Vermont has a vessel ownership rate of 41.5 boats per 1,000 residents, the 23rd highest such rate in the country, and evidence of its vibrant boating scene. As one of the most picturesque states in the nation, Vermont attracts visitors from across New England and beyond who come to row, sail, fish and cruise across 802 lakes and ponds, or the 7,000 miles of rivers that wind their way through some of the leafiest hills and most dramatic mountains in the region.
Though landlocked, the Green Mountain State does offer direct access to Lake Champlain on its western flank. Often referred to as the Sixth Great Lake, this freshwater body shared with New York state covers a huge 8,234 square miles of surface area and is surrounded by the sort of rare scenic beauty that is a signature of the state. Set sail from a host of top-class marinas in Burlington, the state’s largest city, including Burlington Harbor Marina, where 160 slips up to 90-feet in length await, or head up north to the 154-slip St Albans Bay Marina for something a little more rural and peaceful. From these starting points you can round islets, sail into bays and find forgotten coves with sandy beaches, heading back to dock just in time to see the sun set to the west.
Known for world-class salmon and trout fishing, Champlain is also superbly-stocked with different varieties bass and perch, with contests like the Phoenix Bass Fishing League and the Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Elite held here regularly. The lake is home to Vermont’s oldest yachting institution, too, the Lake Champlain Yacht Club, which has been a salubrious boating destination since 1887. While boating here keep your eyes peeled for sight of Champ, a menacing and perhaps mythical Lake Monster said to inhabit the lake’s otherwise placid waters.
Champlain is by no means the only boating destination here. Yacht right up to the Canadian border on Lake Memphremagog, a 32-mile long glacial lake that extends south into the United States. The charming town of Newport on its shores can boast a historic and peaceful vibe, as well as a trio of marinas offering access onto the lake itself. In the southern section of the state you will also find a selection of remote lakes like the Harriman Reservoir with a rustic and untouched feel, lined by boat ramps, verdant woodland and the Green Mountains.
Recreational boating is worth over $121 million dollars annually to Vermont, supporting around 2,288 jobs across a diverse range of businesses. Boat-building and repair in this state focuses on smaller, family-operated firms, who still build traditional watercraft the old-fashioned way, crafting by hand out of locally sourced timber.
Since 1964, SI Yachts has been helping our clients through the processes of buying and selling boats, many times it's their 10th or more boat sale with us. We take service very seriously and we are able to retain some of the best service talent in the industry giving us an incredible advantage when it comes making sure our customers enjoy their boating lifestyle. When you buy a yacht from us, our industry-leading mobile service team is just a phone call away. With a service facility located in Staten Island and mobile service throughout the Northeast and South Florida, SI Yachts has a true north-to-south connection for our seasonal cruising clients.
