BoatBanter.com - View Single Post - Boating the HUDSON - South of the GWB & Statue of Liberty

Gogarty

In article , says...

Hey, I plan on taking my 21' Chaparral in the Hudson at Hazzard's Ramp on
Friday. I plan on going south toward the statue of liberty and also on the
East River past the triboro. I have heard some stories of Strong Current on
the east river near hells gate and rocks near the statue.

I'm looking for some reassuring advice, mainly on the conditions. Any help
is appreciated.. I do have Charts of the area.

Also another day I plan on going to NY Harbor, any opinions on that?
Currents? Rocks?

Your biggest hazard will be commercial shipping. There is lots of it. Water
around Liberty Island is shallow. Stay in the marked channels. But you
generally get pretty good breezes in the harbor with lots of room to roam. As
for the East River, check your tide tables and make sure the current is going
your way. You can get good-sized standing waves north of the 59th St. Bridge
and in the Hell gate itself with currents easily exceeding 5 knots. The trip
can be exhilirating. You might want to take the East passage around Roosevelt
Island if your mast will clear the drawbridge that is seldom opened.

If yours os a trailer boat I doubt you will find water shallow enough to be a
problem. But you can get a good tossing from the standing waves, not to
mention wakes.