The Last Day

Sunday the 9th looks to have been our last day of an incredible month of sailing on the Hudson River. As of today, almost all the boats are off the river - with the exception of a handful that are pulled into the shallow cove at Astor Point, awaiting a tractor ride up to the farm at Rokeby. The river ice is deteriorating rapidly, and all are strongly advised to stay off the ice. Bob Wills sailed Orion to Rhinecliff on Sunday to dismantle and remove it there. On Monday, a part of the ice sheet he was on the previous day let loose and there is open river there now.

Sunday started off the no wind once again. A dozen boats or more raised sails and lined up awaiting a breeze. Hundreds of people streamed down long the tracks over the course of the day to check out the boats, many hoping for a ride. The big boats - Jack Frost, Rocket, and the A boats of both clubs began disassembling. It takes many hands and a coordinated effort to drop a 30' mast and take apart these big boats.  Around noon the breeze finally came up and several dozen boats started zipping across softening ice. At times it felt overly crowded with dns, many stern steerers, and the public all over the ice. Cracks in the ice continued to multiply, Everyone worked around each other nicely and many in the crowd got rides and we all enjoyed our last sail on the River. By 3:00 the ice softened to the point that it was time to pack in. One last glorious day.     A few images of the day...

Sunrise, Astor Point, 3/9/14, Hound almost ready to go.

No breeze all morning, but boats are rigged and ready. Hound is out first.

Wind is up! - Ice Queen spent much of her sailing time on 2 runners!
(Photo courtesy of Andy Wainwright)

Cyclone and passenger, Hound beyond us.
(Photo courtesy of and copyrighted by William Finnegan)

Dash with her "new" mainsail. Eric had her out for the first time in over 40 years.

Don Schreiber and Helen C. -circa 1939 -  her first sail on the Hudson.
In the back ground - Pop - a tiny stern steerer that arrived Sunday. 

Many hands needed to carry the Rocket's mast.

Another fabulous brunch - blueberry pancakes were served all day.

Mimosas too.




I'll add more photos, media links and boat histories in the days (weeks?) to come.