Moving down the Hudson

Got about 45 miles down river from Waterford to Hop-o-nose Marina, Catskill’s to take down the mast. Mid summer like weather is still continuing, short and t-shirts all the way.

Coming down the Hudson today there were a gaggle of power boats in the middle of the channel just hanging enjoying the weather.

We arrived at Hop-o-nose at about 4 this afternoon and have been prepping the mast to put it up tomorrow morning. There is a bit of a cue of boats doing the same. I think we are about number 3 in line with another 3 behind us.

Been giving the mast a good cleaning and waxing, checking all the lights and wiring, refeed a spin halyard that had come down while racing a couple of weeks ago, remove a 4 ft cell antenna from top of mast (just don’t like it there) and finally tap some lazy jack connections.

Putting up the mast went well. We then spent the afternoon putting on all the sails. Chris sumpton did a great job sorting out the mast wiring. I drop a batten over board and had to don scuba gear to go retrieve it.

From Catskills down to New York was fast. we anchored near Havenstock after a long day motoring. Had to do an fuel filter change under way. The boys, Chris and Jim did a great job sailing while I dealt with the filters. the barge traffic steadly increased as we went down the river. The benefit of AIS really was coming into its own. We could follow barges approach three corners away.

We arrived in New York in rainy weather. Tried to get a mooring at 79 street Boat basin with out any luck had to anchor again. Jim decided to leave to boat and return to Toronto. Chris took him ashore and went looking for provisions. He was charged $20 to use the dinghy dock at 79 street basin. Things sure have changed since I was here 8 years ago. I stayed aboard the boat and sortrd out all the rigging in prep of going offshore.