East River to Long Island Sound

Neil and I got up at 4 am in order to be able to catch a favorable current in the East River. We weighed anchor and departed Sandy Hook about 4:30 am.

The sun was rising as we left Sandy Hook. 

No wind to sail so we motored. Coming into NY by boat is always interesting and being the first time for Neil and Carol, it was extra special for them. They were glad we had not passed by NY outside one the direct route to Block Island.

We took the slight detour to pass close to the statue of liberty which is always a great photo op. Then it was across the harbor and up the East River in favorable current.  We entered the East River at the battery about 01:15 hours after time of slack before flood at hell gate.

We had favorable current all the way through the river with top speed of about 12.5 knots.Just before hell gate we had to slow so as not to be passing a slow moving tug pushing a barge while making the turns of hell gate.

I would not want to be traveling against that current!

The wind did not show up until we had tied up to a mooring at Mt. Sinai Yacht Club.  We motored all day without taking the sail cover off.

After we got on the mooring ball, the pump out boat came by and pumped out both tanks at no charge. The boat was manned by 3 young guys who we tipped well.

There is no launch service at MSYC so we launched the dinghy to go ashore.  The new lines I got for the dinghy and motor lift worked great.

We also stopped at MSYC last summer.  They are a casual, welcoming club. Club rules are no bathing suits, no bare feet, and no bare chests...not your typical yacht club dress code. They were serving dinner so we decided to eat there as cooking aboard was the only other option. They had some delicious vegetarian options.

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Salt on the hose clamp is evidence that the leak is still happening...slow enough for the water to evaporate from the heat of the engine before it reaches the bilge.