Downings Landing F&G
 

I was wondering if anyone knows how quickly the boat launch fills up? What would be a good time to get there and how is it launching/parking a boat there? Thanks in advance.

I have only launched there once and got there right around sunrise and was the 4th boat in. I would say on a weekend, if you are not in by 8 you are probably gambling but if they fill, you can opt to pay to launch up the west shore at West Alton Marina or the East shore at Roberts Cover...both about a 10-15 minute drive. I've never done it but you can also opt to use the town launch over by the Mount dock and leave your trailer at the designated lot in town (free I believe but I don't know the details on that lot.

Based on my single experience at Downings, I had a pretty long wait to pull my boat out later in the day. Single ramp and everyone pulling out meant it only took one inexperienced person to back everything up.

Town ramp
 

The Alton town ramp next to Shibley's is free as is the trailer parking. The trailer parking is on Letter S road across from the Highway Dept, about one mile +/- from the boat ramp.

Agreed with MikeF. I have neat trick to avoid the long wait for pulling out. PM me if interested.

Note, the one day I arrived on a Summer weekend after 9 AM, I was able to get a parking spot when a fisherman came back to pull out for the day. The taken spots are not always taken for the whole day. I launched, tied up on the non-ramp side of one of the ramp docks, and waited patiently in my tow vehicle for a spot to open.

Is the highway dept next to where Conboys Cozy Cottages are?

We were in Alton for breakfast last Sunday about 9. The parking / trailer area was almost full at that time.

Here is where Letter S road is:
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=80+Le...03809&t=m&z=14

No, that is the parks and rec building.
 

Driving from the bay, go past Cozy Cottages, over the little rise in the road, to the road that cuts off to the right at the bottom of the hill that takes you up to "uptown Alton" (:laugh:). The highway department is about a half mile down that road on the left, and the trailer parking is across the street on the right.

Just be aware that you can not park your vehicle down at the bay overnight. Trailer parking area is fine overnight.

Thanks appreciate it!

Does the Alton town ramp get crowded during the day and is there a dock right there? I assume you can park your truck either in the parking area or on the side of the road?

We went by Downing's yesterday in the morning-maybe around 10 and there were a lot of trucks already parked there. It seemed almost full.

It is hit or miss as far as being busy...
 

You can launch and tie up right next to the ramp for a short period of time, or just slide on over to the regular public docks and tie up.

If you are launching by yourself, tie up next to the ramp, and then move your truck out of the ramp. Then you can move your boat over to the town docks and then come back to take your trailer down to the Letter S road lot. Come back and park your car in the bay parking lot, or in the parking areas along the street, get in your boat, and enjoy the day.

Hope all works out for you.

Thanks everyone I appreciate all your input! Maybe I'll see some of you on the lake. I have a Stingray cuddy 23' white/blue

We could start a whole thread on ramp stories......I live in Newburyport and years ago, there was no supervision at the ramp at cash man park.......there would be as many as 30 pr 40 boats circling at the end of a sunny Saturday waiting to take out. For the most part, people would realize who was next, but there was always some jerk who would just cut in line and haul out ahead of people who were patiently waiting for an hour or so. I saw a number of fist fights over the years!

Funny you bring up that boat ramp in Newburyport. I only live 20 min from there and I've see some real aholes at the boat launch! Forget the fact its a challenge with the current leaving/entering the harbor! We put in up in Hampton and go down south of plum island ,cranes beach and anchor there for the day! By the way they made some real nice improvements with the Hampton launch. All new piers, they have self serve 24 hour gas/diesel pumps

Did they add a dock next to the ramp so you can launch without being in the boat? My wife hates backing down that ramp...

Unfortunately they didnt put a dock right next to the ramp.