Conference vicki::boats

    Try the Merrimack Valley Seaplane Base 689-3389, they have
    a ramp where they launch planes.  It is not very busy, especially
    this time of year.
    
    Use my name, they will probably let you use it, or can suggest another
    area.
    
    Don

    
    Don,
    
    	I'll take you up on that suggestion when I head to the 
    part of the river south of Lowell, but currently I'm looking
    for access north of the Lowell dam.
    
    Rick

    Oh up there...
    
    There was a fellow that had a seaplane ramp on the north side of
    the river above Lowell.  It still looks good, although I haven't
    seen his plane lately.
    
    It is off a short road with about six houses on it.  I suspect he
    might let you use it.
    
    Don

    Rick,
    
    There is a ramp further up the river than the Lowell dam ramp. From
    exit 33 off of Rt. 3, head east toward No. Chelmsford. When you
    get into No. Chelmsford square, turn right onto 3A south, but only
    go about 100' or so, and look for a dirt driveway on your left (I'm not
    sure if there are any signs). If you get to the fork in the road
    where Middlesex St. splits from 3A, you've just passed it. It is
    a longish dirt driveway that brings you by some sort of industrial
    business (gravel, concrete???). The ramp is nice, and almost looks
    like a small municipal setup. The driveway sort of looks like private
    property from the street, but i've never had a problem there.
    
    Good luck,    Al

    
    re: .4
    
    	Thanks Al, 
    
    		That sounds like the one that I heard rumors
    about. As a matter of fact I was in that "Industrial park"
    yesterday evening looking for a ramp, but must have missed
    it. Do you make a right when you get to the buildings?
    
    Rick

    Re: .5
    
    Rick,
    
    I can't remember the exact sequence of turns, but I believe that
    you have to turn to the right at some point as you snake your way
    around. The times I've been there, I've been a passenger in the
    car, and was probably B.S.ing instead of paying attention.
    
    Sorry I can't be more specific.
    
    Al

    
    re: .5
    
    	Thanks again, Al.. I'll find it and post here...
    
    Rick

    
   	Follow the directions in .4, then...
    
    		Right after the railroad tracks,
    		Left to avoid driving into the "Hard Hat Area"
    		Immediate right after fenced in "Hard Hat Area"
    		Bear right at Baseball field,
    		Ramp will be directly in front of you.
    
    	There is a sign about "Private Property and trespassers",
    but the baseball field is the town of Chelmsford's and looks
    very public, so I'm not going to sweat the sign, it may only
    apply to the railroad crossing, anyway.

    	Anyone else watching the races from the water on Saturday?
    
    Rick

    
    	Forgot to mention that it's a very nice concrete ramp,
    you know the kind with seperate slabs of concrete. May even
    be able to use 2WD.
    
    Rick

                
	495 to

	Route 3 North to exit 32

	Second right off rotary at exit 32 onto Route 4 (N. Chelmsford)

	At set of lights follow route 3A toward North Chelmsford

	Over small bridge and past restored factories into North Chelmsford    
                                                                       
    	Right turn onto Wotton St at Blinking lights  
    		(before Liquor store and Pizza place on right) 
    		(You should see and old nasty factory at the
				end of this road)

	Right after the railroad tracks towards baseball field

	Bear right at Baseball field,

    	Ramp will be directly in front of you.
    
    	There is a sign about "Private Property and trespassers",
    but the baseball field is the town of Chelmsford's and looks
    very public, it must only apply to the railroad crossing.

                           

    Not knowing where to post this question, I'll put it here. (Mr.
    Moderator please feel free to move.)
    
    Where is the closest place to Nashua to launch a 15 ft boat giving me
    access to the ocean?
    
    Thanks
    
    Ben

    Downtown Haverhill, I suspect. Anything east of that will leave you
    with  dams and rocks to navigate through. There's a public ramp next to
    the Cresent Yatch Club, off main street in Haverhill, and supposedly
    further down towards Groveland off rte 97, at the Groveland/Haverhill
    bridge is another public ramp. It's about 12-14 miles to the mouth
    of the Merrimack from there.
    
    ~jeff

    I don't know if it's the closest place to Nashua, but there's
    also a ramp in Seabrook Harbor.  From Seabrook, just before
    your cross the bridge into Hampton hang a left. You pay at
    one of the charter fishing shops in there.
    
