Docking for Bear Island Home

uschisk · 07-18-2017, 01:49 PM

When we first bought on Mark Island, we valeted the boat as no slips were available. It was stressful, I was always worried that we would forget to tell them that we needed the boat and get up to the lake late Friday night to not have a boat. Whenever we needed to dock for more than a few hours it was an issue. We got a slip for the following year and have had one since, which works much better for us. If we change our mind about boating out a certain day due to weather or something else that came up, no big deal, and it is always there are ready for us!
We use Shep Brown's, not sure if they are full or not, I know they usually have some valet spots and we have been very very happy with them.

Descant · 07-18-2017, 03:18 PM

We're on Welch Island, but I think this applies to Lockes and the Forties.
In addition to Gilford YC, Glendale YC and Fay's, there are several islanders at MVYC and Silver Sands. Some use Dave's on Rte 11A behind Sawyer's for winter storage, and rely on Glendale Town docks. We found that mostly too crowded and have not been there regularly for years. I have a slip at MVYC; my daughter has valet at MVYC. If she goes off for the day, she leaves the boat at the valet docks and it usually stays there all day. They used to keep the boat on a trailer and launch/retrieve Friday and Sunday. A real nuisance with little kids to watch, or in the rain, so they love valet.
For us, showing up on Friday with baggage, a weekend of groceries, and new parts for whatever improvements are in store, maybe some guests, is not the time to shuttle with the "little" boat you mention.

FarmhouseOne · 07-19-2017, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Descant

For us, showing up on Friday with baggage, a weekend of groceries, and new parts for whatever improvements are in store, maybe some guests, is not the time to shuttle with the "little" boat you mention.

Thanks for your note. I agree: the little boat is definitely not my first choice, but Fays and MVYC are both full (no slips or valet). I'm just planning at this point to work my way through the list of options, but keep hearing "everything's full" from other people.

FarmhouseOne · 07-19-2017, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uschisk

We use Shep Brown's, not sure if they are full or not, I know they usually have some valet spots and we have been very very happy with them.

Thanks, Shep's is next on my list to call. Fingers crossed!

fatlazyless · 07-19-2017, 01:09 PM

How's about getting back to your island Shangri-La by paddling a 15'x56"x8", 50-lb weight, inflatable, 1050-lb capacity, 5-7 people Megalodon paddleboard.....4-paddles included ...... price-$999, shop it around? ...... just unload it off the car roof, down at the Cattle Landing, Town of Meredith public dock, park the car, and start paddling ...... no trailer, no slip, no motor, good-to-go any weather, healthy exercise ..... paddle the water .... and drag it across the ice?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJRvFxVJZXI

What's missing ...... pfd's w/ a whistle ...... no one, except for one young boy, is wearing a life vest.

www.myfwc.com/boating/regulations/paddleboard/

"In 35-degree water, one can survive for 1 3/4-hours or 105-minutes, while floating with a pfd." A pfd helps to conserve heat, too. So, just blow the whistle and don't get in a panic.....help is usually just a whistle away.

Descant · 07-19-2017, 01:50 PM

I return to a previous thought: If you're buying or leasing, the owner or landlord should have mainland access that you can "take over". Have you talked to the realtors representing island properties for sale or lease? I feel like worrying about access before you have a property under negotiation may be premature. You haven't revealed here any contact with realtors or FSBO's.

codeman671 · 07-19-2017, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FarmhouseOne

Thanks, Shep's is next on my list to call. Fingers crossed!

They are full. Usually availability opens up at the end of the year as not everyone renews. You may have to ride it out for now.

07-19-2017, 01:09 PM	#5
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,858 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 303 Thanked 1,039 Times in 758 Posts	How's about getting back to your island Shangri-La by paddling a 15'x56"x8", 50-lb weight, inflatable, 1050-lb capacity, 5-7 people Megalodon paddleboard.....4-paddles included ...... price-$999, shop it around? ...... just unload it off the car roof, down at the Cattle Landing, Town of Meredith public dock, park the car, and start paddling ...... no trailer, no slip, no motor, good-to-go any weather, healthy exercise ..... paddle the water .... and drag it across the ice? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJRvFxVJZXI What's missing ...... pfd's w/ a whistle ...... no one, except for one young boy, is wearing a life vest. www.myfwc.com/boating/regulations/paddleboard/ "In 35-degree water, one can survive for 1 3/4-hours or 105-minutes, while floating with a pfd." A pfd helps to conserve heat, too. So, just blow the whistle and don't get in a panic.....help is usually just a whistle away. Last edited by fatlazyless; 07-25-2017 at 11:19 AM.

07-18-2017, 01:49 PM	#1
uschisk Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: NH and Mark Island Posts: 64 Thanks: 37 Thanked 11 Times in 10 Posts	When we first bought on Mark Island, we valeted the boat as no slips were available. It was stressful, I was always worried that we would forget to tell them that we needed the boat and get up to the lake late Friday night to not have a boat. Whenever we needed to dock for more than a few hours it was an issue. We got a slip for the following year and have had one since, which works much better for us. If we change our mind about boating out a certain day due to weather or something else that came up, no big deal, and it is always there are ready for us! We use Shep Brown's, not sure if they are full or not, I know they usually have some valet spots and we have been very very happy with them.

07-18-2017, 03:18 PM	#2
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,463 Thanks: 1,379 Thanked 1,665 Times in 1,084 Posts	We're on Welch Island, but I think this applies to Lockes and the Forties. In addition to Gilford YC, Glendale YC and Fay's, there are several islanders at MVYC and Silver Sands. Some use Dave's on Rte 11A behind Sawyer's for winter storage, and rely on Glendale Town docks. We found that mostly too crowded and have not been there regularly for years. I have a slip at MVYC; my daughter has valet at MVYC. If she goes off for the day, she leaves the boat at the valet docks and it usually stays there all day. They used to keep the boat on a trailer and launch/retrieve Friday and Sunday. A real nuisance with little kids to watch, or in the rain, so they love valet. For us, showing up on Friday with baggage, a weekend of groceries, and new parts for whatever improvements are in store, maybe some guests, is not the time to shuttle with the "little" boat you mention.

07-19-2017, 01:50 PM	#6
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,463 Thanks: 1,379 Thanked 1,665 Times in 1,084 Posts	I return to a previous thought: If you're buying or leasing, the owner or landlord should have mainland access that you can "take over". Have you talked to the realtors representing island properties for sale or lease? I feel like worrying about access before you have a property under negotiation may be premature. You haven't revealed here any contact with realtors or FSBO's.