Taking boat around Manhattan Island

[griggsmars]

I am an experianced boater and jet skier from Belmar N.J. and am looking to take my 22' Palm Beach cuddy cabin w/ 200hp merc on a day trip around Manhattan Island. This will be my first time navigating around the island and would appreciate any info about tides, currents, traffic, etc. Taking tides and currents into account, what would be the best direction to travel, up the East River, and back down the Hudson? I am looking to do this trip on wednesday, June 30, 2010, hoping that during the week there will be less boat traffic to deal with. Thanks, Mike

 

[Lrider]

Re: Taking boat around Manhattan Island

Watch out for airplanes

3 days before 4th week end ?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Taking boat around Manhattan Island

Welcome to iboats!

We happen to have a member here who can give you very specific details of your trip.

Send a PM (private message) to angus63. He works at the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point and is very familiar with those water's.

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: Taking boat around Manhattan Island

I've done that trip a few times both in an 18' bow rider (not a great idea in retrospect) and my 20' boat I have now...both times I went up the Hudson and down the East River...launched out of Liberty State Park... None of the times did I have any idea what the tide schedule even was and really did not notice anything severe that had me worried. Supposedly the Hell Gate area (off of the East River that ties into Long Island Sound can get moving pretty good but the times I went by there it was not something to make me worry. I guess I could have been coincidentally passing at slack tide each time but I doubt it.

The traffic other than around the statue was very minimal and all my trips have been on weekend days. In the upper part of the East River we were virtually alone for much of the trip.

Definitely keep your wits about you crossing the harbor though down around the Statue and by the South Street Sea Port...the ferry boats haul *** and come up on you fast and the chop is very large and confused and you can easily take one over the bow if you are not paying attention.

Enjoy the trip, its a blast.

Here's a link to another thread where I posted some pics.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=375235

 

[angus63]

Re: Taking boat around Manhattan Island

Can it be done, sure! Do you have the skills necessary to avoid the matrix of hazards that plague the area? Not sure.
Currents in the SE by Hell's Gate (Randall's Island) eddy and run over 5 kts with heavy barge and water taxi traffic.
The SW (Battery) is very active with commercial vessels, confused currents and heavy wake chop.
The N (Spuyten Duyvil) can be swift through the skinny bridges.
The E (Harlem River) can look like the Colorado River during conflicting tides and some wind.
I would recommend planning the Harlem River during slack times, keeping your head on a swivel, realize commercial traffic will have little regard for you, do not go alone or with children who will distract the operator.
I've piloted this area on a 20' Ambar and a 180' Ocean tug, neither was a picnic cruise.
If you choose to go, be careful, prepared and alert.

This may help plan your voyage

http://earthnc.com/chartviewer/

Last year Mayors Cup Race
Pretty sloppy

Good luck!

 

[griggsmars]

Re: Taking boat around Manhattan Island

Thanks for the info, but is there a prefered direction to travel around the island?

 

[griggsmars]

Re: Taking boat around Manhattan Island

Watch out for airplanes

3 days before 4th week end ?

I just got it! you mean Captain Sully and U.S. Airways Ha Ha

 

[angus63]

Re: Taking boat around Manhattan Island

Thanks for the info, but is there a prefered direction to travel around the island?

The only direction I recommend is "with the tide" to save fuel.