Using the Wickford Point Shoreline: What Dinghy Owners Need to Know

One of the pleasures of living at Wickford Point is the access to the water. For residents who want to keep a small boat near the community dock, the Association maintains a designated shoreline storage area for dinghies. Here's how the system works and what you need to do to participate.

How Many Spots Are Available?

The Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) has approved a maximum of 12 dinghy storage spots on the shoreline. Four of those spots are reserved for holders of the four Association moorings. The remaining eight are available to non-mooring holders on a first-come, first-served basis. Only one spot per address is permitted regardless of how many residents are at that address.

Getting a Spot

If you'd like a shoreline spot and don't hold a mooring, contact the Shoreline Management Committee to get on the list. Once assigned a spot, you keep it from year to year as long as you meet the requirements of the policy. If demand exceeds the eight available spots, a waiting list is maintained — and if a mooring holder's spot becomes temporarily vacant, it may be offered to someone on the waiting list on a provisional basis.

Before You Bring Your Boat Down

This is important: no boat may be brought to the shoreline without prior approval from the Committee. If you had an approved spot last year, that approval carries over — but if you're new, or if anything has changed, check with the Committee first. Unauthorized boats and equipment will be removed.

What Kind of Boat Is Allowed?

The shoreline is for inflatables, hard-bottom dinghies, rowboats, and small sailboats up to 12 feet in length. Boats may be motorized or non-motorized. Kayaks are not permitted on the shoreline.

Hand Dollies Are Required

All dinghies must be launched and retrieved using a lightweight aluminum hand dolly with pneumatic wheels. Dragging boats across the ground is not allowed — the requirement is there to protect the beach grass and other vegetation on the shoreline. Launching and retrieval is only permitted in the eight-foot-wide corridor immediately south of the community dock.

A Few Other Rules to Know

• Your dinghy must display a WPHOA sticker, available from David Bashaw.

• Boats must be stored at your assigned numbered post, perpendicular to the water.

• A boat cover is fine, but avoid bright colors. A natural-looking bow stand may be used — plastic crates are not appropriate.

• Do not cut, damage, or modify the natural surroundings in any way.

• The annual fee for a shoreline spot is $100, waived for mooring holders.

Questions?

The Shoreline Management Committee is your first point of contact for anything related to dinghy storage. Committee Chair Rick D'Alfonso can be reached at 401-742-6617.