July 4th on the hudson river

[gregmontalbano]

Crazy idea, but this is the plan so far. Me and 2 friends are planning to take the newly restored boat out for july 4th. being so close to NYC we thought lets get as close to the macys fireworks barges as possible. Ive done a bit of research, but only found last years information, and from the sound of it there changing the location. In any event, has anyone taken there boats out to the east river/hudson river on july 4th, and is it really as crowded/chaotic as they say?

 

[Vlad D Impeller]

Re: July 4th on the hudson river

To be honest, i find most fireworks extravaganza to be rather boring lately, nothing really new and exciting in the last five or so years.
This year i will probably do as i did last year, watch the tourists make asses out of themselves, it's hilarious by a hundred fold to the Labor Day comedy at any boat ramp.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: July 4th on the hudson river

i do not know the size of your boat, but afterwards be prepared for harsh water conditions. big wakes, drunk operators, all in a hurry to get home. these are bad enough in daylight, dark makes it worse.

 

[angus63]

Re: July 4th on the hudson river

Greg
If you are planning to go July 4 (or any other night for that matter) from NJ via the NY Bight up the Hudson in the vessel in your avatar pic, you are risking your life. The boat wakes alone will swamp your vessel, not to mention the swells that develop when incoming tide meet the Hudson outflow. Throw in hundreds of inexperienced and intoxicated large vessel operators and your recipe for disaster deepens. Not the place to be in a small skiff!!

 

[lennymoe]

Re: July 4th on the hudson river

I know it's a little far from Scotch Plains but a cool place to watch fireworks from on the Hudson is West Point. It's much more low key than NY harbor or the east river but it's a lot safer. When I was there, and this is a few years back, it was a small group of boats not much bigger than yours, maybe 20 of us just hanging out between Cold Spring and West point. You have to start up and back up the river once and a while because the current moves pretty good there. Its a beautifull spot, just watch out for barges.

 

[v1_0]

Re: July 4th on the hudson river

I know it's a little far from Scotch Plains but a cool place to watch fireworks from on the Hudson is West Point. It's much more low key than NY harbor or the east river but it's a lot safer. When I was there, and this is a few years back, it was a small group of boats not much bigger than yours, maybe 20 of us just hanging out between Cold Spring and West point. You have to start up and back up the river once and a while because the current moves pretty good there. Its a beautifull spot, just watch out for barges.

West Point Military Academy used to have concerts - with the fireworks in the background. I don't know if they do that anymore, haven't been there in a while. (Lived sortof nearby, was also before 9/11 and any new security restrictions).

At any rate, it's a neat place to visit. Lots of history. They even have parts of the chain that used to span the river at that point - they are huge links.

 

[gregmontalbano]

Re: July 4th on the hudson river

That's kind of the answer I expected. I figured that it would be the case, much larger boats and strong currents out there, not to mention the drunks on July 4th. I'm just starting out doing some research for the trip, so thanks for your advice. BTW, what exactly is the "NY Bight"? I'm pretty sure I know the direction you are talking about, as there only seems to be one way to the hudson from NJ.

Greg
If you are planning to go July 4 (or any other night for that matter) from NJ via the NY Bight up the Hudson in the vessel in your avatar pic, you are risking your life. The boat wakes alone will swamp your vessel, not to mention the swells that develop when incoming tide meet the Hudson outflow. Throw in hundreds of inexperienced and intoxicated large vessel operators and your recipe for disaster deepens. Not the place to be in a small skiff!!

 

[gregmontalbano]

Re: July 4th on the hudson river

I'll defiantly check it out. It seems like a bit of a drive for the 4th but I'd love to check it out anyways. Thanks

West Point Military Academy used to have concerts - with the fireworks in the background. I don't know if they do that anymore, haven't been there in a while. (Lived sortof nearby, was also before 9/11 and any new security restrictions).

At any rate, it's a neat place to visit. Lots of history. They even have parts of the chain that used to span the river at that point - they are huge links.

 

[wajajaja02]

Re: July 4th on the hudson river

I did the fireworks last year on a commercial cruise, ripoff, and going ashore to see them as a out of town er is like going to time square for new years eve, don't, the TV shoot that you see is a composite shot, not what you see live.

