East River to Long Island Sound
FlyingBlind310
Member Posts: 49 ✭✭
Hey there, I was wondering if any of the NY/Long Island boaters on here have ever taken the trip up the East River (heard about **** Gate & currents) to the Sound. I am currently on the South Shore of Long Island, but wanted to take a weekend trip to Fairfield, CT in the next few weeks. I have a "new to me" '01 310 FV.
Any input/comments/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
2001 310 Fiesta Vee
T-5.0 FWC Mercs w/ B2
Comments
FlyingB,
My admiral and I did just that when we took our 2010 loop trip aboard the Salt Shaker. Very easy and fun trip. Gate, was interesting to look at. Easy to float across. Similar so some of the eddies we encountered on the Mississippi River. Bridges were beautiful. The river traffic was fun to share the river with.
Tony
Salt Shaker 342
And congratulations on your new ride.
Tony
So your 342 had no problem with the river currents? I read online everyone talking about currents....but then I read on and they are in a 20' cuddy. Assume the 310 wouldn't have a problem on a "good" day.
Are there any USCG or DHS security restrictions? If so, where would I find out before I plan my trip? Would rather not enter a restricted zone and then have to look down a 50-cal when they board me for a safety/security check.
thanks for the advice/kind words.
2001 310 Fiesta Vee
T-5.0 FWC Mercs w/ B2
I gotta tell you, just go. You will be surprised how few such issues they really are, actually none.
You will pass the UN building and La Guardia airport a huge Con Ed facility. The UN building is in a surprising state of dilapidation. I believe the Con Ed facility was the one where my father in law spent many of his working years.
Any security zones will be obvious. There were none on the East river at the time we were there.
I can be a horses ****. My best story about this characteristic of mine was on the Hudson River. We were passing the Indian River Nuclear plant. My chosen route was about one boat width away from the markers that marked west side of the exclusion zone. Needless to say, we were shadowed by one of those DHS Ribs with many engines and thousands of combined horsepower. As we passed the northern most end of this perimeter he lost interest when he saw we were continuing on our way.
Tony
As I remember it, the East River has a slightly tidal current characteristic. The tidal current can go either way depending on which way the tidal rise of fall in the sound is going. But we never gave such items much thought. If you time it right, you should get a slight boost. That was never something we could take advantage of when the opportunity presented itself because we needed to be under way when we needed to be.
Such factors will most likely not be part of your decision making process. It is all second order effects.
Tony
Anyone else have experience on the East River? Mine is a memory of 3 1/2 years ago.
Tony
Salt Shaker 342
PC BYC, Holland, MI
PC BYC, Holland, MI
FlyingBlind,
I have been googling stuff on the East River and **** Gate etc. I am glad I did that now instead of when we made that part of the trip. Many of the sites that come up make it sound tougher than it is. Tougher than it was for us. For a tug and his tow, yes it is not simple. On the other hand I wish I did do some research before we went. The features and characteristics and history is extremely interesting.
.The currents can be as high as 4 to 5 knots which is Mississippi River speed. So as BD said a sail boat could have to plan well in order to have a trouble free trip. But in a 310 or a 342 no issues. We did the entire river at displacement speed, stayed in the middle of the channel and just marveled at the river. We did not have to add any power at any part of the trip to compensate for any adverse currents.
Your trip will be even more interesting than ours was because you have a lot of knowledge that we did not have at the time. We just knew we had enough power to deal with currents and could thread any needles that would be in our path. Those two things were non issues.
I hope we can do the loop one more time and if so, the East River will be included because one of our stops was and would once again be Greenport so we could spent time with my brother and sister in law who live in East Marion.
Tony
Salt Shaker 342
For example, there are 13 tunnels under that river.
Tony
FlyingBlind, Did you make the trip. If so what did you think of it.
Tony
Salt Shaker 342
Tony,
I decided to hold off on the trip until next spring or early summer. My port engine wasn't a team player this past weekend and is having issues starting when warm (coil/distributor/IAC motor???). I would not want an engine to crap out when I am 4/5 hours from port in CT.
If I get this resolved soon, I may take a day trip into the city.
Thanks again for all of the input/advice.
2001 310 Fiesta Vee
T-5.0 FWC Mercs w/ B2
That is the trouble with twin engine boats (and airplanes). They both gotta run or instead of leaving on your trip, you will be on your way to the repairman instead.
You will enjoy the East River when it all comes together.
Tony