Shelter Island Trip: July 7-16,2015
We put Amadeus in the water on May 6th. We made lots of improvements and everything is set and ready to go. We packed Amadeus with the last minute supplies on Monday July 6 and we finished all the last minute organizing. We were getting ready to settle in to sleep on the boat Monday night so we would be all ready to go Tuesday bright and early. We got to bed very late because we forgot some things and had to run out to the grocery and then home again twice to get everything we needed for our trip. I had lists but there's always something!
Departure date was Tuesday, July 7
Departure time was 0530 from the Poughkeepsie Yacht Club (YES! We actually started out that early!)
We had 5 vessels start out from PYC at 0530, Amadeus, Mariposa Blanca, Anemone, New Dawn and Oasis.
Departure date was Tuesday, July 7
Departure time was 0530 from the Poughkeepsie Yacht Club (YES! We actually started out that early!)
We had 5 vessels start out from PYC at 0530, Amadeus, Mariposa Blanca, Anemone, New Dawn and Oasis.
We picked up 2 more at Chelsea Yacht Club at 0823, Pyewacket and Nadinka.
We had a favorable current almost all the way down past the Tappan Zee bridge. Just past the Tappan Zee we ran into a rain shower but we kept going to our planned anchorage just north of the George Washington bridge. The rain passed fairly quickly but slowed our progress a little since it was hard to see.
We approached the anchorage at 1602, set our anchor at 1708 and had some issues. Everyone was finally set at about 1830.
Several boats, including Amadeus, had problems anchoring with the current flow there. Our line wrapped around the keel and we had to let line out to get it to drop off. Once it fell free of the keel, we had to raise it up being careful not to break the line. It was stuck in the mud but we didn't want to over power it so we let it rock back and forth with enough pressure to tug it out. It was tricky getting it out without breaking the line and losing the anchor. We anchored again farther north of our initial position and it held all night.
We could tell that the anchor was wrapped around the keel by the wagging motion of the boat creating small whirlpools on one side.
Oasis had the same issue, but they were not so lucky. They lost their anchor. They continued on to Manhasset Bay for a mooring but decided to head back to PYC the next day. They didn't want to continue with only the spare anchor.
The Nadinka, from Chelsea, also slipped after being anchored for a while and had to reset their anchor farther downriver.
Mariposa Blanca also had to try setting about 6 times before holding. The current was strong here and we would not recommend staying here.
Amadeus did hold all night but at about 0545 we woke to a strange movement and found our anchor was slipping again. We hailed the Mariposa Blanca crew just as our bow hit theirs. Everyone was up in a flash working to fend off and start engines. Mariposa Blanca weighed anchor to find that ours had crossed with theirs. It was a lot of work to free them and then to raise ours out of the mud.
Dragonfly came by the GWB anchorage just as Amadeus was untangling from Mariposa Blanca.
Wednesday July 8
We weighed anchor after freeing them and started down to NYC at 0610, July 8. We notified the other vessels that we would wait for them around the Battery and Governor's Island.
We got to the Battery at 0808 because we had a good current and were traveling at 8.5Kts. You can see the time on the clock by the tall building in the third picture below. We had about an hour til the planned meeting time so we decided to ride over toward the Statue of Liberty. I had never seen it up close in person so it was a beautiful sight for me even on a foggy day.
The rest of the group got to the meeting place and started through the East River. We fell behind because we had to fight some current and maneuver around the Staten Island Ferries. We entered the East River at 0841 and passed under the Brooklyn Bridge at 0849. We fought some current at the beginning of the East River because it was an hour earlier than we had planned.
We passed the tip of Roosevelt Island at 0929.
We got to the other end of Roosevelt Island and the beginning of Hell Gate at 0947. It was a very calm day with hardly any traffic on the river.
We passed under the Hell Gate Bridge at 0956.
We navigated through the Hudson River and the East River. The East River is tidal strait, that means it produces strong current flows. Currents often reach 5+ knots in the areas of the river around Roosevelt Island and as much as 5 knots in Hell Gate. We headed in to the East River a little earlier than we planned so we fought some current in the beginning but it wasn't very strong and we managed to pick up speed as we proceeded through.
Our speed was increasing as we continued through. We got to the Throgs Neck Bridge at 1050. We did very well passing through in 2hrs09mins.
