Hello, I'm considering sailing from my home sailing area (Chesapeake Bay) to New York city for the 4th of July 2007. I need some assistance from sailors in the NY area, and from others that have done this trip. 1. What marinas can you recommend that provide easy access to Manhattan? 2. Where are some convenient stopping places along the NJ coastline? 3. I want to watch a spectacular 4th of July fireworks show from my boat - is this possible? Any other information you can provide will be appreciated. Sincerely, Jack "Friendship" Catalina 350
Sailing to New York City
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Jack
We stayed at Liberty Landing Marina on the western shore of the Hudson almost directly across from the southern tip of Manhattan and north of the Statue of Liberty. That will give you a spectacular view of the fireworks displays. We have also anchored out at the base of the Statue on Liberty Island but that was pre 9/11 and things were a bit different then. Coming north along the Jersey shore you can stop off at Atlantic City but there are not many places to pull into without going a good deal out of your way. I would opt for a one leg shot from AC to either Sandy Hook or all the way in to the lower NY harbor.
We stayed at Liberty Landing Marina on the western shore of the Hudson almost directly across from the southern tip of Manhattan and north of the Statue of Liberty. That will give you a spectacular view of the fireworks displays. We have also anchored out at the base of the Statue on Liberty Island but that was pre 9/11 and things were a bit different then. Coming north along the Jersey shore you can stop off at Atlantic City but there are not many places to pull into without going a good deal out of your way. I would opt for a one leg shot from AC to either Sandy Hook or all the way in to the lower NY harbor.
manhattan
try to make arrangements as soon as possible. once you have actually entered the harbor there are very few choices and they fill very quickly. coming from your direction. i'd certainly stay somewhere in new jersey the night before. getting back to wherever you are berthing when the fireworks are over, after dark, may be a real problem. as a new yorker, i say watch the fire works from somewhere ashore and cruise harbor in daylight.
try to make arrangements as soon as possible. once you have actually entered the harbor there are very few choices and they fill very quickly. coming from your direction. i'd certainly stay somewhere in new jersey the night before. getting back to wherever you are berthing when the fireworks are over, after dark, may be a real problem. as a new yorker, i say watch the fire works from somewhere ashore and cruise harbor in daylight.
been there
We also stayed at Liberty Landing. Good place. Showers are on a old lightship, but really cool. And you can see the Statue from almost anywhere. It looks weird, but is really awesome. You can walk to the train station, which takes you to Manhatten. It goes through a area I would describe as not walker friendly. I was waiting to get jumped, but we didn't. Must have read to many books. The subway takes you right to the WTC site. From there, you can get anywhere on the island of Manhatten. The marina is smallish and reservations would be highly recommended.
We also stayed at Liberty Landing. Good place. Showers are on a old lightship, but really cool. And you can see the Statue from almost anywhere. It looks weird, but is really awesome. You can walk to the train station, which takes you to Manhatten. It goes through a area I would describe as not walker friendly. I was waiting to get jumped, but we didn't. Must have read to many books. The subway takes you right to the WTC site. From there, you can get anywhere on the island of Manhatten. The marina is smallish and reservations would be highly recommended.
NYC
Jack, We do that every trip every few years. The best place to stay is Newport Marina. It is in Jersey City, just across from the WTC and one mile up the Hudson from Liberty Landing. The Path station to the city is one block and also a large mall. Super market is about three blocks. From Newport Marina you can easily motor to a point north of Ellis Island (with a few thousand other boats) or you can see the fireworks from the marina while having a glass of wine. Call Iris at Newport. They advertise in most of the guides. Last July the marina was about half full but you should call ahead several months to be sure. It was $2.45 a foot last summer. There is some surge in the marina from passing ships but is tolerable. We go to Cape May and wait for a weather window, Atlantic City (anchor or stay at Gardners Basin, never at Trumps $4/ft), leave AC at 2 AM to arive at the Newport Marina about 5 PM. The Absecon Inlet is a good, all weather inlet and easily travled at night. Two other stop overs are Barnegat and Manasquan. Both are best in mild weather and in daylight. Last year the weather was perfect and we sailed from Cape May to NYC in eighteen hours straight through. Watch the bridge in Cape May Canal. It is 55 feet and has lots of motor boat traffic (with wakes) under it. Expect hot weather and lots of flys off the NJ coast on your way back. Other than that its a fun trip.
