I have a cruising question and am not sure if HOW is the right forum for it, but here it goes. I am takeing delivery of a new Hunter 290 in the Spring, in Bay Shore Long Island and will be moving it up the Hudson to Haverstraw, NY. To date I have only 'day sailed' on my Hunter 23.5 (for about 5 years) so I have never planned a cruise and would like advice. As best as I can determine this is at least a 2 day trip of at least 8 to 10 hours each day. I am estimating this on an avg of 5kts an hour. Is this reasonable? Will the 290 average better, slower? Also I can't find and cruising guides for Southern Long Island, so I can plan for marina's or places to anchor at night. I would perfer a Marina, since I have never achored overnight. Any thoughts, comments, suggestions, would be greatly appreciated.
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Gary Wyngarden
It Always Takes Longer...
Hi Ken, Welcome to the cruising community. The Hunter 290 is a fine boat, and I'm sure you'll have fun with her. I can't help with anchorage or marina selections as I'm on the other side of the country. However, I would suggest you give yourself a lot of extra time. It always takes longer than you think it will. Whether its a late start, contrary currents, flukey winds or whatever, it just always takes longer. It's also a real good idea NOT to have to keep to a rigid schedule. Weather conditions might deteriorate; you might have a maintenace problem with the boat. Forcing yourself to a schedule leads you to take chances and leave port when prudence dictates you ought to stay at anchor. I would also schedule you note on your chart protected waters you can duck into along the way if weather suddenly goes bad on you. Being aware of these in advance can give you peace of mind and will save time should an emergency arise. Good sailing! Gary Wyngarden S/V Shibumi H335
Hi Ken, Welcome to the cruising community. The Hunter 290 is a fine boat, and I'm sure you'll have fun with her. I can't help with anchorage or marina selections as I'm on the other side of the country. However, I would suggest you give yourself a lot of extra time. It always takes longer than you think it will. Whether its a late start, contrary currents, flukey winds or whatever, it just always takes longer. It's also a real good idea NOT to have to keep to a rigid schedule. Weather conditions might deteriorate; you might have a maintenace problem with the boat. Forcing yourself to a schedule leads you to take chances and leave port when prudence dictates you ought to stay at anchor. I would also schedule you note on your chart protected waters you can duck into along the way if weather suddenly goes bad on you. Being aware of these in advance can give you peace of mind and will save time should an emergency arise. Good sailing! Gary Wyngarden S/V Shibumi H335
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SteveC
Suggestions.......
You are right that it will probably take 2 days for the trip....I might suggest that you stop in Liberty marina (located in NY harbor just north of Statue in the Hudson on NJ side. This would probably be a good stop for the evening but I have never stayed there and I hear it's pretty good. The next day you can go on up to Haverstraw.. Keep this in mind though... If you're going out the inlet from Bayshore into the atlantic....time it RIGHT and DON'T VENTURE OUT WITH TIDE and WIND opposing each other. I did this once with a friend bringing his 37 around to Long Island Sound and for the 5 -10 mins. to get out was probably the scariest 10 mins. I can remember. Also use the tide in the Hudson to give you an extra push up the river. I used to make the annual trek from Long Island Sound up the river and haul across from Haverstraw at the Viking?? marina.
You are right that it will probably take 2 days for the trip....I might suggest that you stop in Liberty marina (located in NY harbor just north of Statue in the Hudson on NJ side. This would probably be a good stop for the evening but I have never stayed there and I hear it's pretty good. The next day you can go on up to Haverstraw.. Keep this in mind though... If you're going out the inlet from Bayshore into the atlantic....time it RIGHT and DON'T VENTURE OUT WITH TIDE and WIND opposing each other. I did this once with a friend bringing his 37 around to Long Island Sound and for the 5 -10 mins. to get out was probably the scariest 10 mins. I can remember. Also use the tide in the Hudson to give you an extra push up the river. I used to make the annual trek from Long Island Sound up the river and haul across from Haverstraw at the Viking?? marina.
