Highwind left early, very choppy conditions getting out of the harbor and turned to the west, then improving. We waited several hours, should have waited longer. Departing ferry passed us before the inlet. We followed it out, saw the incoming ferry, then realized the outbound ferry was circling. We were thinking of returning see if conditions improved, but the ferry situation was confusing. We headed northeast to quarter the chop. The departing ferry hailed the coast guard about an overturned sailboat. We headed west to the stern of the incoming ferry, felt conditions were tolerable, and pressed on.

A bit of wallowing, 2-3 on our stern quarter. After 90 minutes it smoothed considerably. Picked up a mooring ball in Port Washington.