Jack, We do that every trip every few years. The best place to stay is Newport Marina. It is in Jersey City, just across from the WTC and one mile up the Hudson from Liberty Landing. The Path station to the city is one block and also a large mall. Super market is about three blocks. From Newport Marina you can easily motor to a point north of Ellis Island (with a few thousand other boats) or you can see the fireworks from the marina while having a glass of wine. Call Iris at Newport. They advertise in most of the guides. Last July the marina was about half full but you should call ahead several months to be sure. It was $2.45 a foot last summer. There is some surge in the marina from passing ships but is tolerable. We go to Cape May and wait for a weather window, Atlantic City (anchor or stay at Gardners Basin, never at Trumps $4/ft), leave AC at 2 AM to arive at the Newport Marina about 5 PM. The Absecon Inlet is a good, all weather inlet and easily travled at night. Two other stop overs are Barnegat and Manasquan. Both are best in mild weather and in daylight. Last year the weather was perfect and we sailed from Cape May to NYC in eighteen hours straight through. Watch the bridge in Cape May Canal. It is 55 feet and has lots of motor boat traffic (with wakes) under it. Expect hot weather and lots of flys off the NJ coast on your way back. Other than that its a fun trip.
Hey Jack...
always wanted to do this trip too, but never made it north. I'd like to do it with a buddy boat so if you want company, let me know...dcdon at hotmail.com
always wanted to do this trip too, but never made it north. I'd like to do it with a buddy boat so if you want company, let me know...dcdon at hotmail.com
Stops to NYC
If you can't make Newport or Liberty Landing in one day you can stop at Sandy Hook, Horseshoe Cover or the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club which are both about 18km short of the Morris Canal (tip of NYC). AHYC has moring balls and there is anchorage behind the sea wall. One other marina is Liberty Harbor, the northern side of the Morris Canal. Watch your tide charts or it turns into a really long sail/motor up the harbor.
If you can't make Newport or Liberty Landing in one day you can stop at Sandy Hook, Horseshoe Cover or the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club which are both about 18km short of the Morris Canal (tip of NYC). AHYC has moring balls and there is anchorage behind the sea wall. One other marina is Liberty Harbor, the northern side of the Morris Canal. Watch your tide charts or it turns into a really long sail/motor up the harbor.
nyc
If you make an early reservation you can contact North Cove Marina. (Go to the website).It is right at the WTC site near the financial district. . There are no amenities(shower, toilet, etc. however, there is electric.)That is all on your own boat. However, the price is reasonable and you are in Manhattan so there is no ferry boat ride to New Jersey.
If you make an early reservation you can contact North Cove Marina. (Go to the website).It is right at the WTC site near the financial district. . There are no amenities(shower, toilet, etc. however, there is electric.)That is all on your own boat. However, the price is reasonable and you are in Manhattan so there is no ferry boat ride to New Jersey.
North Cove Marina?
Four bucks a foot, minimum, and no jon. What a deal. Perhaps the yachtsman longside will share his Grey Poupon?
Four bucks a foot, minimum, and no jon. What a deal. Perhaps the yachtsman longside will share his Grey Poupon?
North Cove
Plus it can get pretty bouncy in there, not as well protected as Libert Landing or Liberty Harbor......
Plus it can get pretty bouncy in there, not as well protected as Libert Landing or Liberty Harbor......
