The Mighty Chack Chack is on her last leg

Will-C

I think all beach towns charge for going on the beaches (beach badge), with the exception of Strathmere, which is just north of Sea Isle City and South of Ocean City. Just off the intercoastal waterway about 24 miles north of Cape May. They usually rake the beaches for trash with large tractors in the am to clear of debris and a unsightly items as a couple years ago they had some medical waste issues. Most beaches have public bathrooms etc that have to be maintained. Pretty clean now. After labor day the beaches are free again.
If conditions are nice you might get tired of all the no wake zones on the ICW and decide to run up the coast out in the ocean. Stay in about 35 feet of water off the beach.
You also might consider as you hit the Hudson splitting off to the right running up the East river to the Harlem river which will take you back out to the Hudson. No bridges to lift interesting ride the Harlem River is usually like glass it will take you by Yankee Stadium lots of great bridges etc.. Not too far out of your way.
D.D.

mcc272 · Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 9:53 pm Post subject:

Actually, if you run the Harlem River from the East River to the Hudson, there is one bridge that will have to lift, even for you. That is the Spuyten Duyvil Railroad Bridge right where the Harlem joins the Hudson which has a 5 foot clearance when closed. Since the bridge carries both Amtrak and Metro North (commuter) trains, it is frequently closed.

helm · Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 5:34 pm Post subject:

We have had a nice time on the NJICW. While most of the Great Loopers bypass most of New Jersey we have made stops in Cape May, Ocean City, Atlantic City, Beach Haven today and tomorrow we will take the NJICW to Point Pleasant, then make the run up to NYC. Each town has been pleasant, we stayed near Longport while in ocean city with access to two beaches and a nice downtown, just over the bridge from the marina. Atlantic City was interesting and my daughter Morgan and her friend Hanna flew in from Portland to finish the rest of the trip with us. Beach Haven is a super stop with beach access a few blocks away and a nice town for walking and shopping. There have been a few skinny spots in the NJICW but no real problems.
Appreciate the advise for NYC too!
Eric

JamesTXSD · Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 11:32 pm Post subject:

Liberty Landing was a great stop for us - you can see the Manhattan skyline, especially beautiful at night, right from your boat. An easy walk to the ferry to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. A water taxi that will take you to the Financial District. NYC was a true highlight, as well... took in a Broadway show, searched for the best pizza and hot dog, walked through Central Park, took the bus to Brooklyn and Harlem, ate real Italian, toured, gawked, and then came back to the boat each night at Liberty Landing.

Have fun with the last portion of your trip and congrats!

Best wishes,
Jim B.

helm · Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2011 1:04 pm Post subject:

Chack Chack made Manasaquan, NJ today coming up the NJICW. We saw one skinny spot where some of the bigger boats were churning up the mud but again had no problems. Today is off to the boardwalk with Hannah and Morgan and then some pool time. Tomorrow we are set to make the run to New York harbor out Manasaquan inlet, then past Sandy Hook, then North to the City

Eric

helm · Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2011 7:11 pm Post subject:

The weather gods smiled on Chack Chack for our last off shore run from Manasaquan to New York. After exiting the inlet we had flat calm seas on the Atlantic and no wind all the way up to Sandy Hook, and then into New York Harbor. We could see the smog from the city over the ocean first, it looked like the VOG from Kilauea flowing from the big island, then the buildings on Coney Island came into view. We crossed under the Verrazano narrows bridge then spent some time taking in the Statue of Liberty. We went up the East River just past the Brooklyn Bridge then decided to head over to Liberty Landing to tie up for our visit to the City.

The girls took us on a shopping adventure today in the city after we had visited the WTC site, then it was back to the boat for the evening We will be here until after the fourth and then start up the Hudson to finish our loop at Coeymans

Eric

Eric

helm · Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2011 8:47 am Post subject:

Chack Chack spent the night at Croton-on-Hudson last night after we left New York City to start our run up the Hudson. From here we are of to Catskill today for our last full day on the the Great Loop, then tomorrow will complete our loop at Coeymans, where the trailer is waiting and we will pull the boat for its trip back to Oregon.

We had a great visit to New York City, and a nice view of the fourth of July fire works, and visits to many sites in Manhattan.
Eric

Captains Cat · Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2011 10:24 am Post subject:

Congratulations Eric. From your album, it looks like you began this Odyssey on or about July 13 of 2008. What a great trip and thanks for keeping us posted!

Charlie

JamesTXSD · Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2011 10:50 pm Post subject:

Congratulations! We appreciate following along on your Loop adventure.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

Pat Anderson · Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2011 12:58 am Post subject:

So, did you not hook up with Russ and Toni on the Ranger 27 Traveler?

helm · Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2011 5:30 pm Post subject:

Chack Chack completed the Great Loop today at 9:35 AM after we crossed our wake in front of Coeymans Marina in Coeymans New York. Total mileage was 5358 nm. We started the trip in early June 2008. Our legs were
1. Coeymans, New York to Big Chute Marina, Ontario Canada
2. Big Chute to Mackinaw City Michigan
3. Mackinaw City to Chicago
4.Chicago to New Johnsonville Tennessee
5. New Johnsonville to Apalachicola
6. Apalachicola to Jekyl Island Georgia
7. Jekyl Island Georgia to Norfolk, VA
8. Norfolk to Coeymans New York

Some one asked Heather and I yesterday what the best part of the trip was and I can really say all of it. The natural beauty of the Hudson river valley, Georgian Bay and North Channel is breathtaking. The fun harbour towns to hop from on the way down Lake Michigan are great.
The people along the way are uniformly enjoyable and always interested in that cute little boat.
I love Florabama and would live on the Gulf Coast if Oregon wasn't so nice, and the entire trip up the Atlantic seaboard has been stellar.

Sadly today Chack Chack went back on the trailer and we spruced her up for the trip back to Oregon where we will be on the Columbia in Portland for the rest of the summer

If you have a chance to do the Great Loop you should go, its a memorable experience.
Eric

helm · Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2011 12:45 am Post subject:

Today the Mighty Chack Chack did an interesting thing, on July the 3rd we passed under the Verrazano Narrows Bridge into New York Harbor. Today the Chack Chack passed under the Astoria Bridge on our way down the Columbia.
Whoo Hoo
Eric