Haverstraw NY. to NJ. info

[MrBee]

Hello all.
Hoping for a little help with some info here. My wife and I will be looking at a few boats that are canidates for purchase and they are on the Hudson above NY City. Could be looking at a few in CT also. If we choose one of these boats we would need to Sail / Motor it back to the Chesapeake bay . I have the proper charts what I need is local info such as where to anchor / Moore. Example of what i'm thinking is a run down the Hudson out past Sandy point NJ and down the Coast to Delaware Bay. I have an example trip charted out in my Nav software.

Down the Hudson into SandyHook Nj. for the night. = 52 Miles

SandyHook to Barnegat inlet. = 51 miles

Barnegat Inlet to CapeMay = 62 miles

CapeMay to Reedy Island (Anchor here, at the mouth of the C&D on Delaware side. ) = 57 miles

Reedy Island to Perryville, Md = Home = 34 miles.

​

I know these are some long distances. What i'm looking for are other places in between
that we can stop at. A marina would be nice for a night or two but anchoring is ok also.
The longest stretch will be down the coast to CapeMay.

Thanks for any and all help.

Brian

 

[Stu Jackson]

Standard Answers 101 to this type of question

1. New-to-you boat? Better have it thoroughly checked out before the trip. Might want to spend some days cruising around before pushing it.

2. How many crew? How many "qualified" including you?

3. Are you in a hurry or can you spend some time "enjoying" where you're traveling?

4. You said you've looked at nautical charts. Have you consulted any cruising guides? There are marinas in NYC and all up and down the coast of NJ. Anchorages should also be identified - just watch the depths "inside." Learn about the inlet conditions from the LNMs and Coast Pilots.

See the answers in this thread for some more basic tips and ideas: http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=105998

 

[MrBee]

Would probably take a few days to get comfortable on the boat in the location we buy it before the trip.
At least 2 of us, probably 3 or 4 total .

Depends on your definition of "Qualified" , At least one maybe two well enough.

Hope not to be in a hurry. would like to stop and smell the roses along the way.
I'm thinking 6 days at the most.

Don't have any cruising guides for that area, that's what i'm asking about ?
any particular Guide some one can recommend ?

Thanks Stu

 

[Stu Jackson]

Don't have any cruising guides for that area, that's what i'm asking about ?
any particular Guide some one can recommend ?

I live in San Francisco, but my West Marine catalog has a Cruising Guide titled: "Hudson River, Adjacent Waterways" as well as other guides for along your route.

Why not check out what's available here on this 'site, go to "Parts" on the top blue menu and look away. If they don't have it they'll get it for you. Check the WM website, too.

Also look up the Great Circle or Great Loop here and elsewhere, since lots of that trip is where you're goin'.

Perhaps others will chime in, but these are the ones I found in ten minutes of looking.

 

[MrBee]

I do have a some links that should help, including the great Loop, haven't had enough time to read it.
Good idea to check what might be available on this site.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Have a great trip and good luck with finding "THE" boat for you.

 

[Alec]

Brian,
You can also stop at the Manasquan River inlet. Slips are available but no anchorage unless you continue into Barnegat Bay.
Between Barnegat & Cape May is the Absecon Inlet at Atlantic City. Excellent inlet & generally good anchorage and slips.
If your mast height is under 60' and draft is under 6' you can continue on the inland waterway all the way from Manasquan to Atlantic City. All of these places are well documented in the Northern Waterway Guide which you will find extremely useful.
Coming down the Hudson be sure to go with the tide. It runs at 3 kts. When you get to Raritan Bay you'll find excellent anchorage (or rent a mooring) at Great Kills Harbor, Staten Island or at Atlantic Highlands.
It's a fun trip....Enjoy!

 

[MrBee]

Thanks Alec,
I will look for that Guide. My draft will be under 3' , that's one of the conditions of the boats we are looking at, due to sailing mostly on the upper Chesapeake. We won't be in a hurry but would prefer to make a quick trip down the coast instead of taking the ICW, unless weather dictates that we go inside.