East River Bridges
- Brooklyn Bridge
- Manhattan Bridge
- Williamsburg Bridge
- Queensboro Bridge (East)
- Queensboro Bridge (West)
- Roosevelt Isl. Bridge (East)
- Robert F. Kennedy Bridge (Triborough Bridge)
- Hell Gate Bridge
- Whitestone Bridge
- Throgs Neck Bridge
We continued on to Manhasset Bay to rendezvous with the rest of the fleet and find some diesel. The diesel pumps were not operating at the closest gas dock so we went in to look for the gas dock near the back of the bay. We saw Pyewacket and Nadinka there and they said a 50 footer had run aground back there so they were leaving to find another gas dock. We found out later that it was Dragonfly. Dragonfly was staying there for the night because they had traveled down from the PYC overnight and needed rest. As we were turning to leave (we didn't really need fuel anyway), we saw Oasis taking a free mooring there. They said they were staying the night and heading back to the PYC the next day. They had more issues with the boat and didn't want to continue. We continued on toward our planned destination of Norwalk/Sheffield Island. We set the sail to catch some of the nice breezes and Dick took a nap while his navigator took the wheel. It is so easy to sail in the Sound! We got close to Stamford and a storm was approaching so we decided to go in to find a safe haven there. We called the marina and they had a working gas dock. As we approached the channel (everything takes time on a sailboat), we got a call from Dragonfly. They said to take cover because a storm had come up and pulled their anchor free . They had 35MPH winds and rain in Manhasset. We saw the storm but only had some rain as we went in to Stamford. It rained for a little while but we made it to the gas dock and waited for the attendant. We got to use our new rain gear and it was nice to have. When the rain stopped he came out and we were able to get fuel. We asked if we could stay for the night and he said the usual disclaimer but that we could stay so we pulled over to a vacant dock and rested easy for the night. John on Pyewacket called me and asked where we were. He said he preferred to anchor than take a dock. I told him about some safe anchoring spots just inside the breakwater at Stamford. He said he had gone to City Island to find fuel and Nadinka stayed there with some friends. I called the rest of the fleet that had gone ahead and they had found a dock in Norwalk. A restful night for everyone.
Thursday July 9
We woke up early to head out at 0600, Thursday July 9 so we could catch up with the rest of the fleet. They were planning to leave Norwalk at 0700.
We saw Pyewacket on the way out of the Stamford channel and I called him to let him know we were leaving. I think he did see us. Dragonfly called and told me they were just passing Stamford. I think we saw them sailing ahead of us. We were passing Norwalk just as Anemone, New Dawn and Mariposa Blanca were coming out of the channel.
We had a good sail from there to our meeting place at Duck Island,Westbrook,CT.
We went in to the marina for fuel and ice before we anchored. The channel was very narrow but we managed to turn the boat in it. We got 6 10lb blocks of ice and 8 gals of diesel. The attendant asked if we wanted help pushing off and of course we do. As I put the ice in the cockpit I hear a thump! I look around to see the attendant hanging on the front of our boat and other attendants rushing to his aide. The first thing he says is get my phone! After the phone was rescued the other attendants lifted him out a little wet and maybe embarrassed.
Duck Island was a nice place to anchor with very good holding behind the breakwaters. Not long after we set anchor Pyewacket showed up and set anchor near us. They had been about an hour behind us. We cooked a nice dinner of Bubba burgers on our grill and had a restful evening. I am already having trouble remembering if we had the kielbasa or the hamburgers. We cooked out the first night by the GWB and that's when we had the keilbasa. We couldn't cook on the grill at the dock in Stamford so we cooked a couple Bubba burgers inside on the alcohol stove.
Duck Island was a nice place to anchor with very good holding behind the breakwaters. Not long after we set anchor Pyewacket showed up and set anchor near us. They had been about an hour behind us. We cooked a nice dinner of Bubba burgers on our grill and had a restful evening. I am already having trouble remembering if we had the kielbasa or the hamburgers. We cooked out the first night by the GWB and that's when we had the keilbasa. We couldn't cook on the grill at the dock in Stamford so we cooked a couple Bubba burgers inside on the alcohol stove.
Friday July 10
We were all getting up and ready to leave at 0700, Friday July 10 to make Plum Gut by 0930. At 0750 we went to start the engine but it wouldn't turn over. We called the rest of the fleet to notify them of our trouble. It was fortunate that we had to check the engine because the alternator belt was a bit loose.
