Kids Westchester | ||
Westchester CountyBoat Launch |
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All Armonk Listings
Armonk Boat Launch |
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Wampus Pond Park | 914-273-3230 | |
Wampus Pond Park, 102-acres in size, is located at Route 128, Armonk NY 10504, Westchester County. Wampus Pond is named after the Indian from whom this land was bought in 1696. Wampus Pond means “opossum". A recent cultural resources inventory performed by Parker Harrington indicates that early 20th century rock shelters, several Native American artifacts and remnants of historically significant residential developments were found within or near the park. website and more . . . |
All Croton-on-Hudson Listings
Croton-on-Hudson Boat Launch |
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Croton Point Park | 914-862-5290 | |
Croton Point Park, 508-acres in size, is located at Croton Point Avenue, Croton-on-Hudson in Westchester County. Find many historical features at Croton Point, including Historic School House, Wine Cellar, Wine Cottage, and more. website and more . . . |
All Irvington-on-Hudson Listings
Irvington-on-Hudson Boat Launch |
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Scenic Hudson Park at Irvington "Scenic Hudson Valley" | 914-591-7736 | ||
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All Mamaroneck Listings
Mamaroneck Boat Launch |
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Harbor Island Park and Conservancy | 914-698-0343 | |
Harbor Island Park is located at Mamaroneck Avenue and Boston Post Road in Mamaroneck, NY 10543, Westchester County. Harbor Island is the largest park in Mamaroneck village with 44-acres of playground equipment such as swings; and a pavilion, rest rooms and showers. website and more . . . |
All Montrose Listings
Montrose Boat Launch |
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Boat Launch Site at Georges Island Park | 914-737-7530 | |
Call for location of boat launch ramp, fees, and more information about the Georges Island Park Launch Ramp in Montrose, NY. website and more . . . | ||
George's Island Park - Hudson River Boating | 914-737-7530 | |
George’s Island Park, a 208-acre waterfront park, is located on Dutch Street, Montrose NY 10548, Westchester County in the Hudson River. George's Island offers magnificent views of the historic Hudson River. It contains tidal wetlands, a fresh water pond and wooded trails, and provides boat access to the Hudson River as well as areas for nature study and picnicking. more . . . |
All City of New Rochelle Listings
City of New Rochelle Boat Launch |
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Glen Island Park and Glen Island Beach | 914-813-6720 | |
Glen Island Park and Beach, 105-acres in size, is located in New Rochelle NY 10805 in Westchester County. Glen Island is an island property connected to New Rochelle by a drawbridge built in the 1920s. After Playland, Glen Island is the second most widely used park in the County Parks system.
From Westchestergov.com "This 105-acre island property is connected to New Rochelle by a drawbridge built in the 1920s. After Playland, Glen Island is the second most widely used park in the County Parks system. One of Westchester’s unique jewels, it was initially developed as a summer resort by John H. Starin. The original design exhibited the five cultures of the western world on individual islands linked together with piers and causeways. Today the islands have been merged with substantial fill areas totaling 130 acres and providing a beautiful crescent shaped beach with access to the Long Island Sound. website and more . . . |
All Westchester County Listings
Westchester County Boat Launch |
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Hudson Highlands | 845-225-7207 | |
Click
to enlarge photo of the Hudson Highlands.
The sign reads: "For much of its 315-mile course, the Hudson River flows straight and broad. But at the Highlands, the Appalachian mountain chain intersects the river to create a fifteen mile stretch of rugged, mountainous landscape. This area contains the river's narrowest and deepest points, as well as its fastest currents. The Hudson River is an estuary, a mixture of salt and freshwater, and the saltwater line extends just north of Beacon. The River is tidal all the way up to the Troy Dam above Albany." website and more . . . |
All City of Yonkers Listings
City of Yonkers Boat Launch |
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Municipal Boat Ramp Yonkers | 914-377-6450 | |
Call for location of boat launch ramp, fees, and more information about the Yonkers Municipal Boat Ramp at Kennedy Marina Park in Yonkers, NY. website and more . . . |
All Yorktown Heights Listings
Yorktown Heights Boat Launch |
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FDR, Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park | 845-245-4434 | |
The Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park is located at 2957 Crompond Road, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 in Westchester County.
