Originally Posted by FlyingScot (Post 357476)

LI and LL--agreed. One thing I'd add you that you both reference--another difference is that certain businesses, such as the ice cream boat and The Mount, may get more sympathy because of their aesthetic appeal. Whether that's fair may be debatable, but it is human nature

Originally Posted by LikeLakes (Post 357475)

I'd like to announce my plan for next year. Based on learning from The Dive's mistakes, I'm building a blimp based restaurant/bar. It will float 20 ft. off the water, making it immune to state boating and safety regs, we'll fly it to some farmer's rented field at off hours eliminating docking problems. We're going to work out a contract with ESA to fly patrons to it where they will climb up a rope ladder to the dining room and bar. Future upgrades will be an escalator that lowers to water level. For those at Braun Bay that need some shade they can anchor under the shadow of the blimp.

And after careful thought and enlisting the best design teams in the area, I've decided to paint it yellow. ;)

Originally Posted by LikeLakes (Post 357474)

And it seems to me like the most likely viable partnering option for the "move around the lake" model might have been the Mount Washington. Share dock space somehow. No idea if it could have worked or not, just a thought.

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin (Post 357470)

Actually the biggest point in the story of the Dive, is that you really need to fully vet your idea, before sinking Hundred of thousands of dollars into a venture. The dive since the beginning has believed that the only permitting they needed to worry about was from the State, because they would be sitting on top of the State owned property. And from a health and safety code stand point that is entirely correct.

What they failed to recognized, and continue to step into every time they turn around is the fact, that as soon, as the tie to a dock, which is connected to land controlled by the town, they also face additional jurisdiction and regulations. Every time I have seen the Dive have issues, it is with the towns, to my knowledge they have not had any issue with the state. The towns can control their town docks anyway they want. The towns can regulate business that operate with in their boundaries anyway they want. And once a Boat is tied to a dock, which is tied to the land that belongs to the town, the town gains jurisdiction over the business activities.

In the past there have been other water bound business on less of a scale, boats selling ice cream, boats selling burgers and dogs... No issues why? because they never operated while dock side, they never needed access to have holding tanks pumped....or be gassed up, beyond what could easily be done just like any other boat....

At the end of the day, the DIVE is struggling because of the scale of the endeavor, and because of the ignorance of the owners... I had honestly wanted to see them succeed..... But they keep falling into the same situation summer after summer..... If they have actually come out of the Red I would truly be surprised.... Do I think they could succeed, Yes but they need to find a land based partner that has water access, in a commercial setting, that will allow them to function, both tied up, and underway. And then before jumping into action and operations with that partner, clear the plan with the town... The problem is that partnership is going to require the dive to buy into that business, or that business to buy into the Dive....

Alright enough already, FLL you must have some more witty comments you can make...

Originally Posted by codeman671 (Post 357503)

Why did they pull out of the deal at the Weirs public docks? They fought hard for it and got what they wanted. I haven't followed this closely, but was surprised to hear that they walked. Probably more to the story than I have heard.

Originally Posted by wentworthwhitbreadIII (Post 357707)

Is that The Dive that's pushed up against the East side of Paugus Ba off Weirs Blvd that everyone is talking about? It doesn't look to be docked, but more like it's shipwrecked.

Originally Posted by LikeLakes (Post 357475)

I'd like to announce my plan for next year. Based on learning from The Dive's mistakes, I'm building a blimp based restaurant/bar. It will float 20 ft. off the water, making it immune to state boating and safety regs, we'll fly it to some farmer's rented field at off hours eliminating docking problems. We're going to work out a contract with ESA to fly patrons to it where they will climb up a rope ladder to the dining room and bar. Future upgrades will be an escalator that lowers to water level. For those at Braun Bay that need some shade they can anchor under the shadow of the blimp.

And after careful thought and enlisting the best design teams in the area, I've decided to paint it yellow. ;)

Originally Posted by wentworthwhitbreadIII (Post 358097)

Anyone know where the Dive is pumping their holding tanks?

Originally Posted by TiltonBB (Post 358106)

I have seen them in Meredith at the public pump out stations several times. That may not be the only place they pump out but I know that is one that they use.

I am sure with the food facilities onboard and all the inspections they have had they are fine.

Despite what some people may post, the owners are decent people who have invested a lot of their own time and money to bring something different to the lake.

I would rather have the Dive go by my house 10 times than have one of those make a wake loud stereo boats set up out front and entertain everyone within 2 miles for an hour.

Originally Posted by joey2665 (Post 358107)

The Dive is constantly trashed here but as we all know there are two sides to every story.

Also it may be something I visit only once a season I can tell you that when you see it out it is always packed and people are having a blast. After all isn’t that what it’s about.


