Cruising The Big Apple and the Hudson River

Yes, you can anchor behind the Statue of Liberty.  It’s perfectly legal, if not entirely comfortable.  We chickened out after we were rocked by the Staten island Ferry as well as a gazillion other ferries, plus a few million ships/freighters/containerships/tankers and a beautiful Saturday afternoon’s full complement of pleasure craft, including sailboats racing and jet skis whizzing every which way. Chaos prevails.

So rather than anchoring, we went into the Liberty Landing Marina, adjacent to Liberty State Park.  Expensive, easily the highest priced marina we’ve ever used, but location, location, location!

The views of the skyline were incredible, the people and boat watching phenomenal.  To top it off, the adjacent Liberty State Park harbor walk allows access to the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island ferry (the only way to visit the two islands – tip, if you plan to visit, check early and reserve tickets to climb to the Crown – I had no idea it was even possible and tickets were sold out for the entire month.  For $28.50, you get to visit both Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty AND climb to the crown! But tickets go fast – reserve yours at this link.  

If you want to visit NYC proper, take the $6 ferry next to Liberty Landing Marina over to land literally in front of One World Trade Center.  The ferry runs every half hour making it super convenient if you’re so inclined.

We allocated one day to get to NYC and departed the next morning (OK, we’re just not big city folks and we’ve been to NYC – although I would have loved climbing to the Crown on Lady Liberty).  We’d already had enough of the chaos on the water – time to make life serene again.

Serendipity prevails again … we heard from friends on m/v Kindred Spirit (which happens to be a Mariner 38, sistership of our Mariner 40) – they were headed down the Hudson about the same time as the currents switched allowing us to go UP the Hudson.  Michele kindly volunteered to take Optimystique’s photo in front of Lady Liberty!  Kindred Spirit has a great blog – Live in the Sunshine, Swim in the Sea, Drink the Wild Air.

Following our photo session at Lady Liberty, we headed up the iconic Hudson River – with a following current – important to time these currents correctly because at best they can increase fuel expense exponentially and at worst can be downright dangerous!  Before you start The Great Loop, make sure you know how to find current and timing information (also tides).  We use the current data built into both Navionics Plus and Aqua Map app.

Under the George Washington Bridge, the Tappan Zee bridge (construction still ongoing to remove the old bridge), past the famed Culinary Institute and history everywhere: President Roosevelt’s home, the Vanderbilt Mansion, West Point US Army Military Academy, Sing Sing Prison and more.

As you go north on the Hudson from NYC, it becomes more rural and pretty, but not many anchorage possibilities for the 1st 50 miles.  We anchored behind Pollepel Island with the ruins of a full size castle. It was well over 90 degrees and suffocating humidity, so we enjoyed a swim in the chilly (62 degree) water, but used a floating line trailing the boat because of the strong current.

After Pollepel, we cruised on up river to Shady Harbor Marina for much needed chore day – laundry, taking on water & fuel, pump-out etc invade every cruisers life once a week or so.

34 short miles (and the Federal Lock #1 on the Erie Canal?) after Shady Harbor, we were at the Waterford Visitor Center – a FREE wall to tie up before Lock 2 of the Erie Canal.

We walked up to talk to the Lockmaster and walked around the small town – down Tug Boat Alley – yes, that’s the real name of the street.  🙂

The next chapter is the famed Erie Canal!  Such a privilege to travel these waters!

Anyone want to add more NYC or Hudson River info for those following in our wakes, please leave a comment and share!  Cheers!  J&D