I'm sailing/motoring my oday 25 cb from stonypoint,ny to little neck bay,bayside marina, where she will be spending the summer.I just bought the boat in the fall and have very little experience.I'm trying to work with the tides and weather.I'm planning on leaving stonypoint thur morning at around 9 or 10am, high tide at stonypoint is at 11 I believe so I should be going with the tide down the Hudson.I plan to overnight at liberty landing or Newport marina.the next morning I plan on rounding the battery and heading up the east river to little neck bay. From my research I gather that I have to be at the battery at low tide in order to get a favorable current through the east river and the gate.low tide for fri morning is at 430 in the morning and then again at 430 in the evening.I do not want to be moving at night because of my limited experience so what could I do.the sun doesn't rise until 6ish .is thAt too late after low to start heading up the east river? Are my tides for stonypoint and the battery accurAte?excited but also nervous about the trip?any suggestions would be very much appreciated
Hells gate 3 Days help!
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Digitek,
You want to arrive at the battery 1 hour after low tide to catch the flood up the east river and you would have no problem at Hells gate and the LI Sound. This is because when the battery is at low tide, the east river is still ebbing for about an hour.
You want to arrive at the battery 1 hour after low tide to catch the flood up the east river and you would have no problem at Hells gate and the LI Sound. This is because when the battery is at low tide, the east river is still ebbing for about an hour.
Get yourself a copy of the 'Eldridge Tide & Pilot Book' for 2010 if you don't already have one. It is worth the $12 just for the NY Harbor current charts which show the East River current starting to flow NE at '2 hours after low water at The Battery'.
So, given that on Fri. April 30th the low at The Battery is 4:30 am THEN the current will start going in a favorable direction for getting to the Sound by 6:30 am. Wake up early on Friday, have a good breakfast and head up the East River anytime after 6:30 am. You may have slightly less commercial traffic (ferries, Circle Line etc) to deal with the earlier you go.
As to waiting for the ebb current to start at Stony Point at around 11 am I would not. I would head out as early as comfortably possible - say, 8, 9 even 10 am. By the time you get to the Tappan Zee the current will be pulling you down the river and you have about 25 nm to cover to Liberty Landing. The current in the Hudson is not as critical as the East River and usually runs about 2 knots. Also, if you want to sail for any part of the trip Haverstraw Bay down to the TZ would be a good spot to do so.
Make sure your engine is reliable and have a fun trip.
So, given that on Fri. April 30th the low at The Battery is 4:30 am THEN the current will start going in a favorable direction for getting to the Sound by 6:30 am. Wake up early on Friday, have a good breakfast and head up the East River anytime after 6:30 am. You may have slightly less commercial traffic (ferries, Circle Line etc) to deal with the earlier you go.
As to waiting for the ebb current to start at Stony Point at around 11 am I would not. I would head out as early as comfortably possible - say, 8, 9 even 10 am. By the time you get to the Tappan Zee the current will be pulling you down the river and you have about 25 nm to cover to Liberty Landing. The current in the Hudson is not as critical as the East River and usually runs about 2 knots. Also, if you want to sail for any part of the trip Haverstraw Bay down to the TZ would be a good spot to do so.
Make sure your engine is reliable and have a fun trip.
First, if you don't have one, buy an Eldrige tide and current book. According to mine, low water at the battery is 3:40 AM on 4/29. You have favorable currents on the East River starting 2 hours after low water and continuing until 1 hour after high water. The current peaks through Hell Gate 5 hours after low water.
thanks for all the replies..that really clears things up..however i just found out a new potential problem..full moon on thur night..how is that going to affect things? will the current change?
Full moon
Actually the full moon just means slightly higher and lower tides then average which means that the current in the East River will be a little more 'robust' then average. It is really not a big deal though as long as your engine is up to it.
The Eldridge tables take into account the different phases of the moon.
I hope you have some decent weather and clear skies for your trip.
Full moon = no problem. In fact if anything you will probably enjoy the trip that much more as a the full moon will light up lady Liberty which you will see if you stay at Liberty Landing Marina. There is nothing to compare to being on the water watching the sun set and the moon rise at almost the same time as happens around a full moon.
Actually the full moon just means slightly higher and lower tides then average which means that the current in the East River will be a little more 'robust' then average. It is really not a big deal though as long as your engine is up to it.
The Eldridge tables take into account the different phases of the moon.
I hope you have some decent weather and clear skies for your trip.
If you can get in at Liberty Landing it will be much better. The Marina at Newport is open to the Hudson and the ferries and other traffic churn that water creating constant motion. If you go to Newport take large fenders. Ferry traffic at the Battery starts pretty early, I would not recommend traversing that area while still dark.
We've done this before but make sure you are clear on which side of Roosevelt Island you will pass. You will be pushed by current and cannot be indecisive about it. Check the bridge heights - twice.
Its a great trip try to enjoy but be alert. The barges come down the East River pretty fast and you need to keep an eye out. Study the buoys on the chart so you are not confused.
After Hell's Gate you need to decide about whether you are going to go around North Brother Island or traverse the passage between N. Brother and S. Brother. There's more current in the traverse and plenty of deep water in going around. Experienced people on my boat for that part Rx'ed going around and it was easy. No worries.
As for the channel inbetween the Coast Pilot states:
"...the channel is narrow and subject to strong currents and should not be used by vessels of limited maneuverabulity."
Please check your weekly notice to Mariner's from the CG for updates - it worth the trouble. You'll know what to look out for.
Don't be intimidated. But prepare. It will then be a walk in the park and a great experience.
Its a great trip try to enjoy but be alert. The barges come down the East River pretty fast and you need to keep an eye out. Study the buoys on the chart so you are not confused.
After Hell's Gate you need to decide about whether you are going to go around North Brother Island or traverse the passage between N. Brother and S. Brother. There's more current in the traverse and plenty of deep water in going around. Experienced people on my boat for that part Rx'ed going around and it was easy. No worries.
As for the channel inbetween the Coast Pilot states:
"...the channel is narrow and subject to strong currents and should not be used by vessels of limited maneuverabulity."
Please check your weekly notice to Mariner's from the CG for updates - it worth the trouble. You'll know what to look out for.
Don't be intimidated. But prepare. It will then be a walk in the park and a great experience.
Hey, it looks like your going to have some nice weather for your trip. Plan well and then enjoy. Its a great trip. I have done it both day and night. If you hit the currents right, you will be amazed how fast Roosevelt Island goes by. Make sure you go between Manhattan and Roosevelt. At the very north end of Roosevelt, look for the bronze statues.
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