Swimming in the Hudson

C

captcraig

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Pardon the ignorance, but I figure you will set me straight.
Planning on transiting the Hudson in 2010 with my Golden Retreiver who just loves to swim as well as I.
As it will take a few days to get to the Fed Lock, I am wondering if we can swim in the water or avoid due to the pcb's etc....?
If I can, are there any good sites in North Croton as well as RondOut areas?
I ma not sure where if I am throwing the hook further north just yet?
 
You'll be fine once the glow wears off from all the readiation and PCB's.

Seriously, no worries. Many peaple swim regularly at Croton and bowline. In fact croton has a beach regulated by the county for swimming. Not sure about further up for swimming holes.
 
I've been swimming in the Hudson since the 60's when it probably wasn't such a good idea, and I can't wait for the 2010 season to get back in the water. Usual spots are under the Palisades near Spuyten Duyvil, just south of Tappen Zee bridge, and off Croton point.

Safe and Happy Boating!
ColonyCove
 
If you get up to Kingston go up the Rondout Creek. You will see Lou Roberti's marina there and across from it and a little down stream is a sandbar that everyone anchors off or bows into. Watch your depth because there is quite a bit of tide.
There are a couple of mooring balls off the Anchorage restaurant which is pretty good, and you also have the Rondout Yacht Basin and the Town Docks in Kingston.
 
Most of us that frequent this forum swim in the Hudson River. Then again that could explain a lot. I mean I'm just saying....
 
Thanks Everyone..... I did not want to push through the Hudson because of the swimming issue, but rather spend a few days here and there and enjoy.

Any suggestions NORTH of RondOut?
 
Captcraig - here is a site worth checking (the link speaks for itself): http://www.riverkeeper.org/water-quality/swimming-in-the-hudson.
North of Catskill Creek is the Middle Ground Flats. If you take the secondary channel up the west side of the flats there is great holding if you want to swim off the boat without the barge traffic coming through. There is also a sandy beach on the northwest side of the flats - just watch your chart and you'll be fine. While in that area, there's a decent dock & dine spot at Athens On The Hudson. There are several other visible "beaches" on the east side of the river as you proceed north of Athens. Again, as you'd be doing anyway, mind your charts. I'll frequently anchor out and dink to a beach. Whenever we swim off the boat in the river, except at completely slack tide, we tie-off. The current will quickly part you and your boat if you're not careful. We always wear PFD's when swimming the river, including the pooch.
 
To clarify my post, the Middle Ground Flats are just north of the Rip Van Winkle Bridge, just past the Athens lighthouse. People swim off their boats in Catskill Creek as well if it hasn't rained in a while, but it is also a "discharge zone" so it's worth monitoring the Riverkeeper's reports for that. A couple of good spots to eat on the creek as well as a well-loved place to tie up in Catskill Marina.
 
swimming in the hudson is ok, but a boat is recommended if you and the pooch are going to transit the locks.
 
I anchor around the GW Bridge and swim there all the time. Currents are very strong. You need a life line.
 
30+ years of swimming in the Hudson the extra eyes that I have grown have been a big help watching my kids.
It sounds like you will be well north of the most of the spots I swim at but I would not be concern about it. I don't recommend drinking the water but other than that you and your dog will be fine. There are some very nice places to stay and stop. As mentioned Catskill Marina is a nice small place with a pool and restaurants within walking distance. A little further is Rondout Very nice a bit more to do and if you have a dink it nice to go to the waterfall at the end of the creek and I'm sure the dog would love it.
 
Yes it is. And for me, Kingston is far enough. As I have said Catskill offers a couple of good marinas but the city is on borrowed time. Low income housing surrounds Catskill Marina and Hop-O-Nose on the other side offers a restaurant that is ok. While Catskill marina is a clean well run place, if you leave it on foot it's like leaving an all inclusive place in Jamaica or one of the other islands. Poverty, beat down buildings etc.. They're trying but some of the kids hanging out on the way to a restaurant will make you think twice about doing it again.
 
