Hi there. I have some questions. I sent a PM to someone on here earlier asking questions, but wanted to post it here as well....Hoping for LOTS of feedback.

My husband and I are relatively new to boating. We have a 232 Baja Islander with a 454, open bow. Friends of ours have a 32Ft Baja outlaw, with a cuddy, and have been boating for many years now. They have asked us to join them next weekend for a boating trip. Their plan (at this point) is to drive to Newburgh and put our boats in there......and travel down the Hudson to see NYC...the statue of liberty, other area sites, and then head back. This is meant to be a day trip.

I have many questions.....

I hate to admit it but I am a bit of a baby on the water. I prefer lakes and fresh water boating. We have mostly enjoyed Raystown Lake and a SMALL lake near our home called Blue Marsh. We have been to North East MD on the bay....a lil choppy there at times though.

How choppy of a ride is this? Is it safe for us as new boaters to do this trip? How long is the ride? Are we crazy to do this as a day trip? I am not sure what to expect....I know the other couple has been looking into this a bit but I perfer to get my own info too....lol. Is there another spot that would be better than Newburgh to launch?
Is our boat too small at 23 ft to do this round? Am I in for a long high speed, rough ride or is this a relaxing cruising kind of a day?? If this does sound like a good idea....what tips do you have?? Restaurants things to see????

Any other things you could add would be great!!! Oh ya we will have our 8 and 10 year old sons with us.

Thanks alot,
Chrissy

I would suggest you go on your friends boat for the first time and then make the trip, if it is within your capabilities.

Its not. They have a 32 foot, but its a cuddy...so seating isn't there. They are taking a couple with them alreadya dn we are a family of 4. They have never done the trip before either and want us along so they feel comfortable having a "buddy boat" along.

Have you done this holiday???

BTW....were you at the Marsh yesterday??? I was nice up there but hot!!!

I know there are a few on this site that have done a similiar trip with smaller boats. I would not think you would have any problem with your boat. I myself have never made the trip, so can't really help you. I would think that with proper research, you should not have a problem, and would have a great trip.

Do you have charts, ect?

I know we definately need them.....I am still trying to figure out where to get things Ineed...charts being one of them. Can you tell me?

I've done the trip many times in my Chap 200 SSi. The size of your boat is not a problem.

From Newburgh to Haverstraw is quite well protected and really has a lot to offer visually. Haverstraw Bay is a wide section that can be a little rough, but I just take it slow. As you approach the Tapan Zee Bridge in Tarrytown you are at the widest part of the river - on a clam day it's beautiful, but can get wind driven chop.

Lower NY bay is the roughest area - lots of boat driven chop, ferrys and freighters. I have also gone completly around NYC - pretty cool to see Yankee Stadium from your boat.

Boater's World has several different charts.

You can do some good reading at

http://www.boatingonthehudson.com/new/index.php

Scott

We made this trip several times in a Cobalt 226. Newburgh is a great place to put in, being above the salt line. As Scott says, the chop can come up, but a slow pace can help. Make note of the tides. The worst chop comes when an outgoing tide works against the prevailing winds.

This should be an easy daytrip. With two boats in close communication, proper preparations, and good charts, you should have a great day.

Based on Scott and FLB comments, you may be boating around NYC. No, I have not made that trip myself. Not to say I don't want to.

I was not at BML on Sunday, I did think about it however I worked on stuff around the house that needs to get done. We did go to the pool for a couple of hours so at least we got wet.

You've seen my boat in person, will it fit under the train bridge (assuming it's not raised) at the north end of the Harlem River, where it meets the Hudson?

i doubt a boat could fit under that bridge, which spans 3 short, but wide pilings. when a train is coming, the bridge is in it's "closed" position, allowing the train to cross it. otherwise, the portion of the bridge on the central piling is rotated 90 degress to its' "open" position, which allows boat traffic between the pilings. most of the time, the bridge is in it's "open" position. even when it closes, it's not for very long. i forget which channel you hail the bridge operator on, but it's posted on the bridge.

DaveR - I don't think you can fit under, but I don't think it being opened is any sort of an issue.


Scott

FYI

The Harlem River is spanned by six swing bridges, one lift bridge, and three arch bridges[1], and is navigable to any boat with less than 55 feet (16.8 m) of draft.

However, any boat requiring more than 5 feet (1.5 m) of clearance will require the Spuyten Duyvil Bridge to swing for them. All other movable bridges on the Harlem River provide at least 24 feet (7.3 m) of clearance while closed, so boats requiring between 5 and 24 feet (1.5 and 7.3 m) of clearance need only have one bridge swing for them.

In recent years, test openings of the movable bridges on the Harlem River have outnumbered openings for navigation. There are no fees for navigation of the river. High Bridge, which is the highest bridge across the river, was originally erected between 1837 and 1848 to carry the Croton Aqueduct across the river[1].



[img]http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1070/1314249978_b99b133b46.jpg?v=0[/img]





Check out
Bridge Pics
Lagre Photos - Aerial 1

chrissy - did you guys make the trip? if so, how was it?

Thanks for the info, folks. Eager to make that trip someday.