Boating Information

A copy of the information on this page is available as a printable Sunset Lake Boating Guide at the bottom of this page. We request that property owners who rent out their property give a copy of the boaters guide to all renters who use motorized or non-motorized vessels in Sunset Lake.

There is no public boat launch on Sunset Lake. Launching is available at the Hampstead Town Beach for those with waterfront property, right of way, or deeded access to the lake and is controlled by a locked gate during warm weather months. A boat launch permit sticker and gate combination must be obtained from the town hall and displayed on the rear of the boat. The gate code is changed on a monthly bases and should not be given out to other individuals.

Launching is not allowed while the beach is open with a lifeguard on duty and is only allowed between 6:00-9:00 a.m and 6:00-9:00 p.m. Visit the boat launch page on hampsteadnh.us for more details and for an application to obtain a launch permit. Contact Sally Theriault at the town hall with your boat registration and launch permit application to obtain your boat launch sticker and gate combination which should not be given out to other individuals.

Foot traffic to launch non-motorized vessels via the beach (i.e. canoes, kayaks, paddleboards) is permitted as long as it is done at the extreme edge (side) of the beach and no swimmers or sunbathers are disturbed. Parking at the beach requires a beach permit sticker; more information about the town beach and beach permits is available on the town beach page at hampsteadnh.us and the town beach page on Hampstead Recreation.

State of New Hampshire Boating Rules and Regulations - It is important to know the NH boating rules and regulations for the safety of everyone on the lake. The NH Marine Patrol regularly patrols Sunset Lake and assigns fines appropriately. Review the details about NH boating rules and regulations on nhlakes.org, wildlife.state.nh.us, and nh.gov.

Mandatory Boater Education - Everyone 16 years of age and older who operates a motorboat over 25 horsepower on New Hampshire waters must have a boating education certificate. Visit the Marine Patrol Boater Education Page on nh.gov. for more information

Highlighted Rules and Regulations:

• Any person convicted of operating a boat under the influence shall lose their right to operate a boat for one year and be fined. Their right to operate a motor vehicle will be revoked for not less than 90 days. Any person convicted of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence shall also lose their right to operate a boat for one year from the date of conviction.
• It is illegal for passengers to ride on or straddling the bow, gunwales, or transom of a power driven vessel in places where there may be a chance of falling overboard while underway.
• All vessels must carry one wearable US Coast Guard (USCG) approved life jacket, also called a personal flotation device (PFD), for each person on board.
• Vessels 16 feet in length or longer (except canoes and kayaks) must have one USCG–approved throwable device on board and immediately available.
• Children 12 years of age and younger must wear a USCG approved PFD at all times while underway on a vessel, unless the vessel is completely enclosed by railings at least three feet high and constructed such that a small child cannot fall through them. It is strongly recommended that children of all ages wear their life jackets.
• Each person being towed by a vessel must wear a USCG approved PFD
• “Ski belts” are no longer US Coast Guard approved
• Water skiing and other water sports is NOT permitted between sunset and sunrise

If you want to report any boating relating issues, please contact the Marine Patrol at 603-293-2037, 800-642-9700, or marinepatrol@dos.nh.gov. 

We also ask that everyone in the Sunset Lake community work together to promote community-friendly boating practices protect the health of the lake, keep property values high, and make the use of the lake enjoyable for everyone. Visit our Community Friendly Boating page for more information.

Counterclockwise Direction of Travel Regulation - All petroleum powered motorboats traveling in excess of headway speed (more than 5 miles per hour) must travel counterclockwise around Sunset Lake, while keeping a minimum distance of 150 feet from other boats, swimmers, rafts, docks, and shore. Violators may be fined. This regulation excludes powerboats used in emergency situations where line of travel is required and appropriate. 

Skicraft and Personal Watercraft (PWCs) - Skicraft (1 and 2 seat “Jetskis”) were banned from Sunset Lake in 1989. Violators will be escorted off and fined. Personal watercraft (3+ seat machines) may only be operated between sunrise and sunset. PWCs must follow the regulations set forth in NH Rules and Regulations for motor boats including NOT operated above headway speed within 150 feet of another PWC, vessel, platform, person, or object.

If you want to report any boating relating issues, please contact the Marine Patrol at 603-293-2037, 800-642-9700, or marinepatrol@dos.nh.gov.

We also ask that everyone in the Sunset Lake community work together to promote community-friendly boating practices protect the health of the lake, keep property values high, and make the use of the lake enjoyable for everyone. Visit our Community Friendly Boating page for more information.

The sound of music and other noises can carry a very long distance on waterbodies without the volume dissipating. Please be respectful of all property owners on and around Sunset Lake by keeping music and other noise volumes to a reasonable level.

The allowable noise levels in Hampstead, including those for watercraft, are regulated by the Hampstead Noise Ordinance. Contact the Hampstead Police Department at 603-329-5700 if you would like to report a potential violation.

We must protect Sunset Lake from invasive plant and animal species. Not only is it important for the continued health of the lake, but as of January 1, 2017, it is the law that all watercraft, including non-motorized and paddle vessels, must be cleaned, drained, and dried between use in NH lakes. This is especially important for us since all of the local water bodies around Sunset Lake have invasive species which could easily be transferred to Sunset Lake, even by kayak, canoe, or paddleboard. For more information about clean, drain, and dry procedures visit the clean, drain, & dry page on hlakes.org and check our latest boating guide that can be downloaded below. Also visit our Invasive Species page for more information about native and invasive species in Sunset Lake.