PortSide invented kayak valet in NYC.  On our special Kayak Valet Days, you can paddle to Valentino Park, Red Hook, and we watch your boats so you can visit the neighborhood. 

The Red Hook Boaters has adopted the concept, and they offer kayak valet services on the days the run their great free paddling programs. Their schedule here

During Kayak Valet Days, PortSide provides provide Red Hook maps and info on where to eat, shop and see things of local interest. 

Safety

If you are coming from the north, the Buttermilk has some of the fastest currents in the harbor. It is also a very busy commercial channel with fast ferries, containerships, cruise ships, tugs and barges.  Their captains are always concerned when they see recreational boaters as they can’t be sure of the skill level of boaters like you. Please be considerate and prudent and stay out of the center of the channel.  Don’t cross in front of large vessels at any distance less than a mile, and make any change of course an obvious move so your intentions are clear.  You can hail them on your VHF on Channel 13.

The large commercial vessels have more limited maneuverability than you as they can’t move out of the narrow channel and they need up to a mile to stop.  (See Rule #9 below). 

If you are coming from the south, be careful crossing the entrance to the Erie Basin.  Tugs and barges exit at speed and cannot stop. Water Taxis  dock is active on weekends.  Just past this point are the submerged remains of a pier extending out some 200 feet from the wharf where you can see the Lehigh Valley 79 Museum Barge docked.  These rocks are submerged most of the day, a small buoy marks the southern end of the remains.

 (d)     A vessel shall not cross a narrow passage or fairway if such crossing impedes the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within such channel or fairway. The latter vessel may use the sound signal prescribed in Rule 34(d) if in doubt as to the intention of the crossing vessel.

2011 News

PortSide was a winner in a competition by desigNYC to receive pro-bono design services.  PortSide's project is to redesign the outside of the box where the Red Hook Boaters store their kayaks in Valentino Park. More...