Navigating the Entrance

The entrance to North Cove is 80 feet wide.

The Hudson River is tidal off North Cove.  The current floods for part of the day and ebbs for part of the day.  The current changes direction roughly every 6 hours.

At slack current, it is easy to motor in and out of the marina.  At maximum current, it can be difficult. 

The maximum current in front of North Cove is 2.8 knots on the ebb and 2.2 knots on the flood.  Heavy rains can increase the ebb.

Whenever possible, you should try to arrange your arrivals and departures to be closer to slack current.

One important thing to note is that tide and current do not change at the same time.  At low tide, the current is still ebbing near maximum.  The ebb does not change to a flood until about 3 hours after low.  The same thing happens at high tide.  The current does not change to an ebb until about 2.5 hours after high.

High and Low Tide at the Battery

If you are entering the marina when current is running, you should always approach the entrance going against the current.  Never approach the entrance with the current.

It is also a good idea to line up your boat and do a test run towards the entrance to get a feel for the current.  After you finish your test run, you can do another or start your actual approach to the marina.

If the current is too strong to enter safely, a little patience will solve everything.  Call the marina on VHF CH 69 to get their estimation of slack water and then go for a short waterfront tour of this great city.  Then come back closer to slack tide when it is easy to enter in a nice and calm fashion.

Some yachts have found it easier to back in and out of the marina.  The theory is very similar to driving a car on a slippery road.  Front wheel steering provides better traction and control than rear wheel steering.  By entering or departing in reverse, the propulsion is pulling the boat in the desired direction rather than pushing.