Ramp fees!

[OldePharte]

Re: Ramp fees!

At LOTO the Conservation Department built several public ramps and associated parking areas that are free year-round.

The one across from me is snow plowed by locals who want to launch their fishing boats. If the cove gets iced over, they mount a plow on an old motor grader and break the ice enough to launch a boat, who then get to play ice breaker. So state maintenance is minimal.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Ramp fees!

I almost refuse to pay to launch so I guess I'm spoiled. If I'm going to a place that has something worth paying for I don't mind, like a spot to beach the boat and grill food or whatever.

Since I take my boat out 3-5 times/week it would get costly otherwise.

I use free public launches at about 7 local lakes/rivers. The only exception is a private lake that has a bait shop/party store/pizza place/boat rental that charges $6 per launch.

The fishing is good there so I don't mind the fee since it's the only way on the lake unless you own frontage. Plus it's easy for my fishing buddies to chip in for the launch and bait

When I take my boat to the big lakes I will not mind paying fees since those launches are much more costly to maintain than small lakes.

Michigan is implementing a new law where everyone(even folks that don't camp, fish, hunt or own boats) will pay a new fee when you get your driver's license renewed that will include entry to all state parks which almost all have boat launches too, so that will be nice for us boaters.

I can't believe the costs in other parts of the country, California is something else

 

[jmarty10]

Re: Ramp fees!

Bonz - youre old stomping grounds on the fox river is $20 pretty much at any marina including up in the chain of lakes. How come you dont like Lake Delavan? Right now with the river closed I have not option but to do L.D.

purcarnagee - I have in out service this year and my body of water that I boat on has either been no waked or closed for at least 5 weeks now this season from May - August. Next year, I'm putting my boat in secured out door storage, and trailering. I now understand why all of these guys who trailer a lot like it..............cheap.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Ramp fees!

Kev, if you had a running boat, I'd hate you

take a number buddy!

 

[Mr_Shamrock]

Re: Ramp fees!

I guess I should feel lucky after reading some of these posts. The ramp we use the most is completely free and well maintained. Even at the largest marina around here it is only $8 for the whole truck load. At the same time I guess I pay Duke Energy enough each month that it's the least they could do.

 

[Purecarnagge]

Re: Ramp fees!

Bonz - youre old stomping grounds on the fox river is $20 pretty much at any marina including up in the chain of lakes. How come you dont like Lake Delavan? Right now with the river closed I have not option but to do L.D.

purcarnagee - I have in out service this year and my body of water that I boat on has either been no waked or closed for at least 5 weeks now this season from May - August. Next year, I'm putting my boat in secured out door storage, and trailering. I now understand why all of these guys who trailer a lot like it..............cheap.

Our area is a resevoir. You can get on it early May typically, and then its regular level all year...this year it actually got really high, within 8 ft of the spillway. I don't want to buy a new SUV to do this, I live in a townhouse so no where to store the boat or a extra SUV. I would have to trade into a 99ish SUV, and I'm not sure I want to do that, like my 03 maxima every other time of the year except trailoring/camper factor.

Its also my biggest problem for trying to buy a boat right now is figuring out whose truck I can borrow to haul it... I don't think rental companies let you just haul stuff with rental truck. Not sure haven't called yet. Well i could use a ranger, but I doubt my father in law will approve of his dinky 2 wheel drive ranger pulling a 20ft boat. My problem will be just getting the new boat to the marina...

 

[tuffshot]

Re: Ramp fees!

I have at least 4 lakes within 30 miles, no fees on any of them.
Several smaller lakes within 50 miles no fees
Even the Ohio river has free launching State ran ramps.

Guess I didn't realize some places even rip off access to state owned water.

We have pain in the butt fees but guess we are luckey around here.


Don't come to southern Ohio to go boating, there are no fish here and the water stinks.

 

[tburda]

Re: Ramp fees!

Its also my biggest problem for trying to buy a boat right now is figuring out whose truck I can borrow to haul it... I don't think rental companies let you just haul stuff with rental truck.

