Hudson River Alone-Coeymans(New Baltimore,NY) to Haverstraw Bay

Roundout Lighthouse

Tanker Palanca Montevideo   

Esopus Meadows Lighthouse   

Galleon Replicas    

Bannerman Castle/ Arsenal

Pete Seeger's Clearwater

At Coeymans Marina, I (Suzan) jumped off Puffin and headed home by land to Massachusetts leaving Dean to captain alone the mighty and sometimes rough Hudson River to and around New York City. So, July 10th, heading out of Coeymans with a 5 to 7 mph wind on the nose, Woodstock, the cat and I (Dean) had a pleasant trip down to Roundout Creek and the Hudson River Maritime Museum and Boatbuilding School. About two hours into the trip I spotted 5 deer playing and grazing along shore. A bit further along I noticed a bald eagle and blue heron standing on the shore right next to each other, which I thought to be kind of curious, like a couple of fishermen discussing tactics and gear. Periodically a tug and barge on water or AmTrak or freight train along either shore would pass by, whistling it's approach. We made 41 statute miles that day. Once secured dockside in Kingston I took the bike into town for some sightseeing and groceries. The following morning I was underway downriver at 6am. Ten minutes later Puffin was exiting Roundout Creek, passing Roundout lighthouse and back into the main body of the Hudson River. About a half hour later I'm passing Esopus Meadows lighthouse, warning of a large area of shallow flats at a bend in the river. Just off the town of Hyde Park on the eastern shore, on the charts, is an anchoring ground for vessels awaiting loading or unloading. There sat the Palanca Montevideo, a 182ft asphalt/bituminous tanker, obviously awaiting loading as she sat very high off the water. Another large tug and barge passed by creating a wake which sent Woodstock scurrying below decks. Shortly a breeze sprang up creating ripples across formerly placid waters as Newburgh came into view, where two black Galleon style ships like the Nina and Pinta, appeared to be taking on passengers. Next Woodstock and I passed by Bannerman's Castle on Pollepel Island. It is a Scottish style castle/ armory and residence, built around 1900 by Francis Bannerman for safe storage of his company's munitions and war materials and a summer residence. A little further downriver we pass by West Point, home to the US Military Academy for the Army, perched on a plateau above the river. It is the oldest continuously occupied military post in the US, established by George Washington in 1775. About an hour later off Peekskill I noticed a large sloop that looked like Pete Seeger's Clearwater, which, it turned out to be! The Clearwater, a replica of the sloops sailing the Hudson in the 18th and 19th centuries was created to bring attention to the toxic chemicals, raw sewage and oil pollution fouling Pete's beloved Hudson back in the 60's and 70's, decimating fish populations along much of it's length. It made me happy to see she was still at it. Pete and his boat have been very successful. You can now fish the entire length of the Hudson though one must still be very cautious of what you eat from the river. That afternoon I decided to drop anchor in Haverstraw (Half Moon) Bay. 56 miles this leg. It had been a hot sticky day so after a light dinner, just before dusk, I took my first swim since starting the trip-much of the water having been to muddy or the weather to cool or rainy. The water was so cool and refreshing, I went back in several times before turning in after a beautiful, peaceful sunset.

West Point Military Academy  

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Sunset Haverstraw Bay

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East River around the Battery and up the Hudson