One more option
is Pier 40 on the Manhattan side where there are 16 or so moorings that can be had from NYC parks for $40/night as a transient (link below) versus the $40/ft/night you will spend at either Liberty Landing or Newport marinas. To reserve a mooring at pier 40 you are supposed to file an application/documentation of ins. etc with them and I believe they want you to pre-pay. The downsides to Pier 40 are: you need a dink (no launch svc), open to main channel (wake from passing ferries), and it is a tad furthur north than Newport marina on the Jersey side. My personal reccommendation is the Liberty Landing marina if you have the scratch, as it is practically at the Statue of Liberty (hereafter known as SOL) where the fireworks barges are usually located. You would be able to stay on your boat at a slip and have a great view. You can reserve a slip there in advance by phone with a credit card. Showers/head and restaurant right there. Water taxi to NYC every 15 or 30 minutes in summer. My favorite stay at LLM was an overnight where we arrived after 6pm (when the dock hands leave for the day) and left the next morning at 6am (before they've had their coffee) for Yonkers, and did not pay a cent. The first time I spent a saturday night there after reserving a spot by phone we were kept up till after 2AM by loud music from a noisy restaurant across the creek. All NYC marinas will have more noise at night than you are used to. By contrast, Haverstraw Marina (35 miles up the Hudson River) was a very quiet and peaceful place to overnight. Nice scenery to see going up the Hudson too. I would strongly discourage you to go out on the Harbor in your boat on July 4th as the traffic and yahoos on their motorized watercraft could pose quite a bit of danger especially after dark and a six pack. Security will be tight too.
is Pier 40 on the Manhattan side where there are 16 or so moorings that can be had from NYC parks for $40/night as a transient (link below) versus the $40/ft/night you will spend at either Liberty Landing or Newport marinas. To reserve a mooring at pier 40 you are supposed to file an application/documentation of ins. etc with them and I believe they want you to pre-pay. The downsides to Pier 40 are: you need a dink (no launch svc), open to main channel (wake from passing ferries), and it is a tad furthur north than Newport marina on the Jersey side. My personal reccommendation is the Liberty Landing marina if you have the scratch, as it is practically at the Statue of Liberty (hereafter known as SOL) where the fireworks barges are usually located. You would be able to stay on your boat at a slip and have a great view. You can reserve a slip there in advance by phone with a credit card. Showers/head and restaurant right there. Water taxi to NYC every 15 or 30 minutes in summer. My favorite stay at LLM was an overnight where we arrived after 6pm (when the dock hands leave for the day) and left the next morning at 6am (before they've had their coffee) for Yonkers, and did not pay a cent. The first time I spent a saturday night there after reserving a spot by phone we were kept up till after 2AM by loud music from a noisy restaurant across the creek. All NYC marinas will have more noise at night than you are used to. By contrast, Haverstraw Marina (35 miles up the Hudson River) was a very quiet and peaceful place to overnight. Nice scenery to see going up the Hudson too. I would strongly discourage you to go out on the Harbor in your boat on July 4th as the traffic and yahoos on their motorized watercraft could pose quite a bit of danger especially after dark and a six pack. Security will be tight too.
