We would like to take a two-week trip to Narragansett Bay. We have a 33 ft Hunter with a 4ft draft. We did Block Island and the North fork LI two years ago, so are looking for another destination. Does anyone have suggestions of good anchorages in Narragansett Bay, we generally anchor, but do get a mooring occasionally. How about town docks anywhere for brief visits to shore. Also, any suggestions of interesting destinations or things to do in the area either from the boat or within walking distance from shore would be great. I would also like to visit either Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket if time permits. Any information on these places would also be appreciated.
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Derek Rowell
Narragansett Bay
There are many places to stop in Narragansett Bay. You can try Newport but the anchoring area is limited and the holding is poor. It's an experience to spend time there however. I would get a mooring if I was you. Dutch Island Harbor on the West Passage is an excellent anchorage with plenty of room and good holding. You can go ashore at the boat yard but it's a bit of a hike up the hill to shops. You can also go ashore at the boat ramp near the dock on the point - you'll find yourself in a trailer camp/park. A great spot. Potter Cove on the east side of Prudence Island is a favorite anchorage - well protected, good holding but busy on a weekend. Absolutely nothing to do there - you can go ashore but its a long long walk to anywhere. We used to anchor right up at the head of Bristol Harbor but the moorings have encroached on the little space that was available. You can tuck in along the western shore out toward the entrance to the harbor. You can also anchor in Barrington and many other places. Allen Harbor up beyond Quonset Point is a great hurricane hole - if you can get in there. The channel is VERY narrow and shoals - I wouldn't attempt it with more than 5' 6" draft. In Greenwich Bay you can anchor off Goddard State Park. It's a bit "rolly" however from boats going in and out of East Greenwich. You could also anchor off East Greenwich or just south of Brewers Yacht Yard. (Watch out for the "Brothers" rocks.) If you are heading up the bay toward Warwick Point and Greenwich Bay take care to avoid Round and Flat Rocks. They are marked, but are just below the surface inside the mark. Keep outside the mark. While you are there - explore Mt Hope Bay (Kickemuit River is a wonderful (hidden) anchorage) and the Saconnet River. We often stop at Third Beach at the entrance to the Saconnet on the way to the Vineyard. Another good anchorage unless its blowing from the east.
There are many places to stop in Narragansett Bay. You can try Newport but the anchoring area is limited and the holding is poor. It's an experience to spend time there however. I would get a mooring if I was you. Dutch Island Harbor on the West Passage is an excellent anchorage with plenty of room and good holding. You can go ashore at the boat yard but it's a bit of a hike up the hill to shops. You can also go ashore at the boat ramp near the dock on the point - you'll find yourself in a trailer camp/park. A great spot. Potter Cove on the east side of Prudence Island is a favorite anchorage - well protected, good holding but busy on a weekend. Absolutely nothing to do there - you can go ashore but its a long long walk to anywhere. We used to anchor right up at the head of Bristol Harbor but the moorings have encroached on the little space that was available. You can tuck in along the western shore out toward the entrance to the harbor. You can also anchor in Barrington and many other places. Allen Harbor up beyond Quonset Point is a great hurricane hole - if you can get in there. The channel is VERY narrow and shoals - I wouldn't attempt it with more than 5' 6" draft. In Greenwich Bay you can anchor off Goddard State Park. It's a bit "rolly" however from boats going in and out of East Greenwich. You could also anchor off East Greenwich or just south of Brewers Yacht Yard. (Watch out for the "Brothers" rocks.) If you are heading up the bay toward Warwick Point and Greenwich Bay take care to avoid Round and Flat Rocks. They are marked, but are just below the surface inside the mark. Keep outside the mark. While you are there - explore Mt Hope Bay (Kickemuit River is a wonderful (hidden) anchorage) and the Saconnet River. We often stop at Third Beach at the entrance to the Saconnet on the way to the Vineyard. Another good anchorage unless its blowing from the east.
