Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. View the Town Marina page for more information.

The Winthrop Public Landing is a designated state/ DCR boat launch facility that is managed by the Town of Winthrop. Both DCR and the Town of Winthrop have regulations regarding parking at the landing.

View a map of parking areas at the Public Landing.

Vehicles with Boat Trailers

Those using the boat ramp must pay a $10 recreational, or $100 commercial ramp usage fee first. This is not a parking fee. Parking for boat trailers is reserved in the center two parking rows of the lot marked "Trailer Parking Only". Vehicles with boat trailers parked in the lot without a ramp fee receipt displayed in the window are subject to a $25 fine per town ordinance 12.28.020.

Vehicles Without Trailers

All other vehicles without boat trailers should park along the perimeter of the lot. During slow boating times such as foul weather, off-season, etc., cars may be allowed to park in trailer spots at the discretion of the Harbormaster.

Overnight Parking

The DCR has an 18-hour parking limit at the Landing. If you are going on an excursion or need to park longer than 18 hours, the harbormaster department can issue you a temporary Winthrop visitor parking pass for $10. The visitor parking pass allows for parking on Veterans Road only. Visitor permits can only be issued to non-resident visitors to the town.

Parking Citations

Any parking citation issued by the Harbormaster or the Winthrop Police can be appealed or paid by following the information on the Parking Clerk page.

If you have received a parking citation from the DCR, you can appeal the ticket or pay the ticket.

No! Only emergency vehicles or marina tenants are authorized to drive on the town pier. Any other vehicle that drives on the pier is subject to a fine.

To obtain a mooring permit in Winthrop you must first pay the Town of Winthrop waterways fee and boat excise tax (if you haven't paid excise tax in another city/town). Waterways fees are paid in the Tax Collector's Office at Town Hall. Once your fees are paid, you have the option of placing your own mooring or contacting an authorized private mooring service to place it for you. The Harbormaster maintains a list of authorized mooring service companies. If placing your own, you must contact the harbormaster office to obtain a placement location and schedule an inspection of the tackle. If using an authorized private mooring service, the company is authorized to place and inspect the mooring.

The pump-out service is in operation from May 1st to on or about October 31st (weather permitting). To pump out, you may use the self-serve facility located in the Town Marina (42°22'01.3" N 70°58'22.6" W) at the Landing or request a visit from the pump-out boat. The pump-out boat operates from 10 am to 2 pm daily. To hail the pump-out boat call 617-207-9092 or by VHF radio ch. 06. Please do not hail for pump-outs on VHF Ch. 16 as 16 is for emergency hailing only.

In accordance with town by-law 12.32 sec 4-9 any boat habitually moored in the town of Winthrop must display an up-to-date Town of Winthrop Waterways and Excise Sticker on the boat and a Mooring Permit sticker on the mooring ball (if any). Additionally, boats moored in Winthrop must be registered with the Environmental Police or Documented with the Coast Guard.

Stickers are issued by the Tax Collector's Office at Town Hall after payment of Excise and Waterways fees. Boats not displaying town stickers that are habitually moored in Winthrop are subject to a $75 per day fine.

View Instructions on Placing Stickers (PDF).

Yes, but you must stay at least 150 feet from the shoreline. CMR 323 2.07: 1-C (PDF) prohibits the operation of any motorboat within 150 feet of any shoreline being used as a swimming area whether public or private. Additionally, operation from 150 feet to 300 feet of the beach must be at headway speed only. The Winthrop Harbormaster Department strictly enforces these regulations to ensure the safety of those enjoying our beaches.

Equipment requirements vary depending on the size of your boat. Additionally, as a new boater, there are many other rules and regulations you should be aware of. View a detailed summary of the pertinent rules and regulations regarding boating in Massachusetts.

Yes, however, Snake Island is a protected habitat for migratory birds. Visitors to the island should remain on the beach and shores of the island only.

The Winthrop Harbormaster Department has transient slips and mooring available for rent.

The white "Restricted Area" buoys seen along the shores of Winthrop Harbor are markers identifying the restricted area of Logan Airport. No person without permission from the state police other than law enforcement and public safety vessels should be between the "Restricted Area" buoys and the shore of the airport. Any person found within the security zone is subject to a fine and or arrest pursuant to Mass General Laws. Clam diggers and others needing access to these areas must contact the State Police F Troop at Logan Airport.

Yes. Massachusetts law requires all vessels with an engine (gas or electric) to be numbered. If your dinghy or inflatable has an engine of any kind you must register it with the Massachusetts Environmental Police. The boat must display its numbers on both sides and have a valid registration sticker.

Yes, for up to 60 days.

M.G.L. 90B sec. 2-5 mandates any boat registered in another state that remains in Massachusetts waters for more than 60 days to be registered in Massachusetts.

Boat registration is handled by the Massachusetts Environmental Police. Learn more about registering your boat.

Yes. However, you must notify the Harbormaster Department and pay a $10 short-term tie-up fee. The $10 fee allows tie up for up to 4 hours. There is no fee required to tie up if you are launching or hauling your boat at the boat ramp, emergency matters, or if directed to do so by the Harbormaster. Additionally, the Harbormaster Department must assign you a spot as the marina and docks are very active and most spaces are already rented by marina members.

Those wishing to tie up longer than 4 hours may rent a transient slip or mooring. Get rates for transient slips and mooring.

The Winthrop Harbormaster Department enforces state and local boating laws in Winthrop waters. The two types of citations issued by the department are the blue Town of Winthrop Violation Notices and the white Environmental Uniform Citations.

If you have been issued a blue Town of Winthrop Violation Notice you have the following options:

1. Pay the fine within 21 days to the Town of Winthrop
2. Or, Send a written appeal inside the ticket to the Municipal Hearing Officer whose address is on the ticket within 21 days

Failure to take any action may result in an application for a criminal complaint being filed in the East Boston Court and or non-renewal of the mooring permit.

If you have been issued a white Environmental Uniform Citation you have the following options:

1. Pay the fine within 21 days to the East Boston Court Clerk's Office
2. Or, Request a hearing/ appeal through the Clerk's Office at the East Boston Court within 21 days

Failure to take any action may result in an application for criminal complaint being filed in the East Boston Court.

No. If you have paid your excise tax for your boat in any other Massachusetts city or town you do not need to pay it again in Winthrop. You must bring proof of payment with you when paying your waterways fees at town hall.