I was on the Hudson today. WOW!

[Mark42]

Once again I was told that my little Niagara is too small a boat for water like the Hudson River. Today I launched from the Palasades Interstate Park Hazzard Launch site<br />

<br /><br />Its a nice new launch that keeps the boats out of the current while loading/unloading.<br /><br />We (me, wife, daughter and baby son) took off and headed north up the river for about 40 minutes at speeds from 7 to 25 mph. There were surprisingly few other pleasure boats on the water except for 8 or so jet skis hanging around the launch like water skates. They were nice folks and helped load/unload the kids and friends to the boat.<br /><br />It is a very impressive cruise. The river is wide and does have barges and tankers on it. There was a coast guard ship anchored in the river and they waved and made it clear not to get too close. <br /><br />Once we made it to our destination I picked up some of my young adult inlaws and we just ran out and cut up the river, doing WOT runs and tight turns just having a blast. <br /><br />

<br /><br />Time passed too quickly and we had to make the run down river. The George Washington bridge is very impressive from a 14ft runabout passing underneath. We tied up and left the launch with no problems at all. <br /><br />What a time! I will have to go back with my Dad or brother and go up river for a few hours and back. Looking forward to another trip on the Hudson.

 

[artburr]

Re: I was on the Hudson today. WOW!

Great project. Excellent pictures. Thanks for sharing!

 

[sergioy]

Re: I was on the Hudson today. WOW!

Very nice pics!

 

[Mark42]

Re: I was on the Hudson today. WOW!

I have to admit I did not take those photos. I just linked them in here from the state park website because I didn't have time to load my own up. But those pics are of the ramp I used and the marina I stopped at. <br /><br />I wasn't trying to fool anyone into thinking I took those, I was just in a hurry! <br /><br />Please don't beat me!

 

[bayman]

Re: I was on the Hudson today. WOW!

Just curious Mark, who said your boat was too small for the Hudson?

 

[Mark42]

Re: I was on the Hudson today. WOW!

Some older boaters with cuddy cabin size boats out on LI. I have come to realize that unless someone has operated your boat, they don't know what it is capable of. I was also told not to take the channel between North Haven and Shelter Island where the ferry runs because the current is too strong. I have made that run at a leasurly 15 mph at part throttle both with and against the tide about 7 or 8 times now. <br /><br />I wouldn't be so foolish to go out in open ocean water or even on the bay if a storm is pending. I use common sense and experience.

 

[bayman]

Re: I was on the Hudson today. WOW!

I agree with you Mark, every boat has different capabilities. Every year ships hundreds of feet long end up sinking because of overconfidence, bad weather, and poor judgement. I think your boat is quite capable. Common sense, good weather, and a good engine are what is really necessary.

 

[fishingdan]

Re: I was on the Hudson today. WOW!

They were just jealous. They spent 6 figures on their boats because the sales guy and their friends said they need such and such boat. They envy your boats low cost maintenance, low thirst for fuel and portability.<br /><br />People don't seem to get that it is the skipper's ability and experience that is the biggest factor in the sea worthiness of a recreational boat. <br /><br />Sounds like you had a great day. Thanks for the post.

 

[Realgun]

Re: I was on the Hudson today. WOW!

That is really cool. When I was 6 my dad took me on the Hudson near West Point NY. It was pretty fun in the cabin cuddy boat.<br /><br />I sometimes wish I lived back East. Till I see the snow storms.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: I was on the Hudson today. WOW!

I took my 16' speedboat up the Hudson years ago. Once I was north of the GW Bridge, the water was 100% calmer than NY Harbor. When I was north of the Bear Mountain Bridge, the water was 100% calmer yet. Those barges make large wakes, but there aren't too many of them. <br /><br />During this trip I was able to run WOT (55MPH) for a steady 20 minutes on a glass-like river. I have not had that experience very often, since here in NJ our lakes are too small and our bays and ocean are too rough.

 

[Mark42]

Re: I was on the Hudson today. WOW!

I was looking at some online charts of the Hudson north of the NJ/NY border and it looks like there are some very shallow areas called "straights" that need to be avoided. I want to pick up a Waterproof Chart of the river. How far north can the river be taken before it becomes too shallow to navagate?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: I was on the Hudson today. WOW!

Mark42, Large barges go to Albany(~200 mi from NYC). Above that there are locks to Lake Champlain and up the Mohawk river to Who-knows-where, New York.

 

[Solittle]

Re: I was on the Hudson today. WOW!

If you get far enough north you can walk accross the Hudson. I did it probably 50 years ago.