Hell Gate

[scrumper]

I am planning a day cruise from Western Long Island Sound down to Liberty Island and back. Logistics for some of our guests dictate that we'll have to make the crossing against the tide & current, hitting Hell Gate around the time of peak foul current.

As a sailor, I'd not even begin to plan the trip. With a powerboat (310 Vanguard) I'm less sure but I'm still inclined to scrub and make other plans. Am I being overly cautious here or is this actually a really dumb idea?

Thanks all.

 

[bahamabreisus]

You will be fine, it really is sail boats and maybe a trawler that would have problems. I believe 5 or 6 knot current at max.

 

[scrumper]

Cool, thanks!

 

[Jaybeaux]

I just went through there back in May (?) in a Meridian 391 with 5.9 Cummins. We were traveling from CT to VA. The only "mistake" we made was we went clockwise around Mill Rock. Ignorance was bliss and the tide was not running too hard, but you can see how it can get dicey there. If you go counter-clockwise (this is traveling from LI Sound toward Lower Manhattan) it is much simpler. Also, travel on the Manhattan side of Roosevelt Island. The views are magnificent. The further down the East River you get, you have to watch out for commercial traffic and the Water Taxis/Ferrys. They don't care about you. Best to stay way away from them! Fueling up at Liberty Landing is super simple. They are friendly, and the views are tremendous! Enjoy it.

Know your route, your markers, and your landmarks. Don't get sucked in to watching your chart plotter. Know the buoys, know where you are suppose to be, and drive the boat. That's the best advice I can give you. Have fun.

Jaybeaux

 

[scrumper]

Thanks Jaybeaux!

So re: Mill Rock, you'd round it if you were heading West/South into the East River against the current? So you'd take purple path here rather than the dashed line? (Current in yellow). I wouldn't have thought to do that just from looking at the chart, unless facing a barge coming upriver.

 

[Jaybeaux]

Exactly!

 

[Sea Gull]

I have never gone and would never go west of Mill Rock unless going in or out of the Harlem River. There is absolutely no reason to leave the main channel.

 

[Fred]

I have never gone and would never go west of Mill Rock unless going in or out of the Harlem River. There is absolutely no reason to leave the main channel.

Same here. Usually fly through there if not for barge traffic.

 

[JVM225]

I am planning a day cruise from Western Long Island Sound down to Liberty Island and back. Logistics for some of our guests dictate that we'll have to make the crossing against the tide & current, hitting Hell Gate around the time of peak foul current.

As a sailor, I'd not even begin to plan the trip. With a powerboat (310 Vanguard) I'm less sure but I'm still inclined to scrub and make other plans. Am I being overly cautious here or is this actually a really dumb idea?

Thanks all.

Went through Hell Gate several times with my old 300 Sundancer that was powered by twin 5.7’s.
Never had a problem with it.
Also, you may loose a little speed if you are southbound in the East River during an incoming tide, but nothing all that significant. Very easy to navigate.

 

[Havana Shamrock]

Went through hell gate at our trawling speed around 9 kts the current was so strong we ended up moving backwards it was actually humurous. We had a large barge barreling behind us Just before Mill rock so we bumped it up. Never had any problems going through the area. Just use power

 

[scrumper]

Thanks all, trip was an easy success. Stayed east of Mill Rock; had a ferry ahead of us that smoothed the water so was the obvious way to go. Bit rough coming back up the east river as there was much more traffic later in the day, but really this was a great trip and simple to do. Anchored south of Liberty Island for a bit; nobody else around.

I appreciate the advice, everyone!

 

[Havana Shamrock]

Any pics?

 

[scrumper]

@Havana Shamrock most of my photos are of the crew and I don't like putting people's faces up on the internet without permission. However, I've attached a few from the day without crew:

The lady:

TS Empire State, at SUNY Maritime College - a converted '50s breakbulk carrier just back from a 100 day training cruise:

Our anchorage:

This tired old tub that I fell in love with: