Boat Ramps In Need Of Repair

[NJSeaGrant]

We are putting together a list of boat ramps located in New Jersey that are in need of repair or improvements and would like your input. They can be located anywhere along the coast or inland on a freshwater lake or large stream.

If there is a ramp that you use or know of that is in need of repair or improvements please provide the name and location.

Thank you!

[Walleyed]

Keyport Municipal ramp is miserable at low tide and merely adequate at high.

[Capt. Debbie]

There's plenty of no so great ramps. Tops is the no water South Amboy ramp.

South Amboy ramp has about 18 inches of water for hundreds of feet on a very narrow approach.

In the Sink, Fair Haven ramp requires you to back the whole tow vehicle into the water at low tide to get 2 feet of water at low tide.

Chris's Marina( perhaps gone) in Red Bank has a mud bar in front of it that requires you to get out and drag the boat .. even a 12 inch draft tin boat.

[waynedane]

Try adding on a section or two to Round Valley and Spruce Run for low water conditions like we've had this year...

[Dirtyjerzeyhed]

Farrington Lake East Brunswick
Westons Mill Pond East Brunswick
Cranbury Lake

[NJSeaGrant]

Thank you to everyone that has responded so far. We appreciate the information.

[NJSeaGrant]

Farrington Lake East Brunswick
Westons Mill Pond East Brunswick
Cranbury Lake

I am not familiar with the ramps at these lakes and would appreciate any additional information you could provide on what repairs are needed. Thank you!

[Gerry Zagorski]

I was down in Leonardo State Marina the other day and passed this information along. It's a public launch ramp run by the state so you might want to call them and see if they need any improvements.

[DDDman]

I agree that Farrington and Weston Mills need vast improvements. Lefferts Lake in Matawan could use help currently but may get it when the dam and roadway project is completed Shadow Lake in Middletown is a good candidate after the dredging is done. As far as dredging is concerned, all of Keyport Harbor needs to be done. Its been at least 30 years since the last dredging project and every year the channel gets shallower and more narrow. At low tide the floating docks sit on the bottom maintenance of the ramp area is long overdue.

[Dirtyjerzeyhed]

Regarding farrigton and Weston's mills both are just sand ramps that have very little incline farrington especially has many pot holes and uneven surface on the so called ramp with little parking available for trailers. Kayakers show up and park wherever they feel and leave 0 room for anyone trailering a boat that needs to park. An actual cement ramp would ideal for both locations. Cranbury lake ramp was built wrong. The incline on it is very tough and to a novice it makes launching tough.

[NJSeaGrant]

Thanks for all the great information!

We put all the ramps mentioned on the list. Now hopefully the funding comes through and a few of the owners are willing to make repairs/improvements.

[briansnat]

One more for the list. The north ramp at Pompton Lake. I think it's officially called Potash Lake, but is really an extension of Pompton. The ramp is a mess there. First off it's too short and if you aren't real careful the trailer's wheels can go off the edge of the ramp. You can badly damage your trailer if that happens. Also the upper part of the ramp is loose gravel and dirt. I've seen people get stuck when pulling out their boats.

[Jay F]

Raritan bay marina (Keansburg NJ)

[Fred E. Goose]

One more for the list. The north ramp at Pompton Lake. I think it's officially called Potash Lake, but is really an extension of Pompton. The ramp is a mess there. First off it's too short and if you aren't real careful the trailer's wheels can go off the edge of the ramp. You can badly damage your trailer if that happens. Also the upper part of the ramp is loose gravel and dirt. I've seen people get stuck when pulling out their boats.

I second that. When backing down, my truck slides down that steep drop on that loose gravel. But, seeing how the wooden fishing dock that floated away with Sandy was never replaced, I doubt the boat ramp repair is happening anytime in the near future. The perch and crappie really loved that dock too :(

[Chrisper4694]

the ramp at hopatcong state park is too short and drops off, when they lower the water every year it makes it very tricky to not bash your outboard backing in.

[NJSeaGrant]

Thanks for the additional ramps. We will add them to list.

[Dirtyjerzeyhed]

any update on this thread?

[Detour66]

It's terrible how bad most of these boat ramps are considering the tax money we pay here in NJ. i was down by the Outer banks last year and was amazed how nice and well maintained the "FREE" ramps where there down there. It's great that you are putting a list together so at least fellow boaters/fisherman on this site will know what to expect.