Hells Gate NYC

[Clipper4730]

Hey all, so the admiral and I are shoving off Newport this weekend and will be overnighting through Long Island sound to arrive in NYC the next day. Having a bit of trouble determining the correct time to pass Hells Gate then on down the East River to the 79th street boat basin. Should we try to hit it right at high tide. Not sure which way the current will going. Thought we had the Cape Cod figured out and totally blew it, bucking a four knot current all the way through. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Will

[Snore]

I thought the 79th st basin was on the Hudson?? Going to go down the East and back up again?

[Clipper4730]

Sorry should have clarified down the East up the Hudson..

[rockDAWG]

May be the OP wants to spend a few days in NYC. If not I would just head towards Sandy Hook and drop anchor and wait for the weather window to Cape May, Chesapeake City and Annapolis.

[sammyo]

Here's a good site that discusses it with diagrams!

Navigating the East River - Planning Your Passage

Looks like if you get to Hells Gate at high you're golden.

[rockDAWG]

Originally Posted by Clipper4730

Sorry should have clarified down the East up the Hudson..

If this is the case, best is to ride the tide out at Hell Gate at the near end of tide cycle, and slack water when you get to lower Manhattan, ride the flood to 79 street Dock.

Use this
Navigating the East River - Choosing the Right Time (Fair Current or Slack Water?) to Make the Passage

Edited: Sammyo typed faster....

[Clipper4730]

Hey guys that is just the sight I was looking for. I'm a little embarrassed I didn't think to search net on my own but I have such good luck here on the cruiserpedia and usually some good commentary to boot. We have some family and friends who live in Manhattan so that's why we're are going to hang for a few days. Anyways thanks for the tips.

Will

[rockDAWG]

Excellent.

If you can't find slip or mooring ball at 79 street, motor up a bit to Yonkers City Dock, it is free and just one block walk to the train station.

[Stu Jackson]

Check the UN, they close the East River sometimes.

[barboak]

You should have a copy of the Eldridge Nautical Almanac, indispensable for the US east coast. Great for figuring the optimal timing for tides and currents and looks good on a nav station.

[Helbent]

Will, my wife an I went through there back in June and made

two videos about the experience

. The first one discusses the planning. However, now having done it, I totally agree with RockDawg, don't just time the tide for the East River, but also plan so that you catch the current going up the Hudson. We had a really fast ride down the East and then slogged it - thought it was a wonderful slog - against the 1-2 knot current in the Hudson to 79th Street. Incidentally, the 79th Street Basin is a rolly spot, but perfect for exploring the city.

[donradcliffe]

Originally Posted by Helbent

Will, my wife an I went through there back in June and made

. The first one discusses the planning. However, now having done it, I totally agree with RockDawg, don't just time the tide for the East River, but also plan so that you catch the current going up the Hudson. We had a really fast ride down the East and then slogged it - thought it was a wonderful slog - against the 1-2 knot current in the Hudson to 79th Street. Incidentally, the 79th Street Basin is a rolly spot, but perfect for exploring the city.

Last time I was at 79th st there was a 40 ft maximum on the moorings.

[Clipper4730]

Haven't actually called yet but don't mind paying for a dock space if only for two nights, probably cheaper than a hotel. Will definitely check out Yonkers or maybe over on the Jersey side. Just gotta get there first

[Helbent]

Originally Posted by donradcliffe

Last time I was at 79th st there was a 40 ft maximum on the moorings.

I assume that's still the case. With the currents, boats were getting very close to each other at tide changes. But the boat basin also has room for much larger boats at the docks.

Sent from my XT907 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[hugosalt]

Rockdawg has it right in post #6 if going down East river and then up Hudson,
otherwise ride current down past Hell Gate all the way down to Sandy Hook.

Port Washington, Manhasset Bay is 35 minutes to Penn Station on Long Island railroad.
Very protected bay with excellent services, shopping , restaurants, all close walking
distance to boat. Can get a slip, stay at a free yellow mooring or anchoring with
good holding.