Port-au-Peck

FIG. 1 view of the Port-au-Peck launch in winter looking across the
 frozen South Shrewsbury River (to view a photo:   if browser is Microsoft Internet
Explorer (IE), use "control =" to zoom in by hitting the "=" key while the ctrl key is depressed. 
To zoom back out, use "control -".  If browser is Netscape or Firefox, simply right click on the photo
and then select "View Image")

The Port-au-Peck launch faces NNW into about a one-mile wide portion
of the S Shrewsbury river and is near the village of Long Branch, about
5 miles south of Sandy Hook.  This launch is notorious for when the wind
is NE to E and strong.  Such NE to E winds come in off the ocean.  The
strategy in using this site is if the sailor deems that the winds are too
 strong out on the ocean and elsewhere, or if other launches are closed
to the public, the wind speed may be a few knots less here.  In such
a scenario, the sailor sails straight out and back on a beam reach.

Directions:  Exit GSP at exit 105.  Travel on NJ Rt 36 East about 4.6
miles into the city of Long Branch and turn left onto Branchport Ave. 
Travel 0.6 miles and turn right onto Port-au-Peck Ave at T.  Travel
1.2 miles to an end, turn left onto Pocano Ave and make another quick
 left into the gravel/muddy parking lot.

Notes:  Launch faces NNW.  Best wind directions are E, ENE and E,
but W, NW and W may work also.  The river has a muddy bottom. 
The water is shallow until you get into the channel.  Parking is still free.

FIG. 2 view from launch looking NE towards outlet to ocean.
(to view a photo:   if browser is Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE), use "control =" to zoom in by hitting
the "=" key while the ctrl key is depressed.  To zoom back out, use "control -".  If browser is Netscape or
Firefox, simply right click on the photo and then select "View Image")

FIG. 3 view of cramped parking lot from the water on a big ice sailing
day in winter.

FIG. 4 view of entrance to parking lot

Additional Notes by Felix Cabrera circa 1990:  "This is a great place to
sail during northeasterly storms when all other locations are too gnarly for
3.0's or are closed to the public.  If the wind direction is E or NE and you
don't find anyone sailing at other locations[,] you can usually find a handful
here.  The water level is mostly waist/chest deep and overhead in channels. 
 Boats are moored in-season.  Only about 10 minutes south from Sandy Hook
Bay.  This is the place to ice sail when the river freezes.  Boats moor close
to shore.  Keep an eye out for moorings."