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Roger
Nantucket Sound
I sail Nantucket Sound out of the Bass River in Dennis. It is a great trip up to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, but you have to make resrvations in any of the harbors for transient facilties and they are not inexpensive. Nantucket requires mutliple day minimums, for example. Lots of wind, kinda lumpy, but great fun for sailing. My C27 draws four feet, and attention has to be paid in entering any harbor,as they are all dredged to keep them open. You might also consider cruising Buzzard's Bay, which has lots of interesting ports, a little less 'tony' and/or crowded. You have to keep a weather eye out, and in some conditions the sea conditions can get a little exciting, but great nonetheless. Me? I want to get down to Naragansett Bay too! I'll keep an eye out for you Hunter! Roger C27 #5012 & Mabel Bas River,Dennis, Cape Cod
I sail Nantucket Sound out of the Bass River in Dennis. It is a great trip up to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, but you have to make resrvations in any of the harbors for transient facilties and they are not inexpensive. Nantucket requires mutliple day minimums, for example. Lots of wind, kinda lumpy, but great fun for sailing. My C27 draws four feet, and attention has to be paid in entering any harbor,as they are all dredged to keep them open. You might also consider cruising Buzzard's Bay, which has lots of interesting ports, a little less 'tony' and/or crowded. You have to keep a weather eye out, and in some conditions the sea conditions can get a little exciting, but great nonetheless. Me? I want to get down to Naragansett Bay too! I'll keep an eye out for you Hunter! Roger C27 #5012 & Mabel Bas River,Dennis, Cape Cod
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Russell Egge
Stop in Wickford on Narraganset Bay
We are at Brewers in Wickford, stop and say hello. (Wickford is just south of Quanset on the west side of the bay. Wickkford is a great little town with lots of old houses, nice to walk around. There is a town dock with 2 hr max tie-up, near inpossible to get into on a weekend. Ryans market is just across the street, great meat. There is also a fish market on the town fishing peer. Now for the best kept secret in the bay. The town has 2 or 3 town moorings that are free for the first night! They are inside the breakwater to the right. Call the harbor master on ch 9. There are places to anchor outside in anything but an east wind. Russell S/V Allie Kat
We are at Brewers in Wickford, stop and say hello. (Wickford is just south of Quanset on the west side of the bay. Wickkford is a great little town with lots of old houses, nice to walk around. There is a town dock with 2 hr max tie-up, near inpossible to get into on a weekend. Ryans market is just across the street, great meat. There is also a fish market on the town fishing peer. Now for the best kept secret in the bay. The town has 2 or 3 town moorings that are free for the first night! They are inside the breakwater to the right. Call the harbor master on ch 9. There are places to anchor outside in anything but an east wind. Russell S/V Allie Kat
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Tim
Stay away from Oak Bluffs
My wife and I sailed there a couple of years ago from Buzzard's Bay for a night. They should rename the town Puke Bluffs. It was like spring break. Lot's of stinkpots partying late into the night. I'll take Seguin I. in Maine any day. Population 2. Tim R
My wife and I sailed there a couple of years ago from Buzzard's Bay for a night. They should rename the town Puke Bluffs. It was like spring break. Lot's of stinkpots partying late into the night. I'll take Seguin I. in Maine any day. Population 2. Tim R
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Sailormannj
How was the North Fork and Block Island
Cindy, I am also from Raritan Bay area. I would like to go out to the North Fork and Block in my 23. How long did it take to get out to Greenport area? Paul
Cindy, I am also from Raritan Bay area. I would like to go out to the North Fork and Block in my 23. How long did it take to get out to Greenport area? Paul
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Vic
Plan on visiting Newport midweek ...
Tues, Wed, Thur. nights. If the weather is nice ... there should be space to anchor off Ida Lewis, or rent a mooring ... Seamens Institute has showers, laundry, breakfast/lunch place. Mackeral Cove a couple of miles south on Jamestown is really quiet and protected from the normal SW wind ... Newport is worth a few days ... most of the rest of the bay is interesting but does not have the on shore options. June we have an America's Cup sort of trial happening and that should be interesting ... Newport Yacht Club generally has dock space which depending on your activity level may be cheaper than using the launch service/moorings. There are a number of dingy docks ... but you have to look for them. Vic "Vee Jay"
Tues, Wed, Thur. nights. If the weather is nice ... there should be space to anchor off Ida Lewis, or rent a mooring ... Seamens Institute has showers, laundry, breakfast/lunch place. Mackeral Cove a couple of miles south on Jamestown is really quiet and protected from the normal SW wind ... Newport is worth a few days ... most of the rest of the bay is interesting but does not have the on shore options. June we have an America's Cup sort of trial happening and that should be interesting ... Newport Yacht Club generally has dock space which depending on your activity level may be cheaper than using the launch service/moorings. There are a number of dingy docks ... but you have to look for them. Vic "Vee Jay"
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Chuck
Try Vineyard Sound
Has some great places to visit. Starting at Cuttyhunk with moorings inside the harbor and a restaurant on shore is a good place to visit. Then Menemsha, Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluffs, and my favorite is Katama Bay. We drop anchor there and visit the many restaurants and shops at Edgartown. All good places to go. You only need your dinghy because all these places are short walks from the harbor and most of them have launch service. If you have the time, try Nantucket, a fun place. We use the anchorage there too. Can't wait for spring!
