Day 16

Passing New York City

We woke to a grey, foggy and rainy day. Our intention was to get down to Sandy Hook. A long day made even longer by the fog and rain.

We were expecting a huge amount of boat traffic and difficulty navigating all the buoys and channels. Here’s a screenshot of the navigation app showing the channels at the South end of Manhattan.

It wasn’t too bad at all. The pleasure boats were absent due to the lousy weather and the commercial traffic was all at anchor either because it was Sunday or they were waiting for the tide to change in their favour.

Here’s some photos of Manhattan in the fog.

The passage from Liberty down to Sandy Hook is across a huge stretch of water exposed to the ocean swells. It was quite rocky and rolly.

We arrived at the Atlantic Highlands Marina late afternoon in blustery conditions. We were almost blown right past the fuel dock, but we managed to hold on until we were securely tied on.

Getting off the dock was a close call. It’s very tricky leaving a wall or dock in windy conditions on a sailboat. It has to do with the boat pivoting around it’s center rather than turning like a car. When turning the bow goes one way and the stern the other at the same time. Pivoting. So when leaving the wall or dock you can’t just turn right because the stern will turn left and hit the wall. Especially tricky when the wind is blowing you onto the wall. Lotsa pushing by the crew and dock hands required.

We anchored in the dim twilight, ate leftovers and crashed for the night.