Re: Lower Hudson River Boating
My buddy and I made a similar trip last year from Lake Champlain through the Champlain Canal (much shorter) and into the Hudson. He has a 25.5 Bayliner cruiser, lower and upper helm. We rigged up his bimini top and a camper top over the back deck. A good decision because we picked the hottest week of the year, right after the 4th of July, temps pushing 100 degrees. The shade helped but we still got beat up bad by the heat and the late afternoon sun. On the other hand, we had flat water all the way.
You'll be entering the Hudson at Waterford and will have one more lock going south at Troy. After that, the Hudson has a tidal flow. Not really much to worry about for a small boat, but depending on whether you're going with the tide or against it, it could affect your gas mileage.
Below Albany we stopped overnight at Coeyman's Landing, they have good gas prices, water, electrical hookups and showers. From there we made it down to Liberty Landing in Jersey City in one day (up on plane, about 25 knots). They also have gas, water, electric and fantastic showers! We stayed there two nights (about $100 a night) it was worth it because of the heat.
We spent one day touring the lower harbor, the sea was very gentle that day, we got out as far as Rockaway Point and Sandy Hook.
You're going to spend most of your time in the locks. You can get a cruising guide for the lock system from the New York State Canal Corp. here:
http://www.canals.ny.gov/exvac/cguide/index.html. The cost is $20, well worth it. I also recommend getting charts for the Hudson River and the New York City harbor. West Marine, for one, will have them.
I hope this helps. Have a great time!
