Brooklyn Sails in the Bronx

Today, we headed up to the Bronx to see what's happening in City Island. City Island was one of the leading yachting and shipbuilding centers in the Northeast in the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries. Following World War II, City Island was home to the shipbuilders that assembled a number of 12-meter sloops that successfully defended the America's Cup, including Independence, Enterprise, and Courageous, Ted Turner's boat.

While there are no longer shipyards assembling the most up-to-date racing yachts, City Island is home to a very, very active sailing scene, home to some of America's oldest yacht clubs such as Stuyvesant Yacht Club, City Island Yacht Club, and Harlem Yacht Club. The island is home to an active racing scene and a great spot to begin a cruise around Long Island Sound or to Block Island.

We were invited by Captain A.G. to help get his boat, a Cape Dory Typhoon, in working order for its inaugural 2006 sail.

A.G. keeps his boat at The Island Boat Club, a small club with minimal facilities, a few dozen slips -- primarily for fishing boats -- and mooring field in a very sheltered part of the island. The club does not have tender service, so A.G. rows his dinghy out to mooring field.

After we got the boat rigged up, we headed out for a sail. The wind was light, but strong enough to keep the boat moving. It started to build a bit as we stayed out on the water. And even with the overcast sky, we did see quite a few sailboats on the water.

The views from Eastchester Bay are amazing and an interesting combination of urban, nautical and preserved wetlands. The Throgs Neck Bridge is clearly visible as is the skyline of Manhattan. Because of its proximity to Manhattan and Long Island Sound, there are quite a few boats on the water. However, that doesn't diminish from the "out of New York" experience that sailing out of City Island provides. Even if you can't make it for a sail, we strongly recommend a visit to one of New York City's most nautical neighborhoods.