Thanks
Brian

 

[sailaway78]

A couple more thoughts

If you prefer anchoring, there is a nice anchorage in behind the Statue of Liberty. Not familiar with the marinas there, but have spent a couple nights in behind Lady Liberty. Well protected and quiet. Much better anchorage that over at Sandy Hook. I don't think I would recommend Barnegat, unless you are familiar with it. It did not get it's reputation by being particularly docile. Others are much better, including Atlantic City. Cape May you can go into a marina or anchor up by the coast guard station. Be careful if you take the canal over to Deleware Bay. The two bridges are charted at 50'. I managed to sneak under with a 55' stick, at dead low tide, but lost an antenna. Other than that, I would recommend you to shorten your days a little, depending on how much crew you have. Other than offshore the New Jersey coast, there isn't anyplace I would want to try to sail after dark if not necessary.

 

[Rob2435]

Check out the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club near Sandy Hook, good place to lay up for a day or so. There's also Liberty Landing and Liberty Harbor Marinas (in NJ across from NY's Battery).

 

[CalebD]

I know that you don't have the boat yet but having some vague idea of what size sailboat you are thinking of getting might be of some help as size translates roughly to max. boat speed and mast height.
If you are a cheapskate skinflint Scotsman like me you might consider taking a mooring at the 79th street boat basin for $30/night: http://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/marinas/10
They also have a few moorings closer to downtown at Houston street for the same price. The river can be a little bouncy but the benefit is that you are already on the NYC side of the river. Liberty Landing Marina is pretty nice too in its way. I have stayed there.
I highly recommend the 'Eldridge Tide & Pilot' book as it will have all the predicted tides and current charts for the areas you intend to travel through including the Chessy. As previously mentioned, going with the current in the Hudson is the preferred method as it is in a few other places.
You are going to want to know that the engine is dependable and in good shape for this run.

 

[MrBee]

Thanks for all the responses.
The boat will be in the 25' to 30' range with a Mast most likely less than 50' above water.
Although I'm cheap I intend to Get a slip for a night or two, I would probably Anchor in the NY area do to the higher cost. Also figured It would cost more in the Atlantic City area than other places.
i have heard about Barnegats Reputation. So far i just looked at the rough miles I figured were doable in a day ( A long day maybe ) and looked for a place to stop. Weather permiting I would try to make it from NY. Liberty area all the way to Cape May in one run, then spend a few days there.
With the boats we are looking at I'm assuming I would be able to make about 4.5 - 5 knots and hour, probably 4 - 4.5 as a good cruising speed. Allowing extra time to account for Good old Murphy, we should be able to make 50 miles in 10 - 11 hours at 4 knots. Other than viewing NY area from a boat as we pass through or Anchor, I'm not interested in docking. We have been to the area a number of times on land and have no desire to play tourist again. Not to knock those that like the area, it's that we been there done that several times and don't want to take the time to stay in the area except as a resting point before hitting the coast.
If we can make it to Atlantic Highlands in one run, from were ever the boat is that we purchase, that is what we would do.

Thanks again for all the responses.

Brian

 

[Banooma]

The detail that jumps out at me is your intended draft < 3'. I'm no nautical engineer, but I don't know any boats with such a shallow draft that I'd want on a 50+ mile ocean leg. I'd consider spending some money on ground transportation to increase the chances I'd be around enjoy sailing around the Chesepeake. In the current state of the economy, people can't give boats decent away. Are there really no reasonable options local to you?

 

[Mike B]

Atlantic City is nice but expensive. Trump Marina charges in the $4.50 ft range which is outrageous. There's another marina across from them but I can't remember their name. No decent place to anchor once inside Absecon Inlet so choices are slim. You could try the cove on the right just before the bridge since you're draft is less than 3 '. Watch your depth and favor the left side going in.

The run from AC to Cape May is apx 6hrs. While you can run into Great Egg Inlet I wouldn't do so w/o local knowledge. It can be nasty in rough weather.

Stay at Utchs in Cape May. Friendly people, shuttle, walk or bike into town. Cape May Canals bridges are both 55' so you'll be fine with a 50' stick.