We tightened that and went to try the engine again. It didn't turn over again but just as we were going to go look at the engine, I noticed that the fuel cutoff lever was still pulled out. OOPS! I didn't push it in again when I stopped the engine the night before. We pushed it in and she started right up! OK, we're ready to go! It was 0704 so not too much delay. We were grateful that Abel and Ray were getting ready to come over to help us and that John offered some tools. Good thing we found the problem before they got in the dink. We all put our jib sails out for the run from Duck Island to Plum Gut. Dragonfly put all sails out. It was a beautiful day for sailing! We made it to Plum Gut at 0900. It is a short passage but there are a lot of rip tides there and can be very dangerous. We had a fair current and a ferry did go through just to our starboard but we didn't have much trouble at all. The waters were relatively calm.
We were all getting up and ready to leave at 0700, Friday July 10 to make Plum Gut by 0930. At 0750 we went to start the engine but it wouldn't turn over. We called the rest of the fleet to notify them of our trouble. It was fortunate that we had to check the engine because the alternator belt was a bit loose.
We tightened that and went to try the engine again. It didn't turn over again but just as we were going to go look at the engine, I noticed that the fuel cutoff lever was still pulled out. OOPS! I didn't push it in again when I stopped the engine the night before. We pushed it in and she started right up! OK, we're ready to go! It was 0704 so not too much delay. We were grateful that Abel and Ray were getting ready to come over to help us and that John offered some tools. Good thing we found the problem before they got in the dink. We all put our jib sails out for the run from Duck Island to Plum Gut. Dragonfly put all sails out. It was a beautiful day for sailing! We made it to Plum Gut at 0900. It is a short passage but there are a lot of rip tides there and can be very dangerous. We had a fair current and a ferry did go through just to our starboard but we didn't have much trouble at all. The waters were relatively calm.
It takes about an hour to get from Plum Gut to Shelter Island. We called Dragonfly to ask what speed they were going and found they were having hot dogs for lunch. That sounded good so I made a couple hot dogs for us too! It was a nice break with nothing to really look out for except the sea gulls and fish traps.
We got to Shelter Island and followed Dragonfly in through the very narrow passage in to the bay where we would anchor. It was a very narrow channel but everyone made it fine. We headed to the anchorage area behind Dragonfly and New Dawn followed us. Anemone, Pyewacket and Mariposa Blanca went on to, as we later found out, find the marina and a mooring. We thought they had gone over to the moorings at the Rams Head Inn but later in the day Mariposa Blanca came back to the anchorage and said they had run aground going to the Coecles Marina and they didn't want to go back. Dragonfly said they were going in on Sunday so we decided to take a dock on Sunday. We had to time it so we went in at high tide Sunday morning. We called the marina for a reservation for a dock.
We arrived at the anchorage at 1100 Friday July 10 so we had all afternoon to acclimate to our surroundings. We went out for a dinghy ride without the engine and Dick decided to get the engine on it when we got back. Wonder why? We had fun riding around in the dinghy. The beach was a posted bird sanctuary and so we didn't pull up to walk on the beach there. We enjoyed an afternoon of exploring the bay and resting on our wonderful Amadeus. We gathered up our picnic basket and went over to visit Dragonfly for a little socializing and dinner. It was a dark ride "home" but we did fine.
We got to Shelter Island and followed Dragonfly in through the very narrow passage in to the bay where we would anchor. It was a very narrow channel but everyone made it fine. We headed to the anchorage area behind Dragonfly and New Dawn followed us. Anemone, Pyewacket and Mariposa Blanca went on to, as we later found out, find the marina and a mooring. We thought they had gone over to the moorings at the Rams Head Inn but later in the day Mariposa Blanca came back to the anchorage and said they had run aground going to the Coecles Marina and they didn't want to go back. Dragonfly said they were going in on Sunday so we decided to take a dock on Sunday. We had to time it so we went in at high tide Sunday morning. We called the marina for a reservation for a dock.
We arrived at the anchorage at 1100 Friday July 10 so we had all afternoon to acclimate to our surroundings. We went out for a dinghy ride without the engine and Dick decided to get the engine on it when we got back. Wonder why? We had fun riding around in the dinghy. The beach was a posted bird sanctuary and so we didn't pull up to walk on the beach there. We enjoyed an afternoon of exploring the bay and resting on our wonderful Amadeus. We gathered up our picnic basket and went over to visit Dragonfly for a little socializing and dinner. It was a dark ride "home" but we did fine.