Has some great places to visit. Starting at Cuttyhunk with moorings inside the harbor and a restaurant on shore is a good place to visit. Then Menemsha, Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluffs, and my favorite is Katama Bay. We drop anchor there and visit the many restaurants and shops at Edgartown. All good places to go. You only need your dinghy because all these places are short walks from the harbor and most of them have launch service. If you have the time, try Nantucket, a fun place. We use the anchorage there too. Can't wait for spring!
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Cindy
Our circumnavigation of Long Island
Lets see if I can make a long story as short as possible! Our circumnavigation of Long Island trip lasted two weeks. We sailed the ocean (south) side to Block Island and came home via Long Island Sound. I can give you some information on places to stop in the sound and approximate time it took us to get between each. We sailed (motored when the wind died) from Cheesequake Creek in Raritan Bay to Block Island in approximately 28 hours, non-stop. It was very foggy after dark so the trip was somewhat trying. Our first overnight trip, and only the compass and GPS to help us thought the fog, as we have no radar. Block Island was fun, we stayed for two nights. We arrived on a Sunday, so a lot of boats were leaving and we got a mooring fairly close to shore. We rented a moped for ½ day and walked the rest of the time (recommend a moped to see both the north and south lights). Good places to eat and nice beaches, shops, etc. From there we sailed (17nm) to Lake Montauk, maybe 4 hrs. Stayed for two days. We anchored just after the channel ends and the "Lake" opens up, just south of Star Island. It is VERY shallow in places, so keep the chart nearby. Then on to Greenport, that was about 5 hours (20nm). It was an uphill windy, misty, cold day and rained that night. We anchored in Dering Harbor that night and got a mooring the next day. We took the ferry to Greenport, rented a car and did some wine touring. For some reason the rest of that day is a little unclear to me....Oh yeah, I remember trying to get a case and ½ of wine back to the boat in a Walker Bay, not an easy task, but doable. Then on (35nm) to the Thimbles, a good days sail. You MUST time your passage through Plum Gut or it will take you a lot longer to get there. We picked up a friends mooring there. Anchoring looked a little difficult. Took a launch, The Charley Moore, to shore to meet them for dinner. Next stop, Port Jefferson (20nm). We anchored in a wide-open area near shore in the middle of all of the mooring balls. After we anchored we rowed ashore to eat lunch and do some shopping, we came back and some guy from the yacht club came by and told us "you have been bad, you anchored in the mooring field.” He said that the anchoring area was all the way in the back (north) of the moorings, at least a mile from town. When we asked about the open area, he said, “We are just getting ready to put moorings in this area and you are in our way.” Strangely there was no evidence of any moorings, or people to place them. Nor were there any indicators prohibiting anchoring in the area. We moved up by the Spoil Area for the night. Next day was on to The Sand Hole at Lloyds point (20nm). This is a great little hole to anchor in, but you must be very careful entering and wait for the tide depending on your draft. We saw guy in a 35-40 footer get stuck on the sand on a falling tide and didn't get off (even with the help of the Coast Guard) for 6 hours until high tide. From there we were planning on stopping off at City Island, but decided to try Manhasset Bay as we hadn't anchored in there before. A lot of boats are moored in that area and not a lot of room, but it was a weekday so we found a spot. Holding, at least were we were, was tricky. I think it took 4 or 5 tries and moving around a bit to get a good grip. The next day we planned for our arrival at East River so that the flow would be in our favor. Flushed through with no problems and continued on to Sandy Hook. Then back to the dock and back to reality. In addition to the above, We would recommend both the east and west sides of City Island and have spent several nights in Northport Bay, just east of West Beach. Both of these are easily approached in the dark. Also, Sheffield Island (one of the Norwalk Islands) makes a nice anchorage near Norwalk Ct. Be careful in the west end of the sound, Stepping Stones didn’t get its name because they were under water.
