We have been cruising the Hudson River for years and are happy to answer any specific questions you might have, but here's a primer. Navigation on the river is very straight forward. If you can plan to run with the tides it’s obviously always better. Now that we’re ten knot cruisers we’re more aware of that than in the past but most of the time we just take what we get and will adjust departure times a bit if it makes sense and fits into our plans. Be diligent about keeping watch for debris, particularly if there’s been a recent storm or big rain. Sometimes you’ll cruise the Hudson all day without seeing a stick but as you know, one wayward log can ruin your day.
One other note I mention to first-time Hudson River cruisers with the caveat that you are obviously responsible for your own navigational decisions… if you use your chart carefully, particularly from Manhattan to Haverstraw Bay, especially north of the Tappan Zee Bridge (greens 11-15), you will see that you shouldn't feel compelled to exclusively stay in the channel. As you’ll see on your chart, there are many parts of this stretch where there is deep water nearly from shore to shore and the channel in this area primarily need only be respected by large (shipping) vessels. We typically plot our route through this stretch as efficiently as possible, which often puts us in the channel, but occasionally takes us out. Not only does it clip a couple of miles off but it keeps you away from the big ships and, in some spots, closer to the beauty of the shore line.
We usually don't stop between New York City (stay at Liberty Landing in Jersey City) and Haverstraw Bay (32 nm) so our thoughts on places to stay (mostly marinas) based on experience begin there, If you prefer marinas, Half Moon Bay in Croton is probably the nicest spot to tie up in the Haverstraw Bay area and an easy walk into town. We haven’t stayed there in many years and never on OLOH but it still gets great reviews. We have stayed at Haverstraw Marina on the western shore many times but really don’t like it. It’s enormous and run down and, in our experience, poorly run. It has a nice restaurant onsite that’s decent enough with a great view of the river but we really only stay there now if we have to as a utility stop. Safe Harbor just acquired them this past week so it will be one to watch moving forward. If you like to anchor, the Croton Point anchorage just by Half Moon Bay is very well-liked unless a good west or northwest wind is blowing.
The next stretch of the Hudson is, in our opinion, one of the most spectacular as you wind through Bear Mountain and by West Point. There's an anchorage near the Bear Mountain Bridge mentioned on Active Captain that might be a nice spot to throw the hook for lunch in a beautiful spot.
The next easy marina to stop at 29 nm from Haverstraw is Shadows in Poughkeepsie on the east side. It’s right on the river and can rock a bit depending on conditions and how busy the river is, but it’s easy in and out if you tie up at the face dock on the outside of their basin (the current is wicked inside). Captain Keith who runs the place is a nice/interesting guy and he’ll even stop to get you breakfast sandwiches on his way in in the morning if you want. There’s a good restaurant on property but that’s it. Good stop if you plan to go to the Culinary Institute or any of the other many land-based sights in the area. Before reaching Poughkeepsie you will pass Marlboro and Newburgh. We have never stayed at the Marlboro Yacht Club so can’t comment on it other than to say that boaters we have met from there are nice. As far as Newburgh, we personally prefer Shadows to staying there.
26 nm from there and worth the stop in the Rondout Creek in Kingston. It is the first totally protected place to stay off the river as you head north. Our first choice there is the docks at the Hudson River Maritime Museum. Dock space is limited so they may not have availability but definitely worth a try. It’s right at the foot of a sweet little waterfront town - eat at Ship To Shore or Mariner’s Harbor which are each decent enough choices. If the Museum is full, the next best bet is Rondout Yacht Basin, a bit further up the creek. It’s very nice small town marina with good docks, an excellent little shack of a restaurant and very friendly service, although not in town. But we really like it. Kingston City Marina would be the other option but we opt not to stay there.
An easy twenty miles from there is the well protected Catskill Creek. Catskill Marina is the place to stay closest to the village. There are no services at the marina per sé but, while past it’s glory days before big storms took it out a few years ago, it’s a very pretty spot, there’s a pool and it’s an easy walk to the village of Catskill which is a terrific little river town (eat at the NY Restaurant). It's also a great place to stop for area sights including Frederick Church's Olana and the Thomas Cole House.
When you head north from Catskill the main channel goes up the east side of the river and to the east of an island (Middle Ground Flats) by Hudson. Be sure to transit the west side of the island at least one way if not both (there's plenty of water - just watch your chart). The west side is prettier, there are good spots to anchor if you don't mind the current and a free town dock in Athens, another sweet little town. 16 nm north of Catskill is Donovan’s Shady Harbor Marina (
https://myoloh.com/port-of-call-donovans-shady-harbor-marina), our favorite marina on the Hudson and easily the nicest in our opinion. It’s on the river but most boats are respectful of the no wake zone. There’s a good restaurant on-site, a pool, terrific ship's store, full mechanical services and friendly boaters. If you stay there be sure to introduce yourself to the owners, Brian and Kathy Donovan and tell them OLOH sent you.
There’s a great protected anchorage just south and around the bend from Shady. Search Active Captain for Houghtailing Island. While the current doesn’t run as swiftly there as it does in the main channel, there is most certainly current there and everywhere along your way so you may prefer to favor marinas during your river transit.
You didn't mention how far you'd plan on going so I'll stop there (13 miles south of Albany).
We hope that helps at least a bit. And again, please fire off any specific questions you may have - we’re always happy to help.
