New York 40:43.5N 74:02W

Millybrown
Mark Hillmann
Sun 26 Oct 2008 23:35
A very good breeze pushed us down Long Island Sound after our early start.  We reached all day, much of it with the staysail up again, but just as an extra sail.

We had anticipated stopping at the top of the East River, where the narrows start, but the tide was just turning in our favour and we were early, so we kept going.  Down through the East River, between The Bronx and Queens, past La Guardia airport.  We tried the first marina marked on the chart, but were told it was tidal and too shallow. 

On we went, motoring now with it dark above, but lights everywhere.  We had difficulty recognising the ferries and taxis, tugs and lighters.  Could they see us?  Our "proper" lights seemed too feeble, bow lights that switch themselves off occasionally to gather their strength and a stern light hidden behind the wind vane.  The 25 watt masthead tricolour and deck lights seemed brighter and our car headlamp type hand lamp if a ferry or taxi came too close. 

Down round the south of Manhattan and into the Hudson River.  A yacht twice our size tagged on behind us and a lighter, pushed by a tug kept station further back.   Would the tides in the Hudson River be too strong?  A ferry tooted, but waited for our convoy and a water taxi waited outside us, to get to the pier when the ferry came out. 

We had a back-up marina round the south of Long Island, but the Hudson had little tide so we went up a short way and crossed to the first marina on the New Jersey side.  There was plenty of room, we had had enough.  7 in the morning to 10 at night. 

Apparently this traffic is new and only in the rush hour, getting commuters to the new developments all around us in New Jersey.  We roll badly against the pontoon in the swell from their wakes, but it is mostly peaceful at night.

Where are the photos?  In the camera, my computer got stuck today, so this is being written on its replacement.  When I find out how to do it.