Hi all, Got some good tips on this topic on an earlier post but, just got back from an outdoor concert at the World Trade Center and wound up reconnoitering the Hudson River piers in the area. Well, low and behold, at Pier 25, located at N. Moore Street, about 1/4 mile north of the World Trade Center on the Hudson River, there is a, get this, "Public Town Dock"! Who ever would have thought that New York City, Manhattan no less, would have a "Public Town Dock".!! Whoa!! And, among other things it is there to serve as a free pick up and drop off point. Its just a couple of floating docks, one of which carries several dinks for use by folks with nearby moorings and one of which is for use for pick ups and drop offs for boats up to 30 feet. Maximum tie up time is 15 minutes and the dock is available from May 1 through October 31, daily from 8 AM through 10 PM. They also offer transient moorings for $20 per day, but it looks like you need your own dink. Phone number for more information is 212-571-2323. The "doorway" to the ramp going down to the floating docks requires a key from the dry side but can be opened without a key from the wet side. The doorway, which is labeled above as "Public Town Dock", is located about halfway out on Pier 25 on the south facing side of the pier. The rest of the pier is a public park with snack bar, tables and chairs and volley ball courts. While the place is not quite Monte Carlo and maybe lacks the pinache of the Financial Center, its a legit spot to pick up and drop off crew. If you were stuck for provisions, you could probably drop a crew member off and let them go to the Food Emporium, one block east and about two blocks south on Greenwich Street in Tribeca. Not too shabby... Could even pop into Robert Dinero's Tribeca Grill for a quick pop!! 
Anyhow, this little find was quite a surprise, to say the least... Hope its helpful... Fair Winds, Jim
Anyhow, this little find was quite a surprise, to say the least... Hope its helpful... Fair Winds, Jim