Southern NE / NY / Hudson Marinas post-Sandy

[Captn_Dwt]

Hi all.
Karen and I will be cruising from Maine to NYC to Lake Champlain beginning in June. I'm a bit concerned about the amount of damage from Sandy...that may make it difficult to find marina's along the route from the Cape Cod Canal to some miles north of NYC on the Hudson.
So, I'd like to hear how your local Marinas are doing at getting repaired and ready for this season, please.

Also, can anyone clear up the confusion I'm hearing about using the Harlem river to pass from the sound to the Hudson?
Some say it's a good way to go. Others say it's not passable! ?? We have no desire to pass through the heart of NY harbor.

Thanks in advance

[jleonard]

We went thru the harlem last year in both directions. No issues at all, an easy run. We had to wait 45 minutes for the sputen dyvil bridge because they had mech problems, but that,s the luck of the draw.

[tbnolin]

We didn't want to do the Harlem River just because you would miss all the scenery... Hell Gate, United Nations Building, Brooklyn Bridge, Manhatten, Miss Liberty. We were in heaven to be able to see all this from the East River..something that we probably would never do again.

As far as the Harlem River, it is a short cut...never traveled it....but was told that things do tend to fall (or thrown) off some of the bridges while cruising. The East River, for us, was a must do thing and was very happy we did it.

If you do the Harlem....try and make sure the train trestle that lets you in the Hudson is working properly before you commit yourself. A few days after we past by, it was inoperable for a couple of days...made for a few upset boaters!

How ever you go...have a great time!!!

[jleonard]

That is urban legend bout throwing things from the bridges....we have been thru the harlem 5 times and never saw anything like that.
For us, a7knot boat it is a huge shortcut..

[jcollins]

<moved to cruising forum>

[carolmarie]

I believe it would a HUGE mistake to forgo NY harbor. The sights and sounds are unforgettable. Plan on staying at Liberty Landing Marina; the view of the NYC skyline at night is beautiful. My wife and I have made two trips to the Cape from Lake Champlain and the NYC harbor, while busy, was a highlight of the trip. Also, if you can work it out schedule wise, try to get a slip at the Mystic Maritime Museum - tough to get one, but if you do, I guarantee you will have an exceptional time there too.
carolmarie, 2001, 28TE, 6LP-STE.

[Pitou]

Also, if you can work it out schedule wise, try to get a slip at the Mystic Maritime Museum - tough to get one, but if you do, I guarantee you will have an exceptional time there too.
carolmarie, 2001, 28TE, 6LP-STE.

Two thumbs up for a night or two at Mystic Seaport. We arrived there late one afternoon while on a cruise and spent two nights and had a very memorable visit at the museum. A nice stop over after some time in Buzzards Bay . Many other stops to make as well. Enjoy your cruise!

Capt DWT - Had a nice rivers cruise up your way in 2010. Absolutely beautiful! Here's a shot I took after passing through the Trevitt Bridge leading onto Barters Island. We came down the east side on our way to Boothbay after spending a night on the hook in the Oven Mouth.

Willoughby Gap 141.JPG

[Nancy]

Veering slightly off topic here -

Here's a shot I took after passing through the Trevitt Bridge leading onto Barters Island.

Kevin, I notice that you're towing your dinghy in the photo rather than using a davit system. Any particular reason you do it that way?

[RobS]

Also, if you can work it out schedule wise, try to get a slip at the Mystic Maritime Museum - tough to get one, but if you do, I guarantee you will have an exceptional time there too.
carolmarie, 2001, 28TE, 6LP-STE.

There is an anchorage area as well, just north of the museum docks.

[Pitou]

Veering slightly off topic here -

Here's a shot I took after passing through the Trevitt Bridge leading onto Barters Island.

Kevin, I notice that you're towing your dinghy in the photo rather than using a davit system. Any particular reason you do it that way?

Nancy - Depending upon what we're up to the inflatable might be in tow or stowed upon the swim platform using Weaver Snap Davits. Click on the picture to enlarge it and you will see the yokes on the port side of the inflatable that snap into the Weaver Davits that are mounted on the platform. I put the quick kit stainless davit pads on the platform and insert the davits when we're mounting the raft. The inflatable goes up when we're making time and was down for most of this trip while cruising a series of rivers at trawler speed. For our needs, I do love the removable Weaver system. Weaver does have a standoff available that attaches to the inflatable & transom through the use of eye pads that would be a better choice than my lashings depicted below.

Trip 1.JPG

[Nancy]

Thanks, Kevin. We used Weaver snap davits on our previous boat, and we kept the dinghy when we sold the boat. We never got around to mounting the davits on the Albin last year, and I missed having it. It's on the list for this spring. Good to see how you have it lashed as we will likely do the same. Lashing was a lot easier on the previous boat which had a rail around the cockpit.

[Captn_Dwt]

Wow...as usual, ask and one gets excellent information!
Mystic museum it will be...and... It appears we should do the NY Harbor at least once. That's great advice, and I appreciate your time in replies.

The other question remains unanswered...anyone know how the marina's are doing at getting repaired?

I know it gets said often, but I can't help but note "what a great group".

[DougSea]

Hi Captn!

Thought I'd chime in here.

The marinas of Norwalk CT are for the most part fully operational. Norwalk Cove, where I keep Sonny IV, is completely up and running and has fuel, pu,p out, ships store, etc. it's also right at the mouth of Norwalk Harbor so you don't spend too much time off of the Sound if you're trying to make time.

As for NYC, I've done both the East River and the Harlem many times. I did a few long winded posts if I recall...

viewtopic.php?f=12&t=3685&

viewtopic.php?f=12&t=4171&p=24607

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=5420&p=32105

If you have the time I'd agree that the trip around Manhattan, with a stop off of Liberty Island, is a great idea. One point, pay attention to the tides/currents. There is a significant current in both rivers that changes dramatically with the tide. Make sure you time it properly and you'll make good progress.