www.iFourWinns.com

Anyone ever been there that can give me tips on what to see while I'm there? I may be taking the 4 hr trip up there this weekend for a few nights. Seems like a really nice place. Olympic size pool, video games and stuff for the kids etc....

Thanks
-Tom

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2005 Four Winns 268 Vista

It's in upstate NY on the Hudson River.

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2005 Four Winns 268 Vista

I have many nights there as a stopover. It is enormous - a city unto itself with 1,000 slips. Very easy navigating in and out. They typically put transients on the Silver dock which is quite a walk to the facilities/office/restaurant. As you will see on a map, the marina is not walking distance to anything and there are no major attractions immediately nearby worth cabbing to, so plan on staying put and enjoying the pool - the kids will love it. I last ate at the restaurant back in June and had a great meal. They usually have live music on the weekends. And since you'll be there on the weekend, the place will be hoppin' and the pool will be packed. A lot of boaters seems to use it as their county club and seldom leave the dock. If you feel like getting off the dock while you're there and the weather is great, it's worth the ride north a bit to the Bear Mountain Bridge. A bit further and you'll be at West Point. It is one of the most beautiful sections on the Hudson. For a much shorter ride, there is also a great anchorage a bit south of Haverstraw Marina on the east side of Haverstraw Bay at Croton Point, but on a nice weekend day it is typically packed. That said, if you're like me, you like to tie up, plug in and hang out. For a couple of nights you should enjoy it.

Also know that their docks are aluminum. If you have a dog they will have difficulty walking the docks on a hot day and will need paw protectors.

As you're navigating north of the GWB, obviously pay close attention to your charts, but don't feel obligated to stay in the channel. There is plenty of water outside of the channel, particularly once you clear the Tappan Zee Bridge and you should feel comfortable staying west of the channel to plot a more direct route to the marina.

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

Thanks, I appreciate all the advice and tips. I will definitely take it and take some pics and let you know how it was. I'm a little learny now about this weekend. The weather keeps changing from sun to rain to thurnderstorms back to sun. It's very confusing to say the least.

Any other places since you're in my area where you have visited? I was going to check out Fire Island as well as Port Jefferson.

Thanks
-Tom

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2005 Four Winns 268 Vista

They have a nice marina at the Molly Pitcher. Then it's just a quick dinghy ride to Boondocks for grilled garlic shrimp. But I kid.

Port Jeff is a great town to visit by boat. I've only stayed at Danford's there which is a world class marina. No pool, though (although they will deliver room service to your boat). Manhasset Bay would be an even shorter ride. I've stayed there at Brewer's Capri which is one of the finest marinas I've been to. It has a pool but it is very small and not the most appealing place to spend the day. If you have a dinghy you can motor over to a nearby beach which, while the beach is private and you're not supposed to go ashore, everyone anchors out and swims in the water there. Dinghy or water taxi to Port Washington. I spent three nights there and really enjoyed it but didn't have kids to entertain. Heading north on the Hudson, Haverstraw is your closest best bet.

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

Where is your summer slip located? I may be looking to change. Actually thought about changing to Haverstraw if I really enjoy it. Only 1hr and 10min from my house. One negative thing about it is that its twice the distance of Redbank where I am located now = not as convenient. Positives would be that I'm driving north instead of south for the weekend. I'll have to weigh the options after I visit Haverstraw this weekend. Positives are that it's half the price of my slip in redbank!!

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2005 Four Winns 268 Vista

Another huge positive is that you'll be out of the salt. I am sure you have seen the brand new, leftover V358 and V378 at Irwin. I was stunned at how bad the boats looked. I realize that millions of people happily keep their boats in salt water - and I may someday too - but it really struck me when I saw that boat in particular how much extra work it is to keep a boat looking and running great, no matter how it boat is, when you're in the salt.
The other great benefit of Haverstraw is it's such a great jumping off point to so many places. There's so much to explore to the north (including Lake Champlain which would be more within your reach if you had a couple of weeks to take off) and of course the Sound is practically in your backyard. Obviously, in the Navesink, you have to do a bit of traveling just to get to open water. I'll be curious to hear your thoughts on Haverstraw. Have a blast!

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

Very True! Sounds like a plan. I'm going to take a drive up ther today to see what Friday traffic will be going up that way. I'll check out the grounds before I take the trip out there tomorrow morning. You think it's about 3 or 4 hours going from Redbank to Haverstraw?

If you're taking any trips up that way let me know. Maybe the wife and I can follow you on one of your trips up north. It's our first year boating so we're a little hesitant to take trips by ourselves. Furthest we've been so far was NY Harbor and up near the Harlem River and back. I'm looking forward to the Haverstraw Trip.

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2005 Four Winns 268 Vista

If you are comfortable getting to NY Harbor, then you've done the most challenging part of the trip. It is completely straight forward beyond that with some great sights along the way and a great destination as you continue to get comfortable with cruising (beware the impending desire to go bigger). The trip is 59 nautical miles and it took me 3.5 hours - I imagine you cruise at faster speeds. If you have Google Earth and would like, PM your email and I will send you my track for the trip that you can open up in G.E. Beyond studying the charts, I typically check out unfamiliar destinations in Google Earth before going. It will be a great trip and the threat of rain has diminished some. But it's going to be HOT!

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards