PM... Please dont' use harsh words to describe Rep. Pilliod. Although you disagree with him and HB-162, I don't think disgrace is the right word. He is a respected member of our legislature and should be treated as such. Everyone is entitled to thier opinion. Treat them with respect even when you are angry or disagree with them.
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Originally Posted by fatlazyless
Three cheers for Rep Jim Pilliod of Belmont and his understanding of the 'fear factor' when sharing the lake w/ the go-fasts. As someone who likes to cruise all over the big lake in an old Starcraft aluminum 18'er than gets up on plane at about 18 mph, I am all too familiar with the Winnipesaukee fear factor. Sharing the waters with much larger, faster, heavier, and thundering go-fasts is no picnic. A 45mph day /25mph night speed limit that is linked to your automobile driving record is definately a good thing. Out on the waters, 45mph is hardly a slow speed. And, a big thankyou to Rep Jim Pilliod.
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FLL,
Your post really cuts to the heart of HB-162 and why it is such a divisive issue. I thought that Lake Winnipesaukee belonged to the citizens of NH, and as such was to be shared by ALL. It seems to me most HB-162 supporters do not want to share the lake with anything larger, faster or heavier than than thier particular boat.
Fear is not a basis for implementing law. It is in fact a very dangerous and slippery slope. Laws that limit an individuals personal freedoms must be very carefully considered. A law should never be crafted to restrict or limit an individuals personal freedom, just because a person, or in this case a group of people doesn't like them. A law that limits or restricts an individuals personal freedom needs to be supported by facts and statistics, not fear. What's happens next? People fear getting swamped by the wake of the big cruisers? Are they the next target of fear based legislation? Perhaps we should restrict the usage of canoes and kayaks because more people get hurt or drown in them than any other watercraft? I know it sounds absurd, but the facts & statistics support that position better than they support a speed limit.
The sad part is a speed limit will do little or nothing to alleviate fear or make the lake any safer.
1. It will not make boaters more courteous, however mandatory boater education will. (Mandatory for everyone, including boat renters & day trippers)
2. It will not alleviate any of the weekend congestion, however, strategically placed NWZ's will ease it somewhat, especially in the Weirs area and perhaps the SW entrance between Bear Is and Meredith Neck.
3. It will not eliminate 150' rule violations, however mandatory boater education will cut them down somewhat. (Mandatory for everyone, including boat renters & day trippers)
4. It does nothing to reduce BWI infractions.
5. It does nothing to reduce the noise level.
Rep. Pilliod mentions in the message that he was doing this because a marina owner (Merrill Faye) asked him to because he was losing boat rental business because of crowds and speed. I take an issue to this as Merrill is adding to the crowding by renting boats. Should everyone else get off the lake so he can make a buck or twenty renting boats? I also have an issue with Rusty and his rental boat story. However, I really take exception to the whole boat/PWC rental business in general.
How is it acceptable that ANYONE with a credit card, with absolutely NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE, can rent an 1800lb boat (average weight of an 18' boat) and be let loose to drive around on ANY lake (Not just Lake Winnipesaukee) with nothing more required than an easy 20 question checklist? Most reasonable people would NEVER consider renting a car to someone who had never driven one, just because they had a credit card and did a quick checklist. How is this acceptable with boats?
Rusty has told the story numerous times about his angry hotel guests after renting a boat (I assume from him that part of the story was never made clear) came back to the hotel and vociferously complained to him about the lake. Specifically telling him that it was his responsibility to inform them that the lake was crowded/busy and there were speeding boats. Quite frankly I agree with the angry guests! They had never rented a boat before (I believe Rusty came out with that tidbit on the Charlie St. Clair show). It certainly was the Rusty's/hotels (or whomever rented the boat) responsibility to inform the guests that Lake Winnipesaukee is in fact a very busy lake, especially on weekends. If these guests stayed down in Meredith, and lets assume they left from Meredith Marina (Not clear in the story) they would have run the virtual congestion gauntlet in the busiest part of the lake until they got past Weirs. I don't blame them for being angry, especially if they were not forewarned! I don't like that part of the lake on a busy weekend with my 26' boat.
There are lots of other ways to make the lake safer for all without imposing a speed limit.
Woodsy