Public Docks Along Long Island Sound

What's your objective here? Lots of very good marinas, piers, moorings.

Sure, I get that. But many marinas have a spot for day trippers, very small fee. Everyone has moorings, most with launches.

I know of some docks run by towns, but most if not all charge a fee for the benefit of tying up. Yacht Clubs will allow you to tie up short term as a visiting transient with little to no fee if you've got membership reciprocity in hand.

Maybe I'm just not getting the question. Even a municipal dock isn't available if another boat or three beat you to it. Anyway, lots of clubs will extend the same courtesy if you have a reciprocal membership. That opens you up to many, many similar options. But all of them first come first served.

Having boated on the north shore all my life (I'm 70) public access is at a minimum along this shoreline, unfortunately by choice. Marinas and mooring are the usual means of access to the shore.

In Ct there are many more public access points - Norwalk comes to mind. But even there its marinas or moorings.

Best path to what it is that I believe he's seeking is Yacht Clubs. I joined to obtain the access, courtesy, variety. Recently in and out of Watch Hill...to the town dock...but it was a paying experience. Everyone is getting a fee for the privilege of their being there for you...

Reciprocity is not universal, while marinas and moorings are, but clubs are an additional source. Proximity to a town or village in IMO is a determining factor. I can sit on the boat at my own slip?

Very few municipal docks are free in my experience, but generally their costs are nominal.

Reciprocity is substantial in that market. Very few exceptions. In fact I've had very few clubs even verify my membership as they simply charge you on the spot for the benefit you're seeking, be it a mooring, a lunch tie, fuel, whatever. I've made extensive use of both coasts with no trouble.

Then please make it clear now as to what your real question is. Are you looking for free docks?

Didn't this answer the OP? If he wants a list he'll have to get a copy of Waterways...or wait for anecdotal responses. From East Hampton for lunch - fast boat!

Perhaps that's the question behind the question. Can't really tell as I thought I had answered that early in the thread. Yes, there are docks owned by municipalities, and they charge fees. Best access to "free day dockage" is reciprocity. Otherwise, I don't know what the question is....

I have no idea because I don't know what his question is. He told us it is a "different question."

Northport, NY is a unicorn. It’s an amazing resource, but very unique. The only thing that comes close is Milford Landing in CT. They charge, but it’s minimal for day dockage and you get discounts at local restaurants that can offset some or all of the dockage fee. Norwalk May have free or low cost dockage at their launch ramp, but I’ve never tried it.

Other than that you are limited to dock and dine arrangements.