Hudson River Based Point to Point Cruises?

[HudsonHauler]

Hi all.

I have 270 SunDeck and its docked on the Hudson just above the Tappan Zee.

We are new to boating and I was hoping to get my wife into the cruising thing a bit this coming season. Given the configuation of our boat, we can not stay aboard over night. So I need float plans that allow for overnight docking near places where I can get to land logding.

I was hoping for a couple of two to five day cruise plans.

The Hudson plans would allow us to up or down the Hudson by running about 75-100 miles per day and then docking to stay overnight on land. Does anyone have any float plans that allow one to see the Hudson and stop at points to dock up and head to nice lodging on land?

The Long Island Sound plans would have us depart our Hudson dockage to make it to the LI sound through the Spuyten Duyvil. Is this a safe trip with a 270 Sun Deck? Does anyone have any float plans that would allow us to dock on the CT or LI side of the Sound?

Are these plans too ambitious with a day boat like the 270 SD?

Thanks in advance to all who comment.

 

[Red Stripe]

Hey Hauler...

Sounds like you have the right idea about how to get started with cruising. I took my 210 Sundeck from Greene County all the way to Manhattan in one day for my first long-range cruise in the summer of 2006. The biggest "problem" is that I fell in love with destination boating and traded up to a cruiser before last season. I loved that so much, I've already traded up again! Happy problems. In any event, in a boat like yours, one great day trip would be to head up-river, pull into Kingston for lunch and a walkabout - they have good town docks (some eats info here: http://www.boatingonthehudson.com/new/june-2006/featured-articles/2006-dock-and-dine-part-2-2.html).
From there it's an easy ride to the Catskill Creek where the Catskill Marina (www.catskillmarina.com) is a terrific place to tie up for the night. There are a couple of nice B&B's right near by and the village (which is on a huge upswing) is right there. Maybe stay for a few nights and explore the waters in that area. If you're feeling ambitious, you could head north through the Federal Lock in Troy and Lock 1 from Catskill - an adventure worth having, and you could find a lunch spot along the way in Albany or the restaurant by the Troy Town Dock. Lock 1 Marina (www.lock1marina.com) is one of the most welcoming marinas on The River and the owners would be happy to shuttle you to a nearby place to stay. Those are just a few ideas to get you started. I strongly encourage you to invest in the Dozier's Waterway Guide Northern Edition (http://www.waterwayguide.com/Mercha...=PROD&Product_Code=WGNO07&Category_Code=Books) - it is invaluable. Go to www.marinas.com and enter some towns along the river - you'll get links to nearby marinas. Also get or download Boating On The Hudson magazine - lots of good info there.
The river's a breeze to navigate. For the most part, it's north or south. Stay in the channel and you can't go wrong. Buy a good chart if you don't already have one (in addition to your GPS if you use one). Even though you can go fast, there are so many parts of the river where it's so nice to take it easy (Bear Mountain, West Point). You can't help but feel the history.
That should be plenty to get you started. I'd be happy to answer any more specific questions you may have or throw out some more ideas. Turtle Tone is down in your area and will probably have some good ideas as well. Happy planning!

 

[chuck1]

Hauler,

Sound like Red Stripe gave you some great info. I can tell you the SunDeck is a great day cruiser. We've had some great trips on the our 240. Did you get the full camper top for your? When it was just myself I've even sleep on her. No way that would work when the wife is aboard. (Grin) If you are interested I've got some of the trips on my web site under the boating adventure link. Did you happen to get a trailer with your 270? Sure opens up a whole new set of adventures if you did.

 

[HudsonHauler]

Hauler,

Sound like Red Stripe gave you some great info. I can tell you the SunDeck is a great day cruiser. We've had some great trips on the our 240. Did you get the full camper top for your? When it was just myself I've even sleep on her. No way that would work when the wife is aboard. (Grin) If you are interested I've got some of the trips on my web site under the boating adventure link. Did you happen to get a trailer with your 270? Sure opens up a whole new set of adventures if you did.

Hey and thanks. Yes I do have the camper and I did get a good Performance double axle trailer in the deal. I will check out your website.

 

[HudsonHauler]

Hey Hauler...