Depends on how long you want it to take
There are plenty of places to stay in Cape May. Utches is right after the last bridge heading out to the ocean. There is a really good seafood place 1/4 mile from the marina (I dont remember the name). Atlantic city is a six hour sail at 5 knots. The state marina is expensive but its Trumps. There is an outdoor lounge that is great. The inlet is fantastic too. Barnegat inlet is 8 hours further up the coast. There is a good anchorage past the light house. Hug the light house and continue straight on the anchorage (do not make head into the oyster creek channel) There are some restaurants on LBI but you must dingy over. Manasquan is another two hours north. There are not to many places to anchor. the current is pretty swift too. I sail out of Barnegat inlet and can reach Liberty landing in about 8-10 hours. There is a water ferry to NYC that runs all day but closes around midnight. The ferry runs right from the marina dock. Good luck George SV Windswept
There are plenty of places to stay in Cape May. Utches is right after the last bridge heading out to the ocean. There is a really good seafood place 1/4 mile from the marina (I dont remember the name). Atlantic city is a six hour sail at 5 knots. The state marina is expensive but its Trumps. There is an outdoor lounge that is great. The inlet is fantastic too. Barnegat inlet is 8 hours further up the coast. There is a good anchorage past the light house. Hug the light house and continue straight on the anchorage (do not make head into the oyster creek channel) There are some restaurants on LBI but you must dingy over. Manasquan is another two hours north. There are not to many places to anchor. the current is pretty swift too. I sail out of Barnegat inlet and can reach Liberty landing in about 8-10 hours. There is a water ferry to NYC that runs all day but closes around midnight. The ferry runs right from the marina dock. Good luck George SV Windswept
Watch fireworks in Red Bank ...
They have a spectacular show over the Navesink River that is very popular to watch as well. Their show is always on July 3rd, I think. I imagine there is a good crowd watching from boats there as well. So if you make your way up north a day early, this could be a great option. There are anchorages on the Navesink in the vicinity. Red Bank would be a good destination to visit, but you will have to research it for transient slips or anchorages. There are 2 bridges that you would pass going into Red Bank but they open frequently as sailboats are constantly going in and out from all the marinas and private homes stretched along the river. There is some spectacular wealth on display along that stretch of water. This is edited to give you a few links: http://www.kaboomfireworks.org http://www.newjerseyredbank.com http://www.monmouthboatclub.org/aboutus.html You can also ferry over to NYC from Atlantic Highlands, which is at the mouth of the Navesink and just around the corner from Sandy Hook. Or, make your way into NYC with an easy trip on the 4th for fireworks.
They have a spectacular show over the Navesink River that is very popular to watch as well. Their show is always on July 3rd, I think. I imagine there is a good crowd watching from boats there as well. So if you make your way up north a day early, this could be a great option. There are anchorages on the Navesink in the vicinity. Red Bank would be a good destination to visit, but you will have to research it for transient slips or anchorages. There are 2 bridges that you would pass going into Red Bank but they open frequently as sailboats are constantly going in and out from all the marinas and private homes stretched along the river. There is some spectacular wealth on display along that stretch of water. This is edited to give you a few links: http://www.kaboomfireworks.org http://www.newjerseyredbank.com http://www.monmouthboatclub.org/aboutus.html You can also ferry over to NYC from Atlantic Highlands, which is at the mouth of the Navesink and just around the corner from Sandy Hook. Or, make your way into NYC with an easy trip on the 4th for fireworks.
Chelsea Piers is the Place I would go!
Park your boat in the same area as Forbes, Capitalist One. There is a great walking path that goes up to the Aircraft Carrier museum and down to wall street so bring your roller blades. It is expensive but you only live once. It used to be $4 a foot but I am sure it is more like $5 now. I think they require a two night stay on the weekend. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chelsea_Piers AND Surfside Marina at Chelsea Piers http://www.chelseapiers.com/marina.htm It includes film and television production facilities, a health club, a spa, the city's largest training center for gymnastics, two basketball courts, playing fields for indoor lacrosse and soccer, batting cages, a rock climbing wall and dance studios. In addition there is an AMF Bowling lane, a golf club with driving range, and two full sized ice skating rinks
