[Evenstar]

[quote]

Originally Posted by ITD

You know, I find it interesting that some of the people advocating a SL seem to be OK with interpreting or ignoring significant data to suit their own purposes.

Just as some of the people opposed to a speed limit "seem to be OK with interpreting or ignoring significant data to suit their own purposes."

Some, not all mind you but some, post as though many bad things have happened to them on Winni. when in fact they had never even been on the big lake.

I have repeatedly stated that I have yet to kayak on Winni (that should be corrected later this month), but I have spent a great deal of time on other large NH lakes, including some with, and some without a speed limit. There’s a noticeable difference, which is probably much more obvious to others like me who are in small, slow moving boats.

When I look at the statistics, I see nothing that says to me that there are more accidents caused by boats going over 45 mph. Quite the contrary actually.

Ok, now you are "interpreting or ignoring significant data to suit your own purposes". I pointed this out in an earlier post; the data includes ALL types of boating accidents, on ALL types of water. To use the data objectively, you would have to use only boating accidents that occur on the larger lakes. And you would have to also know how many of the accidents involving small boats were caused by the actions of larger boats.

Looking objectively at the data I would say canoes and such are extremely dangerous when compared to boats that travel over 45mph and should be further regulated. I would have a strong case for a law, based on the data and the concerns of some on this forum, that prohibits canoes/kayaks to be more than say 300ft from any shore and require the best possible life jackets and helmets be worn at all times. I could just imagine the outrage were this type of bill to be submitted.

First of all, you’re not looking at the date objectively. (As I just pointed out.) Secondly there’s a huge difference between canoes, recreational kayaks, and sea kayaks, when it comes to seaworthiness. And the small boats in the accident data also include inflatable rafts and rowboats, with no differentiation between any of the small boats. So you can’t know how many of the accidents actually involved canoes and kayaks. And of the accidents that did involve canoes and kayaks, how many actually happened on fast moving rivers? The data just doesn’t give this information.

Based on history and statistics and the fact that when you bolt an engine to ANY type of vehicle, accidents will happen. Unfortunately, those who want a SL seem to be waiting for a tragedy to occur so they can exploit it and get their way.

I seriously doubt that anyone is doing that. I’m certainly not waiting for a tragedy to occur! After all, since I’m planning on kayaking on Winni soon, I could be the victim.