Post Dorian, approaching NYC!

Dorian was quite a dud (thankfully) though there was a Small craft advisory for 24 hrs. We left Stratford with Macks on board at ~1pm and had a choppy, but generally comfortable trip to Safe Harbor Capri. Capri is in Port Washington which is to say in the neighborhood of the well heeled….. Big boats (BIG!!).

The next morning was an early start to catch the flood through Hell Gate. Running the east River is seriously cool. So different form the open water cruising we had been doing. I had been monitoring Sunday morning traffic via the Marine Traffic app for the past few weeks and knew that most of what we would encounter would be ferries. A lot of ferries, and we were not disappointed. There were everywhere, in every direction, and moving fast, but also courteous mariners and easy to work with.

Hell Gate on the other hand was in no way respectful. First I have to set the scene as probably the most calm we would ever encounter Hell Gate. We were with the current, 1.5 kts, then 2.4 kts, then 3.6 kts…….. flying! The wind was from the west, across the river flow and light, so no waves to speak of. But the swirling waters are a sight to behold ( though tough to photograph) and a challenge to steer through. Twice the autopilot balked and I had to take control. It’s just a boiling mass of water!

We arrived at Liberty Landing early and thankful of that. On the way in, a 100 ft ferry docked perpendicular (this I now know is normal) to the narrow canal allowed me to pass then pushed our 40,000 lb boat aside with prop wash like we were a canoe…. By early afternoon, the marina was a NYC traffic nightmare. Every type of floating device from paddle-boards to 200 ft Statue of Liberty Ferries moving through this small canal at rate that clearly exceeded ‘no wake’.

But the view!!! We have the best view in the marina. And this is home for 4 days.