Help; Hells gate

RetCO · #1 (**permalink**) 06-11-2006

I am planning a July 4th voyage to NY Harbor from City Island. I have a 23' sloop. Can somene tell me if there are vessel restrictions on July 4th and the best times to pass through Hells gate.

cranki · #2 (**permalink**) 06-11-2006

It's been a long time, but I came through Hell's Gate on the 4th about 16 years ago. No restrictions then. Go with the tide for a nice fast ride. I suppose slack would be fine too - but don't even think about going against the current. First time through we were with the tide and against a stiff breeze. It was like running a freaking rapid and freaked me out. Plenty of water coming over the bow of our Pearson 30. Next time, in a light wind the water was flat and you could easily see swirls and eddies.

hellosailor · #3 (**permalink**) 06-11-2006

Check Eldridge for the slack times, you'll find it at every boating store. If you are at a yacht club on CI, odds are someone else at the club has one you can take a look at. Make sure your engine is reliable, sailing in the East River is allowed but not suggested unless you really like short tacks. You've got about a two hour slack (slack-ish) at the Hell Gate, and outside of that slot you can hit currents over 6 knots. I spent an hour with some friends "racing" under full sail and engine and making a whole hundred yards north of Astoria that way one day, someone got stuck and we had no choice but to either try it, or wait.

Usually there ARE special regs for the 4th of July and your best source of information is the USCG directly. Any local group can either tell you what the regs or, or who to contact. Typically, the East River and part of the Hudson will be closed to all traffic from sunset on the 4th until midnight. There are also exclusion zones (i.e. you can't pass alongside the UN building at any time, you must keep clear of naval vessels) special designated anchorages, etc.
If you prepare for the timing, a possible need to wait/anchor out, etc. it can be a great way to watch the fireworks. You'll also find every yahoo that can get on the water may come out, so you need to keep watch on what's happening around you. "Sheltered" locations inside the bulkhead line are usually private, and there's an open anchorage between Ellis and Liberty (IIRC) but that will fill early and you will rock there.
With food, drinks, sunblock, and lots of patience...a great place to be.

dhellmuth · #4 (**permalink**) 06-21-2006

area is called "Hell Gate" not Hell's Gate, even though if you try to go against the running tide and some wind it will make you think it Hells Gate

sailingdog · #5 (**permalink**) 06-22-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhellmuth

area is called "Hell Gate" not Hell's Gate, even though if you try to go against the running tide and some wind it will make you think it Hells Gate

LOL, too true.

hellosailor · #6 (**permalink**) 06-22-2006

While the official name on the NOAA chart may read "Hell Gate" the name is taken from the Dutch name in colonial times, and the Royal Netherlands Embassy agrees with the commonly used name of "Hell's Gate".

http://www.netherlands-embassy.org/a...f=AR00000382EN
"Hells Gate, New York: after the Dutch equivalent Helle Gadt, so-named because of the dangerous tidal currents."

What remains is a pussycat compared to what the passage originally was.