Saturday July 11
Saturday morning we went to Greenport to meet Chris and Heidi. They were driving out to stay with us. We took the dinghy to Rams Head Inn dinghy dock and called a taxi to get us to the ferry. It would have been a very long walk. Since we were using the Rams Head dock we decided to come back from Greenport and have lunch there. We went in to Greenport and split up. Everyone wanted to do different things. Valerie, Dick and I went off to find some coffee, juice and a pastry. We found a nice breakfast spot but didn't want to sit down. Valerie and I got an ice coffee, Dick got an orange juice and Dick and I got a bagel and blueberry muffin. We saw John and Rod on the way toward the water. We found some nice Adirondack chairs by the water. We didn't have to wait long for Heidi and Chris to show up. We decided to take his car over to the island on the ferry. It wasn't that expensive and we could use it to get groceries. We spent some time shopping for a couple groceries and then a swimsuit for Chris. We enjoyed the town very much.
We picked up the car and went over to the ferry line. It had been very long so we went a little early. There were to be fireworks on the island and we thought the line of cars to the ferry would only get worse. It turned out that it wasn't actually very bad at all. We picked up Valerie as we got into line so the 5 of us took the ferry back to Shelter Island. We got off the ferry and made our way back to Rams Head Inn. The navigation system in Chris' car made it so easy. It even knew that you need to take the ferry. It was very nice going in to this exclusive place and having a nice lunch.
We got there a little early so we went to the bar. The bartender was very entertaining. I asked for a fruity rum drink and he made a very special one for me. He later came out to the table and offered advice on the best things to order. I still ordered the lobster blt even though it wasn't one of the recommended. It was very good.
We left Chris' car at Rams Head Inn for the night and rode the dinghy back with all their stuff. It was a full dinghy but we made it just fine. We enjoyed some quiet time resting and changing into our swimsuits. Chris, Heidi and I took a little ride in the dinghy and then went for a swim before dinner. We made hamburgers and hot dogs on the boat.
We packed and cleaned up dinner just before the fireworks were supposed to start. There were a few fireworks just at the tree line and we thought we would not be able to see them from our location but a few minutes later the real fireworks started. It was a spectacular show and everyone had a great spot to see them. There was some fun interaction between the boats. At the end of the fireworks one of the boats blew their air horn and we laughed when we heard Ray say "I have one of those!". I expected to hear it soon after but never did.
We cleared a couple spots for Heidi and Chris to sleep in the cabin but they wanted to sleep up in the cockpit. They were comfortable there all night.
Saturday morning we went to Greenport to meet Chris and Heidi. They were driving out to stay with us. We took the dinghy to Rams Head Inn dinghy dock and called a taxi to get us to the ferry. It would have been a very long walk. Since we were using the Rams Head dock we decided to come back from Greenport and have lunch there. We went in to Greenport and split up. Everyone wanted to do different things. Valerie, Dick and I went off to find some coffee, juice and a pastry. We found a nice breakfast spot but didn't want to sit down. Valerie and I got an ice coffee, Dick got an orange juice and Dick and I got a bagel and blueberry muffin. We saw John and Rod on the way toward the water. We found some nice Adirondack chairs by the water. We didn't have to wait long for Heidi and Chris to show up. We decided to take his car over to the island on the ferry. It wasn't that expensive and we could use it to get groceries. We spent some time shopping for a couple groceries and then a swimsuit for Chris. We enjoyed the town very much.
We picked up the car and went over to the ferry line. It had been very long so we went a little early. There were to be fireworks on the island and we thought the line of cars to the ferry would only get worse. It turned out that it wasn't actually very bad at all. We picked up Valerie as we got into line so the 5 of us took the ferry back to Shelter Island. We got off the ferry and made our way back to Rams Head Inn. The navigation system in Chris' car made it so easy. It even knew that you need to take the ferry. It was very nice going in to this exclusive place and having a nice lunch.
We got there a little early so we went to the bar. The bartender was very entertaining. I asked for a fruity rum drink and he made a very special one for me. He later came out to the table and offered advice on the best things to order. I still ordered the lobster blt even though it wasn't one of the recommended. It was very good.
