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sa meredith · 07-11-2007, 04:25 PM

Well, well..Two years ago, I was in the exact same situation you are now. And, at one time, as another poster noted, it seemed impossible.
There was a time, if I approached an area I wanted to stop at, even if there was plenty of space, if there were too many other boaters around, I would not even attempt docking...didn't want to look foolish. But time has passed, and now it is no different than driving my car. (the boat is 24', so it is not as though it is a big boat)
My advice (at least this is what I did) is to limit your boating in the beginning to weekdays only, and try to choose places you are travelling to that have "boater friendly docks". For example, the Meredith Town Dock "fingers" are far apart, and it is easy to pass another boat as you approach an open spot. As opposed to Wolfboro, were the docks are usually very busy, and the docks are very very narrow. Backing out of there is really for experienced captains only. I once dorked a docking there so bad on a Sunday afternoon. It was awful. But, as a rule, people are very willing to help you, and even give you a tip or two.
When you are out during the week, if you have the time, practice docking over and over again. Pratice, practice,practice.
And lastly, I believe learning to read a chart, and navigating the lake a little at a time is much better than starting out with a GPS. You really should learn the hard way, before relying on a GPS. I run into more people that have a GPS and have no idea how to find a numbered navigational marker on a chart, take a compass heading, and find that marker. You must learn how to do this, and learn what every marker (and it's color) mean. Always, always, always..if you are boating, and for a second are not sure where you are, stop, get the chart out, find out where you are, and find the safest passage to where you are heading. Have fun, and good luck to.

07-11-2007, 04:25 PM	#12
sa meredith Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 986 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 32 Thanked 352 Times in 137 Posts	I wish you well... Well, well..Two years ago, I was in the exact same situation you are now. And, at one time, as another poster noted, it seemed impossible. There was a time, if I approached an area I wanted to stop at, even if there was plenty of space, if there were too many other boaters around, I would not even attempt docking...didn't want to look foolish. But time has passed, and now it is no different than driving my car. (the boat is 24', so it is not as though it is a big boat) My advice (at least this is what I did) is to limit your boating in the beginning to weekdays only, and try to choose places you are travelling to that have "boater friendly docks". For example, the Meredith Town Dock "fingers" are far apart, and it is easy to pass another boat as you approach an open spot. As opposed to Wolfboro, were the docks are usually very busy, and the docks are very very narrow. Backing out of there is really for experienced captains only. I once dorked a docking there so bad on a Sunday afternoon. It was awful. But, as a rule, people are very willing to help you, and even give you a tip or two. When you are out during the week, if you have the time, practice docking over and over again. Pratice, practice,practice. And lastly, I believe learning to read a chart, and navigating the lake a little at a time is much better than starting out with a GPS. You really should learn the hard way, before relying on a GPS. I run into more people that have a GPS and have no idea how to find a numbered navigational marker on a chart, take a compass heading, and find that marker. You must learn how to do this, and learn what every marker (and it's color) mean. Always, always, always..if you are boating, and for a second are not sure where you are, stop, get the chart out, find out where you are, and find the safest passage to where you are heading. Have fun, and good luck to.