Shallowest area of West Alton sandbar?
 

It's been a few years since I anchored there. My recollection is that it's deeper in most places than the Braun Bay sandbar. Next week sometime, I plan to anchor at West Alton with a 9 year old aboard. Where is a good spot to drop anchors that's less than 4 feet deep but also where I won't break any laws? I'll get there early enough to have my choice of spots.

Daver, I would stay to the south side of the channel that goes in and out of WAM and get a close to shore as possible, of course without breaking the
150' rule. :rolleye2:

I do not think you will have much difficulty virtually anywhere on the bar if he/she is of average height.

West Alton Sand Bar
 

Lovely spot! Try to get closer to shore.

If I remember right there are two red markers off the beach to indicate how close to the shore is legal to anchor. South of the channel is shallower than north by a foot or more.

I think the prime spots in Braun Bay, way down by the stream are shallower than West Alton. I don't think you can go on the beach at West Alton. There may be exceptions for slip renters at the marina.

Was just there last weekend and the south/east side at the mouth of the channel is where you want to be. Just look for the red marker and drop anchor there and let the kids play inside the marker area (no one is ever there to chase them off)

Its a great spot for kids, just bring something for them to float around on and you have a whole afternoon of fun!

gh

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/...g/P1000123.jpg

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/...g/P1000138.jpg

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/...g/P1000137.jpg

Thanks folks!

Not sure what you mean by chasing them off. Perfectly legal to play in the water right up to shore. Folks do it everyday. Just do not go ashore, which is illegal. Your must anchor outside the 150 ft markers.

I hate seeing folks bring their pets on land or let the kids play on the beach.

Been anchored in other parts of the lake and the MP have told is we had to leave (near GI twice), never happens in the WA sandbar.

As for pets/kids on land, never seen that myself. What is the deal with that area anyway? Privately owned???

Anyway the WA sandbar is a great spot to bring kids, they always have fun.

Privately owned and clearly marked with no trespassing signs, yet it is not uncommon to see kids, pets and sometimes adults building sand castles and walking around. We go there often. I would say we see the beach owners there maybe 10% of the time and violators there 25 to 50% of the time.

We also see boaters anchored inside the 150 and a few times tied up to the 150. Marine patrol will occasionally come thru, but rarely 'correct' a 25ft or 150ft violation. Usually they just smile and wave. My experiences.....

If you look at these tax maps, you will see that all the land on both sides of the sandbar is in the same parcel as the West Alton Marina.

http://www.alton.nh.gov/Maps/Alton61.pdf
http://www.alton.nh.gov/Maps/Alton60.pdf

What is the rule for the West Alton sand bar? (especially when its packed wall to wall boats) Can you come and go as you please? Swimmers and turning props = a bad day on the water. What do you do if you half to go #2? Just wondering.

The red Monterey on the right is my boat. Here's a shot taken off the back of it that will give you a good idea on depth....

We were right up against the 150' marker.

It's one of our favorite spots but the MP will and does quite often come in and move boats that are inside the 150'.

Use your porta potty in the boat or...
 

...pull anchor and head for the nearest public toilet...West Alton, Minge cove, alton Bay.

Baby Ruth bars in the water or left on the shore would be an absolute no no.:eek:

Ha too funny as I actually remember seeing you guys hanging out. I usually don't remember such things, but it was a pretty quiet day, no loud music playing and you guys were just hanging out enjoying the water and weather.

Me I was the guy worrying about my kids floating around and bothering people,,, They dont have a good sense of distance and personal space and I worry too much,,,

Well glad to see we were both on the right side of the marker,,, :rolleye2:

gh

p.s. always liked Monterey Boats and some of the new ones have very interesting features!

In the old days, if you were in the back and wanted to leave you or your friends would walk your boat out. You can idle very slowly out but water that shallow is not good to run in. You kick up sand which can ruin your impeller fast. Plus if you tilt your drive way up, and start it, you stress the u-joints in the out drive.

So it's better all around to pull your boat to deep water, lower your drive, start the boat and leave.

The #2 question is covered, poop on your boat or leave. You really need a boat with a head if you have children or people who act like them.

Not to change the topic,
 

but about 4 years ago a family from somewhere on the lake showed up at the West Alton sandbar and a pile of kids swam to the beach. Then one of them yelled to dad "hey dad, bring me some toilet paper" as he proceeded to #2 on the beach. He got his TP, cleaned himself and then left the pile on the beach. Nice, ha? I wanted to strangle the parents, of course they thought it was the funniest thing ever. I pretty much stopped hanging there after that, and I'm at WAM.

Stop by and say hello next time!

Yup, done that a few times, and I though I was being an oddball for not wanting to wreck my prop or suck up a bunch of sand,,,

Never thought about the u-joint issue, thanks for bringing that up!

GH

Will do!

Funny I was going to say something to you guys when were there, looked like you guys were just hanging out and making the best of the day, but I was too focused on the kids having fun, as #1 son was giving us all "rides" on a new towable we just got. Over the years we have found that they (towables) serve two purposes, you can tow the kids behind the boat and thay have a blast, then you can let them play with them at the sandbars and they have a giant toy to figure out how to raise-cane with. His idea that day was to have up load up and he would take us on a tour of the sandbar. It wore him out but good!!! :D

Was thinking about trying to come up tomorrow, but the weather looks questionable,,,

Not sure if its worth trailering the 100 miles each way for a partial day,,,

Guess there is something to be said about keeping your boat on the lake, makes for an easier and less costly trip back and forth. :cool:

Thanks!!!

George

The beach belongs to west Alton marina.

Is the sandbar at approximately 19I on the Bizer chart?

I don't have my chart handy, but it's right at the mouth of the cove that goes to West Alton Marina.

I think it's more like 14-H across from Sleepers Island at buoy FL "75". :look: NB