Stuck in a Hudson River Marina heading from Toronto to St Maarten.

[Ninefingers]

These guys are from my sailing club in Toronto. They left Toronto a couple of weeks ago on their way to St Maarten, via canals and Hudson. Now they're parked in a foreign Marina in their 36.7 wondering "what the f+++ now?"

Here is there blog. If you are familiar with the marina they are in, maybe you can suggest something.

Toronto 2 St Maarten

[Ninefingers]

bump

This is where they are at:

41.217016,-73.965537

[bristol299bob]

I'm afraid that I am not familiar with that marina, however in that situation I believe that I would choose to anchor out vs staying tied up to the dock. I'd go with two anchors of course, use chafing gear, reduce windage etc.

If staying in the slip I would double up the lines, ensure that the docklines are tied to a piling vs the cleat on the dock. I've seen those cleats get pulled out (with bits of dock connected to it). Also plenty of fenders and adjust the lines as loose as possible (without being too loose that you can impact a piling or another boat) to allow for the surge.

Either way I'd strike all canvas and stow it below. I'd clear the deck as best as possible. grill, lifesling, etc etc. Everything that can catch wind or get torn gets stowed.

[azguy]

They need to hunkerdown and be prepared for what's coming...

[Ninefingers]

Thanks, looks like they are trying to decide whether to stay at the marina, or try to anchor in the Hudson. All unfamiliar territory to them.

[smurphny]

I rode out a TS a couple of years ago right across the river, in back of Croton Point Park. You can get very close to the entire lee shoreline in winds NW to SW. Depending on wind direction, other options around there are right across from the Indian Point Nuke, or a little farther up the river just before the Bear Mt. Bridge. There's also a spot I've used, just upstream of the Bear Mt Bridge VERY close to east shore. There's a pretty good breakwater where he is but if it were over-topped, could be a real mess, exposed to a long fetch of water from all but west wind. It's usually packed with boats. It can get surprisingly rough at the north mouth of Haverstraw Bay when the river current opposes the wind.

I've found very good holding along the shore opposite Haverstraw Marina.

[Vasco]

I rode out Floyd in 1999 anchored in the Hudson just north of Catskill Creek. During the night all the docks started being flushed out of the creek with boats still tied to them. A lot of boat were lost then, it only blew about 50 but it rained tons. A couple of days later when we resumed going down the river we saw many boats high and dry on the banks of the Hudson. Unfortunately I think it'll be worse this time. I would rather be anchored than in a marina where all hell can break loose.

[Ninefingers]

Thanks,

I posted a link to this thread on their blog.

Hate to see a fantastic voyage turn so ugly.

I would assume with only two hours till landfall, they will ride it out at the marina. But who knows.

[smurphny]

If they came down the river from Canada, they could have hunkered down way up in Esopus Creek. There are a number of very good choices a bit farther north but not too many when the river widens out. If I were in there and the water was close to coming over the breakwater, I'd be OUTA there! Just my opinion.

[bubb2]

Originally Posted by Ninefingers

These guys are from my sailing club in Toronto. They left Toronto a couple of weeks ago on their way to St Maarten, via canals and Hudson. Now they're parked in a foreign Marina in their 36.7 wondering "what the f+++ now?"

Here is there blog. If you are familiar with the marina they are in, maybe you can suggest something.

Toronto 2 St Maarten

Stay Put.