We left Chris' car at Rams Head Inn for the night and rode the dinghy back with all their stuff. It was a full dinghy but we made it just fine. We enjoyed some quiet time resting and changing into our swimsuits. Chris, Heidi and I took a little ride in the dinghy and then went for a swim before dinner. We made hamburgers and hot dogs on the boat.
We packed and cleaned up dinner just before the fireworks were supposed to start. There were a few fireworks just at the tree line and we thought we would not be able to see them from our location but a few minutes later the real fireworks started. It was a spectacular show and everyone had a great spot to see them. There was some fun interaction between the boats. At the end of the fireworks one of the boats blew their air horn and we laughed when we heard Ray say "I have one of those!". I expected to hear it soon after but never did.
We cleared a couple spots for Heidi and Chris to sleep in the cabin but they wanted to sleep up in the cockpit. They were comfortable there all night.
Sunday July 12
We got up early and made a nice sausage and egg breakfast. We were going in to the marina at high tide which was at 0800. New Dawn went in first but we didn't get going until about 0900. We followed Dragonfly in and took a mooring. Our dock wasn't ready yet. Chris, Heidi and Dick went in the dinghy to retrieve Chris' car from the Rams Head Inn and so I had some nice quiet time. Dick and Heidi returned just about the same time that Chris called from the marina. He checked the dock and someone was still there. Dick, Heidi and I went in to the marina. It was very nice with laundry, showers, huge workshops, a nice gift shop, patio with grills and a pool. We checked in at the office and after discussing where our slip was and seeing how tight it was to get in there we decided to stay on the mooring. We paid for that and some drinks and hats and went over to the pool. We met up with the Anemone crew there.
We enjoyed the pool a while and decided to have some lunch on the patio. Heidi and Chris went out for our picnic and brought back our hamburgers and hot dogs, chips and an orange. They went over to buy some drinks and paper towels at the office while we cooked on the grill. We had a nice lunch. I have no pictures of these events because I left my camera on the boat for all these excursions and didn't have a way of taking any pics.
We went to the grocery after our lunch and bought some supplies and food that we needed for our trip back home. I needed a new spatula because Dick dropped the only one I had in the water Saturday night while making the burgers. We wanted sausage and eggs for our trip home. It is really good and easy to make when we are underway in the mornings. We got some more grapes, water, buns, etc. We picked up ice at the marina office.
We got back from the grocery a little later than we had planned. Chris and I took the stuff out to the boat and packed it away. Dick and Heidi waited for us on shore. We went to Greenport and had dinner at Claudio's since Chris and Heidi had to leave to drive home from there. Dragonfly's crew were going home with Chris so we all met at Claudio's and had a fantastic dinner.
Dick and I went back to Shelter Island on the ferry and got a taxi to Coecles Marina. We talked for a while and then headed back to our boat on the mooring. It was very dark and we had a little trouble finding the boat. It was like wandering the parking lot when you forgot where you parked your car. Oh, yea, you've done that! This was 10 times worse being in the dark and in a dinghy. We made it back and had a really good nights sleep.
We got up early and made a nice sausage and egg breakfast. We were going in to the marina at high tide which was at 0800. New Dawn went in first but we didn't get going until about 0900. We followed Dragonfly in and took a mooring. Our dock wasn't ready yet. Chris, Heidi and Dick went in the dinghy to retrieve Chris' car from the Rams Head Inn and so I had some nice quiet time. Dick and Heidi returned just about the same time that Chris called from the marina. He checked the dock and someone was still there. Dick, Heidi and I went in to the marina. It was very nice with laundry, showers, huge workshops, a nice gift shop, patio with grills and a pool. We checked in at the office and after discussing where our slip was and seeing how tight it was to get in there we decided to stay on the mooring. We paid for that and some drinks and hats and went over to the pool. We met up with the Anemone crew there.
We enjoyed the pool a while and decided to have some lunch on the patio. Heidi and Chris went out for our picnic and brought back our hamburgers and hot dogs, chips and an orange. They went over to buy some drinks and paper towels at the office while we cooked on the grill. We had a nice lunch. I have no pictures of these events because I left my camera on the boat for all these excursions and didn't have a way of taking any pics.
