New England (Part 2)

So we weathered the winds generated by hurricane Jose in the safe harbour of Port Jefferson, NY and put Vata back together, and sailed off to Oyster Bay, still on Long Island, New York.  Oyster Bay is home to America’s oldest yacht club.  It was also a pretty safe harbour, and we anchored well, so we went into town for a look around.  We found a nice little Italian-American grocery store, where we found some tasty lunchmeats and cheeses.

Oyster Bay Had a very historic downtown.

Also home of President Theodore Roosevelt...

The next day, we set off with high hopes of getting to College Point near LaGuardia Airport, but the timing to go further through the infamous “Hells Gate” on New York City’s East River was perfect with favourable tides and currents, so we went for it! 

Entering New York City from Long Island Sound, on the East River

As we approached the Hells Gate we were doing 10.6 knots! But all can’t be good: as we rounded the corner, Police and Coast Guard had installed a “Safety and Security Zone” on the west branch of the East River, the side with no bridges, but also the side with the UN Headquarters, and a meeting was in progress, and no one was allowed in the vicinity.  We called for a lift bridge to open, but the operator’s radio wasn’t working, so after two hours of calling on the radio, we managed to find the operator through the New York City’s 311 telephone service and the bridge opened. By then, 4 boats rushed to downtown Manhattan.

Roosevelt Island Lift Bridge is finally up!

The traffic was, well, busy! Between the police presence passing the UN Headquarters, there were ferries, ships, and many other boats, and everyone created such a chop on the water that we were racing through 4’ waves. We passed Battery Point, and made a bee line to the Statue of Liberty, dodging Staten Island Ferries and Liberty Island tour boats. Afterward, with the day growing long, we hurried on under the Gateway Bridge to anchor around the tip of Sandy Hook, New Jersey.  It turned out to be a very long day, but We enjoyed our first New Jersey sunset with cocktails, safely at anchor, with two other Canadian Boats!

The southern tip of Manhattan Island

The Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor

Anchored off Sandy Hook New Jersey, in time to enjoy the sunset.

The next morning, we made way for an anchorage inside Barnegat Inlet.  There was a remnant swell from Hurricane Jose, but it was on the beam, so sailing was good.  The New Jersey Shore was one endless sand beach! While underway we prepared a chili for supper, and it simmered on the gimballed stove top. We arrived at Barnegat Inlet near low tide, and it was our first experience entering an inlet. There was a strong current flowing against us, like rapids in a river, and the ocean swell rolled against the current creating steep breaking waves.  We watched a big fishing boat navigate the inlet ahead of us, gave the engine more power!  The rolling and pitching was wicked! I was at the wheel, so Karen carefully (yet quickly) climbed down below to rescue our dinner, and put the entire pot of chili in the galley sink where it wouldn’t spill. Inside the inlet it was like a calm lagoon, and we anchored nearby.

Barnegat Lighthouse at the inlet's entrance.

The next day, we moved further down the coast, and ended up anchoring in Atlantic City, surrounded with tall casino hotels. Wonderful sight at night!

Arriving in Atlantic City!

Two Atlantic City casino/hotels beside us, all lit up for the night.

On September 25, 2017, we set sail for Cape May Harbor, at the south end of New Jersey.  We anchored beside the Coast Guard Station. Meanwhile, Hurricane Maria was moving up the coast, and the wind forecast would not make for easy sailing, so we decided to stay put and wait for gentler winds.  Instead, we visited the town of Cape May, and her historic buildings, and provisioned, completed our second engine oil change of the summer, and enjoyed hot temperatures in the safety of the harbour.

Ushes Marina had an excellent marine supply store with great staff so we didn't have to use this...

Some of the historical buildings in downtown Cape May

"A Tiny Cruise Line" offers guided tours of the harbour and surrounding area.

The Acme Supermarket where we did our groceries.

Tomorrow, we’ll move on to Delaware Bay, but we still have to decide: go up the bay to the Chesapeake-Delaware Canal to Chesapeake Bay, or down the Coast to Virginia….