Sez the first mate as she, Andrew and Miss Meg untied our lines and bid the boys adieu this morning.

Other than the winds being 50% more than forecast (a steady 15-20, with gusts to 30) we had a no drama slide through NYC and on to Great Kills.
Oh I guess there was a weensy little drama when the starter didn't engage as we approached the first bridge. Ryan got a quick lesson in about face tack. The Cap'n gave the starter a brief expletive and a quick jab in the ribs with a screwdriver and we were motoring merrily down the East River.
Even passed a garbage scow when we decided that being downwind was too much of an assault on the senses.
Cruising note: Great Kills is definitely the place to be when it is honking out of the NW (vs Atlantic Highlands.) Easy access and like a mill pond in here. Hundreds of boats in marinas on on moorings. The yacht club rents moorings for $35. Must be willing to traverse skinny water at low tide. We saw two feet under the keel coming into the well marked channel. But they don't call him King Kut for nuttin.'

Sorry to miss our friends in NYC but if you look at the wind forecast for the next few days you will forgive us for grabbing what appears to be a very golden opportunity.