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Originally Posted by AC2717 (Post 358138)

I, don't think it is ugly and I appauld the business venture. I think it is a great idea, and I do not mind it in my backyard, but what I would mind is it blaring music, if it were (first example was this July 4th) everytime it is there

Originally Posted by thinkxingu (Post 358242)

The Dive just drove by us while we were grabbing ice cream at Liliuokalani's, and I wish to update my opinion: in addition to profiting off public property, it's an eyesore, and I wouldn't want it near me.

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Originally Posted by LikeLakes (Post 358244)

That must have been a close call, you can get sucked in by the Dive vortex if too close, many have disappeared only to be found later clinging to one of the Evinrude's.

I've never seen a single object on the lake produce as much conversation and controversy, it's really interesting.

Originally Posted by LikeLakes (Post 358244)

That must have been a close call, you can get sucked in by the Dive vortex if too close, many have disappeared only to be found later clinging to one of the Evinrude's.

I've never seen a single object on the lake produce as much conversation and controversy, it's really interesting.

Originally Posted by sum-r breeze (Post 358328)

We went to the Paugus Bay sandbar specifically because The Dive was going to be there. I can’t even begin to tell you how great a time we had with Betsy and Jamie. It’s a rare thing in today’s world where the owners of a business are on site every time it’s in operation. Both were there and were absolutely the most friendly and welcoming of any Bar / Restaurant I’ve been to in the Lakes Region. We had drinks, appetizers and lunch. We met people who were friends of the owners and they invited us to a land based party later in the evening. We didn’t attend but once again….met some awesome people had some great food and genuinely had a great time. So the enormous amount of support by The Dive patrons that I saw while on board should be the real “litmus” test as to whether they should be on the Lake and doing their thing. NOT the small handful of detractors constantly complaining about them.

The Breeze (aka Paulie)

Originally Posted by sum-r breeze (Post 358328)

We went to the Paugus Bay sandbar specifically because The Dive was going to be there. I can’t even begin to tell you how great a time we had with Betsy and Jamie. It’s a rare thing in today’s world where the owners of a business are on site every time it’s in operation. Both were there and were absolutely the most friendly and welcoming of any Bar / Restaurant I’ve been to in the Lakes Region. We had drinks, appetizers and lunch. We met people who were friends of the owners and they invited us to a land based party later in the evening. We didn’t attend but once again….met some awesome people had some great food and genuinely had a great time. So the enormous amount of support by The Dive patrons that I saw while on board should be the real “litmus” test as to whether they should be on the Lake and doing their thing. NOT the small handful of detractors constantly complaining about them.

The Breeze (aka Paulie)

Originally Posted by joey2665 (Post 358329)

Awesome post Paulie. People seem to have a great time and I hope they continue to be busy and become a successful business in the lakes region. The small amount of detractors here have will have little influence on its future.


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Originally Posted by sum-r breeze (Post 358328)

We went to the Paugus Bay sandbar specifically because The Dive was going to be there. I can’t even begin to tell you how great a time we had with Betsy and Jamie. It’s a rare thing in today’s world where the owners of a business are on site every time it’s in operation. Both were there and were absolutely the most friendly and welcoming of any Bar / Restaurant I’ve been to in the Lakes Region. We had drinks, appetizers and lunch. We met people who were friends of the owners and they invited us to a land based party later in the evening. We didn’t attend but once again….met some awesome people had some great food and genuinely had a great time. So the enormous amount of support by The Dive patrons that I saw while on board should be the real “litmus” test as to whether they should be on the Lake and doing their thing. NOT the small handful of detractors constantly complaining about them.

The Breeze (aka Paulie)

Originally Posted by thinkxingu (Post 358344)

By this rationale, McDonald's could set up a restaurant in the Wolfeboro public parking lot if enough people liked it? Or Epic could set up a seaplane operation at the Pier 19 public docks?

That a commercial business using public resources to profit is ok as long as it passes the "litmus test" of enough people liking it?

As I've said in the past, as long as The Dive keeps moving, it's less of a problem. The moment it monopolizes one public space, however, it should be rejected—for every one of you who "seeks it out," there's just as many or more who seek to avoid it.

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Originally Posted by TomF (Post 358349)

So is it anchored there overnight and all trough the week or does it move there every day?


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Originally Posted by thinkxingu (Post 358344)

By this rationale, McDonald's could set up a restaurant in the Wolfeboro public parking lot if enough people liked it? Or Epic could set up a seaplane operation at the Pier 19 public docks?

That a commercial business using public resources to profit is ok as long as it passes the "litmus test" of enough people liking it?

As I've said in the past, as long as The Dive keeps moving, it's less of a problem. The moment it monopolizes one public space, however, it should be rejected—for every one of you who "seeks it out," there's just as many or more who seek to avoid it.

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