The Navigator
THE BOATER’S TRIFECTA: HOW TO ROW, SAIL AND KAYAK ON THE EAST RIVER
Put on your deck shoes and lather on the sunscreen. It’s time to get off shore
By COURTNEY MIFSUD
If you’re near a ferry landing, you’re near watercraft action. Paddle at sunrise? Check. Birdwatching on Newton Creek? Check. Tacking? Gybing? Check. But where should you start? Our source, Sebastian Head, is not exactly impartial. He’s been sailing since he was six, began teaching as a teenager and now is an instructor with the Manhattan Sailing School. So, yes, Head suggests…sailing! In New York City, “A lot of people don’t know sailing is an option,” says Head, but conditions on the East River are great. It has a consistent, steady breeze and lots of landmarks for easy navigation. His advice: “Get out there and try it.” Of course wannabe boaters who prefer paddle work have lots of other East River options. Here are some great boathouses to check out.
BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK BOATHOUSE
Watercraft action Kayaking
Membership based? No, but there are special, volunteer-only trips. Volunteers must join American Canoe Association for insurance purposes ($40/year or $5/event)
Lessons? Beginner and intermediate classes are free; there is a fee for more advanced ACA certification courses
Where you go The embayment between Piers 1 and 2; volunteers qualify for trips to Red Hook, the Statue of Liberty and more
Great for All level kayakers
Don’t miss Kayak polo on Sundays in the summer
Bonus Curious about water quality? From May to October, the Brooklyn boathouse tests the water weekly and publishes the results on Friday afternoons
bbpboathouse.org
Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 2
Ferry Landing Brooklyn Bridge Park/DUMBO
Walking Time from Ferry Landing 16 minutes
BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK BOATHOUSE
RED HOOK BOATERS
Watercraft action Kayaking
Membership based? No, just get involved as a volunteer
Lessons? No, but the boathouse provides free equipment and paddling and safety tips
Where you go Red Hook Channel
Great for All kayakers who want to clean up the river
Don’t miss Special fundraising kayak trips, like the summer 2016 one around Governors Island
Bonus If you volunteer on the beach, you can sign up for open water tours around Gowanus Canal, Governors Island, and Brooklyn Bridge Park
redhookboaters.org
Louis Valentino Jr. Pier Park
104 Ferris Street
Ferry Landing Red Hook Dock, Van Brunt Street (NY Water Taxi)
Walking Time from Ferry Landing 9 minutes
RED HOOK BOATERS
ONE°15 BROOKLYN SAILING SCHOOL
Watercraft action Sailing
Membership based? You can join the sailing club, or just take classes
Lessons? Yes, from starter “tastings” ($140 pp for 3 hours) to 2-day weekend immersions ($600 pp)
Where you go Classes are held in New York Harbor
Great for Newbies who wants to learn sailing and other-level sailors who want to learn more
Don’t miss The brand-new marina itself, with slips for more than 100 boats
Bonus Skip the lessons and charter a private sailing trip through ONE°15 Marina
one15brooklynmarina.com
Brooklyn Bridge Park, between Piers 4 and 5
Ferry Landing Brooklyn Bridge Park/DUMBO
Walking Time from Ferry Landing 16 minutes
ONE15 BROOKLYN SAILING SCHOOL
NORTH BROOKLYN BOAT CLUB
Watercraft action Kayaking and canoeing
Membership based? There’s a membership option for $40
Lessons? Yes, and they’re free
Where you go Newton Creek and more
Great for Eco-conscious paddlers who want to learn about environmental impact
Don’t miss Easy-level birdwatching paddles
Bonus Friday night bonfires at the boatyard (members only)
northbrooklynboatclub.org
49 Ash Street
Ferry Landing Hunters Point South/ Long Island City
Walking Time from Ferry Landing 15 minutes, via the Pulaski Bridge
NORTH BROOKLYN BOAT CLUB
THE LIC COMMUNITY BOATHOUSE
Watercraft action Paddling, kayaking
Membership based? No
Lessons? Yes, and they’re free
Where you go Hallets Cove (near Socrates Sculpture Park), Anable Basin and more
Great for All skill levels, including beginners
Don’t miss The Manhattanhenge excursion, to view the sunset aligning with the East-West grid of Manhattan streets
Bonus Learn about estuary ecology
licboathouse.org
46-01 5th Street, LIC
Ferry Landing Hunters Point South/ Long Island City
Walking Time from Ferry Landing 12 minutes
THE LIC COMMUNITY BOATHOUSE
_____
What’s cool and current around New York City’s East River? UrbanCoast.nyc
Interested in What We’re Doing?
Please, join us! Become a sponsor. An advertiser. A contributor. Or, just get in touch. All tips, introductions, and good ideas welcome!
RELATED STORIES
WHERE THE CREATIVE CLASS GOES TO WORK: THE BROOKLYN NAVY YARD, INDUSTRY CITY, BROOKLYN ARMY TERMINAL & THE NEWLY OPENED EMPIRE STORES
AROUND THE MURRAY HILL ‘HOOD: 6 BEST ROOFTOP BARS WITH A BUZZ
THE URBANCOAST INCLUDES NYC’S EAST RIVER WATERFRONT NEIGHBORHOODS. GETTING AROUND HAS NEVER BEEN EASIER. LET US HELP YOU CHART THE WAY