Conference vicki::boats

    
    You are looking for Boat U.S., it is in waltham.
    
    from 128 take rte 20 east, follow it right thru down town
    
    waltham, you'll come to a set of lights, there a stop and shop on the
    
    corner, the road bears left. take the left at the lights, continue
    
    to bear right, it will be on your right about 4-5 miles.
    
    
    maybe someone else has street names for you, sorry i dont
    
    JIm 

    An easier way is to get off 128 and go EAST on TRapelo road(there is an
    exit for Trapelo Road). THe street that Boat U.S is on is a right hand
    turn about three miles down Trapelo Road.
    
     You cannot purchase from Boat U.S. unless you are a memeber. THey hav
    decent prices (competitive, sometimes some bargains on sales), and
    excellent service with KNOWLEDGABLE clerks.
    
    Dick
    

    You may be able to join at the store but to save a trip if you can't
    the membership tel # is: 703-461-2866.  This boat owners "club" also 
    does lobbying for the interests of the boating community.  It was very
    much behind the removal of the boat luxury tax recently.  Dues are $17
    per year which gets you alot more than just a discount at the stores or
    thru the catalog.
    Wayne

    
    	You can join at the store without any problems.  Fill in the form
    and give them the money.
    
    Forrest

West Marine on Route 1 north in Peabody is a significantly better store
than BOAT/US (IMHO). Excellent customer service, too.

Alan

    I second Alan's experience with West Marine. They have been open
    about a year and half. I haven't driven to Boat U.S. since
    the West Marine store opened. (Although I have mail ordered from
    both this year). The West Marine store is a lot easier to find if you
    are in the right area. Better stocked than Bliss too.
    
    By the way, West is within 1/2 mile of being across the "street" from
    the Marine Exchange, which is also a place not to be missed. It's a
    real warehouse.
    
    Bill
    

    
    Boat u.s. can be good and bad. Their prices arn't the best, 
    
    however they have a 90 return policy, no questions asked.
    
    They are resonably stocked, but as compared to West i don't know.
    
    However, i have mail ordered from West and found them knowledgable.
    
    If you looking for a common item (you decide) try Defenders.
    
    
    JIm

        The boat launch in Nashua is at the end of Hillsferry Rd. 
    Depending on which way your comming from.  From downtown Nashua, go
    North on Concord St. (Old Rt#3) toward Merrimack.  Just after Greeley
    Park, there is a store on your right, used to be Kirkpatrick's.  Turn
    right onto Hillsferry Rd.  Just at the RR tracks, there is a dirt road
    on your right, there is also a gate there, sometimes its locked
    sometimes it ain't.  Make sure you get the right (correct) dirt road.
    DON'T take the road along side the tracks.
    
        I also hope you have a 4X4.  The last time I was there the ramp was
    one of the worst I've seen.
    
    Bill

    Just don't buy stainless screws, etc. from West Marine, They must carry
    cheap stuff. The last time I bought 3 stainless screws to mount a
    stainless clam-shell vent over my blower exit, I broke 2 out of three
    with a small screwdriver and my bare hands!! No - I am definitely NOT
    Hulk Hogan. When I mentioned it to the manager next time I was in
    there, he seemed disinterested. I wasn't looking for a refund, I
    thought he should know.                                               

    re: boat ramp on the nashua
    
    your right, that ramp can be nasty, there's a heck of a drop off the
    end of the pavement when the water is low
    
    the launch behind the public works building (exit 5) is much better,
    only problem is that algae/weeds sometimes build up in the little cove 
    where the launch is and the boat/trailer gets inundated with slime/weeds
     
    had to stop at the self serve carwash on the way home last time...
    
    -donmac 

    I'm confused.  The launch by Greeley Park would put you in the
    Merrimack River.  The launch in back of the Public Works building
    (on route 111 heading West by the Nashua High School?) must put you
    in the Nashua River.  Isn't there a dam on the Nashua River downtown
    that would prevent you from getting to the Merrimack?  And isn't the
    Nashua River there pretty shallow in spots?
    Wayne

    The base note asked for directions to the Nashua River. 
    
    I glanced at reply .8 and thought it was referencing the Nashua 
    River ramp off of Broad Street.  I was mistaken, it was pointing 
    to the Merrimack Launch at Greely Park, which was real bad this year
    due to low water - but typically this launch is steep, but good.
    
    As far as the Nashua River being shallow. Yes, it's shallow in a couple
    spots, but no where near as bad as the Merrimack in North Nashua or 
    Merrimack. 
    
    Tha Nashua is quite navigable from the dam on the north side of Mine 
    Falls Park to the bridge at Rt 111 in Hollis.
    
    -donmac

    The Nashua river ramp is close to my home and I want to give it a
    try. Is there any low spots (north of the dam) that I should concern
    myself with? Anything I should know about this section of the river?
    The ramp itself looked good when I checked it out Sunday.
    
    Ross 

    I tried out the Nashua river yesterday and had a lot of fun. Obstacles
    are well marked and there's several miles of navigable river. Mid-week
    trafic was minimal and the fishing wasn't bad.
    
    Ross

    Rick,
    
      Can you spell POLLUTION!  That section is directly downstream
    from the Fitchburg, Leominster and Clinton wastewater treatment
    plants.  I once had to take a swim/dive to retrieve something
    I lost overboard in the Groton section of the river.  I went
    for a tetnus shot the next day  :*(    Also, I believe there
    is a speed limit on the river, most likely too slow for skiing.
    
    Gone fishin
    Gaff