Small Vessels 2024

SMALL VESSEL FAQ 2024

Small watercrafts, like kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards, are a great way to explore Wellfleet's waterways. However, we want to make sure we are doing our part to protect our fragile dunes and shorelines. Please do NOT store your kayaks, canoes, and other small water vessels directly on the beach, dunes, and shorelines. Walking on and/or dragging boats across dunes can damage and eventually kill vegetation that protects our dunes and shorelines. Small vessels may be stored unattended in Wellfleet provided that they meet the Wellfleet Environmental Protection Regulations 2.05. 

The following locations are approved for small vessel storage: 

Town Landings: 

• Gull Pond 
• Indian Neck 
• Mayo Beach 
• Pleasant Point 
• Powers Landing

Private: 

• Old Wharf Point-Site owned and managed by Wellfleet Conservation Trust

Approval from the Harbormaster is required for leaving a vessel at any other Town landing or on Town owned property. Please contact the Harbormaster and Marina for information regarding applying for a mooring. 

Q: Can I store my boat on my private property?
A: Yes, but please remember boats on private property must be stored 100 ft from any wetland unless they are on a raised, approved structure OR floating at low tide and tied to a permitted dock or mooring OR resting on a preexisting area of open beach/ other non-vegetated area above the high tide line.

Q: Can I store my boat on the racks provided by the Town of Wellfleet?
A: Any boats stored on Town of Wellfleet Racks must display a current 2024 Identification sticker, which can be obtained through the Wellfleet Beach Department. These racks have a waiting list and are allotted per a lottery. The Wellfleet Conservation Department oversees the permitting for the Pleasant Point boat rack. These permits are also allocated on a first come first serve basis. Please contact jennifer.elsensohn@wellfleet-ma.gov with any questions regarding the Pleasant Point rack.

Q: How can I apply for a permit for the Pleasant Point Kayak Rack?
A: Please fill out 2024 Small Vessel Permit found online here. Once you have completed the form online, please come to the Health and Conservation Department to pick up your marina and "if found" stickers. We are located at 220 West Main Street and are open M-F 8:00-12:00 pm and 1:00-4:00 pm. If paying for the permit by check, please include a make it out to the Town of Wellfleet. You will need to apply for a separate permit for each kayak. 

Q: What is the cost?
A: Stickers cost $100 per boat. Exceptions include those leasing a mooring or are engaging with fishing or aquaculture for which those stickers are FREE.

Q: How many boats is each property allotted?
A: Two

Q: Do I need to get a new sticker each year?
A: Yes, Stickers are good for one year, and will expire on November 1 of the year when they are issued.

Q: I went out to my boat this morning and saw a big yellow violation sticker. What is my violation for?
A: There are a variety of reasons you may have received a violation sticker. The most common reasons are: a boat has been placed on vegetation instead of an approved boat rack OR you do not have a current valid 2024 permit. Please see above for more information on how to obtain a 2024 permit.

Q: How long do I have to address a violation?
A: You have 48 hours to address the violation before the town removes an unpermitted boat. Any vessel removed will be held at the Brush Dump until the owner has been notified, vessel is claimed, storage fees paid or for one (1) year at which time the vessel is considered an abandoned vessel and may be disposed of in the best interest of the Town.

Q: When is the permit valid?
A: April 1st to October 31st of 2024. No boats shall be stored on town landings between November 1st and April 1st and are subject to removal by the Harbormaster.