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Author Topic:   July 2 2011 Hudson River Cruise
themclos posted 07-03-2011 09:06 AM ET (US)   Profile for themclos   Send Email to themclos  
We decided to take cruise up the Hudson River today, so we put in at the public boat launch at Liberty State Park. The launch provides immediate access to New York Harbor, immediately adjacent to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

Our destination was Piermont, New York, a small town about 25 miles north. Piermont is just south of the Tappan Zee Bridge.

One of the first sights as you head North past the Statue of Liberty, is lower Manhattan and the new 1 World Trade Center, formerly known as The Freedom Tower. It is over 64 floors tall at this point.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c7/themclos/ July%202%202011%20Hudson%20River%20Cruise/DSC00553.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c7/themclos/ July%202%202011%20Hudson%20River%20Cruise/DSC00552.jpg

Immediately across the river is Jersey City, which has grown considerably over the past 20 years.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c7/themclos/ July%202%202011%20Hudson%20River%20Cruise/DSC00555.jpg

At the Northern tip of Manhattan is the Henry Hudson Bridge, which crosses Spuyten Duyvil Creek and connects the Bronx to Manhattan. Just below and to the right of the bridge you can make out the Spuyten Duyvil Bridge, which Amtrak manages and trains use as they come down from Westchester County to New York.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c7/themclos/ July%202%202011%20Hudson%20River%20Cruise/DSC00543.jpg

North of the George Washington Bridge, on the West side of the river is an area known as the Palisades, which are cliffs that rise from the river. They extend from Jersey City to Nyack, NY, about 20 miles.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c7/themclos/ July%202%202011%20Hudson%20River%20Cruise/DSC00545.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c7/themclos/ July%202%202011%20Hudson%20River%20Cruise/DSC00542.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c7/themclos/ July%202%202011%20Hudson%20River%20Cruise/DSC00534.jpg

After lunch in Piermont, NY, followed by a swim to cool off, we headed back to the launch. Some other shots of the trip follow below. We travelled a total distance of 55 miles, burning 15.1 gallons of gas, as reported by the Smartcraft gauges.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c7/themclos/ July%202%202011%20Hudson%20River%20Cruise/DSC00533.jpg

I purchased a discontinued Northstar 657 last year along with the accompanying Smartcraft gateway. The picture above illustrates just some of the data that are available through this combination.

I know many people are not fond of the Mercury Optimax, but my limited experience with this 2002 225 HP Optimax has been nothing but positive, if not loud. Other than in 2 short no wake zones, we travelled at speeds between 20 MPH and 28 MPH the entire trip. For 40 miles of the trip, we were travelling between 25 MPH and 27 MPH, with the motor running at 3150 RPMs and the motor trimmed out slightly. Conditions, outside of NY Harbor (which is always very confused chop), were calm, and we did have the benefit of slack tide heading North and an outgoing tide heading South. Still, getting 3.64 miles to the gallon is phenomenal.

With no canvas, which I have yet to install, travelling at speeds greater than 25 MPH, for sustained periods, is just too windy for the comfort of the passengers. Fortunately, the engine seems to like to run between 25 MPH and 30 MPH.
This was by far the longest trip we have taken in our boat, and we all very much like the ride and overall capabilities of the 22 foot hull. My family likes to go to new places and very much likes the ease with which this boat can be trailered and handled.

All in all, it was a great day on the water. I think we picked the right day to get out, as it is raining today. Here is a link to a slideshow of the shots. They were taken with a Sony DSC-W350, and other than 3 or 4 pictures, all were taken by me, while operating the boat, at speeds between 20 MP and 28 MPH. I was pretty amazed how well they turned out, given I was just pointing and shooting.

http://s24.photobucket.com/albums/c7/themclos/ July%202%202011%20Hudson%20River%20Cruise/?albumview=slideshow

Dan

Sal A posted 07-03-2011 06:02 PM ET (US)     Profile for Sal A  Send Email to Sal A     
Dan,
What a great trip. I have to work up my nerve; I also have to magically make my teens want to spend a day with me on the boat.

Ps did the girls use the cuddy?

themclos posted 07-03-2011 10:07 PM ET (US)     Profile for themclos  Send Email to themclos     
Sal,

Nobody used the cuddy on thiis trip. We do keep a porta potty there, but it is truly for emergency use. Given we had a lunch destination planned, there was no need.

