[Phantom]

Lakegeezer -- I'd be curious what area of the Lake you are refering to ( I see Moultonboro) --. Mostly because i'd like to be aware, personally. Would you be referering to the FL#14 <--> FL#72 strech??

To BigDog & Silvergeezers observations, I too have had the MP attempt to, what I'll call, "Bait Me". As an accomplished and safe boater I find it totally irresponsible on their part-- we have enough wahoo's out there to contend with. And unfortunately 99% of the time it's some "kid" at the wheel of the MP craft. On a couple of occasions I've just gone dead in the water (as if to check the Nav map or something) and that seems to "take the fun out of it" for them.

To the Marine Patrol's defense (in the situation you describe Lakegeezer), it strikes me as no different than on the highway --- all too often you'll be chuggin along in a 65 MPH zone when the speed limit drops to 50 or 55 MPH - and what's the next thing you see in the median or behind a guard rail?? Part of it is of course education and safety of the area -- the other is shooting duck's in a barrell.

I have been boating Winni for over 20 years (we spend nearly 45 nites/season at the lake) -- I also have lakefront here in MA (where we also boat the other part of the season). Overall, in the big scheme of things, I feel that Marine Patrol on Winni does a very good job. And I feel (most times) they understand and respect the fact that we are "pleasure crafts" and for the most part looks toward safety and well being situations. There will always be a few "Rambo" wanta be's wether it's MP, your local town police, or a State trooper is the way I look at it !!

My two cents ......