NYC Harbors

North Cove has the best protection from the ever-present surge and wakes. Chelsea Piers has the easiest access (North Cove has a narrow entrance which is perpendicular to the current).

Viking,
Are you planning on sleeping onboard or just looking for daily dockage? As Ken said there is a surge and if I remember correctly North Cove is a bit exposed. You'll also get the wakes from passing boats and the Waterway taxis. Chelsea may be a little better protected for staying on.
If you want to head est down the sound there are nice marinas in Mahasset Bay and Hempstead Harbor for overnighting as well as being protected harbors.

When you say "and would like to stay on the island" are you referring to Manhattan or Long Island? If you're talking about Manhattan (we call that 'The City' ), a calmer alternative with a great view of the city is Liberty Landing across the way in Jersey. It's where you'll want to fuel anyway, and you can grab a water taxi across the river. If you're heading out on Long Island, I'd suggest Manhasset Bay, maybe Northport or Oyster Bays if you can get a spot for an off-the-beaten-path treat, Pt. Jefferson, Sag Harbor and Montauk. There are some real nice spots on the Conneticut side as well.

Look one way and you've got th NYC skyline; look in another and you've got Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, and clam. Space is very limited though. Both North Cove and especially Chelsea Pier rock A LOT. Lots of fenders, lines cinched real tight and time your step from boat to dock. It also gets loud at Chelsea at night from the turbines atop one of the buildings.

Does 79th St. have transient slips? I don't think it does. That's a city marina. North Cove is considerably calmer than Chelsea, but it has considerably more traffic going by. So there's more rocking, but it's more gentle. North Cove also has the advantage of being near the WTC & the Battery. Nice walk along the shore all the way to the Battery. Also, more upscale neighborhood (financial district). Several nice restaurants. Chelsea has a sports center with a cool bowling alley, driving range and a couple of other things, but it's on 11th Ave. at about 23rd St. So you're a cab ride to most everywhere, but closer to mid-town and the theater district. I ate at the brewery restaurant there the other day. I don't recommend it except for the weekend night bar crowd if that's your thing.

I brought a boat into there a few years ago, but that's about it. It's over in Weehawken which is about as exciting as it sounds. I seem to remember it being the marina for some condos; mostly smaller boats, and not really a transient marina although they may have a riciprical arrangement if you're with a YC. I also don't seem to remember it being a place that would inspire me to leave the boat and explore.

Hi and greetings from the Philippines! Having stopped in New York Harbor many times, Liberty Landing is my favorite. Short water taxi ride to Manhattan, that departs right there at the marina next to the light boat. Nice and quiet at night. I stayed at Lincoln Harbor once and it was the noisiest marina I have ever been to. Their pilings are steel and the dock hoops are metal. It was really loud! Nice view of the city though. If you stay at Liberty Landing, you’ll like it.

I ve stayed at north cove a few times, wakes are felt during the day but calm down at night. It all depends on the boat, it s was ok on the 70 with nearly 20 beam but I ve seen smaller less beamy boats rolling like crazy there

I ve never stopped at liberty landing but it s a popular spot.

As to fuel i usually avoid the NYC/LIS aera and fuel in cape may and pt Judith, much cheaper although sometimes you can find decent prices on the jersey coast or highlands

You may also want to try Newport Marina: http://www.igy-newport.com/ See if there is space available on the inner basin. No waves in there. There is wave activity on the outside slips. Weekends are not bad with waves because the Ferries run less. Walk to many restaurants, shopping mall, grocery stores. Also walk to PATH train and be in Manhattan in 10 minutes.

newport YC in jersey city

we stayed there for 4th of july fireworks last year. the outerdocks are rough because you are broadside to the wakes in the river. inside along the pier is much better. nice neighborhood, secure, pleasant & clean facility. 1 block to the path train and you zip through the tunnel to manhaten.

Looks like you had some good weather and good company as well. 'Tis the season. Did you happen to walk the promenade down to the Battery and visit the WTC site? Was that Maltese Falcon up at Chelsea?

Late for this thread, but good for future reference:

79th St. has transient dockage, but not transient mooring. Rate for 2011 season is $2.75/ft/day.

Plus electricity.

Plus key deposit.

Plus pumpout.

Plus, plus, plus... you're paying cab fare to everywhere, then back again. It's still a bargain compared to Manhattan rent.

More info http://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/marinas/10