Hells Gate

[mudtertel]

Has anybody ever went through , Hells Gate in New York. I have a 25.5 Hunter with a 8hp motor .I was wanting to go to , Long Island Sound . I'd be comming down the Hudson River.I don't think I can enter the Harlem River,to many low bridges. I was told that Hells Gate has to much current from the three water way there.Just wondering if anybody here has done it . Would love to try it next spring or summer.
Thanks,
Mike

PS:Can I go with just a GPS or do I need other equipment ,as in a radar deflector. Kinda new to this

 

[Alan]

Done it many times

The secret to running Hells Gate is to get there just as the flooding current reverses. If you round Battery Park with a flooding tide and plan to be at the 'Gate' at slack tide then take advantage of the ebbing tide as you head east to Long Island Sound you will make excellent time.
If you check your ground speed on your GPS you will see speeds in excess of 10kts. If you use "Eldridge" tide tables for calculating your times you can't go wrong. You will definitely need charts for navigating the myriad of navigation marks.
It's a very worthwhile trip and you will love City Island and all the harbors available to you on Long Island.

 

[Jim]

Me too a few time. Go with the tide and you'll be fine. You will need more engine if you plan to go against the tide.

 

[RichH]

This the way I do it ... I usually try to hit the slack water at Hellgate:

Going North start your trip at the Battery 2 hours **after** the low tide. Going south start your trip from Throgs Neck 2 hours **after** high at the Battery.
Wear PFD's, stay in the center, keep a very sharp lookout for barge traffic coming around corners. Have your VHF on Ch13 and an air horn handy.

LISTEN to vessel traffic, the east river is channel 12, anything moving through the East River checks in at the Throgsneck or Brooklyn Bridge, and each time somebody checks in they get a rundown of all the traffic and their locations.; otherwise use Channel 13 to speak to commercial traffic in the East River. Know what one blast means, as distinct from 2.

Most most of the commercial traffic especially the big stuff tries to hit slack water within 30 minutes to an hour either side of it. Thats not to say there wont be traffic at all stages of the tide, but it is not uncommon to have multiple units on both sides of the gates stacked up waiting on each other to get through. You need the **current** tables (Eldridge Tide tables) for slack water, the tide tables wont help you here. With such a small boat plan to pass Hellgate on SLACK water and NOT against the current.

 

[petersea]

with the tide and current

and you will be fine as others have suggested, be aware with your boat and engine set up if you go against the tides and currents it will be extremely longer time then you expect because you will be making little if any head way and at some points may even be making "reverse" headway, Hells Gate against the tides and current can be dangerous in your boat size and horsepower. As with most boating caution is a virtue. Plan plan and plan some more.

 

[gmeyerga]

east river

Has anybody ever went through , Hells Gate in New York. I have a 25.5 Hunter with a 8hp motor .I was wanting to go to , Long Island Sound . I'd be comming down the Hudson River.I don't think I can enter the Harlem River,to many low bridges. I was told that Hells Gate has to much current from the three water way there.Just wondering if anybody here has done it . Would love to try it next spring or summer.
Thanks,
Mike

PS:Can I go with just a GPS or do I need other equipment ,as in a radar deflector. Kinda new to this

.

No problem.
My 82 h27 from savannah, ga. with its Yanmar 1gm went up and down the east river
last summer. i followed the suggested timing in the "waterway cruising guide", had no
problem and enjoyed every minute of it, in spite of severe weather on my way south.
but if you don't time it as suggested all bets are off.

 

[CalebD]

I've been up and down the East River a couple of times. If your engine is reliable and you pay attention you should be alright. I would reconsider doing it if a N'or Easter had been blowing for a few days as the tide predictions will be way off. Get the Eldridge and ponder it's current charts. It is not that difficult but it is stimulating and fun.
Just stay away from everything that is bigger than you.
We once sailed all the way from the LI Sound to Roosevelt Island before turning on the motor. It was pushing the envelope but it was still fun. This on a Tartan 27'.
Plan on motor sailing (main only) for the constricted part of it (East River by Manhattan and Hell Gate).
Can't add any more then has already been offered.

 

[mudtertel]

I really got to thank all you fine people ,for your help.I'll have to tell everyone how I made out .That will be in the mid to late spring .If you don't hear from me , I guess you'll read about me " only kidding"
Thanks alot guys,you've been alot of help
Mike