Lake Ontario to Chesapeake Bay: putting mast up

[SHRAMSEY]

We plan to take our J-30 from Lake Ontario to the Chesapeake in September.
We would like advice on the best place to have our mast put up once we get to the Hudson River.
Also, what is the best cruising guide/chart book for the NYC to C & D canal part of the trip?
General advice and links to websites of others who have made the trip would be helpful also.
Thanks very much.

[Gary M]

Hop-O-nose marina at Catskill is very good. About 4 hours down the Hudson. Weird name but if Sean is still running it a very good spot. Well protected if you want to leave her there for a while.

[joethecobbler]

My choice is Castleton-on-the-Hudson Castletn boat club. for $50.00 you ge to use the electric jin pole/crane to step/un-step the mast yourself.
It is simple to do .
I step my 42' kenyon 7052 mast alone and it takes about an hour if I take my time. It also gives me a great sense of accomplishment and you get the added bonus of getting to know your rig better.
This year on our north bound trip we happened to stop the night before their annual open house party and had an absolutely fantastic time meeting other sailors/boaters, it's a must stop on our trips ! great people, good food, and even a live seven piece band (the Macerators ! ) all of which I believe are boat club members. As an added bonus the little own of castleton has a laundry,rest. bars, convenience store and the high speed train to NYC goes by there as well. Oh, they have there own rest and br in the clubhouse as well as bath facities,wi-fi ,dockage and moorig balls avaiable for travelers at the lowest price on the hudson ! so reasonable I even paid for overnight dockage !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Live the dash - life is short.

[killarney_sailor]

As long as you are comfortable doing it yourself (there are always people around to lend a hand, but you need to know what you are doing) I would second the suggestion for Castleton.

[Vasco]

Riverview Marina in Catskill. Mike, the manager is very helpful.