Sounds like you have the right idea about how to get started with cruising. I took my 210 Sundeck from Greene County all the way to Manhattan in one day for my first long-range cruise in the summer of 2006. The biggest "problem" is that I fell in love with destination boating and traded up to a cruiser before last season. I loved that so much, I've already traded up again! Happy problems. In any event, in a boat like yours, one great day trip would be to head up-river, pull into Kingston for lunch and a walkabout - they have good town docks (some eats info here: http://www.boatingonthehudson.com/new/june-2006/featured-articles/2006-dock-and-dine-part-2-2.html).
From there it's an easy ride to the Catskill Creek where the Catskill Marina (www.catskillmarina.com) is a terrific place to tie up for the night. There are a couple of nice B&B's right near by and the village (which is on a huge upswing) is right there. Maybe stay for a few nights and explore the waters in that area. If you're feeling ambitious, you could head north through the Federal Lock in Troy and Lock 1 from Catskill - an adventure worth having, and you could find a lunch spot along the way in Albany or the restaurant by the Troy Town Dock. Lock 1 Marina (www.lock1marina.com) is one of the most welcoming marinas on The River and the owners would be happy to shuttle you to a nearby place to stay. Those are just a few ideas to get you started. I strongly encourage you to invest in the Dozier's Waterway Guide Northern Edition (http://www.waterwayguide.com/Mercha...=PROD&Product_Code=WGNO07&Category_Code=Books) - it is invaluable. Go to www.marinas.com and enter some towns along the river - you'll get links to nearby marinas. Also get or download Boating On The Hudson magazine - lots of good info there.
The river's a breeze to navigate. For the most part, it's north or south. Stay in the channel and you can't go wrong. Buy a good chart if you don't already have one (in addition to your GPS if you use one). Even though you can go fast, there are so many parts of the river where it's so nice to take it easy (Bear Mountain, West Point). You can't help but feel the history.
That should be plenty to get you started. I'd be happy to answer any more specific questions you may have or throw out some more ideas. Turtle Tone is down in your area and will probably have some good ideas as well. Happy planning!

Awesome info RS, thanks! I run up to West Point, Cold Spring and Newburgh almost weely in the Summer. I tie up at the Cold Spring town dock and go into town for breakfast lunch. That is great fun (but the dock is not the greatest). I drop anchor across from Storm King just North of Cold Spring to relax. I have ventured up to Kingston on very calm day with my kids. I did Croton to Kingston and back in a single day as we were able to cruise at an average of about 44mph. Leisurely, no, but we did feel like we accomplished something.

Like you I will undboutedly move up to a larger boat one day. Unfortunately, I am now spoiled by speed so I have to find something big enough and fast enough. It will likely be a larger diesel sport fish that I will keep on the LI Sound. For right now, I am enjoying the 270SD very much so I think we are talking many years off. High quality future problems. . .

 

[Turtlesboat]

going through Spuyten Duyvil is a cinch, and the Harlem river is a pretty cool look at the city. When you get to the bridge, hail the operator on Ch13 and give your name, which side of the bridge you're on (harlem or Hudson) and that you are requesting an opening. They'll give you an ETA which is usually no more than 15 min if it's closed. In the summer they'll usually be several boats waiting in which case just monitor ch13. On the way down the river, fill up with gas at either Alpine or Englewood which is just across the river from the bridge, cheapest gas within 200 miles.

Once on the Harlem river, keep an eye out for no wake zones, there are several and not always visible. I've never seen big barges on that part of the river, only circle line which can throw a mean wake if you're not paying attention.

I've never had any problems on the Harlem river and I don't know anyone else, personally, that has had any problems. But it is known to have kids drop things off the bridges onto passing boats. They have since caged in all the walkway bridges. But I always play it safe and go in the morning while the delinquents are sound asleep.

The only freaky part of the trip to the sound is Hell's Gate. If you hit it at the wrong time, you'll either be going with or against a 7 knot current. really only sailboats have a hard time getting through this. But it's still a little freaky to see whirlpools. Just hop up on plane and you'll motor right through it.

Follow the well market channel past beautiful Queens and riker's island prison and floating prison barges. Under a few more bridges and out you pop in the sound. Depending on the day, it can be choppy.

