The Manawatu Marine Boating Club has built a twin launching ramp to enable boats to launch into the Manawatu River, and then travel out to sea. The launching facility is for the use of Club Members and visitors to the area, using a ‘Pay and Display’ system.
If you are a MMBC Member you don’t need to pay a daily fee as your annual membership covers use of the boat ramp.
If you have registered your vessel when renewing this year’s membership you will have received an annual launching ramp permit to display on your tow vehicles dash when parked after using the boat ramp. If you have not received a display card with your club renewal please contact the club and request that a launching ramp permit to be issued.
Non MMBC members who want to use the boat ramp facility need to pay the $10 daily fee, place in the envelope provided and display the tear off strip on the tow vehicle dash.
To maintain this launching ramp to an acceptable level is not cheap, if the club had to replace just the concrete ramp alone, (not the wharf walls) it would cost in the vicinity of $140,000 - $160,000. Over the past 3 months MMBC have removed the centre floating walkway and repaired the floats and woodwork at a cost of $8,600 plus many hours of voluntary labour.
As this facility belongs to MMBC and has no outside funding from local Councils we have no option but to have all users pay to use the club ramp.
An alternative to the $10 daily fee for holidaymakers is to pay $40 for a 4 week Launching Ramp Permit available from Seabury Autos.
Boaties who are not members of MMBC can purchase an annual Launching Ramp Permit for a fee of $80.00, these permits are only available at the Manawatu Marine Boating Club.
All money collected from Ramp fees will assist in maintaining this facility to the standard we presently enjoy.
MMBC Commodore
John Bary