I'm sorry I thought you where coming down through the locks that must have been a different thread. If you are heading North I agree no reason to pass Rondout for Catskill. But you may want to continue to Waterford passed the 1st lock. If you have never been through a lock it is something to experience unless your dog is your only mate it helps to have extra hands. I don't think paws will help much.
 
quote:
Originally posted by boatbumCatskill offers a couple of good marinas but the city is on borrowed time. Low income housing surrounds Catskill Marina and Hop-O-Nose on the other side offers a restaurant that is ok. While Catskill marina is a clean well run place, if you leave it on foot it's like leaving an all inclusive place in Jamaica or one of the other islands. Poverty, beat down buildings etc.. They're trying but some of the kids hanging out on the way to a restaurant will make you think twice about doing it again.
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With all due respect Dan (and I do mean that - I read and enjoy all of your posts), I feel this is an unfair characterization of what Catskill is now like. I have many friends who are permanents at the Catskill Marina who would also disagree. I have spent a lot of time there over the past several seasons. I have walked from the marina into the village in the daytime and at night and have spoken with many other transients (including a lot of non-New Yorker loopers) who have done the same recently and in no way felt unsafe. While Main Street is a nicer walk (and not all but a lot of those beat-down buildings have been rehabbed), I have walked Hill Street into town which has the low-income housing and have gotten smiles and waves from residents and people on the street.

I'm not looking to paint it as Disneyland - I do agree that the town is "trying" and the renaissance it was beginning to experience stalled out a bit when the economy went south, but there are some great new restaurants, shops and galleries and I would hate for anyone to cross it (or any port) off their list without knowing the whole story. Or feel like they couldn't venture out after dark.

All that said, I re-emphasize that my comments are made with respect and if your experience this past season or recently was different, I apologize for jumping in like this. I can only speak of my experience.

I know there are others on this board who have been to Catskill recently and would love to hear their thoughts.
 
Dan has given a very acurate description of Catskill.

Catskill Marina is our all time favorite destination on the Husdon, but the town is exactly as Dan states. Things use to be very good when the marina had their own restaurant, but if we go now, we make sure that we carry all supplies needed for the week-end and just enjoy the marina.
 
Thanks Gang ---- If I leave Rondout going North it appears to be 21 miles to Catskill? Is there anyplace else that I can throw a hook before Federal Lock? Say approx 30 - 40 miles North of Rondout?
 
quote:
Originally posted by captcraig

Thanks Gang ---- If I leave Rondout going North it appears to be 21 miles to Catskill? Is there anyplace else that I can throw a hook before Federal Lock? Say approx 30 - 40 miles North of Rondout?

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As you follow the channel north into New Baltimore (which is on the west side of the river) you will see Houghtaling Island. The water to the east of the island is a popular anchorage locally known as "The Hook." It is navigable as indicated on the chart, has good holding and is reasonably protected from the wakes of the main channel's traffic. At lower tide ranges there are sand bars and a muddy beach by the east side of the island.
 
The Hook Anchorage...... How far should I go in? It appears to be isolated from any town which is fine. Does this get busy with the party goers and speed boats?
 
quote:
Originally posted by captcraig

The Hook Anchorage...... How far should I go in? It appears to be isolated from any town which is fine. Does this get busy with the party goers and speed boats?

Click to expand...

It is definitely isolated - just you and the eagles. You will pass a small yacht club to the east as you enter. Well mannered captains will back it down to no-wake well in advance of the club and motor into The Hook at a no-wake speed. I typically go in several hundred yards past the club, but you can certainly go in further as the chart indicates. Plan to not drop a stern anchor and swing with the tide. It can get busy with a few raft-ups or solo boats at anchor on weekends but it is typically not a "packed party scene" and most are respectful of not leaving a wake. During the week it is wonderfully quiet. There is plenty of room to have your privacy if other boats are around. There is a train track on the east bank but that is largely unavoidable when cruising the Hudson.

Note that Shady Harbor Marina in New Baltimore on the other side of the island has a restaurant which varies in quality from season to season. The marina also has fuel and some supplies. A bit further north is Coeymans Landing Marina which has fuel, a great restaurant, an excellent ship's store and some of the best mechanics on the Hudson. Really the last full service marina before the locks. If you go to Coeymans pay very close attention to your chart and the warning markers (assuming they are properly floating). There is a submerged sea wall between the channel and the marina which is not visible at high tide and cannot be crossed.
 
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