Best place to buy a raft?

[offmycloud]

I need a small raft for my kids to swim to. Does anyone know of a good place to purchase one? Our place is in Moultonborough.
Thanks

[winnidiver]

Center Harbor Dock and Pier On Rt25 And Lake Shore drive.

[Dave M]

You may want to try Docks Unlimited in Meredith, 279-3116. They
advertise rafts.

DM

[bilproject]

Don't forget you need a DES mooring permit to put out that raft! People at Docks Unlimited are very helpful and nice. Bought Jet ski lifts from them last year.

[Gatto Nero]

Don't forget you need a DES mooring permit to put out that raft! People at Docks Unlimited are very helpful and nice. Bought Jet ski lifts from them last year.

I don't believe that is correct. I seem to recall that you might need to notify either DES of Safety Services, but a permit is not required. I do believe that whoever governs them wants you to have your name and number on it in case it gets away.

[offmycloud]

Thank you all! Gatto Nero is correct. I only need a mooring permit for a boat mooring, not a raft. I can just stick a raft out there. At least this was the case last year. I put a one of those big blow up tramps out there last year and didn't like it. They don't bounce very well and are tough to climb up on. They are really comfy to lie on though.

[KonaChick]

a few years back DES or MP I can't remember which one wanted you to more or less "register" your raft. You had to fill out all the paper work and of course pay a $10 fee. At that point they said you had to have reflectors on your raft and also your name and phone # written clearly on one side. I've never seen or heard anything else about this meaning we've never recieved anything in the mail telling us we needed to renew the "registration". My guess is the agency just needed to raise some quick cash and decided to sucker the raft owners out there for the money. Stupid, stupid, stupid!!!

[fatlazyless]

In my opinion, those yellow and blue stripped inflatable raft-trampolenes are very difficult to climb up on their web ladder. Maybe fun once you get up on those rafts, but climbing that little web ladder is like impossible.

Maybe check craigslistnh and enter raft into the for sale search.:coolsm:

[Phantom]

Irwin Marine is another spot to check out --- we bought out "pontoon" raft from them

[codeman671]

We bought a leftover 8x10 from Watermark, complete as a package with the chain, snap line, block, etc. $2k I think.

[Grady223]

Using parts purchased from Overton's, actually parts meant for floating dock sections, including the floats. It cost about $800, including the ladder about 8 years ago and is still in great shape. It is 6' by 8'.

[offmycloud]

Thanks everyone - I will check all that out. Where is Watermark?

[SIKSUKR]

Watermark is across from the Laconia airport in Gilford on Rt 11.

[ApS]

"...I do believe that whoever governs them wants you to have your name and number on it in case it gets away..."
The raft rescued last Spring by me (of two known to the forum to be errant among the ice floes last year) had no ID on it on any surface, and the owners were unaware of its location for weeks.

It has a number n-O-w-W-W! :)

I'd suggest putting a contact name or cellphone number visible from shore by binoculars on each horizontal surface to assure a timely return.

[Bear Islander]

a few years back DES or MP I can't remember which one wanted you to more or less "register" your raft. You had to fill out all the paper work and of course pay a $10 fee. At that point they said you had to have reflectors on your raft and also your name and phone # written clearly on one side. I've never seen or heard anything else about this meaning we've never recieved anything in the mail telling us we needed to renew the "registration". My guess is the agency just needed to raise some quick cash and decided to sucker the raft owners out there for the money. Stupid, stupid, stupid!!!

A few years ago the Department of Safety enacted an administrative rule requiring permits for swim rafts. However the legislature did not like this idea and they reversed it.

You DO NOT need a permit for a swim raft.

here is an old thread on the subject.
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2433