The girls do like to crash in the cuddy if they get cold or tired.

Everybody still likes to get out on the boat. Scheduling is the challenge. I prefer to get out early, and my 15 year old would much rather be sleeping. The 13 year olds will soon be sleeping in as well.

As for working up the nerve, I usually take my first run of the year at Lake Hopatcong, where we can not get in too much trouble. I have Sea Tow, and I try to expand my trip range a little each year.

I actually want to take a multi day trip up the Hudson to Lake Champlain. My wife is game as long as we spend the nights in a motel/hotel. Finding the time is the trouble.

Dan

RevengeFamily posted 07-11-2011 07:45 AM ET (US)     Profile for RevengeFamily  Send Email to RevengeFamily     
Dan,

We did the trip up the Hudson to the Federal Lock in Troy. Then on through the 62 miles of the Champlain Canal last summer. Was a great trip. Found a nice marina on the lake in Westport, NY.

Westport is a sleepy little town... Not much excitement but that's not what we were looking for.

My boys are 14, 16... they want to do it again...

Best
Norm

themclos posted 07-27-2011 02:51 PM ET (US)     Profile for themclos  Send Email to themclos     
Norm,

Which boat did you take on this trip, the Revenge or the Conquest?

Are you using the Revenge? How do you find time for both boats?

Dan

andygere posted 07-27-2011 03:25 PM ET (US)     Profile for andygere  Send Email to andygere     
Dan,
Looks like a great trip. As a Jersey Native, it was nice to see the Hudson and Palisades from the water side of things. It sounds like you've got the boat running like a Swiss watch, great to see you enjoying it with the family.
jimp posted 07-27-2011 05:48 PM ET (US)     Profile for jimp  Send Email to jimp     
Dan -

Great trip, good documentation.

We operated out of Piermont in 1967 with my Dad's old 1965 32' Chris Craft Sea Skiff Sportfisherman. We brought the boat from Eastern Long Island, down the Sound, up the Hudson, Lake Champlain, down the Richelieu, up the St Lawrence (lots of ups and downs!), to Montreal for Expo 67 (16-day trip), then back to Piermont for a few weeks before taking the boat back to ELI. But while in Piermont we often took friends down around Manhattan for an evening cruise - saw all the sights you passed. Good times!

FYI, we really enjoy our 2003 225 Merc Optimax on our 1990 Revenge 22' - W.T. Consistently get 3.0 nmpg or better (up to 3.2 with lighter load) cruising at 29+ knots.

JimP

Waterwonderland posted 07-27-2011 06:34 PM ET (US)     Profile for Waterwonderland  Send Email to Waterwonderland     
Thanks for sharing.

Was the public boat launch crowded? Is it a hassle to deal with?

themclos posted 07-27-2011 06:45 PM ET (US)     Profile for themclos  Send Email to themclos     
Andy,

Thanks. We definitely turned the corner with boat this past winter and spring. I rewired the entire boat, added 2 new batteries in the console, Blue Seas fuse box and BEP 716 battery switch (like you and bluewaterpirate).

That work gives me confidence in all my systems, and my mechanic has given me confidence in the motor.

Yours is still the standard to which I aspire. I still need to install canvas, redo the gunwhales, repair some gelcoat dings and address the bottom paint. But the boat is solid and getting used each weekend.

Jim, it is a small world. My mother lives in Congers, a little north of Piermont. I am hoping to take the boat up the Hudson and to Lake Champlain. Someday perhaps.

Glad to here your Optimax is serving you well. These motors take a lot of grief, especially on this site, but they look to be a strong, economical motor.

Dan

RevengeFamily posted 07-27-2011 08:03 PM ET (US)     Profile for RevengeFamily  Send Email to RevengeFamily     
Dan,

We used the Conquest to make the run to Lake Champlain last summer. Having a full head is a must for my wife...

Finding time for both boats is a challenge. We generally use the Revenge on Greenwood Lake a few times a summer. The Conquest is in a slip on the Hudson. We tend to use the Conquest more because it's already wet. But the kids really do enjoy the Revenge.

Right now the Conquest is in the driveway on the trailer. The Revenge is in the slip down in Stony Point. The Conquest's port 225 Merc. Optimax through a ring on our way back from Boston. With the right parts she'll be back in by mid August.

Norm

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