Kayak, dinghy racks coming to Warren Town Beach

Racks should be ready for use next month

Posted 7/11/19

It will soon be a lot easier for water lovers to head out on the Warren River, Jacob’s Point and upper Narragansett Bay.A large array of kayak and dinghy storage racks are being built and …

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Kayak, dinghy racks coming to Warren Town Beach

Racks should be ready for use next month

Posted

It will soon be a lot easier for water lovers to head out on the Warren River, Jacob’s Point and upper Narragansett Bay.

A large array of kayak and dinghy storage racks are being built and installed at the far south end of the Warren Town Beach. If the Warren Town Council next month approves an ordinance to make their use public, the racks will be ready to use next month for those who wish to pay a yearly fee to reserve one for the boating season.

Waterfront storage for residents’ kayaks has long been a goal of Warren Harbormaster Ed Cabral and Parks and Recreation Director Tara Thibaudeau. Bristol has had much success with its harborfront racks over the years and many residents here have requested the same thing, Mr. Cabral said Wednesday morning.

Ms. Thibaudeau set aside $3,000 for materials in this year’s capital budget, and on Tuesday Mr. Cabral, assistant harbormaster David Pion and Rock Singewald and Don Betts, who run the Learn to Sail program at the town beach every summer, started putting them together.

The racks — initially there will be 18 kayak bays big enough to hold 36 kayaks, and 16 dinghy bays — will be rented out on a first come, first served basis. The Harbormaster’s Office will hold a waiting list, and the racks will be available to store boats for permit holders from April through November of each year. Non-Warren residents can also use them, but preference will be given to Warrenites. Though a fee has not yet been set, Mr. Cabral said Wednesday morning that he will probably recommend a flat $75 yearly fee for each bay.

If the program goes well and more demand comes in, Ms. Thibaudeau said she and Mr. Cabral will look into adding more at the beach, and possibly at other areas of town where the need is identified.

“I just think it’s a good additional recreational want these days,” Ms. Thibaudeau said. “People have periodically said the town doesn’t have (such amenities) and we’re trying to fill that need.”

Before the racks are available use, the town council must approve the second reading of an ordinance that regulates their use. A first reading passed council review Tuesday night; second reading is scheduled to be heard on Tuesday, Aug. 13.

More about the racks:

Residents must obtain a permit to reserve a kayak or dinghy rack for the season. They will be available through the Warren Harbormaster’s Office. The permit stickers must be affixed to all kayaks and dinghies stored on the rack.

There will be no storage of vessels on the racks allowed between Dec. 1 and March 31.

All kayaks and dinghies must be securely locked to the bays.

The maximum size of dinghies will be set at 13 feet, with a 58” beam. The maximum size for kayaks is 16 feet, with a 36” beam. Two kayaks can be stored per pay under the flat fee.

No storage of motors and fuel will be allowed.

For more information on the program, or to talk to the Harbormaster about securing a permit, call 245-6341.

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