We went to the grocery after our lunch and bought some supplies and food that we needed for our trip back home. I needed a new spatula because Dick dropped the only one I had in the water Saturday night while making the burgers. We wanted sausage and eggs for our trip home. It is really good and easy to make when we are underway in the mornings. We got some more grapes, water, buns, etc. We picked up ice at the marina office.
We got back from the grocery a little later than we had planned. Chris and I took the stuff out to the boat and packed it away. Dick and Heidi waited for us on shore. We went to Greenport and had dinner at Claudio's since Chris and Heidi had to leave to drive home from there. Dragonfly's crew were going home with Chris so we all met at Claudio's and had a fantastic dinner.
Dick and I went back to Shelter Island on the ferry and got a taxi to Coecles Marina. We talked for a while and then headed back to our boat on the mooring. It was very dark and we had a little trouble finding the boat. It was like wandering the parking lot when you forgot where you parked your car. Oh, yea, you've done that! This was 10 times worse being in the dark and in a dinghy. We made it back and had a really good nights sleep.
Monday July 13
We set out at about 0700 following Anemone and New Dawn out through the shallow and narrow passages. Ray called us with some directions as we headed out.
We cleared both channels and headed for Plum Gut. While we were motoring there, I noticed some smoke coming from the exhaust and the engine seemed to running funny. Dick checked the engine and found that the air filter had clogged. He managed to pry it off and the engine started humming again. Good thing we found that before getting into Plum Gut.
The tide was still with us and we made it through before 0900. We got rocked by a ferry as it came through and went around us.
We put up the jib sail and started sailing across the Long Island Sound. We took the straight path out in the middle setting our course with the preplanned courses on our map. Anemone and New Dawn went on a shoreline path. Probably the current was less strong there but we enjoyed the sailing.
We went in to Port Jefferson at just about 0500 and found a town mooring there. We felt safer on a mooring. Anemone and New Dawn anchored across the bay.
We made a very nice steak&chicken dinner and settled in for a good nights sleep. We do get exhausted travelling all day.
We set out at about 0700 following Anemone and New Dawn out through the shallow and narrow passages. Ray called us with some directions as we headed out.
We cleared both channels and headed for Plum Gut. While we were motoring there, I noticed some smoke coming from the exhaust and the engine seemed to running funny. Dick checked the engine and found that the air filter had clogged. He managed to pry it off and the engine started humming again. Good thing we found that before getting into Plum Gut.
The tide was still with us and we made it through before 0900. We got rocked by a ferry as it came through and went around us.
We put up the jib sail and started sailing across the Long Island Sound. We took the straight path out in the middle setting our course with the preplanned courses on our map. Anemone and New Dawn went on a shoreline path. Probably the current was less strong there but we enjoyed the sailing.
We went in to Port Jefferson at just about 0500 and found a town mooring there. We felt safer on a mooring. Anemone and New Dawn anchored across the bay.
We made a very nice steak&chicken dinner and settled in for a good nights sleep. We do get exhausted travelling all day.
Tuesday July 14
We got up early again. We called the Port Jefferson launch to pay for the mooring at 0700 but no one answered so off we went. We planned an easier day to Port Washington/Manhasset Bay. The day was calm and not enough wind for sailing so we motored along. Kind of boring actually. We took the closer path to shore today.
Just as we approached the bay opening the wind kicked up and it looked like clouds were rolling in. We went in and made a few circles because we didn't know where the gas dock was. We found it and the attendant was very nice helping us get fuel, water and ice. He even had to run up to the main building in his little golf cart to get ice for us. Just as we were casting off the sprinkles started. We made our way over to the free mooring field.
We picked up a mooring and I got compliments from the Captain on how nice and easy I made it for him to pick up the mooring lines. :)
The rain came down within a few minutes of mooring. Lightening was very close by but luckily we were safe at the mooring, engine off. It didn't last very long and we had another restful night on the boat. We made some hot dogs and 2 leftover hamburgers for dinner.
We looked over to see Pyewacket took the mooring close to us. I called but didn't connect with them. I got a crew member that had left the boat and was at home. He told me that Pyewacket was going back to Chelsea the next day, Wednesday.
We managed to get some internet and we could see the weather for the next day. It looked like the stormy weather would pass to the south of us. We debated about whether we should stay in Manhasset an extra day or go on.
