This Fri looks to be good weather so we're planning to spend the night on the water. Thinking of staying close and just going over to Croton and throwing out the anchor. This will be our first overnight on the boat out of the marina. Other than making sure I set the anchor properly and setting the anchor alarm, what else should I mindful of?
First overnight on the river
- Thread starter BenDiss
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You got it Ben. A northwest wind will be blowing swells right across the widest part of the river and right into Croton. Ideally you want them form the southeast and then you will have nice calm ancoring in there.
If the winds remain out of the northwest you can go around the point into the south side of Croton and you will protected, but look at a chart and look out for Potato Rock as you go around the point.
If the winds remain out of the northwest you can go around the point into the south side of Croton and you will protected, but look at a chart and look out for Potato Rock as you go around the point.
Oh, I see. (newbie here) Thanks. Maybe we'll go around to the south side, but that get's pretty shallow. How low does that get at low tide?
What about going down south of the TZ in the anchorage area? Seems that would be protected from the wind, but exposed to traffic?
Where does on anchor at Bowline? Just off the shore? That seems pretty exposed too.
What about going down south of the TZ in the anchorage area? Seems that would be protected from the wind, but exposed to traffic?
Where does on anchor at Bowline? Just off the shore? That seems pretty exposed too.
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If you have not been in Bowline yet do not go alone you need to know of a few hazards. There are pilings on the side side as you enter and about a 100 yards in there is a brick wall on the same side. I have been in there about 100 times and I still get nervous I enjoy it so I still go but it would be safer if someone guides you in the first time.
Or Rommer can post the GSP coordinates and a chart, as he has in the past.
Or Rommer can post the GSP coordinates and a chart, as he has in the past.
Bendiss
fetch
1) The distance over which the wind can blow unobstructed by land before reaching the observer. 2) The distance which the effect of seas can travel unobstructed by land before reaching the observer.
A very important concept!
So for Croton north which is very exposed to the NW with about 5 miles of unobstructed water it doesn't take much wind to make things uncomfortable where as Bowline which is basically a small pond surrounded by land you have very little reach and waves if any are minimal. That by itself does not make Bowline a good place to anchor UNLESS you are experienced at anchoring properly as the bottom there is VERY poor holding. The bottom is hard clay/mud with a steep bowl shape. And as was pointed out is somewhat difficult to get into safely.
Not trying to scare you off but Bowline just isn't a place for a new boater on their first overnight. FWIW - I've been in there with 50MPH winds/gusts with a 48' boat rafted up to me and it can get nasty in there as well. Anchor Rode Scope is your best friend in those types of situations.
My recommendation for you would be Croton north or south depending on winds. Both are easy to get into as long as you follow/use/understand a current chart as taking shortcuts into either place WILL damage your boat.
fetch
1) The distance over which the wind can blow unobstructed by land before reaching the observer. 2) The distance which the effect of seas can travel unobstructed by land before reaching the observer.
A very important concept!
So for Croton north which is very exposed to the NW with about 5 miles of unobstructed water it doesn't take much wind to make things uncomfortable where as Bowline which is basically a small pond surrounded by land you have very little reach and waves if any are minimal. That by itself does not make Bowline a good place to anchor UNLESS you are experienced at anchoring properly as the bottom there is VERY poor holding. The bottom is hard clay/mud with a steep bowl shape. And as was pointed out is somewhat difficult to get into safely.
Not trying to scare you off but Bowline just isn't a place for a new boater on their first overnight. FWIW - I've been in there with 50MPH winds/gusts with a 48' boat rafted up to me and it can get nasty in there as well. Anchor Rode Scope is your best friend in those types of situations.
My recommendation for you would be Croton north or south depending on winds. Both are easy to get into as long as you follow/use/understand a current chart as taking shortcuts into either place WILL damage your boat.
Don't go very far into Bowline south or it will be too shallow. Soft mud over there so you're not likely to damage something if you go to far.
Then again you don't really need to go in that far to escape the N-NW winds.
Then again you don't really need to go in that far to escape the N-NW winds.
Ben;
Good thing about "grounding" in Croton's very sandy bottom. You just break out some more food and drink and wait for the tide to rise. If you feel real ambitious you can walk around and clean the hull below the waterline.
Good thing about "grounding" in Croton's very sandy bottom. You just break out some more food and drink and wait for the tide to rise. If you feel real ambitious you can walk around and clean the hull below the waterline.
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Ben,
The sand bar is longer than what the chart shows. When you come about keep heading to shore for a bit before turning into the bay.
The sand bar is longer than what the chart shows. When you come about keep heading to shore for a bit before turning into the bay.
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Ben,
When you make the turn east after passing the point, just run in 1/3 of the width of the bay and you won't have aproblem, many people make the turn in too soon and hit the bar.
The bay is mud. Watch at low tide and you will see the waves breaking over the bar, gives you a point of reference.
I took my 48' into the bay and didn't have issues, you will be fine, just make it around the sand bar.
When you make the turn east after passing the point, just run in 1/3 of the width of the bay and you won't have aproblem, many people make the turn in too soon and hit the bar.
The bay is mud. Watch at low tide and you will see the waves breaking over the bar, gives you a point of reference.
I took my 48' into the bay and didn't have issues, you will be fine, just make it around the sand bar.