I will soon have my boat in the water at a mooring in front of my house in the Island Park area of Portsmouth. I was asking around about a public float/dock where I could load/unload gear and passengers and everyone had no idea any such thing existed. Marinas appear to be touchy about anyone who doesn't actually rent a slip coming in to dock for even a few minutes. Where I came from in Casco Bay Maine, public floats are pretty common. Any ideas?

most towns have a dock, but I am not familiar with portsmouth. if you don't get an answer here or on the town website, i would call the PD and ask your harbormaster.

what side?
Bay or River.... makes a difference...

If your on the Bay side you have one off the rd that comes off Melville Marina... Complete with a long dock...

On the river side you have feet wetters up and down... some require you pay for parking, others are park at own risk...

You can find them on RI's DEM website (http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/bnatres/fishwild/boatlnch.htm#salt)