I know why it is called the Battery.  You get battered around by all sizes of boats, waves from the boats, tides, wind, and ebb and flood currents from the tides.  That is a mouthful and a boatload of obstacles to maneuver around. The weather was not the best, cloudy, though no rain, and some wind.
We started out from Port Washington, LI about 10:00 am so we could catch the currents at ebb on the East River from Hell's Gate- which is about the middle of a 14 mile run from Throg's Neck Bridge to Manhattan (the Battery). Eldridge's Tide and Current Book start at the Bridge 2 hours after low tide at the Battery. We had to calculate the low tide, 2 hours, and our speed getting to the bridge and Hell's Gate to figure how to travel with the ebb currents or fair current in East River the last 1/2 of the 14 miles. Ebb currents can work in your favor, carrying you 2-3 knots faster than your normal cruising speed. Catching the wrong current can put you up to that much slower than normal.  We tried to time our trip around Manhattan for flood currents in the Hudson River. That didn't quite work in our favor, but not too bad. To see Manhattan (NYC) from the water is something to behold!! The skyline mixing old architecture with new modernistic is incredible and a little weird.  There are many buildings higher than the Empire State Building especially the new 911 structure in downtown Manhattan. From the west end of the East River you can see the Statue of Liberty in all her magesty at the base of the city. Anchor behind it or moor in Liberty Park, on the New Jersey side.  We dodged tour boats, cruise boats, small and large, and many other boats, including Looper boats such as ourselves going up the Hudson to the Canals.  I am learning there are different routes(loops) to take on this journey.  Heading up the Hudson River was a challenge, with all the boats and the current not always with us. It wasn't against us that much, just chugging along.  We recognized other Loop boats we had seen or docked with earlier. Next blog-- journeying up the Hudson River with other Loopers and other routes to take.


From afar
 



New vs Old
 





Stuck with the Weather.

We thought April showers bring May flowers.  Apparently not true according to the weather guy upstairs.  Just a challenge to my (Suzan) seaworthiness.  Started out last Wednesday with reasonably good weather.    Except when we were out in more open seas, we were rocking and rolling, as I call it.  Only made it past Padanaram Harbor and turned back into that harbor as I was not doing well with the higher seas.  Moored at the NBYC, nice with launch service. Looked at the weather on NOAA charts-- not good for a few days-- we (Dean) and Woodstock (our cat) moored for 2 nights.

Thursday morning I returned home we were only 10 miles away by land, 1 1/2 hours by boat. Had to regroup for weather , and this will not be the only weather regrouping.  I, not being a bonified boat person, choose not to ride the 2 ft waves.  Friday Dean brought Puffin back to the dock we started from and was out again to Point Judith and New London, Ct. on Saturday.  I, and the cat, opted to take a train from Providence to New London on Sunday to meet him in New London. I arrived at 1:30 and Dean had just fueled up at Burr's Marina. We stayed 2 nights at Crocker's Boatyard, closer to downtown New London. Nice Marina, family owned since late 1800's. www.crockersboatyardinc.com.                      

Out again on Tuesday after making a trip to Defender Marine in Waterford, next town from NL.

On our way, seeing how far Puffin motors in about 5 hours, quite a push for me, having been on the boat for only 2 hours traveling from home in over 2 ft seas.  We listened to the marine forecast and the seas were to be less than 1 ft and cloudy skies. We had a current with us for most of the 5 hours, pushing us at 8.5-9 knots so arrived at Branford, Ct . Our normal is 6-7 knots as we are a motor sailboat without masts and sails for this trip. we have a small inboard Diesel engine. Unfortunately we were at Branford for another 2 nights in a slip. We planned to leave around 10:30 am and the fog rolled in so we had to wait it out. Luckily it cleared by 12:30 and we were on our way to Stamford, a long hall, arrived about 5:30 -beautiful city, huge boats.


Off and boating the next day to Manhasset Harbor,  had a tough time with 3 ft waves coming into their harbor. We wanted a mooring, it was so windy and wavy that I opted for a dock. We are spending a lot of $$$ for docks/slips as moorings aren't readily available along the Connecticut and Long Island coasts.

Stay tuned for our journey down the East River, around Manhatten, and starting up the Hudson River.

Getting Down to the Wire- Journey to begin

All the wiring for the Mast is in place. What a job that is/was. Much more complicated than expected. Mostly done except for testing to make sure all components- Radar, Radio, Deck Lights, Mast head Light, and Loud Hailer work.


My seat- across from the Captain's seat so whomever is not piloting, can sit up and see the water ahead and around.
Dean is working on the part that fits into the VBerth to make a fuller bed for sleeping. I have the foam, waiting to be cut.
Inverter we will take with us and wire in while traveling.
We will also take the extra batteries to be swapped out or added, as and if needed.
We are down to the last amounts of supplies to be put on board and then we are ready----


Our cat, Woodstock, is joining us on the journey. He has not been on Puffin in the water. We don't know how he will do and are prepared. He has been wearing a harness instead of a collar, that you can hook a leash to so if he goes overboard we can reel him in. As mentioned before, he also has a pet life jacket.

