[Evenstar]

Originally Posted by EricP

Squam Lake is not the same as Winni, I don't care how many times you lump it in, that doesn't make it true. You feel safer because there's less boats? No Broads? Smaller lake? I could go on all day.

You guys love using this argument. No, the two lakes are not exactly the same - because no two lakes are exactly the same. But Squam is the second largest lake in NH, so it is as close as any lake in NH to Winni - and the two lakes are just over 2 miles apart. There are not "less boats" on Squam" - at least not by square acre of water.

Clinging to the false illusion that "I put myself on a lake that is supposed to be protected as a place for all users" is the same as "I should be able to drive through East LA any time I want because the streets are supposed to be safe" You won't see me doing it and you won't see me kayaking the Broads on the weekend. Period. That's why you put yourself in harm's way.

It is not the same thing. A NH law guarantees me the right - RSA 270:1 states in part: "it is hereby declared that the public waters of New Hampshire shall be maintained and regulated in such way as to provide for the safe and mutual enjoyment of a variety of uses, both from the shore and from water-borne conveyances."

You won't accept Squam as a comparison between the two largest lakes in NH; then you try to compare kayaking on the main lake with driving through East LA!!!???

Originally Posted by VtSteve

We've been through this before, I contend that the MP is not enforcing the laws already on the books. You seem to believe that the new law will somehow change this. I disagree. If a boat is heading towards me at 20 mph, invades my 150' space, the operator is already in violation. If they had enforced these rules, and made it well known that they were, perhaps the infractions would be limited to those that really deserve to be booted out.

What you are leaving out is my statement that, when the operator of a high-speed powerboat invades my 150 foot zone, it is because he does not see me, and not because he intentionally came too close to me. And the reason that he didn't see me is because he was traveling faster than his ability to see small boats. Not because our brightly colored kayaks are difficult to see.

BTW, your continued use of the term "high-speed powerboat" makes it abundantly clear, to me at least, that you have a very one-sided agenda that is in no way helpful in solving the problems on Winni, or any other body of water.

I have no agenda, other than my belief that all boats should be able to use NH lakes without the fear of being run over. My use of "high-speed powerboat" is just a short way of saying any boat that is going over 45 mph - which is the maximum speed allowed in this Bill. I meant nothing more than that. As I have stated over and over again: I have nothing against powerboats of any kind - and my intent is not to ban any type of boat from using the lake.

Originally Posted by chipj29

Why do your rights as a kayaker trump my rights as a boater? What makes you so special? You stated it yourself, you feel perfectly safe on Squam. Why don't you paddle on Squam, and leave the largest lake in the state available for those who want to travel faster?

My rights don't trump your rights - but yours don't trump mine either. I do paddle on Squam, but I also have the right,under the NH law, to paddle on Winni as well - and I have the right to be safe while doing this. There is no NH law that gives you the right to travel at high-speeds on any NH lake.

Originally Posted by Ryan

1 - Is your Kayak equipped with a radar gun? Are you? Can you tell the difference between somebody approaching your sea kayak at 44mph? 38mph? 33mph? I cannot. I ALSO have a college degree.

I've also explained this before - but no one believes me, so why bother. The fact is that my spatial awareness is much better than average - due to the fact that the right side of my brain is overdeveloped (to compensate for the damage to my left side. And I'm not talking about boats going 46 mph - I'm talking about boats going more like 60mph. And I do have a pretty good idea what 40-45mph looks like from boating 100's of hours on Squam, where there is a 40mph speed limit.

2 - My first time ever being pulled over on Winni, the MP asked me if I knew how close 150' was. Since I am certified to operate a boat in NH, I knew that it was roughly close enough to make out the boat registration on the hull. With that being said - Why don't you write down registrations of all of these boats that are constantly violating your 150' rule and contact the MP?

My kayak is about 16 feet long - if a powerboat is within 3 or 4 of my boat lengths, they are way closer than 150 feet. And I don't exactly have time to try to see the registration - since I'm doing everything I can to keep myself from being run over.

It would really validate your arguements if you could provide some concrete proof, instead of fiction (as far as we can tell) to back up some claims?

I never lie. And I'm not exaggerating. And many other paddlers have stated that they have has very similar close calls on the lake. I'm just one of the few who is willing to post on this forum - where powerboat owners are allowed to verbally attack and insult paddlers.

Originally Posted by Cal

What still amazes me is that a "Sea Kayak" is designed for big water and big waves , yet is so unstable that a "safety flag" makes it unstable. Sounds like some people are talking out of both sides of their faces. Seems to me it's a little boat "on the edge" so to speak and being in the Broads alone is more of a safety hazzard than being hit by a real boat.

And it amazes me that you are still making negative comments about a type of boat that you know nothing about and have never even even been in.