Winnipesaukee Forum - View Single Post

GusMan · 06-30-2005, 12:01 AM

Hi All,

Just to let you guys be forewarned... a semi-rant (OK maybe not
even SEMI) follows.....

I would like to issue a word of caution to anyone who is considering buying lakefront or lake access property. Make *absolutely* sure that your source of mooring or docking is etched in stone. Preferably with a document sealed with blood!

My story.... I purchased an extremely nice house on Merrymeeting Lake.. it wasn't waterfront, but I had deeded access to the lake via a 60 ft right of way that was shared by about 8 or nine cottages. The waterfont had two "shared" docks that were pretty much occupied when I bought my place. There was also a mooring in front of the waterfront that was used by the family from whom I bought the house (it was used for a jet ski.... and my boat was a 21 ft runabout).

So... I decided to not persue a spot on the dock... and I didn't really trust the existing mooring for my larger boat... so I spent nearly $1000 to sink my own mooring (no permits are required for Merrymeeting Lake) near the other side of the waterfront line. What a huge mistake. Immediately... I got complaints from the owners of the other properties that shared the waterfront. One of them claimed to have a mooring out there already (these people use the cottage twice a year... one week in the summer and one week during the hunting season... and don't own a boat.. )

Beyond that... the abutting lakefront neighbor nearest my mooring constantly complained that my boat impeded their view of the lake. Now, my boat was completely in front of my (shared) property... but the way their cottage was situated (angled toward our property rather than straight across the lake) it would have been impossible for her *not* to see my boat (or any of the other boats docked on the property).

This whole experience was a real eye opener for me... It left a terrible taste... and I would *never* consider buying lakefront property again.

BTW.... My former house is for sale again.... after less than 3 years after I sold it... I have no idea why...... But buyer beware when it comes to properties that have anything but clear cut access to a lake.

Cheers....

Gusman

06-30-2005, 12:01 AM	#3
GusMan Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 133 Thanks: 1 Thanked 45 Times in 26 Posts	Waterfront/Docking/Mooring issues Hi All, Just to let you guys be forewarned... a semi-rant (OK maybe not even SEMI) follows..... I would like to issue a word of caution to anyone who is considering buying lakefront or lake access property. Make absolutely sure that your source of mooring or docking is etched in stone. Preferably with a document sealed with blood! My story.... I purchased an extremely nice house on Merrymeeting Lake.. it wasn't waterfront, but I had deeded access to the lake via a 60 ft right of way that was shared by about 8 or nine cottages. The waterfont had two "shared" docks that were pretty much occupied when I bought my place. There was also a mooring in front of the waterfront that was used by the family from whom I bought the house (it was used for a jet ski.... and my boat was a 21 ft runabout). So... I decided to not persue a spot on the dock... and I didn't really trust the existing mooring for my larger boat... so I spent nearly $1000 to sink my own mooring (no permits are required for Merrymeeting Lake) near the other side of the waterfront line. What a huge mistake. Immediately... I got complaints from the owners of the other properties that shared the waterfront. One of them claimed to have a mooring out there already (these people use the cottage twice a year... one week in the summer and one week during the hunting season... and don't own a boat.. ) Beyond that... the abutting lakefront neighbor nearest my mooring constantly complained that my boat impeded their view of the lake. Now, my boat was completely in front of my (shared) property... but the way their cottage was situated (angled toward our property rather than straight across the lake) it would have been impossible for her not to see my boat (or any of the other boats docked on the property). This whole experience was a real eye opener for me... It left a terrible taste... and I would never consider buying lakefront property again. BTW.... My former house is for sale again.... after less than 3 years after I sold it... I have no idea why...... But buyer beware when it comes to properties that have anything but clear cut access to a lake. Cheers.... Gusman