Cruising the NY area

[Skip]

We are planning a 10 day trip from Rock Hall Md to the NY area. Does anyone know of good anchorages enroute or scenic places to anchor? I'd appreciate any help on figuring out an itinerary.
Thanks
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[Pascal]

I just came thru a few days ago... after annapolis i usually anchor in the Sassafras or Bohemia but with a 53 you can get in cheasapeake city and anchor or dock there (restaurants nearby). that cuts the run to Cape May since there isnt' much of interest in the Delaware

Cape May is a nice stop, Utsch is a good freindly marina and usually has good fuel prices. the bottle of wine and biscotti is a nice touch... a 25 minute walk to the old town (worth the walk) and they have rental bikes.

Past CM I go straight to NY. Atlantic city doesn't appeal to me and the other inlets are a little shallow for the 6 1/4 draft of the boat i run. Belmar (at Shark river) had good fuel prices last week (same as Cape May) and $0.40 cheaper than Atlantic Highlands but call first as prices have been dropping in the past few weeks so it all comes down to finding the marina with the latest load.

Once around sandy hook, there are many places to anchor, either off SH or Atlantic Highlands, as well as Great Kills. I've stopped in GH a couple of time, good anchorage and there are a couple of marinas as well.

A run up the Hudson and the East River is pretty scenic. If you're not afraid of rolling you can anchor on the north side of ellis. Plenty of water, good holding incredible view or Manhattan. I spent the night there last thur. the rolling wasn't too bad but that was with a 19.5 beam, might be rough with a 15'10! tehre is a better protected anchorage behind the Statue, off the park.

for dockage, Liberty is pretty popular (the locals can comment on that...). I think there is ferry service across to Manhattan. I've stopped at the North Cove a few times, again wakes will an issue on a narrow beam boat, as well as the $6 a ft price tag, but it's a great location for a night in the city.

on the other side, LIS, there are many nice anchorage withing 30 to 50miles from manhattan, may be worth a side trip for something different from the Chesie. I anchored off Greenwich on friday night, in Captains Harbor. beautiful spot, good holding

there are many members in this area who have better local knowledge.. i only come thru twice a year.

i usually run at 10kts on these trips and doing Sassafras - Cape may - NYC in two days is fine at that speed.

 

[sgharford]

On Long Island side of Sound once you pass Throgs Neck Bridge coming from East River, Port Washington has a nice anchorage on west side of Manhasset Bay with plenty of room that is fairly well protected. Good restaurant with free dockage while you eat/drink is Louie’s. You can also dock for free at Carpri East while eating at the Waterview (food OK, better all around at Louie’s). Oyster Bay has a great anchorage overlooking nature preserve in Cove Neck. Price Bend (aka Sand City) in Northport Bay also very nice and well protected. One of my favorites is The Sand Hook which is part of Caumsett State Park in Huntington Bay. It's tricky getting in there however, There's hidden riprap at high tide, and you really have to hug the shore uncomfortably close to get in. Google map it to see whay I'm talking about if interested and do not attempt entering at night for first time. Would say next stop heading east is Port Jefferson. After that Mattituck which is super well protected but limited anchorage. Mattituck has a free dingy dock and it's a nice short walk down Love Lane (yes, that is the name of the road) to town of Mattituck which I think is quite charming. Good luck - 10 days at sea sounds wonderful.

 

[Skip]

Thanks to both of you for taking the time to respond to my request. Very helpful. The prices on some of the marinas are unbelievable! I don't want to buy the slip-just rent it for the night

 

[Bill Root]

Pascal did a great job providing anchorage info for you. If you decide to stop at Atlantic City, however, there is an excellent anchorage on the north side of the inlet across from the casinos. It's well marked on your charts. Just be sure to stay within the markers going in, as it does shoal in on both sides. Also, I would urge you to invest in the Skipper Bob book "Anchorages Along the ICW". We did the entire run from Key West to NYC using that book as reference. It was very accurate.

Pascal's comments about anchoring behind the Statue of Liberty are also pertinent. We did that in our 43 footer and although the view was fantastic the wakes from the never-ending ferry traffic made for a miserable night. We got outta there at first light. Much better to go back along side the park on the NJ side for a calmer night.

Cape May and Utsch's was one of our favorite stops. Just be aware the fairways are tight. The Hudson River is spectacular. The Maritime Museum on the Rondout River accepts transients for $1/foot. The PT boat restoration facility is next door. very interesting.

Have fun.

 

[GJH]

We usually have plenty of time to get to Cape May from either the anchorage at Whorton Creek or Still Pond, at 9 knots. You must mind weather and avoid tide against wind for your Delaware Bay trip. The anchorage inside Chesapeake City has been too crowded whenever we went by, at least for us. Once when we got a late start, we stayed at Summit North Marina further down the canal, which was very nice.

On the Delaware, you can anchor behind Reedy Island not far south of the canal mouth; get a good set because there is current coming and going. You can anchor in Cape May Harbor, to either side of the CG station, but it has always been too crowded when we went through, plus we like spending time in the town. We have always used Utsch's there.

I will second the recommendation of the Brigantine anchorage on the north side of Absecon Inlet (Atlantic City). We have stayed there a few times; it is fun to take the dinghy around and explore the area, a weird combination of pretty wetlands and urban grime, plus the casino towers lit up at night. I have not actually set foot on land there, though you can go over to the Farley State Marina (Trump) and dock the dinghy there.

It is an easy an enjoyable run up the coast from AC to Sandy Hook. The anchorage in Sandy Hook proper is a little rolly, and the party, or "head" fishing boats whip right through there and up close to you. Its a short jump over there to Great Kills, where we use either Atlantis or Mansion Marina, since we stay for a few days and go into the city from there via express bus. Very nice restaurants and village; one of our favorite stops. Plenty of shopping close at hand for provisioning. They are discouraging anchoring there and dinghying in. You can also try the Richmond County Yacht Club for a mooring. The state marina is inconvenient to the village and bus lines.

If you are going up the Hudson, we really enjoy anchoring behind Croton Point in Haverstraw Bay. Easy dinghy access to the park or over to the marinas, and trains to the city.

On close-to-NYC LIS, you can grab a town mooring for free (at least a year ago it was) in Manhasset Bay for two days; there is a water taxi service you hail on 9 to get your mooring and to take you to shore, where there are numerous stores and restaurants. We love the anchorage in Oyster Bay, where it is easy to grab a train into the city. I could spend weeks there. Note Bene: the moorings there are $1.50 a foot per day!! Both Manhasset and Oyster have pump out boats too.


That's my view as a dawdling cruiser, I look forward to what the locals have to say. A lot of the decisions depend on whether you are just passing through or want to explore the surrounding cities and towns.