The first thing you'll see is City island, you can stop there for lunch and fuel, not sure what hotel accommodation's they have. Or you can go a little further to Port Washington. I'm sure they have hotels there as well as restaurants and fuel. There are several locations on both sides of the sound just a little further. Get a good GPS which tells you where all the rocks are and you'll be fine.

I was in Croton last season and now i'm in Port Washington next season. So i'll know more about Port Washington once the season starts.

 

[HudsonHauler]

Thanks, TT. What great info. I had been worried about the Hell's Gate current. Glad to hear a first hand account of the trip and your reassurances. As for the "mean wakes" of Circle Line boats, I have experienced those first hand on the Hudson down by the Statue of Liberty. I was actually triagulated by two Port Imperial water ferries and a Circle Line but I kept my bow and power up and made it through dry. I will heed the advice about the no-wake zones and the vandalism hazards, too. I do have a good GPS with a proper chart for the Sound so I should be safe there.

Under normal conditions, how long do you think it takes from the Hudson/Harlem Bridge until you get to Hell's Gate and then onto the sound?

going through Spuyten Duyvil is a cinch, and the Harlem river is a pretty cool look at the city. When you get to the bridge, hail the operator on Ch13 and give your name, which side of the bridge you're on (harlem or Hudson) and that you are requesting an opening. They'll give you an ETA which is usually no more than 15 min if it's closed. In the summer they'll usually be several boats waiting in which case just monitor ch13. On the way down the river, fill up with gas at either Alpine or Englewood which is just across the river from the bridge, cheapest gas within 200 miles.

Once on the Harlem river, keep an eye out for no wake zones, there are several and not always visible. I've never seen big barges on that part of the river, only circle line which can throw a mean wake if you're not paying attention.

I've never had any problems on the Harlem river and I don't know anyone else, personally, that has had any problems. But it is known to have kids drop things off the bridges onto passing boats. They have since caged in all the walkway bridges. But I always play it safe and go in the morning while the delinquents are sound asleep.

The only freaky part of the trip to the sound is Hell's Gate. If you hit it at the wrong time, you'll either be going with or against a 7 knot current. really only sailboats have a hard time getting through this. But it's still a little freaky to see whirlpools. Just hop up on plane and you'll motor right through it.

Follow the well market channel past beautiful Queens and riker's island prison and floating prison barges. Under a few more bridges and out you pop in the sound. Depending on the day, it can be choppy.

The first thing you'll see is City island, you can stop there for lunch and fuel, not sure what hotel accommodation's they have. Or you can go a little further to Port Washington. I'm sure they have hotels there as well as restaurants and fuel. There are several locations on both sides of the sound just a little further. Get a good GPS which tells you where all the rocks are and you'll be fine.

I was in Croton last season and now i'm in Port Washington next season. So i'll know more about Port Washington once the season starts.

 

[Nehalennia]

I don't know your Admiral, but Don't sell her short. Once you get and overnight or too and used to the "roughing it" part, it will open up that feeling of having a Vacation every weekend.
:smt038

Now I know on my old boat the 230OV it had a cuddy but shorter than the boats you guys are talking about. We had the twins since they were 6 weeks old aboard and the 17 YO Son and the 14 YO Daughter aboard all at once and sold that boat just here in July. We haven't been aboard our new boat yet, so we're not sure what we're going to do with "All the room" but we're good at dealing with whatever we have.

Yes it was cramped but better than mowing the lawn.
Get out there and try it a night or two until you're ready to upgrade.

Seriously get out there, these boys above know your area but I know that you'll enjoy a few overnighters. You can thank us later

 

[Turtlesboat]

depending on how fast you want to cruise the harlem river, it can take 30 min - 1 hour to get to hell's gate. I usually go slow so I can look at everything. Some cruise it up on plane which kind of sucks because the river isn't that wide and you get the wakes bouncing off the walls. bring a camera cause you'll pass under about 50 bridges.

 

[Turtlesboat]

here's a link to a video of me cruising around manhattan. not much footage on the harlem river but you can see the bridge open and I go through it.

Also check out my other videos on the clubsearay youtube channel and you can see kingston too.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=fkN895zIcYw