Lake Ontario to NYC for the 4th of July in 2010

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mariner36

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I had posted this in the main forum, and on Hogans advice, I have moved it to here.

I had neverseen this forum before, looks very informative. Thanks Hogan!

We plan to take the boat from Lake Ontario to NYC this coming July.

While this may not a big trip to most people on here, it means alot to us. My mother is getting older and we would like her to be able to see the NYC fireworks from my boat this coming year while she is still able to enjoy them.

I have arranged to have three weeks off, starting on June 26th-July 17th.

We plan to leave Lake Ontario via the Oswego canal, run down to Onieda lake, crossing it, and enter the Erie Canal. We will then proceed to Troy, NY. It should take us 3 days to get from Oswego to Troy.

I have been told it will take a day to run down the Hudson from Troy to NY harbor. I have never taken the boat south of Troy.

This leaves us a 10-12days to enjoy NYC and 4-5days for the trip back. My girlfriend and I will transport the boat down and back, and my mother will fly in and will stay on the boat while we are in NY.

What I am wondering is where to get slips in the NYC area. What Marinas have transient slips with convenient services.

We want a place that we can catch a shuttle of some sort to get into Manhattan for shows, deli's, etc... My mother is handicapped, and can only walk short distances.

For the 4th itself we want to be able to see the fireworks from the slip or marina, some one had suggested Liberty Island Marina.

Any other suggestions?

Anything else we should know before we plan the trip?

Any good resources with information about boating in the area?

Anywhere else we should plan on stopping or seeing along the way?

Any help or advice is appreciated.
 
Mariner, there are three "big" marinas on the Jersey side of the Hudson that would likely have transient slips available for the 4th. Newport, Liberty Landing and Liberty Harbor. For details, you can check the site activecaptain dot com -- it has lots of good cruising information compiled by boaters that have actually been to the various marinas and points of interest. Understand that the fireworks are usually better viewed in the transient slips than actually out on the water, and likely safer as well (too many day sailors bake in the sun, watch the fireworks, then take off without any nav lights.

But if you're staying / touring the Huson for a few days, you might want to stay "a bit north". Haverstraw is a big marina has great transient services, restaurant, food, etc. Other marinas in the area hold transients as well (I slip at Stony Point, and they have all the amenities as well, restaurant, pool, laundry, etc.) The area is north of the Tappan Zee, and not knowing how fast you travel, it might be out of your comfortable "day sail" range, but you'd save some money, on slip fees, for sure!
 
Troy to NY Harbor is a LONG run - 150 miles. There is much to see and enjoy along the way. On the way down/back, Catskill and Kingston are both nice stops.

This is a good book to get:
http://www.lakechamplainpub.com/cruising_guide_alone.asp

Also check out:

http://www.boatingonthehudson.com

There is a ton of information and you can access all the back issues right on line.

Once you get to NY Harbor, are you planning on staying there for the 10 - 12 days? You could go to Sandy Hook, up the Shrewbury and Navasink rivers, or out to LI Sound.
 
You can make it to Kingston NY on the 3rd day, I did when I delivered my boat from Oswego to Stony Point, NY. That was first week of May so it got darker earlier.

If you can push it the third day you might make it to Haverstraw but it will be a full days trip.

Either stops are good and probably better than Troy if you are planning to go to New York Harbor the next day.
 
+1 on not trying to make the run from Troy to NYC in one day. The run from Catskill is roughly a manageable 6 1/2 hours running 18 - 20 kts and backing off at the many exposed marinas along the way. Kingston is another hour closer with a few good marina options. Newburgh and Haverstraw, as mentioned, make great starting points for an enjoyable run in. You don't want to be burned out from the day as you pass under the George Washington Bridge!

I think many will agree that Liberty Landing Marina is the best, most protected spot to tie up. There is a water taxi right there to lower Manhattan. Liberty State Park, also right there, is one of the best spots from which to view the fireworks. Make your reservations early. A few of the clubs also offer a nice discount on transient dockage at Liberty.

It should be an amazing trip with plenty of time to plan (hey - run it in Google Earth for kicks). Running The Hudson for the first time is an experience to be savored.
 
I sure would like to make that run with you. Went to Kingston last year but would like to go further. I'm already daydreaming about next years venture. I wanted to meet up with the guys this past summer at Alexandria Bay but mechanical issues...(2 engines) precluded me from that trip so I am thinking next year either the Niagara River or the Hudson.
 
