Obviously the person spouting off about Massachusetts has a sharp axe
to grind, but little knowledge of cruising the New England aea. Over
the last 20 years, my wife and I have logged over 8000 miles cruising
in New England and NY, about 1/2 of which have been "Donwneast". We
were homeported in Maine for over 10 years. In all that time, I can
remember getting a "free" mooring perhaps two or three times.
Reagrdless of where one cruises, mooring rental almost NEVER has
anything to do with the state one is cruising in. They are rented by
marinas, yacht clubs and towns.

Prices are remarkably consistent for rentals. I paid $35.00 in
Boothbay last year and $35.00 in Vineyard Haven for a nights rental
of a mooring.

As was pointed out, I don't know anywhere where people will spend the
money required to drop a mooring just for the pleasure of strangers.
What, in any case,mooring rental, has to do with the Commonwealth of
Mass (and no, I don't live there by the way) makes me scratch my
head. Perhaps this writer would care to point out where it is
downeast that can afford such largesse as to provide free moorings, I
would certainly like to know. Incidentally, picking up a private
mooring, where the owner does not know you are on it, does not
count.

Finally, if one objects to paying the nightly fee for a mooring, I
would humbly suggest that one should become familiar with using ones
anchor.

R. Duffey