Slack versus Ebb/Flood Thru Hellgate?

[Jim]

Heading for New York's Battery in a couple of weeks and considering heading through Hellgate, southbound, a couple of hours after slack going with the ebb and returning on the same day, a couple of hours after the East River currents turn north. Any serious concerns about taking the runs up and down the river through Hell Gate at other than directly with or just after slack, versus making the runs as planned while ebb and flood are pretty much in full swing? Vessel is 30 foot sail boat with 16 HP Diesel. Thanks,Jim

 

[Alan J]

Hell's Gate

I have made the trip many times in a 30' Columbia and a H37C and have not had any trouble as long as you are traveling with the flow or at slack. Hells Gate is very over rated. The current is extreme and you will find yourself doing 12 knots over the ground. Stay to the west side of Roosevelt Island. The view of the skyline from the East River is worth the trip

 

[Mike]

Great Trip

You want to be at the Throgs Neck Bridge two hours after high water at the battery and the current will help you through. I plotted it out on the GPS to be certain I would not get confused. Hit all the bridges in mid-span

 

[Greg]

full swing indeed!

From experience, I can attest that indeed your largest risk going through Hell's Gate when the current is at "full swing" is that in fact you will be travelling ar a very rapid pace. Assuming your sailing does not normally put you in the double digit knot range, you may find some things like rudder response to be different than what you are used to. I found that the easiest way to overcome this was to apply a bit more throttle and motor through. My log book entries from my first trip suggest it was akin to a bit of "ice skating"....oh, and try not to get sideways! =)

 

[Ed Fluss]

Weekends on the EAST RIVER

I agree with all the other posts. Great info. I have a H280 with a 18hp Yanmar and I do this trip usually every other week now. I used to do this trip once a month in both a Catalina 22 and a H22 with a 4-8hp outboard.The current does run quick and if you look at your GPS you will run up to 12 knots over the bottom.ICE SKATING was the perfect analogy as the currents will take the boat back and forth. (my girlfriend steered us through this time with a heavy chop and just rode it all with the glee and excitment)A simple way to look at the ebb and flow currents is when its low tide in NY Harbor and up to 3 hours before the river flows down from the LI Sound to the Battery. When its High tide in the Harbor and for about 3 hours before the current runs up from the Battery to the LI Sound. A quick look at Eldriges Current tables will help you optimize.Some safety notes are:-be sure you have fuel as you would always like to have power while moving with this current. -You may keep your jib up or even the main for some emergency backup (if the motor dies you can at least sail to hold position or have some steering momentum.-tune your VHF to channel 13, as the big boys use this to announce passing thru the gate and the other twists and turns of this route.you can email me with any questionssailwriter@yahoo.com