Manhasset thru NYC to Great Kills - Sept 26 - 28

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Interesting weather heading out of the CT River. It was a bit gloomy when we left with some rain and winds 18 kn out of the SW. The tides were with us for the first half and the ride was reasonably comfortable down to Manhasset Harbor, Pt. Washington, NY. Along the perimeter of the mooring field are yellow moorings that can be picked up 1st come 1st serve for 2 nights at no charge. This makes it a great place to stage going through NYC.

We must be on the same schedule as 4 years ago because once again the General Assembly was in session at the UN causing river restrictions navigating through the city. The day we left, 9/27, the river was completely closed until 10:30 and then only the east river could be used. This didn’t cause a problem for us but some of the sailboats with tall masts had difficulties because there were also restrictions on the bridges. ‘Course Harry was miffed with the NYPD boat referring to us as “the little white boat” when they hailed us to the east side. The river wasn’t as busy as we remembered but there was interesting traffic with planes taking off and a government helicopter that we got shooed away from.

Friends have continual told us about the hospitality at the Great Kills Yacht Club on Statin Island so we decided to stop. Great Kills Harbor is completely surrounded, in part by the Great Kills Park which is a unit of the Gateway National Recreational Area. Because of the weather, we won’t get a chance to really explore the park but it’s been a good place to ride out storms for a couple days. The yacht club is a workingmen’s club and really impressive w/slips, yard space to store boats and a travel lift to get them in and out. The clubhouse is spacious and the bathrooms exceptional. The members are a group of friendly electricians, carpenters, plumbers, police and fire who do everything themselves. We didn’t have the need but rides were offered. 

The weather, winds and waves look good to continue to Atlantic City tomorrow. If the going is really good and Harry allows an increase in rpms, Cape May isn’t out of the question but that would be a very long run for Nina.

North Cove, Old Saybrook, CT - Sept 24 - 25

NE 20+ kn winds and 5-6’ waves all on our stern made for a sleigh ride from Cuttyhunk to Old Saybrook, CT. Top hull speed was 16 kn coming down a wave. Watch Hill RI was an option that we checked along the way but the harbor was crowded, passed on the $60/night yacht club moorings and with the outside anchorage unprotected, we decided to continue to North Cove where we’ve been before and knew would be a good choice to spend a couple nights. A beautiful town with a well protected cove, it is also a port of refuge with free moorings marked with yellow tags. Tuesday’s prediction of high winds and rain will keep us here another day. The vibration seems to have disappeared with the new zinc.

We Are Off - September 23

Months of waiting and endless lists of things to do have come to an end. We have left the harbor on our way south down the ICW to Florida and the Bahamas. We planned to end our first day in Sakonnet, RI but were picking up vibration and wanted to check the prop so we are spending the night in beautiful Cuttyhunk Harbor instead. The boat was careened a week ago and the zinc changed so after finding the prop clear, Harry took the new zinc off and we motored around. There was still slight vibration but not as bad and finding nothing else amiss, he changed it again. We'll see what tomorrow brings.