Upper Hudson River Cruising

We’re new to the Albany region river boating scene and currently have our new to us 2005 Mainship slipped in Coeymans. We are looking to explore south.

This weekend we’d like to spend an overnight away from the marina tied to a dock or wall. We have only anchored in the tidal Hudson River once last weekend (our first week on the river) and we were in an inlet during the day. I prefer to spend some time at anchor during the tidal and current shifts prior to staying on the hook in the open river over night.

We’re interested in knowing if anyone knows of a dock or wall that is safe enough overnight between Coeymans and Kingston.

We’re looking to explore further south, but need some practice with the new boat and anchor before we spend the night on the hook.

Also, we saw a 'private' but very large dock across on Coxsockie Island across from the marina/yacht club. Does anyone know if one can tie up there over night. Capt Bob's anchorages (book) does not address this.

Thanks, JimL

Kingston has a few spots, the dock in front of the museum and the town marina; we loved spending a few days there. Not free though if that's what you are looking for. You used to be able to go a little further up to the end of navigation on the creek and anchor, but it may be filled with moorings and locals now. Catskill is another pretty marina and little town.

I'm in Kingston as we speak, tied to the dock at Ole Savannah Restaurant. It's free for overnight if you eat there, which I did. Pretty good food and a fair floating dock . Very nice little town. Maybe 100' of face dock and 3 slips for 30' or less.

Rafe

We are a little south from Kingston and love exploring the Hudson.

I can wrangle for a night at Poukeepsie Yacht Club.

Let me know.

Jim

Thanks for the advice. Due to the weather we probably won't get as far south as Kingston this weekend, but will keep the options in mind for the next excursion. We have 9 days ear marked to explore south in late July - early August. We want to be able to cover the close in trips prior to then.

JimL

Did you buy the 2005 37 motoryacht the had for sale at Coeymans last summer? With the LCD screen on the aft deck? That was such a nice boat. We took delivery of ours in Newport, motored it to Coeymans and they did a fantastic job for us dismantling and loading for shipping. For a little while that 37 and our 37 were slipped next to each other, it was cool to see.

If you want to go to a nice safe anchorage, go south and up into Houtailings Island (I probably spelled that wrong).
I have anchored there several times, no real worries there. Good holding, not much effect from currents.


Oh and does that restaurant at Coeymans still offer that calamari sampler platter? I remember that well.

I would also look to explore north up into Lake Champlain, day and 1/2 you'll be on the lake.

The big hassle with the Hudson is RR trains run down both sides!

Night and day.

The tidal portion is way south of Albany , so there should be no reversing tidal action on your anchor set.

Tugs and barges will go by at speed so use the BIG anchor light.

The current still shifts at Albany. Today at the Albany station for instance the ebb is about a knot at both 7:30am and 7:45 pm. Flood is a little less than half a knot on the opposite shifts.
I loved trying to play the current up and down the Hudson and getting a free ride. The trafficked through train tracks are on the east side of the river virtually the entire way. None along on the west side until you get to Albany where it crosses over.

Thanks all. And yes, the restaurant at Coeymans Landing still has great food!

Shady Harbor Marina has a great restaurant and marina. Brian Donavan and his crew will take excellent care of you.

That's some gourmet cruising up there, literally and figuratively. I'm envious! Hope you can enjoy a great summer exploring that fantastic cruising ground.

FF said:

1. The big hassle with the Hudson is RR trains run down both sides!

2. Night and day.

3. The tidal portion is way south of Albany.

4. Tugs and barges will go by at speed so use the BIG anchor light.

Click to expand...

1. True.
2. True.
3. Not true. Even Albany has ebb or flood current. Not much flood, depending upon season and fresh water runoff 'freshette' level.
4. Very true. Don't anchor In (or near) the channel.

From Coeymans: Hudson, Catskill, Saugerties are your stop off destinations for dockage. None are free. But, as with most things. You don't get something for nothing.

Nope, 1 is not true.

The freight trains have not (to my knowledge) been an issue with navigation in the Hudson. But they do affect sleep at night.
Guess you're not aware of the freight trains that run the west shore from Haverstraw bay to Ravena (amost always within sight of the shore, but always within earshot on a quiet night) From Hudson north the passenger (east bank) runs along, but out of sight mostly but, again, within earshot. Either bank has the trains running along or not far inland for about 100 miles from Tomkins Cove to Albany.

Back to the OP question, small day trips between Coeymans and Kingston have several potential stops. Athens is another quiet old place with nothing to do but row around, take a quiet walk or fish. There is a small landing on the east bank opposite the cement dock in Cementon, just north of silver point. Then about 6 miles south of Cementon is Saugerties. A nice quiet creek, with small tie up if you're looking for a lot of nothing.

I would recommend studying the currents. It has taken running commercially on the Hudson for over 20 years to know the ins and outs of the current. On the upper half of the river You can have about 7 hours of ebb current to make your down bound trip faster. But you will only have about 5 hours of flood. So you have to learn to ride the coming crest of the tide to get as much bang for the buck to help you on your trip. You can ride the ebb much easier, and have a larger window to go as far/fast as you want. But riding the flood back up north is trickier, because the window of flood tide moves northward making a smaller window of fair when northbound. Think of riding the northbound flood like surfing a wave. You have to 'catch the wave' to ride it as long as possible at the correct time. Or you miss the wave, and only get either the first or the last of the fair current.