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Bob Zolczer
Take the scenic route
Why not take a week, sail over to Block Island, stop over at Mystic, Milford or Port Jefferson, City Island and time your passage through Hell's Gate to pass by Manhattan to NY Harbor and the Hudson. It'd be a fun trip. Much of it could be sailed. Embassy has a guide for LI Sound which gives info on any stopover sites. Make sure you get complete charts for whichever way you'll go. A handheld GPS would be useful. One tip if you're going to anchor out. Invest in a 20# Hi Tensile Danforth with about 20 feet of chain in addition to the anchor rode. The anchor Hunter furnishes is fine for a lunch hook, but an oversized Hi tensile Danforth is what I'd trust in a blow.
Why not take a week, sail over to Block Island, stop over at Mystic, Milford or Port Jefferson, City Island and time your passage through Hell's Gate to pass by Manhattan to NY Harbor and the Hudson. It'd be a fun trip. Much of it could be sailed. Embassy has a guide for LI Sound which gives info on any stopover sites. Make sure you get complete charts for whichever way you'll go. A handheld GPS would be useful. One tip if you're going to anchor out. Invest in a 20# Hi Tensile Danforth with about 20 feet of chain in addition to the anchor rode. The anchor Hunter furnishes is fine for a lunch hook, but an oversized Hi tensile Danforth is what I'd trust in a blow.
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Alan
Ask the guys selling you the boat!
Ask Bill, Glenn or Jerry as they know the area well. Jerry might even offer to crew. There are books and guides for the South Shore and New York Harbour but far fewer than available for the Sound (West Marine and others). Going around Montauk to Block Island sounds like alot of fun but it will take time and you may want experience around if you have only day sailed like me. Hell's Gate I have been told is a matter of timing (tides). One other thought, why not do some shakeout crusing in the Great South Bay for a few days. There is fire Island, the Hamptons and other areas to visit. Alan
Ask Bill, Glenn or Jerry as they know the area well. Jerry might even offer to crew. There are books and guides for the South Shore and New York Harbour but far fewer than available for the Sound (West Marine and others). Going around Montauk to Block Island sounds like alot of fun but it will take time and you may want experience around if you have only day sailed like me. Hell's Gate I have been told is a matter of timing (tides). One other thought, why not do some shakeout crusing in the Great South Bay for a few days. There is fire Island, the Hamptons and other areas to visit. Alan
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bp
location location location
Ken, That's a unique sail that you have planned. One that cannot be duplicated anywhere in the country. Sailing under all the huge bridges and along all of the skyscrapers is pretty spectacular. But just as spectacular is the current that runs through The Race, Hell's Gate, and through all of the Hudson River. How many of these places you pass depends on whether you take the Atlantic Ocean route or the Long Island Sound route. I don't think that you can plan to have the current with you all of the way, but you must plan to have the current in your favor at the worst current areas. If you don't, you literally will be swept backward by the current. There are a couple of guides that have current timetables. Pick one up at a local marine store. I always like Eldridge (the little yellow book). Also, as suggested, make sure that you have charts. When you do have to move against the currents, keep the boat in the shallowest water possible (that's where the current's lightest). When you move with the currents, keep the boat in the deepest part of the channels. Just give those gigantic tankers and the Staten Island Ferry a clear berth. They use sailboats for toothpicks.
Ken, That's a unique sail that you have planned. One that cannot be duplicated anywhere in the country. Sailing under all the huge bridges and along all of the skyscrapers is pretty spectacular. But just as spectacular is the current that runs through The Race, Hell's Gate, and through all of the Hudson River. How many of these places you pass depends on whether you take the Atlantic Ocean route or the Long Island Sound route. I don't think that you can plan to have the current with you all of the way, but you must plan to have the current in your favor at the worst current areas. If you don't, you literally will be swept backward by the current. There are a couple of guides that have current timetables. Pick one up at a local marine store. I always like Eldridge (the little yellow book). Also, as suggested, make sure that you have charts. When you do have to move against the currents, keep the boat in the shallowest water possible (that's where the current's lightest). When you move with the currents, keep the boat in the deepest part of the channels. Just give those gigantic tankers and the Staten Island Ferry a clear berth. They use sailboats for toothpicks.
