July 26, 2026 Returning to My Birthplace

Friday July 24, 2026 Port Washington to Northport Harbor. 33 miles and 4.5 hours

Started the day by heading over to the town dock and their pump-out machine. The harbor pump-out boat tried on Thursday, but his unit just didn't have sufficient vacuum. One on the dock worked great. Only obstacle was needing to use it at high tide to have deep enough water alongside the dock. Hit it perfect about 9:40 and were on our way by 10. Nice, pleasant cruise. Sunny, upper 70's, light winds and calm seas. A few boats out but plenty of water here for everyone. Passed a few small fishing boats in 40+ feet with long handled tongs raking the bottom. Clams, Mussels, Scallops, Oysters??? No idea but looked like way too much work.

Passing 1848 Execution Rock Lighthouse with its granite lightkeeper's house.
Supposedly named due to executions by the British during the Revolutionary War.
Completely unverified.

Sorting his "catch"

Having pulled up the long handle he's just about ready to bring the rake on board.

Worked our way out and around Manhasset Neck, past Hempstead Harbor, across Oyster Bay and around Lloyd Neck, then down Huntington Bay and Northport Bay and finally arriving at Northport Harbor. Actually, not that simple for us finding our mooring. Always interesting going towards a very crowded new harbor. Got ourselves confused with their instructions to turn to starboard at Red Nun 6. Big difference between Red 6 in Northport BAY vs Red 6 in Northport HARBOR. Had us circling around a few times before figuring it out. You can see the added maneuvering on our trip map before finding mooring CYC 801. Our family has some history in this area. Maternal grandparents had a house just on the other side of the power plant when I was very young. Was born at nearby Huntington Hospital. Our Aunt Helen, my dad's sister, and her family lived in nearby Loyd Harbor.

The iconic 4 smokestacks from the LILCO power plant overlooking the harbor

This is an amazingly crowded and tight mooring field. Surprised at how few open moorings are available. Three different launch services in the harbor getting calls non-stop. Glad we made reservations as radio chatter has boats being turned away due to lack of availability. Finally find our assigned mooring and get hooked up. We're set for the weekend with a front row seat to a constant parade of boats as our mooring ball is right on the channel. Relaxed the rest of the day. Watching the junior sailing program prams being towed back to the clubhouse is entertaining. They start them sailing young here. Reminds you of a bunch of ducklings hurrying behind their mother. Will spend Saturday exploring town.

Northport Harbor Mooring Field

Junior sailors being towed back to the yacht club

"Captain" busy taking pictures as "Crew" works to grab the mooring ball lines.

Our neighbors in the mooring field

Saturday, we took the launch into town for a little exploring. Farmers Market in full force. Not huge, but a nice selection of items. Tempted by the pretzel stand and jelly donuts at the bakery stand. We look but don't buy - such self control!!. Disappointed that no one had some really nice tomatoes. Maybe we just got there too late. Town was packed with cars and people. Not a particularly big town. Primarily one street of shops and restaurants. Town has maintained their old "white asphalt" Main Street. Sort of a concrete aggregate. Interesting thing is the old trolley rails still remain. Wonderful waterfront park. Locals just set up chairs in the shade and watch the world go by. We check out the gift shops, galleries, brewery, etc. Opted for a late lunch at Main Street Cafe. Big portions but a bit disappointing meal. We are welcome to use the yacht club facilities and had considered dinner there, but they have a strict "proper dress" code. Little too stuffy sounding for us casual boaters. Plus, we were still full of lunch.

Main Street Northport with old trolley track still running down the street

Newest addition to Main Street integrates well with its historic look.
The boutique Northport Hotel. Just 26 rooms at $600 a night!

Always enjoy seeing a bit of maritime history. The old marine railway at Seymor's Boat Yard.
Big drum winch in shed would pull the cradle up or down via a cable to launch or retrieve boats.

Northport Yacht Club lit up for a Saturday night.

Full moon rising over the harbor

Sunday we opted for an educational excursion. Launch to town then Uber to the Vanderbilt Museum. Situated on 43 acres of waterfront property called Eagles Nest. An eclectic Spanish Revival 24-room mansion built by William K. Vandebilt II starting in 1910 with additions added through 1936 to provide space for his growing collections. Includes the mansion, a boathouse, a seaplane hangar, and his separate 2-story marine and natural history museum.

Vandebilt mansion as seen from the water

Impressive entrance to the building

Wonderful view from the grounds

Additions to the main house were made to display his ever-increasing collections.

Artifacts from all corners of the world. Part of his mission was to collect artwork
and handicrafts from native tribes before western civilization made these skills obsolete.

He truly created his own private museum with multiple diorama's

3,000 year old mummy of a believed 20-year old female
purchased from a Cairo antiques dealer in 1931.

His early years were filled with motorcar racing and sailing yacht racing. He launched the Vanderbilt Cup, the first major trophy in American auto racing in 1904. Later he took to motor yachts. Most famous being the Ava and the Alva. These were used for several around-the-world cruises. Big game excursions in Africa, south pacific islands, a mummy from Egypt, all manner of fowl and fish were collected, taxidermized and added to his collection. Upon his death in 1944 at age 65 from heart ailments, his will stipulated that Eagle Nest would be given to Suffolk County for use as a museum.

The Marine Museum. Houses his taxidermized collection of marine species
from his around the world cruises

Every wall covered with fish mounts.
Each case from a different part of the world.
Loved the plaster crown molding motif - crabs and scallop shells

32' whale shark caught off Fire Island in 1935
is the world's largest example of fish taxidermy

Walked the .5 miles from the museum to Centerport Yacht Club to grab the launch back to town for dinner. This one at The Ritz Cafe. Martha with 1/2 a lobster stuffed with shrimp salad and John with chicken marsala. Both outstanding. Then back to the boat for one last night on the mooring ball. Weather has been delightful with sunshine and 80 degrees. Some amazing sunsets while here. Looks like it's coming to an end with the extended forecast calling for a few days of winds and rain. We'll head out in the morning to find a good place to anchor and chill.