Of course if you have a high speed boat and don't care about fuel consumption...... Then have at it. (but then why would you be on a trawler forum?)

Cat Daddy said:

I'm in Kingston as we speak, tied to the dock at Ole Savannah Restaurant. It's free for overnight if you eat there, which I did. Pretty good food and a fair floating dock . Very nice little town. Maybe 100' of face dock and 3 slips for 30' or less.

Rafe

Click to expand...

Did you just go through Albany this Morning? Saw you running by with envy.

jjorgenson3 said:

Shady Harbor Marina has a great restaurant and marina. Brian Donavan and his crew will take excellent care of you.

Click to expand...

I can second that one. Shady Harbor was one of our favorite marinas and favorite dinners on that whole long trip.

Brian wanted me to tell everyone that you can stay at his place, on his dock. You can see the current cycles right on his dock. He will fill you in on the Hudson and take take you over to the hook and teach you how to anchor. ??

I hope this helps.

Jim

Listen to Cappy, I assure you he knows what he speaks...Does the run way more than most "residents" take his advice or don't..

Jim, Did I see you at Shady Harbor over the Memorial Day weekend? That is now our home port.

JimL

Shady Harbor is my home port. I know Brian and his team very well by now.

Nope not me but we might be up this weekend. If not we will be up mid July. Say hello for me.

"The Point" in Catskill ( on starboard upon entering the creek) has a few town slips that are free. The docks are plastic, a little wobbly, but useable. At Athens, the town park has a large dock that can be used for a tie up. It's free also ( it's on the west channel) and the entire west channel is decent anchoring save for boat wakes during the day. 15' of water if my memory is correct.

Thanks for all of the recommendations.

We'll be staying at the Kingston City Docks this weekend.

However next week we are planning a trip to NYC and into LI Sound. We have nine days and would appreciate recommendations of where to visit in LI Sound given the travel times. we are planning and the first stop near Newburg +/-, and then the next night at Liberty Landing Marine with a couple days to visit NYC, followed by a movement through Hells Gate to LI Sound. Any recommendations as to where to land the first night after Liberty Landing Marine into LI Sound and follow on ports, considering we have nine days to get back to New Baltimore? We would like to stay on the hook for one night or a morning ball, and the marina's for the rest. Average cruise speed is 10-12 knots.

Jim L

.

Oyster Bay is a beautiful stop has mooring balls, anchorage and docks. During the weekday should not be an issue for any choice. Nice restaurant and brewery. Nice cruise from liberty landing.

For moorings in LIS, Manhassett Bay is an option. The town of Port Washington maintains 20 free guest moorings, and offers launch service for a small fee. It's not far from Liberty Landing, just over 30 nautical miles according to my most recent log book.

+1 for Manhasset Bay. Oyster Bay is also nice.

Then try Mattatuck Inlet. North side of LI. Go all the way to the end and there is a small extremely well protected anchorage and a dinghy dock w/short walk to town. Also a marina there.

From there might I suggest Sag Harbor. If you can get under the 20 ft fixed bridge (I lower my mast) there is a great anchorage just to starboard. Sag is great stop for food, supplies, people watching, etc.

And don't miss Block Island

We've stayed on moorings in Manhasset as well as the Manhasset Marina, which is basically "in town". Lots of large store shopping and restaurants in walking distance. But we prefer Oyster Bay as a place to anchor out; much more low key and scenic with a variety of options depending on the weather. The moorings there are expensive, and there is excellent holding just east of them. Lovely little village on shore, and great beach on the north side, which also can be a good place to anchor off. Lot's of dinghy exploring opportunity.

Given the time frame in the OP, Mattacuck among other great eastern LI destinations is going to to be too far. IMO a "must visit" location that is an easy cruise from OB is the Thimble Islands. You'll feel like you've been transported to Maine. Lots of anchoring options if you nose around a bit though the good ones will get tight on a summer weekend. Both Oyster Bay and the Thimbles are places where we always seemed to dawdle another day than originally planned.

EDIT: Funny how memory works; I just went back and checked, and The Thimbles are all of 4 nm closer to Oyster Bay than Matticuck: 40nm from the entrance vs 44nm. Still would be my top choice by far.

Ann also reminded me about the Sand Hole, at the entrance to OB as a fun weekday place to drop the hook and beach comb. Also, that Cold Spring harbor right off OB looked like a lovely anchorage when we explored it via the Whaler.

Thanks for all the recommendations. We do not have a dink at this time, so any hooking or anchorages will require a water taxi.

We have reservations for Liberty Landings Marina and initially were going to Port Wash. Link up plans have changes and now we want to proceed further east at 11 knots for 4-5 hours from Liberty Landing. That leads us past Oyster Bay and almost to Port Jefferson or Sinai Bay. Any recommendations on the NY or CT sides of the Sound?

Appreciate the assistance. This is our first venture into LI Sound.

Jim