Going through Hells Gate Tomorrow July 15

[bmjnyc]

Hello,

I'm in the process of sailing my Contessa 26 from Toronto to Orient Point, Long island. Currently I'm at the Nyack Boat Club. This is the first trip like this that I've done so I'm learning along the way.

I'm hoping I might get some input on getting through Hell's gate tomorrow. I'm of course aware that I have to run with the flood tide in order to get through. This is especially important as I only have 6hp inboard diesel motor.

I'm trying to figure out if I should go with the tide at The Battery or the tide at Hell's Gate.

If I understand correctly:

Low tide at The Battery is at 2:17am on July 15 and at 6:02am at Hell's Gate, Wards island.

This means that I must get closer to NYC.

Would anybody have any advice on where I can dock closer to The Battery I was told of some anchorages behind the Statue of Liberty.

Thanks!

[jjablonowski]

1. check your dates
2. a fine place to anchor near the Battery is between Liberty Island and Ellis Island (just make sure you're outside the security zones surrounding each). Incredible views. Also, check out ActiveCaptain.com for reviews on other anchorages.
3. for an interactive view of how the tides will affect your voyage, check out http://hudson.dl.stevens-tech.edu/ma...ncontrol.shtml

[bubb2]

Go with the tide at the Battery as the flood willl push you past hellls gate and almost most to the Throg's neck. Plan on entering the east river at the battery 1 to 2 hours after slack water on the flood.. You will get pushed though and if you have a 5 knot boat you can expect to see SOG of 9 to 10 knots.

[RichH]

For going north through Hells Gate, I usually start 1-2 hours AFTER low tide at the battery to ride the SLACK water across the 'gate'. Leaving the battery 1-2 hours 'after' the low (at the battery), you will have only slight to moderate current against you as you travel northward up the East River but the tide/soon will soon change and 'release' you northwards through the 'gate'.
This will keep you moving instead of 'circling around' and become a hazard to the sometimes large amount of commercial traffic already 'stacking up' to wait to get through the 'gate' at SLACK water.
I usually 'buck the declining current' until at the south end of Roosevelt Island (staying in the large area just south of Roosv. Island along the Long Island Shore) until the current begins to go slack and then make a dash along the WEST side of Roosevelt I. to the 'gate' .... you pass between Roosevelt and the UN building, not the eastern branch of the East River where there is a bridge that is usually lowered.
Channel 12 is the control channel for commercial traffic on the East river .... LISTEN (dont talk) to see how many 'commercials' are traveling through; if you NEED to converse with a commercial boat do so on Ch13