Sounds like a dream trip to my. Just being able to spend that much time on board sounds great. As far as the trip I have to agree with the posts above there is no reason I can think of to push from Troy to NYC in one day it's much to far and nice places to stop along the way. I usually like to alternate my stops on a trip one way I would stop in Catskill the other maybe Rondout/Kingston. You have so many choices maybe you can stop for lunch in Newburgh, Cold Spring or even Tarrytown all great short stops. Liberty landing Marina is the place to be for the 4th you might want to make reservation soon for that weekend I had friends who made reservations a year in advance to make sure they got a slip for the 4th. Most other marinas should not be a problem but I'm glad to see you are planning it helps make go much smoother and it's fun just to think about it. Hope you have a blast.
 
mariner36, When you get to the other end of Oneida Lake at Sylvan Beach. Give me a shout and i'll take you guys out to dinner :). Thats my playground.:) Just look for a Sea Ray called Wayne's World. And if you would like to stay overnight here ?? . You can stay at my marina for free as my guest.... Wayne
 
Make reservations at Liberty Landing as soon as possible. It is a popular place to overnight - especially on the 4th. Also, the weekend of around June 26th is usually the Powerboat race - they stay there and transient slips are not available for that weekend. With some planning your trip should be great.
 
Geez Wayne....Maybe I'll show up for dinner too. How about Prime Rib at Captain John's?
 
Liberty Harbor is probably the best bet for transient space, but it comes at a cost. Their facilities are 1950's era with nothing in the way of upgrades. On the other hand, they do have a NY Waterways ferry landing and excellent access to the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (Marin Boulevard Station). Their docks are more protected from wake influence, which is noticeable in marinas directly on the Hudson on both the NY and NJ sides. Edwards Steak House is a short walk up Marin Boulevard, a great place to eat although not an economy restaurant.
The light rail is a nice way to get to many other eating establishments in Bayonne, Jersey City, and Hoboken. It's a $1.75 a ride (ninety cents senior citizens discount), and is a great way to get around and avoid traffic even if you have a car in the area.

Safe and Happy Boating!
ColonyCove
 
Look up NY Waterways ferry service too. It leaves from Jersey City and Hoboken and you get free passes on their NYC bus service to many points of interest with a paid full day fare. I went to see a concert in central park and took this service from Jersey - it was the way to go. You could probably get a taxi from the marina to the ferry terminal, then a taxi in manhattan if the bus doesn't work well for your mom.
 
Does anyone know if they still run the "dinner and a show" deal from Ruth Chris's in Weehawken? That used to be a great deal -- go to Ruth's for dinner, then see the show, then come back for dessert. Not sure if it's still available.
 
Wow, thank you all for the thoughtful replies to my query.

I am definately going to allow for more time for the trip down. That way we can linger for a bit to enjoyt the sites.

I hadn't really considered slip fees, but I will certainly stay at one ofthe more Northern (near the Tappanzee) marinas for some of the trip.

For the 3rd and 4th of July we definately want to be where the view of the fireworks are best. So far that sounds like Liberty landing, although I am open to other suggestions.

The less distance we have to travel with my mother the better for all of us. Handicap ramps, although not a neccessity, would be helpful.

We will get her to Ellis Island to see where her parents arrived in the country.

I have the canal cruising guide, and will order the Ny harbor guide ASAP.

Wayne, Sylvan Beach is probably a good place to spend our first night, so we may take you up on your offer. At they very least we'll get something cold and refreshing with you.

Sadly, out boat is probably coming out tomorrow, so it will be next year till I have the "pleasure" of crossing Oneida again (you wouldn't believe the last time)

Thanks again to everyone, and what a great sub forum!
 
For more great reading/planning I encourage you to get the Waterway Guide Great Lakes Edition (http://www.waterwayguide.com/editions.php?area=great_lakes_2009). It is a great reference for your entire route. As many times as I have traveled the Hudson, I always have it open while underway for passengers to read aloud. In addition to extensive details on marinas and fuel stops, it has history and background on all the sites you will see.
 
mariner36, I'll leave the lights on for you. When you make the trip. This town comes alive after dark. :). And if you need to restock the boat or to do your laundry. I'll help you out on that too.:)
 
GREAT....I'll bring my laundry too. Who's gonna do it?
 
Just a word of caution. You had mentioned wanting to see the fireworks from your boat. Even at Liberty Landing you will have to walk to the shore to see them. And it depends if they are going to show them on the East River on the other side of Manhattan or the Hudson.
If you are planning to take the boat out to watch consider that there were some weird regs this year. I believe people were not allowed to set an anchor in some areas.
After being at Liberty Landing a number of times including one stay for the 4th, I'd give Liberty Harbor a try. Regardless expect to pay 4 or 5 bucks a foot with a minimum stay of several days. If the works are on the Hudson then Lincoln Harbor my be an option but that place is notorious for getting ROCKED by ferry wakes.
 
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