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TOM MCNAMARA
Nice Trip
We bought a boat from Bill Cooke,the crooke.It was to be delivered in may of 99,it was a 450 and in stock. we did have a lot of changes done with eltronics ,rear closets,etc. Contracted for vacuflush and wanted a bow thruster,but by the end of july we got fed up and left. When we left we had to emediadly outside cause the boat would not go under the inside bridge. Being that it was my first sail boaat,we motored to freeport. By time we found out the water was not good for sailing in the south shore we relocated to Glen Cove. Not to change the subject, be careful with cook he likes to let you leave with a dirty boat[we did] he likes to leave a boat with glue and caulking all over the place[we did] and minor things. GO there and visit tour boat and make sure these things are done. As far as the trip,I finally had some salt under my belt and it was great. As far as the marina, Lincoln is not bad, but the next one up is newport marina which is better if you like a resturant and nicer. You should make that on one long day.Going up the Hudson again we did to Haverstraw marina[georgus] and made that in one day easy. [have to go,I will continue] MCBUBBA720@AOL.COM. TOM MCNAMARA
We bought a boat from Bill Cooke,the crooke.It was to be delivered in may of 99,it was a 450 and in stock. we did have a lot of changes done with eltronics ,rear closets,etc. Contracted for vacuflush and wanted a bow thruster,but by the end of july we got fed up and left. When we left we had to emediadly outside cause the boat would not go under the inside bridge. Being that it was my first sail boaat,we motored to freeport. By time we found out the water was not good for sailing in the south shore we relocated to Glen Cove. Not to change the subject, be careful with cook he likes to let you leave with a dirty boat[we did] he likes to leave a boat with glue and caulking all over the place[we did] and minor things. GO there and visit tour boat and make sure these things are done. As far as the trip,I finally had some salt under my belt and it was great. As far as the marina, Lincoln is not bad, but the next one up is newport marina which is better if you like a resturant and nicer. You should make that on one long day.Going up the Hudson again we did to Haverstraw marina[georgus] and made that in one day easy. [have to go,I will continue] MCBUBBA720@AOL.COM. TOM MCNAMARA
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TOM MCNAMARA
NICE TRIP CONTINUED
We livs aboard and my daughter came with her 4 kids. I do hope you are going right outside at fire island inlet. THer is no water the rest of the way and you have bridges,narrow channels, and have to go out at rockaway inlet anyway. Swing wide at Rockaway point and head close to the main channel [Ambrose]. I have read all the other messages and they all seem to know what they are doing, you sure are getting a lot of milage on this article. The Boaters manual is great for marinas and information you need to know. You still have time so why dont you add to your mortgage and get some good GPS and chartplotter. The route around montauk,mystic etc we did if you have the time, but then you got the hellgate[fun] and the east river [more fun] Just try and get an incomming tide when you go up the Hudson.
We livs aboard and my daughter came with her 4 kids. I do hope you are going right outside at fire island inlet. THer is no water the rest of the way and you have bridges,narrow channels, and have to go out at rockaway inlet anyway. Swing wide at Rockaway point and head close to the main channel [Ambrose]. I have read all the other messages and they all seem to know what they are doing, you sure are getting a lot of milage on this article. The Boaters manual is great for marinas and information you need to know. You still have time so why dont you add to your mortgage and get some good GPS and chartplotter. The route around montauk,mystic etc we did if you have the time, but then you got the hellgate[fun] and the east river [more fun] Just try and get an incomming tide when you go up the Hudson.
