbage strewn beach next to the ruins of the shipyard.  It was the last place I would have expected to find a sailing school and boat rental concession. Then again I probably would never have considered renting a kayak as something fun to do on a Saturday night. But times change, and I’m happy to report that we’ve both cleaned up nicely in the intervening years.

Anyway, Saturday we arrived at the WFC around six pm, put on our mandatory Coast-Guard approved personal flotation devices, grabbed a couple of paddles and headed down to the dock. We elected to rent two “sit-inside” kayaks (faster, lighter and easier to maneuver), although they also rent the “sit-on-top” models (greater stability). We spent an enjoyable hour out on the bay and saw some interesting wildlife, including an Osprey who was flying around with a still wiggling fish clutched in its talons.

It was a little windy on the water so we paddled back into a stiff headwind, but the temperature was perfect, and watching the beautiful sun-set over the hills of Mill Neck rendered us both somewhat speechless, even without the kids around.

 The Waterfront Center rents kayaks, canoe’s, sailboats and stand-up paddleboards. Single Kayaks are $15/hour, doubles are $20. Hours are Tuesday – Sunday: 9am to 8pm,  Monday: 9am to 5pm. Credit cards accepted.