[stinamathea]

Hello
We are a crew of four who are thinking of moving our 22,5 foot Pearson Ensign day sailor from sheepshead bay to the boat basin. We don't know the Hudson area as well and wanted to ask if any fellow sailors on this forum have experience with docking at the boatbasin or in general sailing the Hudson. Our concern is that the Hudson may not have a variety of options for day sailing and/or may be too challenging for a smaller boat because of current and traffic
Any advice / experience / opinion welcome!
Thanks
Stina

 

[Flybyknight]

There are a lot of Ensigns at the Nyack Boat Club, a fine organization that I would highly recommend.
Dick

 

[tempest]

I believe there are a few members here who keep their boats at the basin. They can tell you more about that location. Many of the sailing schools and clubs use J 24's. for instruction and rental on the Hudson. I think that you'll be fine in your ensign. Heck, there are kayaks and paddle boards out there. There's a fair amount of commercial traffic and ferry boats to contend with, but easy enough to stay clear of once you become familiar with their routes.

The current is also something you'd need to deal with, you just need to plan your timing as to not buck the current anymore than you have to. Having a reliable engine is critical imho.

The winds can be light and fluky at times, The best winds are down near the battery and the statue of liberty and beyond in the afternoons, but you'll get days where you can sail anywhere. The area around the statue and the battery can get very choppy at times from all the traffic, current and wind..no particular hazard if you can keep your speed up and maintain good steerage.

There are not many places to stop. But, I suppose you could pull in to Newport Marina or Liberty Landing ( Jersey City) for lunch. Maybe, Lincoln harbor in Weehawken

I sailed there for 3 seasons and enjoyed it. Even if you decide to move again, I think you'll enjoy the experience. Saturday and Sunday mornings, you can almost have the River to yourself. Can't beat the scenery.

 

[CalebD]

I'll second the Nyack Boat Club. There is a large fleet of Ensign's there that race actively. Sailing on the lower Hudson can be quite marvelous (Tappan Zee area). Not much commercial traffic but the new bridge will be going up over the next 10 years of so.

Welcome to Nyack Boat Club | Nyack Boat Club

Nyack is about 25 nautical miles from the Battery so the trip can be done in 1 full day. Timing your runs on the Hudson with the current helps a lot.

 

[HUGOSALT]

Hello
Our concern is that the Hudson may not have a variety of options for day sailing and/or may be too challenging for a smaller boat because of current and traffic
Any advice / experience / opinion welcome!
Thanks
Stina

Welcome aboard.
If your concern about variety of day sailing options or
NY harbor being to challenging I would suggest you
look into sailing on the western sound, lots of protected bays and close day sail destinations.
We sail out of Steppingstone Marina in Great Neck
about a mile from the Throggs Neck Bridge and
about 30 minutes from Penn Station on the railroad.
Hugo

 

[miatapaul]

I'll second the Nyack Boat Club. There is a large fleet of Ensign's there that race actively. Sailing on the lower Hudson can be quite marvelous (Tappan Zee area). Not much commercial traffic but the new bridge will be going up over the next 10 years of so.

Welcome to Nyack Boat Club | Nyack Boat Club

Nyack is about 25 nautical miles from the Battery so the trip can be done in 1 full day. Timing your runs on the Hudson with the current helps a lot.

I can third Nyack Boat Club, I was only there once, but the people were friendly, beer was cold and cheap. Can't ask for more than that. Oh the burgers were good as well! If I were looking for a mooring on the Hudson that and the Chelsea Yacht Club though the latter is likely to far north as it is about 60 miles north of the city. They do have several Ensigns there as well. I will warn you that I hear there is a cranky old guy with a 27 foot tartan there that can be a real handful at Nyack! ;-~

It would be hard to decide between the sound or the Hudson, for me it is more based on where I work than anything. If the job and kids were not up the Hudson I would likely be on the sound somewhere as there is better sailing. But then again I would not likely be in New York!

 

[tempest]

If you wanted to stay closer to Brooklyn, you could also check out, Great Kills on Staten Island. Moorings and slips, Protected harbor, good restaurants, easy access to the lower
Hudson, the Atlantic Highlands and Sandy Hook bay, etc. The bridge toll might be a pain.

 

[TyTy]

As far as I am aware, 79th Street Boat Basin has a 7-year waiting list. The currents are strong, make sure your outboard is working. 79th Street boat basin is also falling apart, literally. They still haven't repaired a large section of it from Hurricane Sandy damage. Otherwise, it's great location and a great place.

 

[jeremiahblatz]

I belong to a sailing club (Hudson River Community Sailing) that's at pier 66 (just a bit south of the Boat Basin). We sail (and race) J/24s all the time in the Hudson. Here's a few things:

1) There is a lot of commercial traffic. The tugs and barges, circle line boats, dinner cruisers, and cruise ships are the ones to watch out for. They are the stand-on vessel. The little water taxis like you to maintain your course and speed, and they'll go around you.
2) The tides can go pretty fast; over 3 knots. You should have an engine and a copy of the Eldridge Tide and Pilot Book (or just looks stuff up on NYHOPS: Urban Ocean Observatory at Davidson Laboratory).
3) They're on the charts, but there are a few exclusion zones around the statue of liberty and the cruise ship piers by Manhattan north of the Intrepid.
4) The New Jersey side has some (soft) shallow areas. Don't go too close to shore. Also, don't go between the piers anywhere. You will likely hit a submerged piling.
5) The wind is mad shifty, and there's a dead zone near downtown Manhattan.

Regarding the boat basin, I think there's a stupid long wait (like over 5 years) to get a slip. Not sure about moorings. It goes get pretty rolly.

I love sailing on the Hudson, mainly because I live and work in NYC so it's super-convenient. But, it's rarely boring, and the views of the city are great!