Table of Contents
Introduction
POENB’s Rules and Policies pragmatically express how POENB will fulfill its mission to preserve and maintain the two Beach Properties.
The Watercraft Rules, which are part of these Rules and Policies, describe how Members can request, be assigned, and use their Watercraft Storage Spot in a safe, orderly and respectful manner.
The Watercraft Rules use defined terms. The first letter of a key term is CAPITALIZEDthroughout this document. Key Terms and Definitions are listed in alphabetical order and are found in a separate document.
In addition to the Watercraft Rules and Key Terms and Definitions, POENB has five other Rules and Policies. All seven documents are posted on the POENB website (www.eatonsneck.org).
Members and other interested parties should consult and carefully readthe Watercraft Rules, Key Terms and Definitions and the five other POENB Rules and Policies to have a comprehensive understanding of POENB’s management practices.
The Board may modify, update or rescind POENB’s Rules and Policies to adapt to new legal requirements, strategic goals and/or operational needs. Typically, the Board evaluates the POENB Rules and Policies on an annual basis. However, in selected cases, POENB may need to modify the Rules and Policies during a given year to properly manage the Beach Properties for the benefit and safety of the Members. Changes to these Rules and Policies are permitted based on a simple majority vote by POENB’s Board.
The Board will communicate to Members material changes to the Rules and Policies during the Member Meetings and/or via emails or announcements on social media.
An Appendix to the Watercraft Rules contains a Version Control Table that identifies the name, version, and “as of” date for the Watercraft Rules and the Member who made the changes. It also identifies the Board Member (by Title) who is responsible for ensuring (1) the accuracy, completeness, currency, and reasonableness of the Watercraft Rules on a go-forward basis, and (2) the intellectual consistency of the Watercraft Rules with related POENB Rules and Policies.
POENB disclaims all liability for personal injury, property damage, or loss arising from use of Association properties, except those caused by the Association’s gross negligence. All users (Members, Member Household, Member Guests, Beach Party/Event Attendees, Resident Non-Member Property Owners, Authorized Vendors and Party / Event Vendors) assume all risks associated with beach activities and agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Property Owners of Eaton’s Neck Beach Inc. (POENB), its Board, and Members from claims related to their use, guests, or events.
Feedback or questions: Contact info@eatonsneck.org.
Who is Eligible to Store Watercraft at POENB Beach Properties
- Only POENB Members are eligible to request a Watercraft Storage Spot at the POENB Beaches.
- Watercraft stored on the POENB Beach Properties must be the personal property of the POENB Member.
- Members may not store Watercraft for (1) Resident Non-POENB Property Owners (RNMPO), (2) individuals who are NOT part of a Member’s Household, or (3) friends, acquaintances, or extended family members regardless of where they live.
Approved Watercraft and Designated Watercraft Storage Locations
- Approved Watercraft are eligible for storage at POENB Beaches as part of the Beach Storage System.
- Watercraft must meet both type and size criteria to be approved. The Board may revise definitions of watercraft type and size each year at its discretion.
Approved Watercraft
| Watercraft Type | Size | Current Storage Location/ Comments |
| Kayaks | Standard sized onlySize not to exceed 16’ long x 3‘wide | Kayaks must be stored in designated kayak location only – which are the multi-level wooden racks at Price’s Bend & Valley Grove.Youth kayaks cannot be stored on POENB Property. |
| Dinghies / Row Boats | Dinghy hulls shall not exceed 9.4‘ long x 4.5 ‘wide | Only dinghies/rowboats not exceeding 9.4’ can be stored in the designated dinghy/rowing vessel area – which is located on the single-level metal racks at Price’s Bend.Any inflatable boat/launch within the size limitations above is considered a dinghy by POENB and will be stored in the dingy area. Anything larger than 9.4’ long must be stored at home and trailed |
| Paddleboards | Must be adult sized (no kids boards)Cannot exceed 12’long x 3’ wide | There are no dedicated paddleboard racks; Members may need to share a paddleboard or kayak space to optimize storage. |
| Canoes ** | Canoes hulls must be standard sized and shall not exceed 16’ long x 3’ wide x 14 “ high | Canoe storage is currently located on the multi-level wooden racks at Price’s Bend and Valley Grove. |
| Sail Craft | See pilot program below | See pilot program below |
** Because of rack weight limits, canoes aren’t preferred; members should bring them only as needed using a car rack. POENB may restrict canoe storage seasonally.
POENB has a Sail Craft Storage Pilot Program
- Smaller sailboats (VERY Limited spaces available at Prices Bend, to the west of the racks only)
- A small 1 to 2-person sailboat (i.e. standard sized sunfish)
- All sail craft must be on a pull cart (dolly)
- hulls must not exceed 14 foot length x 4.5 feet in width (excluding hand dolly).
- Small sailboats must have their masts removed when not in use.
- Catamaran (i.e. Hobie Cat) Sailing vessels (VERY Limited spaces available at of Prices Bend, to the west of the racks only)
- Small catamarans (i.e. Hobie Cats) are being allowed as part of an ongoing pilot program and is not guaranteed
- All catamarans must be kept on a pull cart (dolly/s) and be maintained.
