Hove to off Swan Point

Particularly nice bit of our infrastructure. This is the Amtrak bridge over the East River.

Wavertree, Peking and Pioneer at the soon to be diminished South Street Seaport.

The view from Liberty Landing Marina in Jersey City. Not too many wooden boats here. This area was all wharves and warehouses when I was an eight year old, messing about on a very different Hudson. (Early 50’s)

Lower Manhattan from the Upper Bay. Fair wind for home; 18 to 25 out of the NNE. A bit lumpy from the last of the Ebb

Approaching Manasquan Inlet. Interesting entry with the last of the Ebb against the building Easterly swells.

Safely inside. Doesn’t look so bad from this side.

Great trip.

by way of Norwalk and New York. Joined Bob, Jet and Boss Lady in Norwalk last Thursday for a couple of legs on his journey South. Nice weather Friday for the trip up the Sound, through Hell Gate and around Manhattan to Liberty Landing in Jersey City. We passed through Hell Gate at the top of the tide and carried the Ebb down the east river. Practically no other traffic, so the water was calm, allowing some reflections. Bright sun, about 60. Like magic.

Left Liberty Landing in a very brisk breeze out of the NNE. Spent the last of the Flood going up the Hudson for a bit, then south for home. Very lumpy trip outside; fresh chop from the NE laid over Easterly swells to 8′. Thrilling Low Water Manasquan Inlet entry under full control. Phil would have been proud.

New York in view from just outside Norwalk; about 22 miles. Extremely clear; the buildings seemed to float just above the horizon. There’s a meteorological term for that.

A bit of traffic here and there.

Getting closer. Well into Queens and the Bronx.

Manhattan, reflections and all. Strangely calm.

Hanging Gardens of the Upper East Side. Note the crisp high tide line.

Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges and the Financial District. My building at 40 Wall has the green pyramid left of the center. We had the East River practically to ourselves. Very peaceful.

More tomorrow.

Went out for a bit this morning in a light breeze from the NNE. Came in at noon to pick up Julia for her first sail of the off-season. Bright sunny day, about 65 or so. Just cool enough on the water to make an all day fire feel good.

Julia keeping warm and and enjoying a watch below with the Skipper. Hove to near Reedy Creek, a half mile of open Bay to weather as slow as we can.

Joe Leone hot sausage and provolone bread at the sizzle. Julia fixing lunch.

Serena out for a sail. Played tag for a bit.

One of Beatons finest.

Hove to off Reedy Creek. She sailed herself for an hour on Port tack up to Swan Point as the breeze veered in to the ENE.

Perfect October day.

Would have gone yesterday but there wasn’t enough water in the Bay. Settled for a token fire after stepping the mast and getting everything back on board. Beautiful October day, light Southwesterly.

All dressed up but not enough water.

Better today. Went out in a very light southeasterly, barely 3 foot of water in some spots in the basin. Back by noon to pick up Julia but the front finally came through and started to blow out of the NW. Just a bit too gusty for a hull that’s still making up.

Mary Ann in a state of undress. Her season’s done, ready for a long winter’s rest in one of the sheds. She’ll also have her needs attended to by Beatons this fall, ready to go come next June.

Companionway view. Sat here for a bit where I landed after the sail. Julia brought lunch and it was very pleasant sitting in the October sunlight on a fresh and clean Sjogin.

Same as she ever is. Looks the same huh? I’m liking the Maynard Grey White.

Happy sailing all,

Russ

Picking away at the loose paint and priming the bare spots for the last week or so. Usual culprits need attention, nothing too major. This year’s necessary project will be to re-caulk about four feet of the garboard on the starboard side. This may solve her leaking problem. It would be nice to have dry bilges for a change. Hope to do some power sanding this weekend and have the topsides done by next weekend.

Home yesterday trying to add a little beauty to the world on that day of remembrance. Spent the morning pruning the Rugosa beds.

Here are a few pics from the last few weeks:

Done for the day. Fresh paint on the rails.

Home for the next few weeks. With both ends open, a nice breeze flows through.

Sunday morning after Hana blew through. The boat is a Crocker raised deck sloop. Kind of a larger Stone Horse.

Note the 40′ sport fisherman hard aground to the WEST of Swan Point. I can hear the question: “there’s the Bridge, where’s Swan Poi………”. Happened at night, further details to be gathered. Two words of advice: SLOW DOWN!

Finally, here’s a colorful sunrise from last week.