Lets see if I can make a long story as short as possible! Our circumnavigation of Long Island trip lasted two weeks. We sailed the ocean (south) side to Block Island and came home via Long Island Sound. I can give you some information on places to stop in the sound and approximate time it took us to get between each. We sailed (motored when the wind died) from Cheesequake Creek in Raritan Bay to Block Island in approximately 28 hours, non-stop. It was very foggy after dark so the trip was somewhat trying. Our first overnight trip, and only the compass and GPS to help us thought the fog, as we have no radar. Block Island was fun, we stayed for two nights. We arrived on a Sunday, so a lot of boats were leaving and we got a mooring fairly close to shore. We rented a moped for ½ day and walked the rest of the time (recommend a moped to see both the north and south lights). Good places to eat and nice beaches, shops, etc. From there we sailed (17nm) to Lake Montauk, maybe 4 hrs. Stayed for two days. We anchored just after the channel ends and the "Lake" opens up, just south of Star Island. It is VERY shallow in places, so keep the chart nearby. Then on to Greenport, that was about 5 hours (20nm). It was an uphill windy, misty, cold day and rained that night. We anchored in Dering Harbor that night and got a mooring the next day. We took the ferry to Greenport, rented a car and did some wine touring. For some reason the rest of that day is a little unclear to me....Oh yeah, I remember trying to get a case and ½ of wine back to the boat in a Walker Bay, not an easy task, but doable. Then on (35nm) to the Thimbles, a good days sail. You MUST time your passage through Plum Gut or it will take you a lot longer to get there. We picked up a friends mooring there. Anchoring looked a little difficult. Took a launch, The Charley Moore, to shore to meet them for dinner. Next stop, Port Jefferson (20nm). We anchored in a wide-open area near shore in the middle of all of the mooring balls. After we anchored we rowed ashore to eat lunch and do some shopping, we came back and some guy from the yacht club came by and told us "you have been bad, you anchored in the mooring field.” He said that the anchoring area was all the way in the back (north) of the moorings, at least a mile from town. When we asked about the open area, he said, “We are just getting ready to put moorings in this area and you are in our way.” Strangely there was no evidence of any moorings, or people to place them. Nor were there any indicators prohibiting anchoring in the area. We moved up by the Spoil Area for the night. Next day was on to The Sand Hole at Lloyds point (20nm). This is a great little hole to anchor in, but you must be very careful entering and wait for the tide depending on your draft. We saw guy in a 35-40 footer get stuck on the sand on a falling tide and didn't get off (even with the help of the Coast Guard) for 6 hours until high tide. From there we were planning on stopping off at City Island, but decided to try Manhasset Bay as we hadn't anchored in there before. A lot of boats are moored in that area and not a lot of room, but it was a weekday so we found a spot. Holding, at least were we were, was tricky. I think it took 4 or 5 tries and moving around a bit to get a good grip. The next day we planned for our arrival at East River so that the flow would be in our favor. Flushed through with no problems and continued on to Sandy Hook. Then back to the dock and back to reality. In addition to the above, We would recommend both the east and west sides of City Island and have spent several nights in Northport Bay, just east of West Beach. Both of these are easily approached in the dark. Also, Sheffield Island (one of the Norwalk Islands) makes a nice anchorage near Norwalk Ct. Be careful in the west end of the sound, Stepping Stones didn’t get its name because they were under water.
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Gregg
Cindy -
When did you do this trip? I'm hoping to do Block Island and Greenport this summer. Also, what other info do you have re: timing the tides for Plum Gut and the East River (bringing a boat up the East River this spring)?
When did you do this trip? I'm hoping to do Block Island and Greenport this summer. Also, what other info do you have re: timing the tides for Plum Gut and the East River (bringing a boat up the East River this spring)?