Dont ask, rent, use, return. lol.

 

[DareDog]

Re: Ramp fees!

raquette lake in northern ny. $10 to launch a boat, not bad since they put long concrete pad on ramp and part into the water last yr.

 

[Billdc]

Re: Ramp fees!

Most marinas on the upper chesapeake charge $10 for a daily rate, but most of them have showers/bathrooms to use after boating. To leave your boat on a trailer in their yard and use the ramp they want $800 or so for 6 months. The High and dry storage is $2500 for the year for a 23' bowrider with lift in and out once a day. I found a city ramp for $50 a year out of state and $25 for MD residents, and trailer it back and forth.

 

[Shrike]

Re: Ramp fees!

Ohio River...Free

 

[DennisM]

Re: Ramp fees!

Bonz - youre old stomping grounds on the fox river is $20 pretty much at any marina including up in the chain of lakes. How come you dont like Lake Delavan? Right now with the river closed I have not option but to do L.D.

purcarnagee - I have in out service this year and my body of water that I boat on has either been no waked or closed for at least 5 weeks now this season from May - August. Next year, I'm putting my boat in secured out door storage, and trailering. I now understand why all of these guys who trailer a lot like it..............cheap.

I know the feeling, I used to boat on Long Lake, paid 15 to launch, this year owning the boat, and living on the lake, got it on my slip. but NO WAKE arg...

As it looks now, should only be a few more days and it will open back up. Otherwise will be going to long lake and launching to test the new wakeboard pylon..

 

[DareDog]

Re: Ramp fees!

 

[cr2k]

Re: Ramp fees!

The place where I usually go is a State Park so there is a $3 day use plus $7 for a boat. That said, being a State Employee (retired) I get in for free. Wonder why I keep going to that lake? Oh yea, it's big and, well FREE!

Other local lake is small and only charges $4 on the honor system. I gladly put the $4 in an envelope there to help keep it open.

 

[phoenixisrizen]

Re: Ramp fees!

Shenango Reservoir in NW Pennsylvania.
Several free on lane ramps around the lake w/o courtesy docks.

A full-serve marina that charges $7.
And my personal favorite:
the Shenango Recreation Area ramp. It's four lanes wide, concrete, plenty far out, steep but not too much so. Enough courtesy docking for 8 boats. Separate Boat Prep lane. Plenty of parking. All for $3 a day.

In my opinion, a perfect ramp!

 

[642mx]

Re: Ramp fees!

$6/launch or buy a yearly pass for $60.... no brainer really. But this is on the Ohio river at a crappy ramp that is already State funded.... makes no sense to me, but whatever... I just wanna go boating!!

 

[riptide09]

Re: Ramp fees!

All the places I go are free except one. On occasion I go to the state park close by. The ramp is free however it does cost $5.00 to park and of course you can't get to the ramp without paying to get in the lot.

When I was down at Virginia Beach earlier this year the public ramp was $14 per use. I think the sign said it was $7 if you were buying a fishing license also.

 

[sleek2004]

Re: Ramp fees!

in az most of the lakes r 10 bucks a day or so but lake mead is i think 5 bucks for 5 days witch i think is the place 2 be just hope it will be full again some day

 

[ddrieck]

Re: Ramp fees!

Several ramps each at Glendo, Alcova, and Pathfinder reservoirs out here in Wyoming where I go boating. All I have used so far are improved concrete with a dock. A few have a backup ramp that were poured during low water drought years that are currently underwater.

Cost: Free (sort of) paid for by our taxes.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Ramp fees!

Its also my biggest problem for trying to buy a boat right now is figuring out whose truck I can borrow to haul it... I don't think rental companies let you just haul stuff with rental truck. Not sure haven't called yet.

Dont ask, rent, use, return. lol.

I wouldn't count on that guys. My neighbor rents full size pickup trucks all the time for his job (no idea why, I doubt he ever hauls anything) and I have taken a particular notice to the fact that NONE of them are ever equipped with a hitch.