Definition of "shoreline" for boating purposes
 

Had a question come up over the weekend...

Do large rocks (e.g. Nipple, off Round Is.) qualify as "shoreline" for the purposes of enforcing the 150' rule?

If Nipple Rock is shoreline then I violate the 150' rule at least once a weekend.

It's a good question. Bizer has a list of islands and the criteria that he uses to distinguish an island from a rock.

Obviously the MP has their own rules.

This was brought up years ago with no resolution that I recall. I've always assumed that if there is no vegetation, algae not included, then there is no 150' rule. There are a few small rock piles with greenery that don't usually get my respect, but I'm probably stretching the rule there.

I believe docks are included as one of the numerous features that are protected under the 150' rule. Shore, docks, floats, swim lines, swimmers, other boats, bridges, no-wake signs. Did I miss something?

From RSA 270-D:2
(1) Rafts, floats, swimmers.
(2) Permitted swimming areas.
(3) Shore.
(4) Docks.
(5) Mooring fields.
(6) Other vessels.

Not from no-wake signs. There are 48 different rules for no-wake zones on Winnipesaukee alone.

But there are only 46 no wake zones? :laugh:

A rock does NOT have 150' protection
 

No, rocks by themselves do NOT qualify as shoreline for the 150' rule.

Another misunderstood NH rule. Although beginning boaters may be encouraged to keep 150 feet away from "everything", not everything falls under the 150' safe passage rules (see jrc's post quoting from RSA 270-D:2).

You've pointed to a good example, Nipple Rock. It's both a rock and a navigation aid and neither the rock nor the Flashing Light nav aid are covered by the 150 foot rule.

Nipple Rock and Flashing Light 46:

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...um/84NipRk.jpg
looking north from Nipple Rock toward the tip of Timber Island

A rock or navigation aid all by itself is not subject to the 150 foot safe passage rule. If there is no other consideration then you can go as close as is reasonable (and safe) to rocks such as Nipple Rock, and navigation aids without reducing to headway speed.

I maintain plane close to that rock on the outside. I'm not sure what is under the water between the rock and Round Island - besides, if I'm within 150' of Round Island I have to drop to headway speed.

I believe that Becky's Garden is the smallest Island (shoreline) on the Lake.

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But Skipper, your picture brings up the prime question "what is the definition of shoreline". Does that tree on your Nipple rock picture mean it has shoreline? Perhaps only the side with tree is shoreline? Somewhere between Nipple Rock and Bear Island, an island gets defined as having shoreline. Isn't the point of the 150' rule to prevent wake from damaging vegetation?

I don't see the difference between Nipple Rock and Becky's Garden. Both have vegetation, therefore both are islands. And it looks like Nipple Rock is actually bigger. Plus the lack of "island" in the name makes no difference, neither have it.