Were you out on the lake yesterday? Probably Not!!

[chasedawg]

Took a ride up to Melvin Village to get gas yesterday at noon. On the ride up we saw 2 boats heading South. We decided it was such a great day on the lake with nice cool breeze to head out to the Broads. From Melvin Bay to the Broads we saw 3 or 4 boats pass us.

We got to the middle of the Broads and I had to stop the boat in disbelief. There was not one boat as far as we could see. I had to take a video of the moment. Not one single boat as far as we could see. Nobody was out boating on a hot day where it was refreshing on the water. Sure it was noon on a Wednesday but even so not to see any boat was a first in being on the lake for 43 years. It reminded us of the early years boating on Winnipesaukee when there were fewer boats. Even at sunset we were out watching the sunset and no one else.

Boat traffic in our area is significantly down this year. Our neighbors have said the same thing. It has been great. But very strange. Has anyone else seen the difference from pass years. Could it be that people went crazy buying boats during Covid and now 4 years later it turns out that boating was not what those buyers thought and have decided to move on from boating? Just not sure why....

[thinkxingu]

I think it's a mix of things: weather, uncertainty about the economy, increasing costs across the board, realization that boating requires a certain amount of free time/access that people had during COVID but don't any longer, education costs, and—perhaps the most impactful aspect—increasing debt as a result of the above.

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[barefootbay]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

I think it's a mix of things: weather, uncertainty about the economy, increasing costs across the board, realization that boating requires a certain amount of free time/access that people had during COVID but don't any longer, education costs, and—perhaps the most impactful aspect—increasing debt as a result of the above.

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Hate to be a downer but maybe it has something to do with the publicity of the lakes diminishing water quality of the past few years .

[BroadHopper]

I had the pleasure to enjoy Squam Lake yesterday. Locals says Squam appears to be very busy for a weekday. This is the first time I experience getting in line to pass under the bridge in Holderness!
The only public boat launch parking was full, sending people to go elsewhere.

My daughter experienced one of the busiest time see have seen at the Winnisquam sandbar. The new valet building in Belmont and the one in Laconia across from former Martel's appears to be full!

It looks like it won't be long, the entire Lakes Region will me another Miami!

[Descant]

Yes we see less traffic on the broads. Gas is cheaper, cost of a boat loan or slip rental is mostly constant and inflation is mostly stable too. My guess is that more people who bought during Covid are "back in the office" and don't have as much weekday flexibility. On a personal excuse, we scheduled boat launch for ice out and had a tech planned for April 24. The boat did not get launched until July 12 and the tech not available until July 21. Our marina says too much rain and not enough qualified staff. In fairness to the new manager, the old manager tucked the boat way back in the barn and nobody could get to it until special equipment was brought in to move other boats.

[steve-on-mark]

As a lot of you know, I'm out on the lake pretty much every day. I have also noticed a smaller amount of weekday boats out and about. I did a boating lesson at the Wolfeboro docks yesterday at 2 and found they were probably 1/3 full .

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[Descant]

Yesterday, Wednesday July 16, WMUR reported with live pix that there were a dozen or more boats hovering in Meredith Bay by the public docks. I think they referred to it as unusual weekday traffic.

[Biggd]

The rain at the beginning of the season definitely slowed the start but the two weeks that surrounded the 4th of July were very busy.
I guess we'll see how the rest of the season shakes out from here!

[mofn]

To pick up what thinkxingu wrote:
“I think it's a mix of things: weather, uncertainty about the economy, increasing costs across the board…” Big time! Wednesday before the 4th where I was, less boats than any Wednesday pre-covid. That is a typical vacation week?
You had the news article last week with the boat market back to normal. Is there a new normal?
I have been told secondhand stories of used boats traded in last year still not sold as of last weekend (his trade in). Left over pontoon rentals (2024) still not sold.
My place still advertising valet spots available!
Traffic is most defiantly down this year.

[chasedawg]

Originally Posted by Descant

Yesterday, Wednesday July 16, WMUR reported with live pix that there were a dozen or more boats hovering in Meredith Bay by the public docks. I think they referred to it as unusual weekday traffic.

I did take a video of the Broads asking to my wife "do you see any boats anywhere" while I was scanning 300 degrees. Maybe one boat towards the shore of Gilford. I never experienced such calm and deserted lake. Just seemed surreal but peaceful in a way.

Will probably never experience that again.....

[Major]

Our favorite thing to do in the summer is to go to dinner midweek by boat. We traveled yesterday afternoon from Lakeport to Meredith for dinner at Lago. There were a fair amount of boaters on the southern end of the lake.