The fireworks this year will be on the west side of the bay, in the Hudson, so you will have a good shot off Staten Island, make reservations for a slip on the bay now before too many catch on. or get a hotel room on the jersey side

 

[wajajaja02]

Re: July 4th on the hudson river

about West Point, Stony Point marina, great service center, good fuel ,store, big water, your boat could get introuble there too if the wind is up, thats by the tappenzee bridge. West Point is 10 12 miles north toward newburgh ,my favorite lunch site, great water for your boat, I take a 18 ft bay cuddy there often. cruise down to WP for lunch, open to public. By boat its only an hour + from the Lady Liberty at wot.

Towboat does not serve the Hudson river, you will need SeaTow if you choose to have towing service/insurance.

 

[angus63]

Re: July 4th on the hudson river

That's kind of the answer I expected. I figured that it would be the case, much larger boats and strong currents out there, not to mention the drunks on July 4th. I'm just starting out doing some research for the trip, so thanks for your advice. BTW, what exactly is the "NY Bight"? I'm pretty sure I know the direction you are talking about, as there only seems to be one way to the hudson from NJ.

Bight is a term for a cutout in the coastline. NY bight is the region north of Sandy Hook where Raritan Bay cuts into the coast up to the Verranzano. The term NY bight now more commonly refers to the entire NY Harbor entrance and mouth of the Hudson River. Not the place for a 16' or 17' Renken or Glastron bowrider (judging from your pic).

 

[lennymoe]

Re: July 4th on the hudson river

newburgh ,my favorite lunch site, great water for your boat, I take a 18 ft bay cuddy there often. cruise down to WP for lunch, open to public. By boat its only an hour + from the Lady Liberty at wot.

Yea Newburg Launch is nice. Double wide concrete ramp, lots of parking, right next to a bar/restaurant and a marina.

 

[wajajaja02]

Re: July 4th on the Hudson river

Re: July 4th on the Hudson river

being that the July 45h fireworks will be on the west this year, perhaps lunching from the I think Hazards at the gw bridge,in the Palisades park would be ok, or at the best western on the hackensack in secaucus.

you got me thinking on this now.

 

[iGadget]

Re: July 4th on the hudson river

Where's a good place to find info on exclusion zones or any other restrictions on the Hudson for the fireworks?

 

[blouderback]

Re: July 4th on the hudson river

Here ya go:

https://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/802/282842/

 

[iGadget]

Re: July 4th on the hudson river

That's perfect, Thank You.

 

[wajajaja02]

Re: July 4th on the Hudson river

Re: July 4th on the Hudson river

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/LNM/d1/lnm01242009.pdf

page 38-42 lays out the coast guards rules and locations of the fireworks.

don't recommend doing it. you will be in a narrow "alley" looking at the end of the display, you must be in position by 7 pm , and stay put in the river that is changing tides, packed with small boats. 65 ft and larger will be between you and the display and you cannot anchor, or move until 10 pm, or given permission, going south in anything smaller than 30 ft can be dangerous with the big boys in NY harbor in nice weather.
45000 rockets in 20 mins is one big flash and from on end or the other end is well just a big flash bulb in the face to me.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: July 4th on the hudson river

Smaller boat and fireworks do not mix well on the Detroit river on fireworks night. I have only been by boat once on a friends 25 footer. The aftermath when everyone tries to leave at WOT will swamp smaller boats quite easily. It was bad even in his 25 footer.

 

[iGadget]

Re: July 4th on the Hudson river

Re: July 4th on the Hudson river

Not sure if you meant me or the original poster. I'm going to be north of the show in a 32' in "Charlie" section if I decide to enter their zones. For the small distance lost I'm now considering anchoring above Charlie, and off to the side of the river to hopefully pick up an angle on the barges. Won't know what I can do until I get there.

I love fireworks, so no matter what it'll be a good trip...at least this first time.

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/LNM/d1/lnm01242009.pdf

page 38-42 lays out the coast guards rules and locations of the fireworks.

don't recommend doing it. you will be in a narrow "alley" looking at the end of the display, you must be in position by 7 pm , and stay put in the river that is changing tides, packed with small boats. 65 ft and larger will be between you and the display and you cannot anchor, or move until 10 pm, or given permission, going south in anything smaller than 30 ft can be dangerous with the big boys in NY harbor in nice weather.
45000 rockets in 20 mins is one big flash and from on end or the other end is well just a big flash bulb in the face to me.

 

[wajajaja02]

Re: July 4th on the hudson river

I was making a general statement, a 32 ft should be good, hopefully a cabin boat, but remember you will be under power for 4 hrs holding position against the tide and no anchor.

I went last year on a party boat, and we had a storm just prior to the show. I was not impressed with the display from the river, Manhattan bridge to be exact. and you will only see one barge basically