low water level in marina

[paulga]

it must be the dry season in hudson river. last night, the water level was so low that the floating dock was slanted down, the boat was partially sitting in the sludge and was not floating.

the water level near the bow should be deeper, but I don't know if deep enough to run a de icer.
another concern is if the mud could plug the foot scoops?

here is the tide records from the nearest station:

 

[Comodave]

By foot scoops do you mean the engine water pickups? That could be a concern. Ate the through hulls shut off? I would turn them off to keep any potential mud from getting into the strainers, just don’t forget to turn them back on when you go to start the engines.

 

[paulga]

By foot scoops do you mean the engine water pickups? That could be a concern. Ate the through hulls shut off? I would turn them off to keep any potential mud from getting into the strainers, just don’t forget to turn them back on when you go to start the engines.

yes, water pick ups of the engine, generator and ac. I will close the those seacocks. but the area in direct contract with the sludge is the space between the seacock valve and foot scoop grille. that area cannot be accessed for cleaning from inside the engine room.

 

[SIBERNUT]

I feel for ya. Zoom in.

 

[SteveK]

Was in such a marina. We did our own dredging as soon as the props were clear. The next low tide you had a hole to sit in. Even with my sail boat, ran it in reverse and it sat upright in the fin hole created.
But in your position against a bank you may suck in silt.

 

[paulga]

I feel for ya. Zoom in.
View attachment 160495

I saw a boat listed to her port side, waiting for the next flood season to float. is this the intended way of winter wet storage?

 

[paulga]

Was in such a marina. We did our own dredging as soon as the props were clear. The next low tide you had a hole to sit in. Even with my sail boat, ran it in reverse and it sat upright in the fin hole created.
But in your position against a bank you may suck in silt.

was is a dredging boat hired for the dredging?

 

[paulga]

i checked the monthly tide chart. it looks like the dry season starts from August and ends in April. August is the first month to have a -0.4' tide. the low tide happens in the early morning, and the second low tide was not very low, so I never observed a very low water level.
water level will be lowest in February.

August tide:

February:

 

[Delta Riverat]

Can you get another slip with deeper water? Move the boat at high tide?

 

[paulga]

Can you get another slip with deeper water? Move the boat at high tide?

i'm going to ask the marina. the slips by the seawall should be deeper, but do not have water source nearby.

 

[BruceK]

Not sure about the northern hemisphere, but Christmas (and Easter) tides are notably higher/lower here.

 

[SteveK]

was is a dredging boat hired for the dredging?

I said as soon as the props were clear,
I should have added we tie off fast/secure and run the engines turning the props that stir the mud and let the river current take it away

 

[paulga]

I said as soon as the props were clear,
I should have added we tie off fast/secure and run the engines turning the props that stir the mud and let the river current take it away

a captain once told me it is ok to put the engine into gear with the boat tied. i was thinking if the boat cleats will be compromised by the force

 

[paulga]

Not sure about the northern hemisphere, but Christmas (and Easter) tides are notably higher/lower here.

i got the monthly tide chart from freetides

Dyckman Street, Ferry Slip Tides

Free detailed Tide Station Data for Dyckman Street, Ferry Slip

www.freetides.com

 

[Comodave]

In gear at idle is one thing. Reving them up could indeed rip out the cleats on the dock depending on how they are installed. I have seen some that would not even hold at idle.

 

[Delta Riverat]

Nah, should be fine as long as you don't pin the throttle -

That's the way we were taught to dock the boat.
Back up to cleat on dock and loop line from stern onto cleat.
Bump forward to feel line snug
Clutch dock side engine idle speed forward. This pins boat to dock and you are free to leave boat and secure forward line.

If you are planning a "dredging op" at more then idle speed I would suggest a "cleat monitor" and an easy hand on the throttle -

 

[SIBERNUT]

All these things were planned, however a sudden cold snap caused me to winterize early. And, a nasty rectalbreath neighbor would be all to happy to call DNR on me. It IS illegal ya' know.........
Do it stealth mode in spring.

 

[OldDan1943]

I like bow in. The area ‘stuck’ will be narrower and more easily to get unstuck.

 

[Marco Flamingo]

I feel for ya. Zoom in.
View attachment 160495

Been there, done that. Summer time the big low tides are mid-day. Winter are midnight. Makes for New Year's Eve oyster harvesting in the dark.

 

[SIBERNUT]

Well, prevailing winds are currently bow on. Stern on puts entry door on far side. The way it is now makes it easier to get on board if it snows.

 

[paulga]

Nah, should be fine as long as you don't pin the throttle -

That's the way we were taught to dock the boat.
Back up to cleat on dock and loop line from stern onto cleat.
Bump forward to feel line snug
Clutch dock side engine idle speed forward. This pins boat to dock and you are free to leave boat and secure forward line.

If you are planning a "dredging op" at more then idle speed I would suggest a "cleat monitor" and an easy hand on the throttle -

when you are bumping the gear lever, the boat is only gliding slowly, the force is not stronger than what a gust exerts.

i was referring to the cleats on the boat, if they could rip off by a 135hp engine. those are 10+ times more expensive to repair than dock cleats.

 

[CaptTom]

The higher highs and lower lows are going to be around the time of the full moon and new moon. They do call those "spring tides" but it's not the season, it's the phase of the moon, which causes them. Wind direction can also play a role in many places. The first and last quarter moons are when you get "neap" tides, which are lower highs and higher lows.

I've known people who do a bit of "midnight dredging" by running the boat in gear, tied up. It can work for soft silt, but I'm always afraid of filling the heat exchanger with sediment.

 

[PNK]

I don't think you said where your slip is; the wooden walkway reminds me of the Rondout Basin, but I'm curious because I'm looking for a slip for next season somewhere around Newburgh, but haven't heard about such low water being an issue.
Peter

 

[jeffj]

it must be the dry season in hudson river. last night, the water level was so low that the floating dock was slanted down, the boat was partially sitting in the sludge and was not floating.

the water level near the bow should be deeper, but I don't know if deep enough to run a de icer.
another concern is if the mud could plug the foot scoops?

here is the tide records from the nearest station:

View attachment 160489

View attachment 160490

View attachment 160491

That looks like the Alpine boat basin. If not it is Englewood. Either way get on the outside or get out. It's always that bad.

 

[paulga]

I don't think you said where your slip is; the wooden walkway reminds me of the Rondout Basin, but I'm curious because I'm looking for a slip for next season somewhere around Newburgh, but haven't heard about such low water

It's along the same side of the Hudson river, more towards the river mouth

 

[paulga]

That looks like the Alpine boat basin. If not it is Englewood. Either way get on the outside or get out. It's always that bad.

The manager told me that kind of low level was rare. Last winter around this time they instead had a flood in their office.

 

[TJM]

Of course the Marina will say it is rare. The owner "dredging" is common, covertly of course. Tie off as many cleats as you can, safely. Make sure they all get snugged at the same time to dissipate the load. Mud does not move quick, slow and steady at idle is best. Reverse gear is the worst for strainer clogging. Make sure you can see the strainer to evaluate sediment during. I have loosened up my stern lines about 6' feet some years (move the boat forward in the slip) to be able to use forward gear instead of reverse. Actions depend on where you are and if there is open water behind you.