M/V Serenity: 27 May, 2021 Ocean transit to New York, New York

47 SM; 8.1 hours

0430, coffee in hand as we studied the weather; winds and sea state. Positive on the winds, but questionable sea state. Last night we endured pretty significant winds, lightening and rain as heavy thunderstorms passed through. Anchor held and while pretty gusty, never so strong to drag anchor. Glimmer glass anchorage video. We continued to review weather as we made plans for getting underway. Ditch bags completed, final security checks of loose gear about. Sea state still bothered me. It blew pretty hard the day before and through the night till about midnight and a SE swell built up to 3-4 foot, but for this morning was forecast to be 3 feet at a six second interval. Borderline for our go decision. Another looper boat departed and was out the Manasquan inlet at 0700 and was headed up the NJ shore, reporting swells at 2 feet and interval about six seconds with little wind wave on top. We made the decision to get underway, proceed out the protected inlet and once at the “ocean” assess the sea state and make another decision. Once we got out, we felt it was a go and turned north and hugged the coast one mile off. It was sporty, but not unsafe and while it was a long way, about 25 miles to Sandy Hook, we felt with forecast winds matching what we were seeing, we pressed ahead. Little Serenity out in the big ocean. While we were pretty close to dirt looking west, looking east nothing but the big rolling Atlantic. Along the way we passed 4000 miles traveled on our Great Loop journey.

Screen shot of plotter at 4006 SM

Part of the planning including reaching the northern end of NJ—Sandy Hook and entering the large and exposed Raritan Bay and the New York Harbor; the outflow of tidal currents were impressive as the Hudson River emptied. We planned our transit as the Ebb was occurring; while bucking the current, the wind forecast to be from the NW-N 10-12 MPH, we did not want wind/current waves stacking up on an already two-three foot swell from the ocean.

Approaching end of Sandy Hook, steering toward NYC harbor

We slowed to about five mph speed over ground, but other than the SE ocean swell it was actually pretty smooth, and it was 14 miles to the Verranzano-Narrows bridge

Verrazano-Narrows Bridge

The last three hours were pretty comfortable from a sea state/wave ride standpoint. We purposely stayed outside the main traffic lanes, avoiding great big commercial ships and the high speed ferries. Several 100 foot ferries were indicating 35 MPH on the AIS and would gladly run us down if we got in the way. No thanks, we stayed out of the way. Through the big bridge entering NYC harbor proper, electronic and eye ball look out became paramount. Ferries big and small, with the right of way; tows and barges, anchored commercial ships, pleasure boats and sailboats all competing for the water space with most having right of way. We slowed, altered course and called on Channel 13, the harbor frequency to inform of intentions.

One each way, passing in the middle; not altering their course or speed

The further up the Hudson and the closer we approached, Kim remarked and we both said it several times, it was like seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time. Everything was so immense, so massive. Our brains were struggling to take everything in. We have all seen the pictures, the movies and documentaries, but to approach on the water in our little boat was truly mind boggling. We circled the Statue of Liberty for about 45 minutes; but the previous anchorage behind is no longer recommended due to numerous cables on the bottom shifting and fouling anchors. We proceed a mile further and anchored off of Ellis Island to the north. This anchorage has some protection from west and north winds, but was very exposed to wakes and they were significant due to all the commercial and recreational boats. We dropped anchor in 10 feet of water at 1530. Both of us mentally and physically exhausted. Sensory overload too. At anchor; west was NJ City and Hoboken and the western sky. To the south was Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. To the north was the Hudson and to the east was New York City. Pictures cannot really capture the grandeur, but as we rocked and rolled at anchorage watching a beautiful sunset to the west and the skyline of NYC lit up with reflective sun, then as darkness arrive, an entirely different skyline.