J
John
Cruising
Cindy, Do you have any suggestions for a good overnight cruise around the Sandy Hook bay and New York harbor? We're getting our first "big boat" this spring and would like to do afew short overnighters to get our feet wet and get used to the boat. You're Long Island trip is exactly what my wife and I plan to do after we get a little "big boat" experience under our belt. We're going to be moored around Sea Bright so maybe I'll see you on the bay. John Marrotta
Cindy, Do you have any suggestions for a good overnight cruise around the Sandy Hook bay and New York harbor? We're getting our first "big boat" this spring and would like to do afew short overnighters to get our feet wet and get used to the boat. You're Long Island trip is exactly what my wife and I plan to do after we get a little "big boat" experience under our belt. We're going to be moored around Sea Bright so maybe I'll see you on the bay. John Marrotta
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John
Marthas Vineyard
Cindy, I have not sailed up to the Vineyard, but I've been there many many times. You can E-mail me off site if you want any information about the Island. jpmofmt@comcast.net John Marrotta
Cindy, I have not sailed up to the Vineyard, but I've been there many many times. You can E-mail me off site if you want any information about the Island. jpmofmt@comcast.net John Marrotta
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Ozana
Cindy
My wife and I are planing to sail to Block Island this summer from Kent Island via the Long Island Sound. We are taking 3 weeks for the round trip. Do you have any tips about tides, places to go or not, etc. You can e-mail me saparate if you want. Thanks Ozana Halik mrkayak2@aol.com "Halipeno" Hunter 35.5
My wife and I are planing to sail to Block Island this summer from Kent Island via the Long Island Sound. We are taking 3 weeks for the round trip. Do you have any tips about tides, places to go or not, etc. You can e-mail me saparate if you want. Thanks Ozana Halik mrkayak2@aol.com "Halipeno" Hunter 35.5
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Bill
Gregg
Plum Gut is easy with the tide, bad against! Greenport is fun, Townsend Marina is nice if you can manuver in tight quarters. we stayed at Shelter Isle this summer instead, a five minute ferry ride to Greenport.
Plum Gut is easy with the tide, bad against! Greenport is fun, Townsend Marina is nice if you can manuver in tight quarters. we stayed at Shelter Isle this summer instead, a five minute ferry ride to Greenport.
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Cindy
Reply to John
There are “only” four anchorage’s that are convenient in Raritan / Lower / Sandy Hook Bay. Horseshoe Cove is where most people hang out at Sandy Hook. Warning, don't cut into the cove too early. Consult a chart, there are some old pilings, which may or may not be visible. Also, the cove used to have more of a horseshoe shape (so I am told) until a storm took part of it out. It shoals on the west side of the cove and we have seen many a boat hung up on it. Some get off on their own, and some are towed off. We have even bumped the bottom once or twice cutting the corner too early at low tide. I think you will see what I am talking about if you look a chart of the area. One you are past the shoal, you can turn north toward the beach area. I think people see boats and think they can make a straight shot into the cove. If you have a dingy you can explore around the bunkers, visit Sandy Hook Light or even walk across to the ocean side. It’s about a 1-mile hike across. It gets crowded in peak summer but if you like to anchor overnight, most boats leave by dinnertime. It can be an untenable anchorage if the wind is hard from the west. When it gets to bad for Horseshoe, we anchor behind the wall of Atlantic Highlands. It gets quite crowded in there so it's a good idea to go earlier in the day if that's the plan, but we have always found a spot. We saw fireworks from there two years ago and it was a great viewing area right from the boat. You can also rent a mooring and get the launch to shore. We haven't done that, but know people who have. There are shops and restaurants within walking distance. Visit the Atlantic Highlands yacht club site on line for more info. Also, beware when anchoring that the middle area is the channel (not super well marked) and everything from the fishing charters and Fast Ferry to small boats must pass through, leave them room. We also anchor in Great Kills Harbor. In the "back" (East) there is a boat launch and some nice quiet open water. Be sure to follow the markers all of the way in, and out. There is a shoal on the west side (near shore) that is high and dry at low water and you will stick to it like steel to a magnet. There is also a spot in the middle that is only 3 feet deep. Great Kills is very well protected from wind and waves. You can go ashore there and walk in the park or get a snack at the beach house. There are several yacht clubs but we have no first hand knowledge about them. Keyport Harbor has anchorage north of the mooring field. The water is very thin for half a mile from shore so don’t get to close. We have awoken in the middle of the night more than once with the keel bumping the bottom and had to move. Keyport gets rocky with wind, waves and boats. Keyport also has yacht club but again
