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Ulster CountyBoat Launch |
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All Kerhonkson Listings
Kerhonkson Boat Launch |
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Minnewaska State Park | 845-256-0579 | |
Minnewaska State Park Preserve is located at 5281 Route 44-55, Kerhonkson NY 12446, Ulster County in the Hudson Valley.
"Minnewaska State Park Preserve is situated on the dramatic Shawangunk Mountain ridge, which rises more than 2,000 feet above sea level and is surrounded by rugged, rocky terrain. The park features numerous waterfalls, three crystalline sky lakes, dense hardwood forests, incising sheer cliffs and ledges opening to beautiful views, clear streams cut into valleys, world-class rock climbing and 35 miles of carriage roads and 35 miles of footpaths on which to bike, walk, hike and simply enjoy. And, all this within an hour and a half drive from New York City. website and more . . . |
All Kingston Listings
Kingston Boat Launch |
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Certified Marine Service | 914-339-3060 | |
Call for location of boat launch ramp, fees, and more information about the West Shore Marine in Newburgh, NY. website and more . . . |
All Saugerties Listings
Saugerties Boat Launch |
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Atlantic Kayak Tours - On the Hudson River | 845-246-2187 | |
Atlantic Kayak Tours is located at 320 West Saugerties Road, Saugerties NY 12477, Ulster County in the Hudson River Valley. Atlantic Kayak Tours is the largest paddlesport company in the tri-state area. We paddle in locations along the Hudson River from New York Harbor to the Albany area, and along the Atlantic coastline from southern New Jersey to Cape Cod. Our kayaks are first quality craft from a variety of U.S. and British designers. Our paddles and accessory equipment is, likewise, first rate. more . . . | ||
Bristol Beach State Park | 845-255-0753 | |
Bristol Beach State Park, 165-acres in size, is located in Saugerties, NY 12477, Ulster County in the mid-Hudson Valley.
"In 1967, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation transferred Bristol Beach to PIPC. This former brickyard in the town of Saugerties, 12 miles north of Kingston, became a 53-acre park. "In the 1990s, Bristol Beach and the adjacent parcels became highly valued for their commercial location: between US Route 9W and the west bank of the Hudson River. To keep this beautiful stretch of Hudson River waterfront pristine, PIPC expanded the park in the face of strong development pressure. With the cooperation of the former owner of the original parcel, Bristol Beach more than tripled in size to 165 acres. It remains undeveloped. website and more . . . | ||
Cantine Veterans Sports Complex | 845-246-5890 | |
Cantine Veterans Sports Complex, a 127-acre sports and recreation complex, is located at the Washington Avenue Extension, Saugerties, NY 12477 in Ulster County. The Cantine Veterans Memorial Complex is a 127-acre sports and recreation complex owned and operated by the Town of Saugerties under the Department of Parks, Recreation & Buildings. website and more . . . | ||
Sojourner Truth / Ulster Landing County Park | 845-336-8484 | |
Sojourner Truth / Ulster Landing County Park is located at 916 Ulster Landing Road, Saugerties, NY 12477 in Ulster County in the mid-Hudson Valley.
"Sojourner Truth / Ulster Landing Park offers an assortment of activities for all ages. There are several hiking trials (one trail is handicap accessible) with beautiful views of the Hudson River that provide excellent bird watching opportunities. The park also features a boat launch, playground areas, barbecue grills, horseshoe pits, basketball hoops and beach volleyball. There is a large beach area for sunbathing and swimming with lifeguards on duty." website and more . . . |
All Ulster County Listings
Ulster County Boat Launch |
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Catskill Forest Preserve - Ulster | ||
"The Catskill Park is a mountainous region of public and private lands in Southeastern New York's Ulster, Greene, Delaware and Sullivan Counties. Evidence of the area's unique natural history can be seen in the impressive skyline formed by the ninety-eight peaks over 3,000 feet in elevation. Human activities such as logging, quarrying, tanning, trapping, and fishing have also shaped the Park's more recent history. Today, tourism and recreation play a prominent role in both supporting the region's economy and creating an awareness of the Catskills' ecological significance. website and more . . . | ||
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 . . . | ||
Long Path Trail 15 - 20: Hiking / Biking Southern Catskills | 845-256-3000 | |
Long Path Trail 15 - 20: Southern Catskills - Hiking and Mountain Biking the Long Path Trail
"These sections of the Long Path mark the beginning of the route through Catskill Park. The Catskill Park has spectacular scenery and considerable rugged terrain. It passes over Slide Mountain, the tallest in the Catskills. Nowhere does the Long Path go higher. Small villages nestled in the valleys provide a break from the traverses through dense forests carpeting most of the Catskill Mountains. Most of its route follows DEC trails maintained by the Trail Conference. The trails are generally marked with different colored plastic markers. These are usually the only trail identification except at major trail junctions. The LP aqua paint blaze is reserved for when the trail crosses private property and road sections. As the Long Path changes frequently from one DEC trail to another, hikers must watch carefully for turns and make sure that they are on the proper trail. Most trail DEC junctions have signs that give the trail names and the direction and distance to important points (Distances are not always accurate on these signs.). At many of these intersections, a plastic Long Path marker indicates the route of the Long Path. Camping is permitted on State land at elevations below 3,500 feet (this elevation is usually marked by signs along the trails), and at locations at least 150 feet away from trails and water. The Long Path also passes several DEC lean-tos and campgrounds." 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]
Westchester County [10 listings over 9 locations]
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Select a boat launch site from our list of boat launches in the Hudson Valley. 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 |