We got up early again. We called the Port Jefferson launch to pay for the mooring at 0700 but no one answered so off we went. We planned an easier day to Port Washington/Manhasset Bay. The day was calm and not enough wind for sailing so we motored along. Kind of boring actually. We took the closer path to shore today.
Just as we approached the bay opening the wind kicked up and it looked like clouds were rolling in. We went in and made a few circles because we didn't know where the gas dock was. We found it and the attendant was very nice helping us get fuel, water and ice. He even had to run up to the main building in his little golf cart to get ice for us. Just as we were casting off the sprinkles started. We made our way over to the free mooring field.
We picked up a mooring and I got compliments from the Captain on how nice and easy I made it for him to pick up the mooring lines. :)
The rain came down within a few minutes of mooring. Lightening was very close by but luckily we were safe at the mooring, engine off. It didn't last very long and we had another restful night on the boat. We made some hot dogs and 2 leftover hamburgers for dinner.
We looked over to see Pyewacket took the mooring close to us. I called but didn't connect with them. I got a crew member that had left the boat and was at home. He told me that Pyewacket was going back to Chelsea the next day, Wednesday.
We managed to get some internet and we could see the weather for the next day. It looked like the stormy weather would pass to the south of us. We debated about whether we should stay in Manhasset an extra day or go on.
Wednesday July 15
We decided to go on. Anemone stayed. New Dawn had gone on the day before. Pyewacket left at 0800. We planned it so we would get to the Throgs Neck bridge at slack tide at Hell Gate so we left at 0915.
We had a smooth ride in the beginning. Our speed got up to 10.4Knts as we went through Hell Gate and by Roosevelt Island. There were lots of whirlpools and the water got pretty choppy as we went through. There was a lot more traffic it seemed. We made it through very quickly.
We decided to go on. Anemone stayed. New Dawn had gone on the day before. Pyewacket left at 0800. We planned it so we would get to the Throgs Neck bridge at slack tide at Hell Gate so we left at 0915.
We had a smooth ride in the beginning. Our speed got up to 10.4Knts as we went through Hell Gate and by Roosevelt Island. There were lots of whirlpools and the water got pretty choppy as we went through. There was a lot more traffic it seemed. We made it through very quickly.
Rounding the Battery the current was against us so we worked our way up the Hudson at 1.7Knts. We thought the current would turn by the time we got up to the GWB and it did start to let up after we passed the GWB. We started to go faster for a while, 3-6Knts. Then the wind started up. The closer we got to the Tappan Zee bridge the stronger the wind got straight at us from the north. Just after the Tappan Zee was the worst and we were looking for a marina to pull in to but I didn't get an answer from Peterson's Marina. I was about to call another when the dinghy flew up and caught in the stays. Luckily it did get caught so Dick could pull it in. The wind must have been around 17MPH gusting to 25MPH then. We kept going fighting the wind but getting some help from the current.
We made it to our anchorage in Croton Point at about 2200. It was dark but we know the anchorage and there are lots of lights on shore. It was still windy as we headed around the bend but Heidi had been giving me reports all evening and said the wind would die down by 2300. We took the chance and went in to anchor. It was still breezy but we were able to set our anchor and it held.
It took us 12.5 hours to get from Manhasset Bay to Croton Point.
We made it to our anchorage in Croton Point at about 2200. It was dark but we know the anchorage and there are lots of lights on shore. It was still windy as we headed around the bend but Heidi had been giving me reports all evening and said the wind would die down by 2300. We took the chance and went in to anchor. It was still breezy but we were able to set our anchor and it held.
It took us 12.5 hours to get from Manhasset Bay to Croton Point.
Thursday July 16
We woke up at 0500 and decided to weigh anchor and head for home. It was a little breezy in the bay and the current was turning at about 0800 but we decided to head out. We had a much easier ride home and eventually the current picked up and helped us glide home. We were in familiar waters and it was a beautiful relaxing day.
We called PYC for assistance but no one came out but we didn't need any help anyway. We are getting very good at controlling the boat and we docked very easily.
Home again!
We woke up at 0500 and decided to weigh anchor and head for home. It was a little breezy in the bay and the current was turning at about 0800 but we decided to head out. We had a much easier ride home and eventually the current picked up and helped us glide home. We were in familiar waters and it was a beautiful relaxing day.
We called PYC for assistance but no one came out but we didn't need any help anyway. We are getting very good at controlling the boat and we docked very easily.
Home again!
Happy Sailing!