Thurston's
 

Does anyone know if you can launch your boat at Thurston's? Staying very close by in Paugus Bay and would prefer not to have to go thru the channel on a Saturday afternoon.

Thurston's ramp is for their use only.. they do not typically let the public use the ramp as it is very narrow and they frown upon powering the boat back onto the trailer. The Christmas Island ramp can be used and there is/was a number to call on the property by the old motel. Channel will hoist your boat in, but its pricey! You might be able to launch at Irwins or Lakeport Landing if you give them a call...

Woodsy

Irwin's and Lakeport Landing
 

Irwin's have limited parking so come early. Lakeport Landing allows parking on the public streets. Both cost $20. Both have excellent launch ramps.

Thurstons is on the channel ? you could go to Meredith.

But is the ramp on the Paugus bay side or on the other side of the channel? I thought of Meredith first, where it's public and free, but that was my issue was I didn't want to be driving the boat all alone going thru the channel to get to the cottage. Hubby drives the truck with the empty trailer back to the cottage and I take the boat. He has no sense of direction and can get lost out there where I just need to see a place once and it's ingraned in my head. Plus I can't drive with a trailer on the car so it's the best way to do it.

Irwins is probably going to be where we end up, and we might even wait until Sunday morning to launch.

Early Sunday mornings, before 9 AM, are usually very quiet. If there is any traffic in the channel, it will be coming from Paugus Bay, so you should not have a problem if you launch in Meredith. It is a very easy run from Meredith to the channel.

Good luck and enjoy your vacation!

R2B

Akwa
 

Akwa Marina also has a launch for $20.00 and they are very close to the Weirs.

Dan

If you are staying in Paugus Bay then Christmas Tree Island might be your best bet.

But the launch is from the beach in beach sand. Easy to get stuck....

Don't know anything about the launch other than they had one. Hard to believe it is that type of launch considering the boats there and type of facility...

Thanks for the info!

Dan

I haven't seen anything big launched from there. I did have Winnisquam Marine deliver my pontoon boat there but I'm sure the bigger boats are launched elsewhere. Also, I wasn't aware of a $20 fee to do so, maybe that's included in our membership.

I would think it would be free if your a member. I asked for a friend a few days ago who is not a member and was told there is a $20.00 launch fee...

Dan

Channel ramp
 

9-5 pay the fee at the front office at Thurston's and they'll give you a key to open the gate. Lock the gate and return the key to the office when you are done. Last I knew the Xmas Island gate is closed in this time period as the property was recently sold. Fee at Meredith, fee at Shep's, fee at Center Harbor. All are doable relatively early but on the weekends quickly go downhill after 9 am. Biggest problem are people who line up to launch but are not prepared or have trouble backing up and have to take several shots at it. Winnisquam can be okay depending on timing and how many bass boats are going in or coming out.

Thurston's
 

Went by on Sunday on our way home and noticed the yard and showroom seemed to be empty. Did they move? Closing? Renovating?

We keep our boat at Thurston's and I was in the showroom on Sunday afternoon. Definitely in business!

Launch ramp
 

Thurston's has been and is going strong. Like I said their launch ramp by the drive-in is available 9-5 daily by paying at the front office to have access to the key to open the ramp.
The Christmas Island property has a very large SOLD sign in front of it and the property has a boat launch ramp but whether it is open to the public at this time is in question.

I believe they are doing inventory very smart in an economy that is not doing that well. They are alive and kicking and doing very well

Glad to hear that they are alive and well. It was strange to go by and see no boats in the yard, and the showroom looked empty too.