Parking While Extended Sailing

[Inquisitor]

If I'm towing to a distant area with the idea of putting the boat in the water and sailing for say... a week, a month, several months... is there a generalized category of place that I can park my tow vehicle and trailer? For instance...

• Marinas - will they allow non-members?
• Public boat ramps
• State parks

... or is it a matter of case by case basis they might and I just need to call a Marina, boat ramp or park?

... dropping an area where I might want to go and someone with local knowledge on this forum might suggest a few places?

My current thoughts are:

• Penobscot Bay
• Nova Scotia

[NiceAft]

It varies by area.

I try to use Dockwa and Snag-a-Slip for marinas. Both have apps that can be downloaded from the app store for your phone. I also ask about storage for tow beast and trailer.

[Wyb2]

I was trying to figure this out in the RI/MA/southern ME area for a while. In this area it seems that long term (or even just overnight) parking at a public ramp is either a hard no or by special permission only.

We ended up finding a transient slip on Dockwa in Casco bay (South Port Marine) that specified the marina had a launch ramp. Their deal was parking for the truck/trailer was free if we were renting a slip for a few days. They actually suggested they’d be willing to let us store them there longer term for a fee.

I’d guess further north you’ll be able to find a marina that’s happy to work with you if you call around a little.

[Starscream]

If I'm towing to a distant area with the idea of putting the boat in the water and sailing for say... a week, a month, several months... is there a generalized category of place that I can park my tow vehicle and trailer? For instance...

• Marinas - will they allow non-members?
• Public boat ramps
• State parks

... or is it a matter of case by case basis they might and I just need to call a Marina, boat ramp or park?

... dropping an area where I might want to go and someone with local knowledge on this forum might suggest a few places?

My current thoughts are:

• Penobscot Bay
• Nova Scotia

Hey, Inquisitor! Nice to hear from you, I was worried you had moved on and didn't say goodbye!

For extended stays I like a nice fenced marina, although if you're in Canada or certain parts of New England that's not so important. I've left the rig at the public launch in Westport NY for a week, and I feel like i could have left the doors unlocked as well.

[Inquisitor]

Hey, Inquisitor! Nice to hear from you, I was worried you had moved on and didn't say goodbye!

For extended stays I like a nice fenced marina, although if you're in Canada or certain parts of New England that's not so important. I've left the rig at the public launch in Westport NY for a week, and I feel like i could have left the doors unlocked as well.

Thanks. Life's blessings and challenges have kept me off the boat and it needs a lot of love before it'll gets back in the water. Even with a lot of hope, and labor, I'll be very lucky to get it in the water this year. But... I wanted to ease back in and learn some stuff. I've never been able to put in more than say the BEER cruise length and that came with the parking. Now that we're both retired, I'm hoping to really put some longer trips on the water which triggered this question.

Never heard about Dockwa before, so that is a great piece of advice. Thanks All

[NiceAft]

We plan on doing a 17 day cruise of the Chesapeake in June. We plan to start far north in Havre De Grace, and work our way as far south as Chesapeake Beach. We located a marina that will hold the trailer and tow beast.

I tell you this to show that if you do your due diligence, you can find a solution.

[The Islander]

I am planning a long cruise across parts of the US in the spring.

My plan is to reserve a small storage parking spot for the truck and trailer. Disconnect the trailer from the ball and run the tongue of the trailer up the side of the truck to reduce the size of the monthly rental spot to about 40 feet.

You could probably get these spots from about $100 to $250 per month. Make sure the rental spot is close to where you put in at so your UBER ride does not cost too much to get back to the boat then sail on.

Once you reach your destination and do not want to return to the starting spot by boat, take aa bus, train, plane or other paid mode of transportation to get your tow vehicle and get your boat on the trailer for the next leg of your cruise.

This is my plan to sail across America in the spring. anyone interested in doing the same?

Ed

[NiceAft]

I am planning a long cruise across parts of the US in the spring.

My plan is to reserve a small storage parking spot for the truck and trailer. Disconnect the trailer from the ball and run the tongue of the trailer up the side of the truck to reduce the size of the monthly rental spot to about 40 feet.

You could probably get these spots from about $100 to $250 per month. Make sure the rental spot is close to where you put in at so your UBER ride does not cost too much to get back to the boat then sail on.

Once you reach your destination and do not want to return to the starting spot by boat, take aa bus, train, plane or other paid mode of transportation to get your tow vehicle and get your boat on the trailer for the next leg of your cruise.

This is my plan to sail across America in the spring. anyone interested in doing the same?

Ed

Looks like a nice adventure.

As I stated earlier, use some apps that are designed for such trips. I use Dockwa and Snag-A-Slip. Both have worked well for me.

Planning ahead with marinas make planning a cruise quite simple. Just remember, if you are a member of BOATUS, there are discounts not just for the marinas, but also fuel, etc. in some areas. Also, an AIS equipped radio has come in handy in busy ship traffic areas.

[The Islander]

Appreciate the heads on the AIS radio. I see the plan for Pleasure Craft is Plan B. Gives alerts every 30 seconds for a distance of 6-8 miles of oncoming vessels. Would be good to know.

Have you used the service and devices?
What is the amp usage and hardware mounting requirements?

Thanks

[NiceAft]

I see the plan for Pleasure Craft is Plan B.

I don’t know what you are saying. Please explain.

Gives alerts every 30 seconds for a distance of 6-8 miles of oncoming vessels. Would be good to know.

it is not a matter of just seeing what is out there, but also being seen. We are small.

Have you used the service and devices?

Are you asking if I have an AIS radio? Yes I do, and because I have it, I use it.


As to amp usage and mounting, look up a manual.

[The Islander]

AIS Radio.

I looked up their products.

Plan A is designed for Commercial Vessels. It gives updates every 10 seconds as to locations of other vessels.
Plan B is for designed for Pleasure Craft. It gives updates every 30 seconds.

Ed

[NiceAft]

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