40.49.896N  073.42.701W

We were woken during the night when a pair of ducks decided to have a conference on the deck above our bunk and they eventually moved following our request. Atlantic Highlands is a convenient stopping off point but the town we did not find that attractive; it is a commuter belt for New York with fast ferry connections.

The morning was bright and breezy and the east wind allowed us a great reach up the Ambrose West Channel and under the Verrazano  Bridge linking Staten Island to Brooklyn.

From then the river traffic increased with lots of barges and tugs as well as container ships leaving the port. Unfortunately the weather turned grey so New York was not looking it’s best.

Just like the North Pier in Oban

Opposite the Statute of Liberty we headed up the East River heading past Manhattan, Wall Street and the Empire State Building. We had the best view of the city.

We had considered heading up the Hudson River where some moorings are available but we decided we were really country bumpkins and the call of the city was not that strong!  We will have the option of stopping again in the Autumn.

The current had to be timed for Hells Gate which runs at 5 knots; rather like Cuan Sound in the city! A combination of expert navigation and good luck had us here with just 1 knot of favourable tide as we carried on past the infamous Rikers Island Prison and La Guardia Airport.

Another couple of miles we passed under Throgs Neck Bridge and we were out into Long Island Sound where we headed for Manhasset Bay where we picked up a free town mooring at Port Washington.  40 miles logged.

“Country Cottage”     Manhasset Bay!