Niantic Bay Boathouse

Niantic Bay Boathouse is a storage facility in East Lyme, CT. It operates as a dry-stack marina offering 160 indoor boat racks, fuel dockage, and a dedicated service department. The facility serves boaters with annual, winter, and summer storage contracts, as well as trailer storage and yard boat storage. As a Mercury Authorized Dealer, it provides boat service, repairs, and winterization. The marina is positioned as the closest dry storage marina to the open water of Long Island Sound, a location favored by fishermen and cruisers.

The facility features a unique crane-operated lift system, one of only three such systems in the United States, which handles and moves boats from the water to the racks. The 28,800 square foot storage building contains a grid of 5-high and 4-high boat racks. Two hydraulic boat launchers mounted on the docks facilitate launching, while 20 floating day-docks are available for daily or overnight use. The property includes a 2,000 square foot Ship's Store and reception area, a 4-bay service department of 1,000 square feet, and a boater's lounge with HDTV, free Wi-Fi, and a waterfront deck. The team includes Leon Moore as owner, David Bliven as Service Manager and Master Mechanic, and specialized crane operators. The marina was built in 1989, renovated in 2015, and came under new ownership in 2020. Recent improvements include the purchase of an adjacent 10.62-acre parcel in 2022 for planned development of a new fuel dock, additional winter storage, and a waterfront cafe.

Located at 8 River St, the facility is situated on a 3.9-acre site. It is about 0.1 miles from Boston Post Road and Banning Cove, and roughly 0.2 miles from Latimer Brook. The property is approximately 0.6 miles from the Kashannski Tract WLT nature preserve and 0.7 miles from Sodom Hill.

Niantic Bay Boathouse holds a rating of 4.60 based on customer reviews. It is known for its efficient crane operation and its proximity to Long Island Sound, providing a specialized storage and service environment for the local boating community.