8/6/22 -- BROOKLYN, NY to PORT JEFFERSON, NY

                               8/6/22 -- BROOKLYN, NY to PORT JEFFERSON, NY

            Janet and I took an Uber to the marina and were on the boat by nine getting things packed away and organized. Zach and June and Avery (hereinafter ZJ&A) showed up a bit after ten and we were underway at 1022. It was a beautiful sunny day but hot (low 90s) and humid, so we had the AC going in the cabin all day (using the generator). Waters were calm in the morning (except NY Harbor had a lot of big boat wakes) but we had light chop in Long Island Sound as the wind picked up during the day (from SW and then South). 

            We ran west out the Rockaways Channel right along the beach at Coney Island, then turned north and ran under the Verrazano Narrows Bridge heading for Manhattan. We ran past the Statue of Liberty, then the southern tip of Manhattan, and on up the East River. It was an amazing ride seeing all of the NY skyline from the water, as well as iconic individual buildings along the way. We took lots and lots of photos. Here is just a sampling:

Coney Island

Verrazano Narrows Bridge

ditto with NYC ferry

leaving VNB in the dust!

NYC and Brookline skylines (L&R)

Brooklyn & Manhattan bridges

Brooklyn Bridge

Manhattan Bridge

Williamsburg Bridge

building designed by Zach's firm

Empire State Building

Chrysler Building hiding amongst newer ones

three tall buildings in background are on 57th street

(billionaire's row) and were built within the last ten years (middle one is 84 floors)

The Copper Towers 

(the two are connected by a swimming pool)

United Nations building

Queensboro bridge

Prison ship across from Riker's Island

(read all about it on Wikipedia -- look up Vernon C. Bain Correctional Center)

            About two hours after leaving the dock we cleared our eleventh and final bridge (Throgs Neck -- see list below) and so I would say were officially in Long Island Sound. We ran along the north shore of Long Island for a few hours and about three hours later we pulled into Port Jefferson Harbor. Zach had called ahead to get Craunological II a slip and his family a room at Danfords Marina and Hotel, which was quite convenient for everyone (one stop shopping) -- and frankly probably pretty lucky given it was a nice Saturday. We tied up in our slip after filling up with diesel at the fuel dock (110 gallons -- ugh -- but then we hadn't taken on fuel since Waretown, NJ, so it was time to start exercising the old Visa card), sent ZJ&A up to the hotel while we finished stowing things and cleaned the boat a bit, then met them for dinner in Port Jefferson. Port Jeff is quite the hopping summer resort town, with car ferries running back and forth to Stamford CN every hour (for $73 a car on weekends, plus $22 for any passengers beyond the driver -- one way). The car ferries carry from 80 to 100 cars, depending on their vintage, and were very impressive.

            A few other comments about our cruise today. First, the tidal currents in the East River are fierce. Fortunately, they were heading our direction. We were cruising along at about 16 mph out in NY Harbor but when we got to the East River, we were doing 19-20 mph without ever touching the throttle! I'm glad we weren't heading against that current. Second, there were a lot of sailboats out in Long Island Sound. Mix of races and people just out for a nice sail. Finally, there were lots of impressive sand dunes along the north shore of Long Island. We failed to take any pictures today but will try to remedy that tomorrow. 

             Here are the key facts for our bridges for the day:

1. Belt Parkway bridge over Mill Basin -- opened in 2019 (replaces a bascule bridge built in 1940); carries seven lanes of traffic 

2. Marina Parkway (aka Gil Hodges Memorial) Bridge over Rockway Inlet -- 4,022' total length and 540' longest span; opened in 1937; carries four lanes of traffic

3. Verrazano Narrows Bridge -- 4,260' span; 1964; carries 13 lanes of traffic on two levels

4. Brooklyn Bridge -- 1,595' span; 1883; carries five lanes of traffic (cars only)

5. Manhattan Bridge -- 1,480' span;1909; carries seven lanes of traffic plus four subway lines

6. Williamsburg Bridge -- 1,600' span; 1903; carries eight lanes of traffic plus two subway lines

7. Queensboro Bridge -- 1182' west span (which goes over the East River); 1909; carries nine lanes of traffic (plus one lane for pedestrians and bicycles)

8. RKF Bridge (fka the Triborough Bridge) -- 1,380' span (over the East River); 1936; carries eight lanes of traffic

9. Hell Gate Bridge (railroad) -- 978' span; 1917; built for four tracks, now carries three

10. Whitestone Bridge -- 2,300' span; 1939; carries six lanes of traffic

11. Throgs Neck Bridge -- 1,800 span; 1961; carries six lanes of traffic