Still some things to accomplish on land---mail, bills to be paid, cleaning our home as we have guests staying while we are away. We are plant people so all of our indoor plants (20-25) are outside for awhile and some Dean has put the potted plant in the ground for moisture. We have placed them so there is ample morning light and should get moisture when it rains. I hope it is not like last summer- in July, August, September--no rain at all, we were in a drought. We contracted for someone to mow the lawn and neighbors will keep an eye out for anything unfamiliar around our home. We have nice neighbors.
By next week we will be on our journey on the Triangle Loop of the Great Loop.

Launched-- We are in the Water!!!

Long cold winter leads to a warmish and rainy spring and finally-time to go in the water! This all has to be co-ordinated with high tide so when backed into the water the boat doesn't run aground.

7:30 am sunny day, thank goodness, the trailer backs into our yard to take our boat "Puffin" to the water. Yea!!! Brownell, www.brownellsystems.com can't say enough good about the company. Their trailer guys and inside ladies are great to work with. "Puffin" was loaded onto the trailer. As the boat stands were removed, Dean was applying some touchup paint to where the stands held the boat. I guess this is typical if you paint the bottom while it is on stands. We launched at Niemiec. www.niemiecmarine.com and were on our way to the temporary slip at Acushnet River Safe boating Club before we take off in 2 weeks.The Nanni diesel started instantly.

We have been scrambling the last 2 weeks trying to get as much done on land before the boat hits the water.
We spent a day sanding and painting the bottom of the boat and black stripe at the water line. Boy did our backs hurt the next few days.
Dean did as much as he could to get our makeshift mast ready to put up and secure. The antenna for the radio, radar, loud hailer, spotlight all have to be cabled through the mast and deck, and attached to switches and power before we depart for our journey.
A few things left to finish- my passenger seat attached to the port side, opposite the Captain's chair, V berth insert made and installed for a larger more comfortable sleeping arrangement. The inverter needs to be installed and connected to the house batteries.
Most of our food supplies, cooking pans, dishware, towels and bedding, and bathroom supplies are onboard.
On my end, last  food supplies and fresh items and our clothing.
And do not forget, our cat is traveling with us. He has not been on the boat in the water. The first time will certainly be interesting. He has a harness and 2 leashes plus his own life jacket, yes, they do make them for animals. Ours was purchased at Defender Marine www.defender.com in CT.



Mast still on the Deck







Almost Launched!!

Puffin hits the water on May 8th.
Steadily preparing for the journey- The Triangle Loop- a northern side trip of the Great Loop- around May 20th.
Scrambling to get electronic things done on land, much easier.
Almost finished sanding the bottom and hope to paint as soon as it stops raining. We have had so much rain in the last few weeks, our yard looks like a jungle. Where was this rain when we really needed it?
Our 8 ft mast is propped in place, waiting for the OK from marine electronics  people that we are wiring correctly and then finishing up and securing in place in front of the pilot house.
Dean is attaching a first mate chair on the opposite side from the captain's chair and wheel so I or whomever not steering can sit high enough to see what is going on in front and all around us. He is making a wooden insert for the front V-berth so we can have a larger and more comfortable sleeping area. I have ordered the foam  we need ( a 28"X 28") piece that we can cut to size.
We are anxiously anticipating the arrival of davit mounting brackets so when attached to the boat the davits can swivel together across the back of the boat at a dock or slip so we don't get charged for an extra 3 feet or get tangled with another boat in tight docking situations.

I, Suzan, am gathering items from my extensive list, and finding places to stow onboard.
Bed and bath linens, food and food containers- non perishable food in plastic bags or containers and other containers for leftovers. My list is very long. I am trying to take as much as we can for most of the trip in non perishables so we only have to purchase fresh along the way. See Joy Smith's www.joysmith.net books on "The Perfect First Mate", and "Kitchen Afloat". Joy has lots of great ideas for making your boat your home away from home.
Dean has secured a place to dock Puffin where we can work on her until we start our journey.