About Franklin D. Roosevelt Park: "A scenic haven approximately 40 miles from New York City, Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park offers day trippers a day of fun and relaxation. The park's spacious picnic areas, which can accommodate individual families as well as large groups, may be reserved in advance. The park's mammoth pool can hold 3,500 bathers at one time. In addition the park offers a host of other activities for people of all ages to enjoy. website and more . . . |
More Hudson Valley Boat Launch |
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Albany County [14 listings over 8 locations]
Columbia County [6 listings over 5 locations]
Dutchess County [10 listings over 6 locations]
Greene County [5 listings over 3 locations]
Orange County [10 listings over 5 locations]
Putnam County [3 listings over 2 locations]
Rensselaer County [9 listings over 9 locations]
Rockland County [25 listings over 11 locations]
Saratoga County [2 listings over 2 locations]
Schenectady County [1 listing over 1 location]
Ulster County [9 listings over 4 locations]
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Select a boat launch site from our list of boat launches in Westchester County. Call for the exact location of the boat launch ramps, for fees, and specific hours of operation.
Trailering and Launching Boats
Trailering
Back the tow vehicle up to the trailer. If you have help, have your partner stand beside the trailer tongue to help with alignment on the hitch ball. One system that works well is to have your partner hold a "thumbs up" when the hitch ball is in line with the tongue. If off to left or right, point in the direction the tow vehicle needs to go to get on line. If necessary, raise the tongue with the jack wheel to clear the ball. When the tongue is on the ball, close the spring lock that keeps the coupler secure on the ball and put the hitch pin or bolt in so it can't pop off. The rig may need to be pulled forward for the tongue to set fully down on the ball. Raise the jack wheel so it is out of the way. Hook the chains diagonally across (left to right, right to left) to the tow vehicle. If this part of the hitch system fails, the idea is for the chains to catch the tongue to keep it from driving into the ground. Hook the chain for the surge brake system to the tow vehicle. Connect the lights and make sure they work. Check running, brake, turn signals and emergency flasher lights. Check to make sure that the winch cable and safety chain are secured tightly to the boat.
Launching
Load personal gear into the boat. Put gear from the boat (canvas cover, straps, etc.) into the tow vehicle. Turn the blower on to ventilate the bilge area. Open the engine compartment to help the process. Use your nose to smell for fumes; nothing works better than your sense of smell for detecting the odor of gasoline. Put fenders out where appropriate to protect the boat when it is being launched. Prepare any lines that will help tie the boat off once it's in the water. Check the lower unit to make sure the gear oil is topped off. If the oil is foamy, water is mixed with the oil. The oil needs to be replaced and gaskets replaced on both the fill and air vent holes. If the boat is an inboard outdrive and the lower unit is down, raise it before moving the trailer. Put the drain plug in. If it is already in, check to make sure it is tightly in place. Approach the ramp and back your trailer to the edge of the water. If you have two people, put one on board to help the driver judge when the trailer is in the right depth of water. Unplug the lights. Remove the straps that hold the boat on the trailer at the stern and/or amidships area of the boat if you have not done so already. Store in the boat for easy access when pulling the boat out. Do not remove the winch and safety chain hooks on the bow eye until the boat and trailer are in the water! Back the trailer into the water. If there is someone on board, they can signal when to stop with the horn. A good rule of thumb is to back the trailer in until the trailer wheel hubs are just above the surface of the water. This might not work depending on the gradient of the ramp and how quickly it drops off. All ramps are different, so trial and error will play a big part in learning the ramps in your area. Note: Mechanics who work on trailer brakes recommend that trailer hubs never be submerged in salt water. If they are dunked, make sure they are rinsed off with fresh water at the end of the day and expect major brake work a minimum of every two years. Chock the wheels of the tow vehicle. Lower the inboard/outdrive -- Check clearance for the lower unit to avoid damage. Start the boat and warm it up for two to five minutes. Remove the winch hook from the bow eye, release the lock or ratchet and remove the hooks. If the boat doesn't roll off the trailer, it will need to be put in forward gear to take tension off the cable. Put the throttle in forward gear when the engine is warmed up with just enough power to take tension off the cable. The partner can take the hook off and give the "O.K." hand signal to the operator. Communication between partners is essential to avoid injuries. Sometimes the weight of the boat is not enough to pull the cable out. Sometimes the gradient of the ramp is not steep enough for the boat to roll off. Put the boat in reverse, release the lock or ratchet, and back off two or three feet. Once the cable pays out, put the boat in neutral and remove the hook. It may help to throttle forward a short distance to slacken the cable. Remove the hook and back the boat away from the ramp to a waiting area. Keep the boat clear of launch/retrieval area so other boaters can use the ramp.
Retrieving the boat
Check to see that all straps and cables are tight. Raise the lower unit. Plug lights in and check to see that they are operational. On a regular basis, nuts and bolts should be checked to make sure they are tight. Tires should be checked regularly and rotated. If your trailer is big, consider having it x-rayed once every 2-3 years for structural damage. This article is credited to Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission |