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Old 12-05-2018, 15:37   #1
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Traversing through New York to Long Island Sound

Hey, anyone out there gone through New York to Long Island Sound? We're coming up from the Chesapeake to Maine. Are there better or worse times to do it? Any special rules for sailboat traffic? Any tips much appreicated.
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Old 12-05-2018, 16:42   #2
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Re: Traversing through New York to Long Island Sound

Others will jump in, but, the most important thing is to hit Hell’S Gate at slack or with a following tide/current., gets to be fast moving water there. The ride from under the Verrazano Narrows bridge to LI Sound is exciting. Lot’s of stuff happening; ferries, Police boats, Sight seeing boats, tugs and barges, ships,Float Planes by the UN, but very well worth it all. If you make your approach in the dark, with inbound and outbound traffic, and stay alert to make sure you can tell the difference between navigatio lights on boats to lighted AIDS to Navigation, to traffic lights ashore. Just need to keep a harp lookout, but easy to do with what you see. Watch for debris in the water, but do not be intimidated. Check the Cruising Guide for more advice.
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Old 12-05-2018, 22:03   #3
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Re: Traversing through New York to Long Island Sound

Welcome to cruisersforum.
Much written here on navigating the East River into LIS,
just google "East river, hell gate, cruisersforum"
Certainly the East river and Hell gate is to be respected but with a look out
for debris, going with a favorable current and making sure you are not in a
situation with strong wind opposing current (could make for standing waves at the gate)
just enjoy the city and the 9 bridges you will pass under.
From Sandy Hook/Atlantic Highlands you should be able to ride current all the way into the sound, and further east with a favorable current.
Is less than 30 nm from Sandy hook to LIS, will take 4-5 hours with current on 40 ft boat.
Stay west of Roosevelt Island as there is a low bridge on east side.
Stay north of Steppingstone Light/rocks after Throgs Neck bridge.
Can stay in Manhasset Bay on free yellow moorings for a few days or anchor
with good protection/holding. (Is my home base)
Entire LIS has current of approx. half knot until you get to eastern sound
where it narrows and again you really want current with you.
Also at the Race at Fishers Island current must be with you.
Enjoy
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Old 13-05-2018, 11:11   #4
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Re: Traversing through New York to Long Island Sound

Buy a current copy of
Eldridge
It has all you need
What others have said, Most important
is to backtime your passing under the
Veranzono Bridge so you arrive at Hell Gate
at slack
Sharp eyes are needed the harbor is busy busy
Also check that there are no East River closings
around the UN
Cheers
Neil
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Old 13-05-2018, 11:23   #5
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Re: Traversing through New York to Long Island Sound

I'll second getting a copy of Eldridge, and as someone pointed out in another thread the current charts for the whole East River passage are the same from year to year so you can just pick up an old copy. So long as you have another means of knowing the tide tables.

You *have* to time it with the tide. If not, you could literally find yourself standing still right up near Hell Gate.

There are some pretty fierce eddies up there too, and it's not unusual to find your boat going sideways a bit now and then.

And the high speed ferries...they are unnerving. If you can make the trip at some time other than rush hour you'll be doing yourself a favor.
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Old 13-05-2018, 13:22   #6
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Re: Traversing through New York to Long Island Sound

Thanks to all for your comments - much appreciate any info. About Eldridge - we use MX Tides software or saltwatertides.com and have found them pretty accurate. Is there a benefit to Eldridge other than tide info?
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Old 13-05-2018, 14:50   #7
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Re: Traversing through New York to Long Island Sound

Quote:
Originally Posted by SVHeirborne View Post
Thanks to all for your comments - much appreciate any info. About Eldridge - we use MX Tides software or saltwatertides.com and have found them pretty accurate. Is there a benefit to Eldridge other than tide info?
Absolutely there is
The current charts and diagrams will
save you lots of angnst
Eldridge costs 16 bucks, A super value
see picture attached
Cheers
Neil
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Old 13-05-2018, 17:17   #8
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Re: Traversing through New York to Long Island Sound

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...te-201203.html
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Old 13-05-2018, 17:58   #9
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Re: Traversing through New York to Long Island Sound

Howdy!

Going through Hell Gate in NYC has been written about numerous times on CF.

Note the proper name is "Hell Gate."

Here is a list of links mentioning it. Look through the threads, going back several pages. Many tips and comments.

https://cse.google.com/cse?cx=011403...gate&gsc.sort=

Also, I just sailed offshore from Norfolk to Mystic Connecticut, pulling into Mystic yesterday. We sailed a few miles off Long Island, rounding Montauck .
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Old 13-05-2018, 18:11   #10
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Re: Traversing through New York to Long Island Sound

Steven's has some insane data here: NYHOPS: Urban Ocean Observatory at Davidson Laboratory

I sail on the Hudson, but I haven't been through the gate and do not have plans do yet. That isn't to say I won't one day.

Eldridge is awesome to have on the boat. I'd say just get it, even if you don't use it! But you probably will.
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Old 13-05-2018, 18:16   #11
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Re: Traversing through New York to Long Island Sound

Sorry for double-posting (I don't think I can edit: other post is pending approval) but I read this blog post recently: https://gilwellbear.wordpress.com/ca.../hudson-river/

And it's interesting stuff regarding the harbor.

Gist is don't go for the first time at night, and keel your eyes peeled
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Old 15-05-2018, 19:42   #12
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Re: Traversing through New York to Long Island Sound

All good tips already. We went through on April 1 at midnight with effectively slack tide. Besides all the crazy seemingly random traffic around NY harbor, if you traverse at night be very watchful for oncoming tugs pushing barges in the east river. They are very hard to see and with all the light pollution, the nav lights are hard to distinguish as well. We met two by Rikers Island and wouldn’t have seen them much in advance without AIS. Two lookouts wouldn’t hurt either if you have enough people on board. Everything in that area seems to happen very fast at night! That said, I always enjoy the excitement. Been through several times and always at night!
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Old 16-05-2018, 09:56   #13
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Re: Traversing through New York to Long Island Sound

For those who may not already know... Day or night, when near Rikers Island can take the channel south of North Brothers Island (between North Brothers and South Brothers Islands). No 90 degree blind turn, more straight forward and usually no tugs/barges.
Also down south of the battery, if traffic a bit much, can skirt the shallow anchorage
to the east and go up Buttermilk channel which is east of Governors Island advoiding
much, not all, of the traffic. But sadly also not as close to Lady liberty and Ellis Island.
Also have more than once, in less than ideal conditions, radioed my location and heading in the East river, and occassionally have even received back civil responses from oncoming commercial traffic. (no radar/AIS here)
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