    From there, you have access to the Isle of Shoals offshore, 
    and the Essex River or Plum Island to the south, and a nice 
    view of the nuke plant right in the harbor.   8^o
    
    Rick

    I like the idea of the view of the nuke 'em plant since I'll be heading
    to South Bristol (within the 10-mile Maine Yankee emergency zone). Love
    to go swimming in Back River over by Wiscasset -- the water's always
    warm!
    
    I'm planning to navigate the mouth of the Merrimack at dead low or max
    high tide when there is no wind, then start motoring down east. Seems
    like a more sensible ... well, more fun .. er .. exciting ... way to
    get the old Lyman ('58) to Maine than the Maine Turnpike.
    
    Thanks for the input.
    
    Ben

    There are two launches in Newburyport and one on the salisbury beach
    reservation.  How much water do you draw,  the merrimack channel winds
    back and forth and is not very well marked the further up you go.  Its
    a long way from the mouth to haverhill.
    
    The mouth of the river is only bad a low/outgoing tide with a strong
    eastly wind.  If it's real bad the "rough bar" light willbe going on
    the old coast guard station on the tip of Plum Island (the starboard
    side on the way out)
    
    Sounds like more fun than the highway
    
    Gordon
         

    I would recommend the 3R Marina, it is a private launch.  I think
    the cost is 10$.  They are definitely in it for the business.  I think
    they might even charge for parking of cars not used for pulling boats.
    But the ramp is nice and the dock's ok.  There is a hitable rock off
    the east side of the dock at low tide.  Just back straight out and
    you'll be fine.  There is a public ramp slightly to the east.  But the
    one time I tried to launch there, I found the ramp wasn't steep enough. 
    My boat was still high and dry when my tow vehicle tires were quite
    wet. 

	Moved by moderator
    	------------------
    
              <<< VICKI::SIE$DATA1:[NOTES$LIBRARY]BOATS.NOTE;1 >>>
                                -< Powerboats >-
================================================================================
Note 1112.0     Speedboat racing on the Merrimack this Weekend??      No replies
FAUST::FAUST "Skydiving, good to the last drop!"      8 lines  24-SEP-1993 11:20
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    Does anyone have a info on the hydro racing that is supposed to be
    going on this weekend on the Merrimack river? I've heard second hand
    that it will be this weekend, both Saturday and Sunday, and will be
    somewhere in Lowell. I havent found any further details.
    
    Thanks..
    

    
    	Yup, "Thunder in the Valley" is this weekend (9/25 and 9/26),
    although I'm not sure of the actual hours. Wish I could make it, but
    I have the proverbial "lake closing" chores scheduled for this weekend.
    
    Rick

    
    Where will it be held? Is there any special area for spectators? I've
    only heard about this second hand, and was given no details at all. I'd
    like to photograph the race. I dont have access to any boat this
    weekend, so I will be shooting from shore with long telephotos, and can
    get closeups at about 100yds. However, the closer to the action the better.
    
    Thanks again....
    

    Whew!!!!!!	Glad I read this note today.
    
    I "WAS" planning a fishing trip to the Merrimack this weekend but
    with this activity around all I'll catch is a cold :-(
    
    Thanks for posting this one.  You saved me an 80mile drive one way
    to the Merrimack.
    
    Maybe' I'll do the 120mile drive to the Cape instead? 8^0
    
    -< Tuna Tail >-
    

    I got a reply in the Fishing-V2 notes file that these races were
    up river.  So I came back in here and read the note better.
    Guess the area by the mouth will be safe from the racer's.
    
    Thanks for the info
    -< Tuna Tail >-

    
    Yup, the races take place north of the Lowell dam. Specators usually
    gather along the Heritage park area which borders the river and
    Pawtucket Blvd.
    
    Rick

    re: .22
    
    	Rick,
    		Appreciate verification.
                I feel better about goin fishin now :-)
                                               
    	-< Tuna Tail >-

    
    	Note: the State park is closed off for public access.  You will
    need to purchase a ticket to get into that area if they follow past
    practice.  Note that you can hang in the trees on the other side for
    free.  You will be closer than 100yds when they come by.  I was down
    last nigth and again tonight pulling the sailing clubs docks apart. and
    taking boats out so this event can happen.  Maybe this year they can
    keep from breaking or loosing one or more of our dock sections they
    borrow.
    
    Forrest