Park your boat in the same area as Forbes, Capitalist One. There is a great walking path that goes up to the Aircraft Carrier museum and down to wall street so bring your roller blades. It is expensive but you only live once. It used to be $4 a foot but I am sure it is more like $5 now. I think they require a two night stay on the weekend. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chelsea_Piers AND Surfside Marina at Chelsea Piers http://www.chelseapiers.com/marina.htm It includes film and television production facilities, a health club, a spa, the city's largest training center for gymnastics, two basketball courts, playing fields for indoor lacrosse and soccer, batting cages, a rock climbing wall and dance studios. In addition there is an AMF Bowling lane, a golf club with driving range, and two full sized ice skating rinks
Fireworks on the Navesink, etc
Boy, a lot to chew on with this thread... Jack, if you don't want to contend with the 4th of July fireworks over the East River (and it can be maritime mayhem at times), the Red Bank fireworks on the Navesink River are fan-damn-tastic. I've enjoyed the show now for several years from my boat, and you can anchor in the river close enough to the fireworks barge to feel every concussion. There are plenty of boats on the river at the time, but if you come prepared to stay overnight at anchor, you should have no problems. (Probably about 90% of the boats watching the fireworks clear out immediately after the show is over.) Apart from the two drawbridges to get into the Navesink, there's also the issue of draft. Any boat that draws more than about 5-foot-6 will have to time its arrival and departure to the tides. Even boats that draw less than that (like my 4-foot-2 draft) should be careful in spots. Coming up from Cape May, as mentioned, you have the Absecond, Barnegat and Manasquan inlets, all of them good for transient stops on your way up the Shore. The anchorage inside Barnegat (Myers Hole) is a good one. Further up, if you make a 180 just past Sandy Hook, you'll come to the anchorage area at Horseshoe Cove -- also a real good spot to drop the hook. (Question for George from Forked River: 8-10 hours from Barnegat Inlet to Liberty Landing? What the heck kind of boat are you sailing, brother? A fully crewed Open 60? I've made that trek numerous times, and I would kill for a time-en-route like that.) As for other marinas, Liberty Landing is pricey but terrific; Lincoln Harbor (just across from Midtown) is good but you may rock a bit in the slip from the wakes from commercial traffic on the Hudson. One other thing: If you decide to take in the Red Bank fireworks, there are other local fireworks shows in the area that are also very good. Atlantic Highlands and Sea Bright come to mind. I think they're all on different nights, so you can stay for a while and get your fill of Roman candles going off. Look me up when you get here. Pete s/v EmmieLou (Oday 322) Little Silver, NJ
Boy, a lot to chew on with this thread... Jack, if you don't want to contend with the 4th of July fireworks over the East River (and it can be maritime mayhem at times), the Red Bank fireworks on the Navesink River are fan-damn-tastic. I've enjoyed the show now for several years from my boat, and you can anchor in the river close enough to the fireworks barge to feel every concussion. There are plenty of boats on the river at the time, but if you come prepared to stay overnight at anchor, you should have no problems. (Probably about 90% of the boats watching the fireworks clear out immediately after the show is over.) Apart from the two drawbridges to get into the Navesink, there's also the issue of draft. Any boat that draws more than about 5-foot-6 will have to time its arrival and departure to the tides. Even boats that draw less than that (like my 4-foot-2 draft) should be careful in spots. Coming up from Cape May, as mentioned, you have the Absecond, Barnegat and Manasquan inlets, all of them good for transient stops on your way up the Shore. The anchorage inside Barnegat (Myers Hole) is a good one. Further up, if you make a 180 just past Sandy Hook, you'll come to the anchorage area at Horseshoe Cove -- also a real good spot to drop the hook. (Question for George from Forked River: 8-10 hours from Barnegat Inlet to Liberty Landing? What the heck kind of boat are you sailing, brother? A fully crewed Open 60? I've made that trek numerous times, and I would kill for a time-en-route like that.) As for other marinas, Liberty Landing is pricey but terrific; Lincoln Harbor (just across from Midtown) is good but you may rock a bit in the slip from the wakes from commercial traffic on the Hudson. One other thing: If you decide to take in the Red Bank fireworks, there are other local fireworks shows in the area that are also very good. Atlantic Highlands and Sea Bright come to mind. I think they're all on different nights, so you can stay for a while and get your fill of Roman candles going off. Look me up when you get here. Pete s/v EmmieLou (Oday 322) Little Silver, NJ
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