Boating in Massachusetts

[l008com]

So my family has had a place in NH my whole life. So even though we've always lived in Mass, for the past 25 years we've had a boat registered in NH. I've been driving it since I was oooooooh about 7.

So now I'm sick of going all the way up there (thats the short story) so I want to leave the boat in MA, and find some places much closer to home to use it. The boat has become mine so I can do whatever I choose with it.

Problem is I can't even find out where to begin regarding boating in this state. Do I have to reregister the boat in MA? Do you need some kind of boating license like you do now in NH? Are there any lists of lakes and rivers around where you can drive a power boat? I'm particularly interested in dropping it in the mystic river and running up and down the mystic and the charles. I don't know the "rules of the water" in MA. I have driven a few rented boats down on the Cape a few times but never anything closer to Boston. Anyway those are only the beginning, I have a million other questions as well.

Who should I call/Where should I go for all this info? I don't know a single person that boats in massachusetts sadly.

 

[wajajaja02]

Re: Boating in Massachusetts

http://www.boat-ed.com/ma/handbook/
should get u started

 

[l008com]

Re: Boating in Massachusetts

HAHA thats funny, after I started this post, i kept googling and googling and finally came across that page. I have the PDF now I'm going to check it out and see whats what.

 

[bigredinohio]

Re: Boating in Massachusetts

Have you tried your state's Department of Natural Resources?

 

[bigredinohio]

Re: Boating in Massachusetts

Home page:
http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/

Boat registration:
http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dle/elereg.htm

 

[BAproject]

Re: Boating in Massachusetts

Does not need to be registered in Mass as long as you are not in the water for more than 60 consecutive days and it's registered elsewhere.

No license required but you need all safety gear.

This is a very helpful site you should look at.
http://www.takemefishing.org/state/page/register-your-boat/state/MA

Where in Mass are you?

-BAproject

 

[Fly Rod]

Re: Boating in Massachusetts

There is no better place then keeping a boat to fish with here on Cape Ann. We have some of the richest fishing areas regardless if you fish along the shoreline or off shore out 12 - 15 miles. There is mackerel fishing, flounder, striped bass, cod, haddock, giant bluefin tuna from footballs to 1,000 pounders, whale watching within 12 miles of the coast and sometimes closer. You could be fishing within five minutes from leaving the dock. There are several marinas in the city.

We also have a great public launch which I do not recommend launching on the weekend, here is where you want a movie camera about 5:00PM on the weekend and take a video of the drunks trying to retrieve their boats and I'm sure that there has been one or two divorces over the years also.

 

[l008com]

Re: Boating in Massachusetts

I'm a little late to respond but yeah, that wildlife and boating department doesn't seem to have the launch by the Wellington Yacht Club listed. It is a public launch. Anyone here use it?