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Ernie
Don’t be intimidated,
...just cautious. The “exit” at Fire Island inlet could be a little exciting, but other than that, it’s wide-open sailing. Yes there are BIG boats in the area and in the harbor, but there is more than enough room. We (Admiral and I) sail this all of the time with only a “little” extra caution. You are able to watch the Staten Island Ferry run at least 10 times before you will be close enough to get in the way. Most of the ship traffic is at anchor north of the bridge and if it isn’t, it will be moving well within the limits of the channel. Again, just keep your eyes wide open, stay out of the way, and you won’t have any problems. I love to anchor for the night behind Ellis Island. It’ peaceful, quiet, beautiful view of the city, and its FREE!!!!! The only problem I had was one time the wind and tide had a difference of opinion and the anchor rode got wrapped on the keel. The tide soon changed and with the help of the wind, my anchor was really set. Took a lot of pulling to get it out of the mud. The tide under the bridge can run close to two knots so it will have a major effect on your up river advancement but I assume that you are used to that. When do you plan to go? If you have any other questions, e-mail me at edonovan@pemnet.com Ernie H-33 S/V Cindy Lou
...just cautious. The “exit” at Fire Island inlet could be a little exciting, but other than that, it’s wide-open sailing. Yes there are BIG boats in the area and in the harbor, but there is more than enough room. We (Admiral and I) sail this all of the time with only a “little” extra caution. You are able to watch the Staten Island Ferry run at least 10 times before you will be close enough to get in the way. Most of the ship traffic is at anchor north of the bridge and if it isn’t, it will be moving well within the limits of the channel. Again, just keep your eyes wide open, stay out of the way, and you won’t have any problems. I love to anchor for the night behind Ellis Island. It’ peaceful, quiet, beautiful view of the city, and its FREE!!!!! The only problem I had was one time the wind and tide had a difference of opinion and the anchor rode got wrapped on the keel. The tide soon changed and with the help of the wind, my anchor was really set. Took a lot of pulling to get it out of the mud. The tide under the bridge can run close to two knots so it will have a major effect on your up river advancement but I assume that you are used to that. When do you plan to go? If you have any other questions, e-mail me at edonovan@pemnet.com Ernie H-33 S/V Cindy Lou
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Robert Ference (imbobf@erols.com)
Warterway guide
The waterway guide (Northern) covers the area of Long Island Sound, The Hudson River, and the area from Cape May to Maine. Try a boating store or Waterway Guide 6151 Powers Ferry Road NW Atlanta, GA 30339 800-233-3359 Cost about $37.00 Bob Ference imbobf@erols.com
The waterway guide (Northern) covers the area of Long Island Sound, The Hudson River, and the area from Cape May to Maine. Try a boating store or Waterway Guide 6151 Powers Ferry Road NW Atlanta, GA 30339 800-233-3359 Cost about $37.00 Bob Ference imbobf@erols.com
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Paul R. Mitchell
Hudson River Tide and Current
Ken, You didn't say where you used to daysail. If was in the Haverstraw Bay area, then you probably already know this -- but others may find it worthwhile. The Sea Explorers put out a booklet of tide and current tables for the entire length of the Hudson. As I recall, it costs something like $4.00. I've always found it useful for timing my sails -- boat speed plus or minus a knot or so of current can make a measurable difference in when you arrive. Samalot's Marine at Haverstraw Marina will have the booklet, as will most of the other chandleries in the area. We were at Haverstraw Marina for three years before moving across the river to the Croton Yacht Club to be nearer to home. Haverstraw is great place -- we still haul out there. Congratulations on your new boat. Paul s/v Dilemma Croton-on-Hudson
Ken, You didn't say where you used to daysail. If was in the Haverstraw Bay area, then you probably already know this -- but others may find it worthwhile. The Sea Explorers put out a booklet of tide and current tables for the entire length of the Hudson. As I recall, it costs something like $4.00. I've always found it useful for timing my sails -- boat speed plus or minus a knot or so of current can make a measurable difference in when you arrive. Samalot's Marine at Haverstraw Marina will have the booklet, as will most of the other chandleries in the area. We were at Haverstraw Marina for three years before moving across the river to the Croton Yacht Club to be nearer to home. Haverstraw is great place -- we still haul out there. Congratulations on your new boat. Paul s/v Dilemma Croton-on-Hudson
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John Eddy
Great source for nautical almanacs and guidebooks
The following is a great website for getting any and all of the nautical almanacs and guidebooks that you might need. https://www.bluewaterweb.com/ My wife and I live in Liberty Landing Marina, just north of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island by green can #1. It is a great place for a stopover because it is much more protected than any of the other marinas on the Hudson River.
The following is a great website for getting any and all of the nautical almanacs and guidebooks that you might need. https://www.bluewaterweb.com/ My wife and I live in Liberty Landing Marina, just north of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island by green can #1. It is a great place for a stopover because it is much more protected than any of the other marinas on the Hudson River.
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