- Important sail craft notes
- Due to the seagrass ecosystem to the west of the racks at prices Bend, there will be no beach maintenance there.
- As part of the ongoing sail craft pilot program, for 2026, we will continue to allow sail craft to remain on the beach in both even and odd years. This is primarily due to the difficulty in removing and storing sail craft as well as the fact that the area is in the less utilized western part of Prices Bend Beach. As a reminder, this is part of the ongoing pilot program and the rules may change as the discretion of the POENB board.
How to Request a Watercraft Storage Spot / Number of Available Watercraft Storage Spots
- To request a Watercraft Storage Spot, a Member checks the “Watercraft Storage Spot” box on the POENB Membership Application and pays an additional, reasonable fee for each Spot requested.
- A POENB Member (including all individuals in the Member Household) may request a MAXIMUM of two Watercraft Storage Spots
- Note: Spots may also be requested and paid for with general membership signups in person at the “Watercraft Spot Assignment Day”. See below for more details on that.
- However, because POENB has a limited number of Watercraft Storage Spots, the Association may need to limit all Members to only one (1) Watercraft Storage Spot or tell some Members that POENB cannot accommodate their request for a Watercraft Storage Spot.
- To be clear, although requested on their Membership Application, a Member is not guaranteed a Watercraft Storage Spot.
Watercraft Storage Spot Assignments
- POENB’s re-assigns Watercraft Storage Spots in even years. Bi-annual assignments are administratively less burdensome.
- Therefore, if a Member requests and is assigned a Watercraft Storage Spot for an Approved Watercraft in an even year, the Member will keep that Watercraft Storage Spot for (2) years (assuming the Member maintains his/her Membership and pays the Watercraft Storage Fees).
- If a Member requests a Watercraft Storage Spot in an odd year, it will be for one year. The system is designed to re-shuffle spots fairly and discourage squatting.
- Specific Watercraft Rack and Sail Craft Spot requests and subsequent assignments are made in person on a first-come, first-serve basis during “Watercraft Spot Assignment Day” to be held at the Eaton’s Neck Fire Dept each spring on even years.
- The specific day and time will be announced in advance. If a Member cannot attend Watercraft Spot Assignment Day event at the Eaton’s Neck Firehouse in person, please let the Board know by emailing info@eatonsneck.org. The Board will TRY to accommodate a Member’s request for a Watercraft Storage Spot. For people who miss the “Watercraft Spot Assignment Day”, Storage Spots may be requested via (Link to page will be added here shortly – website being updated – March 2026)
- Specific Watercraft Rack / Sail Craft Spot requests are not guaranteed but POENB will try to accommodate requested preferences. Members CANNOT bypass the registration process and assume a Watercraft Rack / Sail Craft Spot.
- Any Member who has not paid their membership by May of the 2nd (odd) year runs the risk of their watercraft spot being reassigned and/or their craft being removed.
- If a Member has been issued a spot, the Member must use it. If a Member’s Assigned Watercraft Rack / Sail Craft Spot is not filled by June 1, it may be re-assigned.
- The Association, its members and its Board are not responsible for the Watercraft stored at the Association’s Beach Properties including lost, damaged or stolen property or property damaged from storms. Storage of Watercraft of any type signifies the acceptance of this provision.
- Watercraft Rack / Sail Craft Spots are non-transferable and non-assignable except by POENB.
Identifying and Tracking a Member’s Assigned Watercraft Storage Spot
- When a specific Watercraft Rack / Sail Craft Spot has been assigned to a given Member, a Watercraft Decal showing the Assigned Spot Number will be provided to the Member.
- The Decal must be applied to the Watercraft and the Watercraft must be stored on the Watercraft Rack with the Decal side facing outward so it can be easily identified.
Storage Protocols – including Removing Derelict /Abandoned Watercraft
- Members must store their Approved Watercraft in their Assigned Watercraft Rack/Sail Craft Spot and may NOT occupy more than one Spot
- No space may be occupied by more than one watercraft. Stacking of craft will result in loss of Spot.
- Unidentifiable craft, non-member craft, derelict craft, abandoned craft or craft in violation of the Watercraft Rules, will be removed and temporally held. POENB will make multiple attempts to notify Member’s owning abandoned craft. For Abandoned Craft that is unmarked, we will make multiple notices via email to all current members and on additional platforms such as Facebook and in the Changing Tides publication. If after a minimum of 90 days elapses following email notices and public notifications, POENB will attempt to sell any remaining abandoned craft with proceeds of a sale going into the POENB general use fund. Any remaining craft we are unable to sell will be discarded. POENB will not be responsible for reimbursing owners of abandoned craft we may sell or discard.
- POENB reserves the right to cut any lock or locking device and remove any watercraft deemed in violation of POENB rules.
- Trailers or motorized watercraft are NOT PERMITTED. Canoes must receive special permission.
- Watercraft stored on racks (kayaks, paddleboards, dinghies) must be removed by December 1st in ODD years to allow for property maintenance. If an even year, they may remain on the racks.
