[Paddlewise] NYC Boaters PLEASE READ

In the greater New York metropolitan region,  Great Kills Harbor on Staten
Island is probably the best pleasure boat facility East of Oyster Bay.
Situated on the East Side of the Island, offering immediate access to
Raritan Bay which teams with life.  The harbor its self is totally protected
and is (in the main) controlled as part of a public park by the Gateway
Recreation Area people.

An air conditioned express bus which stops at the parks entrance runs from
Manhattan seven days a week.

The harbor is totally protected, their is a public marina, several yacht
clubs and moorings for larger boats.  A swimming beach is a short distance
from a public boat ramp.

Outside of the harbor it's self, sand/mud flats extend for a considerable
distance.  With the prevailing onshore breeze it's ideal for wind surfing

The west side of the harbor is devoted to privately owned marine and related
business's including several excellent resturants.

Sandy Hook is 12 miles away.  since Raritan Bay is protected from Atlantic
swells it's a long but not particularly difficult paddle.

The Eastern shore of Staten Island hosts many parks, beaches and other
public amenities. Easy landing. no surf.

Unfortunately at the moment there is (at the best) only token acknowledgment
by the Gateway management towards catering to the interests of paddlers and
owners of small Sunfish like sailboats.  I suspect that the Gateway people
would consider installing the simple facilities needed to  host and store
such small boats which could be launched from the very nice public launch
ramp, if sufficient interest is shown by potential users.

What follows is a copy of what I sent to the Gateway rep today.  If you are
interested participating in what I am proposing you might add your thoughts.
here is a link to the Gateway administration.   carole_silano_at_nps.gov

______________________________________________________________

Would it be possible to store a small (12 foot) board type sailboat
(Sunfish...etc) on a dolly in the Parking Area near the boat ramp during the
boating season?  I live in a Staten Island condo that does not allow boat
trailers on the property.

The ramp is there already.   A small grassy area would be fine for storage.
Cost to Gateway would be little or nothing!  Easily defrayed by a small
annual fee.

The nearest public facility which offers such a program is the Spruce Run
Reservoir in Jersey .  They have a public boat launch/storage installation
(60 miles away)

It seems to me that the existence of such an option on Staten Island would
serve to provide access to the water for those whose financial means forbid
membership in a yacht club.  I am not suggesting that you would be overrun
but I bet that in a couple of years 10 to 20 boats would launch from there.

Dinghy sailing is a totally no polluting activity and has ZERO impact on the
environment.  The same can not be said for the power boaters you presently
cater to.  Or god help us... what goes on at Nichols!

I know there is an existing "small boat launch" west of the existin boat
ramp in the woods.  It's tough to get a 45lb Kayak down the trail (blocked
with a log) and over the bulkhead... impossible with a Sunfish and no
storage anyway.

I realize that Nichols presents them selves as a full service marina.  But,
they offer no facilities (ramp, land storage or rack) for owners of small
board type sailboats.  Yes I know they have a metal pipe dinghy rack on one
of their floats.  At 68 years I cannot lift a 130 lb boat straight up out of
the water and onto the shoulder high rack so it's not an option for me (or I
suspect... most)

Richard Smith
80G Dinsmore Street
Staten Island, NY  10314

(212) 412-4737
(718) 983-1042


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