Don't anchor in Delaware River by the power plant. There's no decent anchorage that wont leave you exposed to both the weather and wakes from commerical traffic. The C&D canal is only a couple of miles up river. The first marina by the railroad lift bridge is Summit North. They always have open slips and a resturant on site. Or run a little further and tie up at Chesapeake City. Or just keep on going, you're almost home by then anyway.

Good luck and have a nice trip.
Mike

 

[MrBee]

Banooma, I do understand the distance and Issues with taking a boat with shallow draft into the ocean. We would have to have a very good weather window. We are looking for a particular Boat and haven't been able to find one in the condition we want, in our local area. There are two on the bay that I have looked at. They're both "OK" but not near the condition as one in NY. There are plenty of boats for sale in the Chesapeak bay, just not what we want.

Thanks for the info Mike B.
I didn't want to run the ICW in NJ but might have to based on weather. Better safe than sorry..
I also want to Anchor mostly, yep.. I'm to cheap and on a budget to pay high prices just to tie a few lines to a cleat.

Bee

 

[Mike B]

MrBee, no you don't want to run the ICW in NJ. Too shallow, and too many bridges. Pick a nice weather window and sailing down the coast will be a no brainer. I used to take a 23' Beneteau with a 3' draft out to the ocean with no problems. Even had her out in small craft warnings. BTW what boat is it you're looking to buy?
Mike

 

[MrBee]

The detail that jumps out at me is your intended draft < 3'. I'm no nautical engineer, but I don't know any boats with such a shallow draft that I'd want on a 50+ mile ocean leg. I'd consider spending some money on ground transportation to increase the chances I'd be around enjoy sailing around the Chesepeake. In the current state of the economy, people can't give boats decent away. Are there really no reasonable options local to you?

I just checked my Nav. Planing software and it looks to be 24 NM from the Sandy Hook point to Manasquan Inlet where I can get to the inside.

It looks as though the greatest distance between inlets that I can use to get off the Ocean side, if needed, would be about 25 NM.

Your Thoughts from that point of view ??

Thanks

 

[MrBee]

Mike B

MrBee, no you don't want to run the ICW in NJ. Too shallow, and too many bridges. Pick a nice weather window and sailing down the coast will be a no brainer. I used to take a 23' Beneteau with a 3' draft out to the ocean with no problems. Even had her out in small craft warnings. BTW what boat is it you're looking to buy?
Mike

We are looking for an Irwin 10/4. The one in NY might not work out anyway. It's on the hard and having work done and the owner want's it sold BEFORE being launched or he will keep it for the season... so unless there is a 100% Guarantee on the motor and Electronics working when it IS launched I won't be buy it.
I don't think the 10/4 would be a problem for a short trip along the coast.

Bee

 

[tweitz]

Mr Bee -
Be very careful about that segment from Sandy Hook south. It is open ocean, and if the weather turns ugly, the inlets are famously dangerous. Neither Manasquan nor Shark River are safe if the wind turns East, and they are particularly tricky because you cannot see the waves breaking in front of you when you approach from the ocean and because you may be committed by the time you realize how bad the conditions are. I would also recommend that you look at the Coast Pilot for the entire trip. It is downloadable for free at http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/nsd/cpdownload.htm .

 

[Mike B]

Re: Mike B

Will you be able to get some time in sailing/motoring her before you make the trip south? Just thinking you may want to be sure there aren't any serious issues you'd need to fix prior to making the trip. It'd be a bad day if the motor quits on you trying to enter an inlet. Otherwise if you feel she's a sound vessel and you have a decent weather window you should be fine. You could do Sandy Hook to Manasquan, then to Barnegat, run Barnegat Bay south on the inside and exit at Little Egg (ck to make sure the inlet is open for your draft), Little Egg to Absecon. Absecon to Cape May is a bit longer (apx 6hrs) unless you duck into Great Egg. While Great Egg lies in between it's rated right up there with Barnegat in terms of shoals and difficulty. Like Barnegat and Little Egg, local knowledge is recommended.
Mike