NYCkayaker East River whirlpools?

[Richard Smith]

The whirlpools are mostly encountered around the Roosevelt Island tramway
and just south of the Quuensboro Bridge. If my recollection is correct we
experienced them in 5 or 6 knot currents and it was the time of max current
velocity.   The depth sounder was measuring a depth of greater then 200 feet
at the time.  Of course this reading (thermoclines) might be wildly
inaccurate but the water in this area is deep!

The whirlpools are about 18" to 24"  in diameter  and do not last very long.
I don't recall the direction of rotation but most likely it counter
clockwise.

Out of curiosity I sailed through one.  The boat, 28 feet 4 tons swerved but
was controllable at all times.

The standing waves generally represent an area of differing current
direction and are mostly seen toward the end of the tidal cycle.  To me they
reperesent a hazard (and discomfort) which can be avoided by careful study
of Eldritch.

Richard Smith