dlewis812,
I don't keep my boat there but I have been out to a boat that was newly moored there.
What it has going for it (79th St. boat basin):
- it is in Manhattan and reachable by subway and a short walk
- lots cheaper then most of the alternatives in Manhattan or Jersey City, if you take a mooring
- dinghy dock and grounds are security protected
- I'm not too clear on facilities for cruisers but I know they have bathrooms
- outdoor bar/restaurant in season
http://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/marinas/10
What I'm not so crazy about:
- they kind of nickel and dime you (see their fee structure)
- no winter storage there. You must go elsewhere for that (add another $1K + to overall cost)
- the current in the river there can reach 2 or more knots and it can get quite bouncy
- new 'members' moorings are added on the north end of their field. The guy's boat I visited was moored closer to 105th St. which is a pretty good dinghy ride if the current is against you.
- the river is only about 1 mile wide at this point and while the city makes an interesting background I know I'd get bored there. It is a little too 'civilized' for my tastes.
- although there is slightly less commercial traffic (fewer ferries) at this point there frequently are oil barges and other commercial craft anchored in the river here.
I've kept my boat in the western LI Sound which was nice but we now keep here up the Hudson at Nyack. At our club (NBC) the combined winter and summer costs are about $1500/year minus membership fees. The river is about 3 miles wide here so the current is less intense and the scenery is much more natural with beautiful rocky cliffs. Commercial traffic is infrequent.
Downsides to Nyack are that it is about 25 miles up river from Manhattan. If you don't have a car it would not be easy.
Just my humble opinion.