NYCkayaker East River Paddling

[john mcgarvey]

I believe the same thing was said at one time about the Hudson River,  
yet kayaks and commercial vessels safely coexist.

We have had great success with our LIC Boathouse on the East River,  
bringing the public and local kayakers out on the beautiful  
waterway.  We work very hard at providing a safe, fun and educational  
environment for the kayak community and the public.  Our boathouse  
has a fantastic relationship with NYC Parks, the Harbor Patrol, CG  
and commercial ventures like the Water Taxi and Water Taxi Beach.  It  
does require constant work and vigilance, but certainly not an area  
to abandon.

But not to minimize the potential for dangerous conditions and  
hazards, which there are many, but that requires due diligence and  
research on the part of the individual kayaker.  We're always happy  
to consult on any East River trips folks want to undertake.

Happy paddlin',



John McGarvey
917-572-0206
http://meatspacegallery.com/
http://licboathouse.org/
http://metropolisinmotion.org/






On Sep 24, 2007, at 9:49 AM, Richard Smith wrote:

> Although I have never paddled in the East River I have navigated it  
> many
> times in sailboats of varying sizes.
>
> That said I would strongly discourage any thoughts of a public  
> launch site
> or recreational boating from the South Street Seaport north to  Gracie
> Mansion.
>
> Currents in this area can approach 6 kts.  In the west passage at  
> Roosevelt
> Island whirlpools develop which make navigation in a powered boat  
> difficult.
> The Manhattan Shore is bulkheaded and it would be extremely  
> difficult if not
> impossible to land on in an emergency.  Roosevelt island and the  
> Queens
> shore are bulkheaded and/or filled with rip/rap again non-hospital to
> landing.
>
> Heavy commercial marine traffic can be expected and there is little  
> a tug
> with tow or a commercial vessel can do to avoid a small man powered  
> craft.
>
> There are plenty of places in the metro area which are suitable for  
> small
> boats.  The East River is not among them!
>
> Richard Smith
>
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