While no exact date has yet been released on when the Branford state boat launch will close for renovations, the latest update from the state gives "late spring 2016"  for shutting down the Goodsell Point Road site; with work expected to last until fall 2016.  Branford boat owners looking to launch this summer might want to get a head start and get to the launch on Goodsell Point Road in early spring.  But for boaters who can't get a jump on the season – or for those who regularly trailer to the water -- the state is recommending Guilford's town marina boat launch as the primary alternative; and Zip06 has gathered details on the cost to use the launch and other facts Branford boaters will want to know.

The Guilford Town Marina has 14 designated trailer spaces, according to the dockmaster's office. Traffic cones can be placed to create a few more spaces on days when parking is in high demand. But due to the additional boat trailer traffic expected this season, parking will likely be at capacity, so plan accordingly.

According to 2016 Rules and Regulations of the Guilford Marina Commission, the launching ramp can be accessed by vehicles bearing a season pass (April 1 – March 31) which can be purchased for $70. Daily passes are also available, at the cost of $6 per day. Hand-launched boats (no vehicle on the ramp, must be hand-carried to/from ramp) can be launched using a $20 season pass or daily pass of $6 per day (maximum two hand-launched boats per transport vehicle). No overnight storage of boats on trailers, or trailers, is allowed in the ramp or parking areas.

Permits for launch use are issued at the marina and need to be purchased at the dockmaster's office located inside the marina. Staff hours during the boating season differ during the week and weekends. Hours for the month of April are: April 1 – April 30, 9 a.m. – noon, Mon. - Fri. and 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Boating season hours begin May 1 and run through September 30; with the office staffed weekdays from  9 a.m. – 4 p.m., and on weekends from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.  Staff hours on holiday weekdays and/or weekends (Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day) are 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.  The office is also staffed Oct. 1 – Nov. 31 from 9 a.m. – noon daily, and 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. weekends. It's staffed two hours per day in the off-season. To contact the Town of Guilford dockmaster, call (203) 453-8092.

Located at the mouth of the East River, the Guilford town boat launch provides access to Guilford Harbor (and a close up view of Faulkners Island and it's historic lighthouse) which opens into Long Island Sound. Branford boaters not familiar with Guilford waters will no doubt want to check their charts to navigate Guilford's very rocky shores and can generally expect to reach Stony Creek waters within about 40 minutes from launch.

Some driving routes leading to the Guilford Marina are posted on state brown and white "Long Island Sound Access" signs. To reach the marina from Branford via I-95 the state recommends the following route: Take I-95 North to exit 58. Travel for approximately 0.3 miles and turn right off the exit onto Route 77 South (Church Street). Travel south on Route 77 for approximately 0.8 mile to the center of Guilford. Turn right onto Broad Street and then turn a quick left onto Whitfield Street driving around the Guilford Town Green. Continue south on Whitfield Street for approximately 0.2 miles to the intersection with Route 146 (Water Street). Travel straight through the intersection and continue on Whitfield Street for approximately 0.5 miles. Turn slight right onto New Whitfield Street and travel for approximately 0.6 miles. Turn slight right onto Old Whitfield Street. Guildford Town Marina is at the end of Old Whitfield Street.

As previously reported at Zip06, the state Dept. of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has also recommended as an alternative the smaller state boat launch in Guilford, on the East River just outside of Madison. A portion of the East River launch parking lot, which has 25 spaces, floods with several inches of water during high tides.  The public launch is located on the east bank of the East River and can be reached via Route 1, turning south on Neck Road and traveling approximately two miles. Neck Road turns into Circle Beach Road; launch entrance is on the right. The launch is not ADA accessible.

One local boat launch alternative the DEEP hasn't recommend is the Branford town launch in Stony Creek, which the Town of Branford recommends only for "small boats" as well as kayaks and canoes.

For more news on the closing and renovations planned for Branford's state boat launch, see this story http://www.zip06.com/news/20160224/branfords-boat-launch-closed-spring---fall-2016-for-upgrades