There are “only” four anchorage’s that are convenient in Raritan / Lower / Sandy Hook Bay. Horseshoe Cove is where most people hang out at Sandy Hook. Warning, don't cut into the cove too early. Consult a chart, there are some old pilings, which may or may not be visible. Also, the cove used to have more of a horseshoe shape (so I am told) until a storm took part of it out. It shoals on the west side of the cove and we have seen many a boat hung up on it. Some get off on their own, and some are towed off. We have even bumped the bottom once or twice cutting the corner too early at low tide. I think you will see what I am talking about if you look a chart of the area. One you are past the shoal, you can turn north toward the beach area. I think people see boats and think they can make a straight shot into the cove. If you have a dingy you can explore around the bunkers, visit Sandy Hook Light or even walk across to the ocean side. It’s about a 1-mile hike across. It gets crowded in peak summer but if you like to anchor overnight, most boats leave by dinnertime. It can be an untenable anchorage if the wind is hard from the west. When it gets to bad for Horseshoe, we anchor behind the wall of Atlantic Highlands. It gets quite crowded in there so it's a good idea to go earlier in the day if that's the plan, but we have always found a spot. We saw fireworks from there two years ago and it was a great viewing area right from the boat. You can also rent a mooring and get the launch to shore. We haven't done that, but know people who have. There are shops and restaurants within walking distance. Visit the Atlantic Highlands yacht club site on line for more info. Also, beware when anchoring that the middle area is the channel (not super well marked) and everything from the fishing charters and Fast Ferry to small boats must pass through, leave them room. We also anchor in Great Kills Harbor. In the "back" (East) there is a boat launch and some nice quiet open water. Be sure to follow the markers all of the way in, and out. There is a shoal on the west side (near shore) that is high and dry at low water and you will stick to it like steel to a magnet. There is also a spot in the middle that is only 3 feet deep. Great Kills is very well protected from wind and waves. You can go ashore there and walk in the park or get a snack at the beach house. There are several yacht clubs but we have no first hand knowledge about them. Keyport Harbor has anchorage north of the mooring field. The water is very thin for half a mile from shore so don’t get to close. We have awoken in the middle of the night more than once with the keel bumping the bottom and had to move. Keyport gets rocky with wind, waves and boats. Keyport also has yacht club but again
C
Cindy
Reply to Ozana and Greg
We rely on three publications for our travels. First, we consider the “Eldridge Tide and Pilot Book” a must have publication for this area ($12 at any good boat supply store). It contains a ton of useful current (flow) information for the northeast. We use it, and our GPS for the tide, flow and general information. Second, a “Maptech Embassy Guide” for Long Island Sound. It has Current Charts for the Sound and The Race, and detailed information concerning almost all of the harbors. We also have a “Chart Kit” NY to Nantucket that contains all of the charts we need. The first couple of trips, we sailed with the flow through Raritan Bay, the Narrows, and into Upper Bay and anchored behind Ellis Island. By the time we got there, the flow was already changing against us so we caught a few hours sleep and waited for the next window of opportunity to pass through the East River. After September 11th, this is no longer possible as that area is off limits. The last time we went we staged ourselves in Great Kills, Staten Island. We fought some tide on the way up river but by the time we reached the tip of Manhattan we were on schedule and where we wanted to be with the flow. If you start up East River at ebb, it starts out slow and picks up speed as you flush right through without too much trouble. Keep your radio tuned to Channel 13 and a chart nearby. Listen to the commercial traffic, they announce where they are as they come through East River at key locations. By keeping track of them you can be well off to the side and out of their way as they come through, (study your sound signals so you know what a one whistle or two whistle means) or you can "safely" stay in the middle when no traffic is expected. Always keep on guard and a look out for other boats, some places are hard to see around, there is limited space and as you know sailboats don't get out of the way too fast. It gets "bumpy" as you go through the turbulence at Hell Gate and a few other places, but we have not had any problems with controlling the boat. (I would not want to be there, going against the tide; it would be a loosing battle) Sometimes we encounter power boaters who seem to get enjoyment out of blowing past us at top speed creating the biggest wake possible. Be prepared, it can toss you around, so keep the coffee or sodas tightly covered and make sure you have everything stowed well before the trip. Coming from the Sound side we have staged ourselves at City Island or Little Neck Bay. Our normal operating procedure, no matter which direction we are going, is to get in a strategic location either the night before or a few hours before we want to make the move. You have to do some planning around the tides and flows. If you do, it is quite an impressive ride and a great view of New York City. I find it fun, and the time goes fast because you are busy watching traffic, charts, or scenery. Hope this helps and have a safe and enjoyable trip.
