Collingwood's Best Boat Docking Options And Locations

If you're looking to dock your boat in Collingwood, Ontario, there are a few options to consider. The town has a harbour with a marina that offers boat slips for both seasonal and transient boaters. To use these facilities, you need to obtain a licence from the harbour attendant and pay the required fees, which vary depending on the length of your boat and the location of the slip. Additionally, Collingwood has the Harbourview Park accessible docks and boat launch, which are designed to be universal and support all types of abilities. For those with sailboats, the Collingwood Yacht Club has hosted sail training vessels from the Royal Canadian Navy in the past and offers public tours.

Where to Dock a Boat in Collingwood

Municipal docks

The Town of Collingwood has made efforts to improve access to its waterfront, including the installation of a new floating dock with a connecting ramp and boat launcher at Harbourview Park. This new dock system is the result of a partnership between the Town of Collingwood, the Collingwood Dragon Boat and Canoe Club, and the Collingwood Rowing Club, funded by the Federal Government's Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) Community Accessibility Funding Stream. The accessible floating dock and boat launcher are designed to support all types of abilities, including those with disabilities, chronic injuries, and older, less mobile adults in the community.

The municipal docks in Collingwood are available adjacent to the launch ramps. Boaters must obtain a licence from the Harbour Attendant and pay the requisite fee to occupy a slip at the Collingwood Harbour. The boating season runs from April 1st to October 31st. Daily launch fees are $10.50, while seasonal passes are available for residents ($88.50) and non-residents ($105.00). Mooring fees for overnight dockage start at $2 per foot, and seasonal rates for boats longer than 25 feet in premium locations can be as high as $66 per foot.

In recent years, the town has added several new marina slips to accommodate the growing demand for boating in the area. In 2013, Collingwood added a 476-foot head dock with a spine dock featuring 22 slips and 300 feet of dock space along the Shipyards promenade, providing 15 transient docking spots. This was followed by the addition of a second spine dock with 22 slips and an additional 300 feet of docks in 2018, bringing the total number of slips available for seasonal and transient boaters to 146.

Collingwood Yacht Club

The Collingwood Yacht Club is a vibrant community-focused club located in the picturesque Millennium Park, nestled in the well-sheltered Collingwood Harbour. The club was established in 1973 and is situated on land leased from the Town of Collingwood. It offers a prime location for boating enthusiasts with its docks protected by a jetty and breakwater, ensuring a calm and safe mooring experience.

Club Features

The club features 103 slips, accommodating both sail and power boats up to 40 feet in length. The docks are equipped with 20 AMP hydro and water connections, and the service dock includes a mast crane, a 3-ton crane, and a pump-out station. Access to the property is exclusive to members and their guests, providing a secure and welcoming environment. The clubhouse, with its washrooms and shower facilities, is the hub of the club's social activities.

Racing Program

The Collingwood Yacht Club boasts an active racing program, including Tuesday night racing and weekend regattas, offering excitement and competition for sailing enthusiasts. The club also supports the local Collingwood Sailing Academy by providing dedicated space for the Academy's classroom and equipment storage.

Community Involvement

The club is deeply rooted in the local community, with approximately 120 active members and 20 social members. It gives back to the community by hosting special events, such as a screening of a documentary on legendary sailor Buddy Melges, with proceeds donated to the Collingwood General and Marine Hospital. The club is intended for local residents, with no more than 35% of its members residing more than 40 kilometres from the club.

Membership Requirements

As a working club, all members of the Collingwood Yacht Club are required to contribute work hours annually, fostering a sense of camaraderie and shared responsibility. Members can also take part in racing by joining a crew or racing their own boats. The club provides an opportunity to improve sailing skills and offers a supportive environment for those new to racing.

Collingwood Harbour

Docking Options

There are several docking options available in Collingwood Harbour. Municipal docks are located adjacent to the launch ramps, and boaters can obtain a licence from the Harbour Attendant to occupy a slip. The daily launch rate is $10.50, while seasonal passes are available for residents and non-residents at different rates. Additionally, the town has added 44 new marina slips, bringing the total number of slips to 146, accommodating both seasonal and transient boaters.

Harbourview Park Accessible Docks

Collingwood also offers accessible docks at Harbourview Park, providing a fully accessible pathway from land to water. These docks are designed to be universal and support individuals with disabilities, chronic injuries, or limited mobility. The accessible floating dock and boat launcher facilitate barrier-free recreation and social boating activities.

Special Events

Harbourview Park docks

Collingwood's Harbourview Park now features a new floating dock with a connecting ramp and boat launcher, providing greater access to the waterfront. The new dock system is the result of a partnership between the Town of Collingwood, the Collingwood Dragon Boat and Canoe Club, and the Collingwood Rowing Club, with funding support from the Federal Government's Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) Community Accessibility Funding Stream.

The accessible floating dock and boat launcher are designed to be universal, supporting all types of abilities, including those with disabilities, chronic injuries, knee/hip replacements, and older, less mobile adults in the community. An accessible path is also under construction, which will connect the existing asphalt trail in Harbourview Park to the new dock's gangplank.

The Harbourview Park docks and boat launch aim to support barrier-free recreation, social boating activities, and participation in competitive paddling sports. The addition of these docks increases the total number of slips available for seasonal and transient boaters in Collingwood to 146.

To occupy a slip at the Harbourview Park docks, boaters must obtain a licence from the harbour attendant and pay the required fee. Mooring fees vary depending on the length of the boat and the location of the slip. For overnight dockage, fees start at $2 per foot, while a premium location for a boat longer than 25 feet can cost up to $66 per foot for the season.

Boat launch fees

Collingwood's Harbourlands Park is situated on the south shore of Nottawasaga Bay, which is an extension of Lake Huron's Georgian Bay. The boating season in Collingwood runs from April 1st to October 31st.

Public launch ramps are located on Heritage Drive, where parking is available. However, it is important to note that the storage of vessels, vessel trailers, or cradles in the Collingwood Harbour is not permitted unless approved by the designated staff.

The daily launch fee is $10.50. There are also seasonal passes available for residents and non-residents. A seasonal resident launch pass costs $88.50, while a seasonal non-resident launch pass is $105.00. These rates are for the launch service only and do not include parking fees.

In addition to the launch fees, boaters must also pay for mooring. Mooring fees start at $2 per foot for overnight dockage and can go up to $66 per foot for a boat longer than 25 feet in a premium location for the season.

To obtain a slip at the Collingwood Harbour, boaters must obtain a licence from the Harbour Attendant and pay the required fees. Requests for seasonal mooring must be submitted through the Harbour Docks Allocation procedure by completing a Wait List application form.

Frequently asked questions