boating in boston

Tried Boating in Boston's at Hopkinton for an intro to paddle board class. The class size was small with 7 people and the max would be 8 - a couple, mom and her high school/college kids, and a woman. The instructor was easy going and reassuring. She started with the basics and then went through a variety of increasingly difficult things to try if you wanted. There was some rest, relax time out on the water, too. All around great time and by the end I felt I could comfortably go out on my own next time. It cost 5 bucks to park/enter the park on top of the fee for the class, so I was lucky I had cash with me.

I went with my family who never canoed before and it was such a nice day the staff was super friendly and helpful. The experience was pleasantly calming and peaceful on the water. Love it and will recommend!!

We decided to try out Boating in Boston by renting kayaks in Hopkinton State Park. They weren't very busy (midweek), and it was perfect for us - very easy to find, close parking, beautiful location. The girl checking us in was very friendly and helpful. We were given life vests and they were then checked to ensure they were tightened properly. We used a double / single / child size kayak. I didn't even know they had child size kayaks; the girl told us about them and it was perfectly sized and manageable for out daughter...not to mention a little less in price. Both our kids had a great time and we will definitely return for another trip.

I have read the previous reviews, especially the bad ones, but I think they are completely exaggerated and not realistic.I have been renting kayaks and boats at many lakes and I do not know one single location that will pay constantly attention to your whereabouts.Hopkinton Lake is really not big and every time I am going there are plenty of other kayaks/boats out there so I feel in a real emergency people are close by.The check in was very fast and professional, we were helped with the life vests and they pushed us in the lake. Upon return they helped us back on land and check out was quick as well.I had a great time and I took my 3 year old and 7 year old with me on one kayak. It was a great experience and I will do it again

My experience at the Boating in Boston (Lake Cochituate/Natick location) was absolutely phenomenal. The staff knew exactly what they were doing and sent me off within 5 minutes. It was a very organized and well-run site, and the staff were friendly and helpful. Thank you for a great experience, I will be back soon!

Hopkinton State Park is very nice, lovely lakes. We took out two kayaks priced by the hour. We didn't last that long and returned after about 40 minutes.We waited in line again to pay for about 20 minutes.They are highly understaffed.Suggest weekdays and not the weekends.

Always fun and easy to access. Even on busy weekends you are equipped and in the water in no time. The area is mostly run by young people. They are helpful and do a great job. The water itself gives you many areas to explore and for the most part is not too crowded. As you might imagine weekends can be busy. Try the weekdays it's great.

We went on Sunday afternoon and the place was very busy (still could find parking though). Many families having cook-outs/BBQs near the beach while others were sailing, kayaking, fishing and swimming. There is another beach/parking area past the dam is a smaller body of water which wasn't as busy as the main reservoir.http://mappery.com/map-of/Hopkinton-State-Park-trail-map-2Great value for the year at $35 which can be used at DCR parks across the state!

The Park is beautiful and clean. We took our own boats (inflatable) and had a wonderful time. The kids enjoyed the beach. It is really a very beautiful park. We did not go to the main beach area, very crowded for us. There is another small beach in that same park on Dogwood Drive which is very good and less crowded. There is enough parking with picnic benches and restroom close by. There is an entrance fee of $5. If you go after 530pm just for boating or playing on the beach, no fee!

It took me only one peaceful afternoon on Spot Pond (Stoneham, MA, USA) to know that this is the best place to be. For those who envision roaring rapids and high octane thrills, Boating in Boston is the complete opposite. The ponds / lakes are calm, and there's plenty of flora and fauna to see. I've also kayaked on Lake Quannapowitt (Wakefield), Hopkinton, and Univ Mass Boston -- all wonderful experiences.This year, I will try stand-up paddle boarding at UMass. I also want to check out the new location in Newton.This is my second year with a membership; I intend to get the most use out of it.TIP: Lake Q tends to get busy in the summer, so if it is too full to kayak, Spot Pond is only about fifteen minutes away.

