Barnstable slates lottery for sought-after mooring waitlists

Heather McCarron, Cape Cod Times
·4 min read

CENTERVILLE — When it comes to getting a mooring spot in Barnstable, people are always eager to jump at the chance. Moorings are so desirable even just the chance to get on a mooring waitlist is a sought-after opportunity.

That chance is coming up a bit later this month. The Barnstable harbormaster office is putting the word out that a lottery drawing will be held for some of the town's currently closed mooring waitlists.

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"Moorings in Barnstable are highly coveted for many reasons," said Deputy Harbormaster and Mooring Officer Jay Horn, who is based in Centerville.

Proximity to Nantucket Sound and ease of use are two of the attractions, Horn said, but noted the affordability of moorings — $135 annually — dominates when it comes to the desirability of the spots.

The Barnstable harbormaster office is putting the word out that a lottery drawing will be held for some of the town's currently closed mooring waitlists. The Cotuit Town Dock, shown here, is among the mooring waitlists.
The Barnstable harbormaster office is putting the word out that a lottery drawing will be held for some of the town's currently closed mooring waitlists. The Cotuit Town Dock, shown here, is among the mooring waitlists.

Harbormaster sees more than 200 applications a year

"Moorings are also transferable to immediate family members and so they often become multigenerational and subsequently harder to obtain," Horn said. "On average my office will see over 200 new applications a year."

Presently, there are 2,500 moorings overseen by the town, permitted over 27 mooring fields and those who own waterfront property.

"The specific numbers vary drastically depending on location," Horn said. "The most desirable fields are Hyannis Port, Lewis Bay and the Cotuit Town Dock. These areas range from 250 to 500 moorings."

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Every year, on average, 100 to 150 people do not renew their permits for various reasons, Horn said, noting "age seems to be the common factor."

"As mooring officer it is my job to then offer these moorings to the next available person on the list," Horn said.

The upcoming mooring lottery will open at 1 p.m. Sept. 15 and will continue through Oct. 1 at midnight. The winners will be chosen at random at 1 p.m. on Oct. 5.

How to take part in Barnstable's mooring lottery

It will be a chance for those seeking a mooring, if chosen, to add their name to a mooring field waitlist that is currently closed.

The three mooring fields in the lottery include Cotuit Town Dock/Ropes, Cotuit Oyster Company/Cordwood and Prince Cove. There will be 360 names drawn: 160 for Cotuit Town Dock/Ropes, 100 for Cotuit Oyster Company/Cordwood and 100 for Prince Cove.

Horn said there are currently 1,500 people already on the waitlist to receive a mooring.

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Those who wish to throw their names into the Sept. 15 lottery will be able to do so through a link provided on the town's website at https://town.barnstable.ma.us/ and purchase a ticket at $15 for their chance to be added to the waitlist they select.

Each ticket gives one person the chance to enter one name to one mooring waitlist drawing. Multiple entries into a single mooring field are not allowed. Anyone purchasing multiple tickets for the same mooring field will automatically be removed and no refunds will be given.

Which moorings are included in lottery

Here are some specifics about the mooring fields in the lottery:

  • The Cotuit Oyster Company/Cordwood Mooring Field is located just north of Cotuit Bay and can be accessed by Old Post Road. This mooring field can accommodate vessels up to 40 feet in length and is in close proximity to the Cotuit Town Dock. Parking is available in both locations; however, a Barnstable resident parking permit is required. There are two locations that allow small vessel storage up to 12 feet in length. The Cotuit Launch Service does not cover this area.

  • Prince Cove Mooring is the town's most protected mooring area, located at the end of Prince Avenue in Marston Mills. It accommodates vessels with a maximum of 40 feet in length. The boat ramp offers easy access to the cove. Prince Cove is connected to North Bay via the Marston Mills River. A small dinghy storage area is adjacent to the boat ramp with a max length of 12 feet. Limited resident parking is available; however, daily fee parking is provided at the town marina.

  • Cotuit Town Dock/Ropes Beach is located in Cotuit Bay and is one of the most desirable mooring fields in Barnstable. Cotuit Town Dock offers adequate shelter from Nantucket Sound and is in close proximity to Sampson's Island, a popular anchoring destination. The size limit for this mooring field is 40 feet. Cotuit Town Dock is the only location that allows motorized dinghy storage with a maximum length of 10 feet. It also offers non-powered dinghy storage with a maximum length of 12 feet. Additionally there is a private launch service that operates from this location; however, a membership is required.

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Barnstable to hold lottery for coveted mooring waitlists