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Sail Mamaroneck NY to Nyack NY

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dblitz
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240 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/30/2006 : 19:56:47

Does anyone have any pointers, advice, specific issue recommendations to advise me on my upcoming sail from Mamaroneck, NY to Nyack, NY? I will be heading west on the sound through Hell's Gate then south on the east River around the southern tip of Manhattan and north on the Hudson to Nyack. Any areas of particular concern? Should Hell's Gate be sailed with incoming or outgoing tide? Is Hell's Gate the point that needs the greatest attention? Anyone who did the trip or part of the trip with any advice, thanks for the info.

Daniel 86 "Solar Wind" #5339 C-25 FK/SR I/B Diesel

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Rich G
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Response Posted - 04/30/2006 : 21:44:28

First of all, give up your notions of sailing through Hell Gate. The East River is too narrow and there's too much traffic to sail it safely. I have a friend who's been trying for three years. You will be motoring. Have plenty of gas.

When I did this last year, I left from Port Washington and timed it so that I was bucking a bit of current when I entered the East River at the Throgs Neck Bridge and hit Hell Gate at slack water. It was an extremely smooth ride through, except for the heavy large boat traffic down the narrow East River. We got buzzed by umpteen VERY large power boats and each time their wake would hit us three times (the river is pretty narrow and the boat waves come back at you after bouncing off either side of the bank).

Stay to the Manhattan side of Roosevelt Island.

When you get to the southern tip of Manhattan, you can hoist your sails and head up river. Check the current tables and know that the Hudson's current is not necessarily congruent with the tide. I think the River starts flowing upstream (North) about 4 hours or so after the tide changes. I found Eldridge relatively accurate, although the Cruising Guide to the New England Coast has a TERRIFIC explanation on how the Hudson current and tide affect each other.

I made the mistake of not timing my trip up the Hudson River at the end of last season very well and it took me about 8 hours to reach Nyack from the 79th Street Boat Basin. Of course, I was motoring and bucking the current the whole way. I imagine that with good wind and the current in your favor, it's about 5 hours or so from the Battery.

My boat is currently (no pun intended) on the hard in Haverstraw, which is just north of Nyack. I think splash day will be next week and we'll be coming down sometime around May 13.

An interesting side note to this trip: You will pass by two maximum security New York prisons. Don't get too close to Riker's Island in the East River because you can set off the alsrms. As you approach Nyack, on the east coast of the Hudson is Sing Sing Prison. That's the jail where the term of being "sent up-river" comes from.

Good luck and I hope to see you on the water!

Edited by - Rich G on 04/30/2006 21:52:32

osmepneo
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Response Posted - 05/01/2006 : 13:31:43

I did this trip from Northport to Nyack (I was member of the Nyack Boat Club at the time)and we motor sailed the whole way. Timed the trip to hit Hells Gate at slack and traveled down the East River faster than traffic on the Roosevelt. One of racing buddies wanted to wit unti the Hudsan tide turned, so that we would have the current pushing us up river, I thought we could make some headway during the opposing current and we did. The result allowed about half way up the rive to the George.

Enjoy the trip.

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dblitz
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Response Posted - 05/01/2006 : 21:02:32

Thanks, Rich and Don, for your pointers. Don, by the way, I mentioned to one of your old ensign buddies that I had bought a C-25 and he told me to send you his regards if I ever spoke to you. So, regards from Ron Hoffman.

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osmepneo
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Response Posted - 05/03/2006 : 11:50:48

I raced with Ron for about 8 years, and learned alot about racing and racing in current, like the Hudson has. Good times before I moved away from the metropolitan area. I assume you are or are considering the Nyack Boat Club. Good club. If my assumption is right, I haope you enjoy it as much as I did.

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dblitz
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Response Posted - 05/03/2006 : 18:43:25

Yes, you're right it is a good club and a good place to learn. While I haven't been able to sail as much as I'd like to, the times that I get out on the Hudson in my own boat, or the occasional race on an Ensign, are wonderful.
Now that I've got this new old C-25, I hope I will get the family more interested in coming out.

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.