Boat rentals are reasonably priced and the staff is always helpful. It's a great way to get kids introduced to different types of boating. Requires paid admission to Hopkinton State Park.

Boat rentals in the Hopkinton state park. There are choices of what to rent, several sizes of canoe. This is good for a group activity because of the choices. We have used the giant canoe for a group--really fun. You have to leave ID --so bring one, and a Credit Card. They take cash but you will need to leave a security. Get there early to secure a picnic area.Bring a watertight container for your phone, etc. or lock it in your car.

I went for the very first time to hopkinton state park boating along with my family and my cousin's family. We had a terrible experience which is unforgettable. One of our canoe which they said will fit 4 people(including adults, kids) was totally insecure and small for 3 adults and 1 kid itself. The staff working there are just teenage girls who know nothing. They haven't took care if our life jackets are tight or loose, didn't gave instructions of how to sit in a conoe especially the middle rows. Our Canoe got capsized in middle of lake and were struggling in water for 20-30 minutes. It's so pathetic that there were no single life gaurd who is attentive of these disasters and never reacted to such incident until one of my cousin out their on the yard notified them. Guess who the life guards were, 2 teenage girls who can't even pull us out of water on to the boat. They came in to rescue us after 20-30 minutes of struggling in the water to death. None of us know swimming. Me, my wife somehow were able to hold on to the boat and manage to breath but my father and my cousin's son were totally stuck in the boat because they were sitting in middle of the boat with wooden bars across. I saw my dad in really bad situation who don't know swimming and too old to manage in water. I am so thankful to god that i was able to pull my father out of that boat and hold him so he could breath for a while as his lifejacket was so loose...fellow boaters saw this and helped my dad in holding to their kayak's...My cousin from other boat jumped into water to help us and rescued his son who is stuck on our boat and then helped my wife in holding on to the boat..I would strongly suggest anyone NOT to go if they don't know how to swim. Their canoe's are really bad and small in size for 4 ppl.Boating in boston management should consider hiring staff someone who is good at giving instructions to boaters and check life jackets before they sail and who can respond to such incidents in matter of seconds. Hire well build life guards instead of hiring teenage girls who hardly can pull us from water...It's totally because of god's grace and our luck that me, my wife, my father and my cousin's son survived.

We purchased a Groupon to kayak at Hopkinton State Park and had a blast! Easy access off of the highway, convenient parking and within 30 minutes we were in our kayaks and paddling around a very pretty body of water. I would recommend getting there early (they are open 10-7 during the summer months). The young people running the site were helpful and pleasant. Definitely would recommend! You can also rent paddle boards, sail and row boats and canoes. We are going back, but will pack chairs and a picnic lunch to enjoy lakeside.

Used a Groupon to go kayaking out of UMAS Boston. Called ahead before driving out to see how many boats were available and was told we couldn't make a reservation. (Not really my question) Next we got to the UMASS campus and didn't see any signs from the road as to where the company was located. Then we called and the staff didn't know where the launch was located. They weren't familiar with the campus. Our only direction was they were where the water juts out. UMASS is completely surrounded by water. They also had no idea where to park our car. Maybe in a student lot. Finally figured it out and walked down the gangway. The two staff members didn't ask "how can we help you?" or " you found us" - nothing. We had to say is this Boating in Boston? Then asked if they were the woman we spoke to on the phone. he said yes and we told her where her company was located at Fox Point. She said she didn't even know how to get there she uses a GPS. After filling out a waver we had to move the process along to get a kayak. Once on the water and under our own power and schedule it was great. Thankfully we knew how to kayak. The only instruction we got was wear a life vest and you can go anywhere. When we returned the kayak it was hard to get off the dock because they started packing up the kayaks and they blocked our way. The staff seemed puzzled that we never gave a drivers license for them to hold as collateral - they never asked for one. I don't think I'd go boating out of UMASS ever again. May not even use this company again. Very disorganized.