We rely on three publications for our travels. First, we consider the “Eldridge Tide and Pilot Book” a must have publication for this area ($12 at any good boat supply store). It contains a ton of useful current (flow) information for the northeast. We use it, and our GPS for the tide, flow and general information. Second, a “Maptech Embassy Guide” for Long Island Sound. It has Current Charts for the Sound and The Race, and detailed information concerning almost all of the harbors. We also have a “Chart Kit” NY to Nantucket that contains all of the charts we need. The first couple of trips, we sailed with the flow through Raritan Bay, the Narrows, and into Upper Bay and anchored behind Ellis Island. By the time we got there, the flow was already changing against us so we caught a few hours sleep and waited for the next window of opportunity to pass through the East River. After September 11th, this is no longer possible as that area is off limits. The last time we went we staged ourselves in Great Kills, Staten Island. We fought some tide on the way up river but by the time we reached the tip of Manhattan we were on schedule and where we wanted to be with the flow. If you start up East River at ebb, it starts out slow and picks up speed as you flush right through without too much trouble. Keep your radio tuned to Channel 13 and a chart nearby. Listen to the commercial traffic, they announce where they are as they come through East River at key locations. By keeping track of them you can be well off to the side and out of their way as they come through, (study your sound signals so you know what a one whistle or two whistle means) or you can "safely" stay in the middle when no traffic is expected. Always keep on guard and a look out for other boats, some places are hard to see around, there is limited space and as you know sailboats don't get out of the way too fast. It gets "bumpy" as you go through the turbulence at Hell Gate and a few other places, but we have not had any problems with controlling the boat. (I would not want to be there, going against the tide; it would be a loosing battle) Sometimes we encounter power boaters who seem to get enjoyment out of blowing past us at top speed creating the biggest wake possible. Be prepared, it can toss you around, so keep the coffee or sodas tightly covered and make sure you have everything stowed well before the trip. Coming from the Sound side we have staged ourselves at City Island or Little Neck Bay. Our normal operating procedure, no matter which direction we are going, is to get in a strategic location either the night before or a few hours before we want to make the move. You have to do some planning around the tides and flows. If you do, it is quite an impressive ride and a great view of New York City. I find it fun, and the time goes fast because you are busy watching traffic, charts, or scenery. Hope this helps and have a safe and enjoyable trip.
M
MIke C.
east river/hells gate
to time the trip through Hells gate...be at the Battery (tip of Manhatten) approx. 1.5 hrs. before slack before flood. Stay on the western side of Roosevelt Island and keep vhf ch. 13 on to listen to the tugs and barges transiting the east river. If you don't stop (which I don't know why you would on the east river...but) you'll readh the hells gate bridge very close to or slightly after slack. There should be no problem going out into western LI Sound. It is about 4 hrs. to City Island from the Battery so on a return trip, it's the opposite. (from City Island 2-2.5 hrs before slack before ebb) if at all possible, do not get to hells gate at max flood or ebb. The currents are really strong, with small whirlpools and 3-4 ft. standing waves
to time the trip through Hells gate...be at the Battery (tip of Manhatten) approx. 1.5 hrs. before slack before flood. Stay on the western side of Roosevelt Island and keep vhf ch. 13 on to listen to the tugs and barges transiting the east river. If you don't stop (which I don't know why you would on the east river...but) you'll readh the hells gate bridge very close to or slightly after slack. There should be no problem going out into western LI Sound. It is about 4 hrs. to City Island from the Battery so on a return trip, it's the opposite. (from City Island 2-2.5 hrs before slack before ebb) if at all possible, do not get to hells gate at max flood or ebb. The currents are really strong, with small whirlpools and 3-4 ft. standing waves
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