New York and New Jersey
The Great Metropolis and Beyond
REED’s RECOMMENDS: Sailing New York’s busy harbor is one of
life’s great pleasures, but not one to be taken lightly. It’s busy, there are
tidal currents to contend with, and anchorages are scarce, to say the
least. If transiting from Long Island Sound into the East River (or vice
versa), be sure to time your arrival with slack water at Hell’s Gate.
New York City is one port where you virtually have to use a marina,
but there are many to choose from. Reservations are strongly advised,
but REED’s recommends a visit. This is also a port where the smaller
your boat, the more difficult it may to be find suitable dock space. Show
up in your 160-footer and you’ll be well taken care of. In Manhattan,
popular marinas include North Cove (212-496-2105) and Chelsea Piers
(212-336-6600). A bit more off the beaten track, but a possible venue
for small-boat sailors, is the 79th Street Boat Basin (212-496-2105).
Another viable option for cruisers who wish to visit New York is to
berth in one of the New Jersey marinas just across the Hudson River,
such as Liberty Landing (201-985-8000) in Jersey City or the Port
Imperial Marina (201-902-8787) to the north in Weehawken. Both
offer water taxis and/or ferries to the city. Whatever your choice, a sail
around the Statue of Liberty, past Ellis Island and along the length
of the Manhattan waterfront is an experience you will cherish for a
lifetime. There is nothing quite like seeing the skyline of the world’s
greatest city from the deck of your own boat.
Heading south, the coast of New Jersey does not offer a lot in the way
of easily entered safe harbors, but much of the distance can be made on
the Intracoastal Waterway, running behind the barrier islands. If voyag-
ing offshore, pick your weather so you can make it to Cape May, New
Jersey in one jump. Entering Cape May is easily done whether from the
sea or the ICW, and it has decent anchoring near the Coast Guard sta-
tion. Watch your depth, but the bottom is good, soft mud. When you’re
anchored off the Coast Guard station, you will often hear the sounds of
marching bands and drill sergeants calling cadence; Cape May is where
all Coast Guard recruits go for basic training
Besides being a good port to refuel and stock up, the town of Cape May
is worth a visit for its own sake. Designated a National Historic Land-
mark city, only San Francisco has a larger number of Victorian houses.
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