> This was not strictly a kayak building question. It is not the temperature of the water I would worry about. I saw the NY Fire Department haul a boater out of the water dressed in chemically protective suits, and hose the guy down before touching him. So maybe it is a building question after all: your boat dissolves under you and you need a new one afterwards! Actually, I lived at 88th and later on 43rd, both with a view of the East River. There were some neat standing waves downstream of Rooseveldt Island (?) on both tides; I don't know why I did not do the circuit. Go for it (the NYFD exaggerated) but don't drink the water.