Overnight on the Lake

[MassCamper]

I would like to take the wife out ON the lake overnight for her BDay next month. I know that one cannot sleep on the lake, but does anyone know of a mooring or island house that we can get for 1 night?

[no-engine]

Originally Posted by MassCamper

I would like to take the wife out ON the lake overnight for her BDay next month. I know that one cannot sleep on the lake, but does anyone know of a mooring or island house that we can get for 1 night?

It is very unfortunate that marinas do not have spots for exactly what you wish: "transient" slips or moorings, such as is on coasts.

They should get together and agree on something like that; shops and restaurants will all benefit.

[lak]

My neighbor tells me that Silver Sands has transient slips. I would also try West Alton Marina. While they may not normally have them, they may do it if they still have seasonal slips open.

[RamJet]

Fays now has transient slips, $20 - $ 40 depending on the size of the boat

[MassCamper]

We valet at Fay's and were hoping for something on the other side of the lake. I'll check with West Alton. Thanks!

[VtSteve]

Google results for "transient slips on lake winnipesaukee"

Fays http://www.faysboatyard.com/storage.html

[Bear Islander]

You can tie up to my mooring at Bear Island for your wife's birthday.

[MikeF-NH]

looks like Bear Islander gave you your best option but also note that Long Island Bridge Campground also has moorings they "rent". I don't know if they will rent them if you don't have a campsite but money is money so they just may.

[VitaBene]

Originally Posted by Bear Islander

You can tie up to my mooring at Bear Island for your wife's birthday.

Nice BI!! What a nice gesture.

[KBoater]

Isn't it illegal to stay overnight on a mooring?

[Steveo]

It is illegal to stay overnight on a mooring. It is also illegal to lease or rent a mooring - sorry. It is legal to tie up at a dock overnight if you have owners permission.

[Bear Islander]

It may be illegal to rent or lease a mooring but nothing says I can't let a friend use it free.

Are we sure you can't overnight at a mooring? I was not aware of that. However, if it's true, then MassCamper can tie up at my dock.

[Steveo]

From Marine Patrol FAQ's

Can I sleep on my boat overnight?

Overnight mooring is illegal in the State of NH, although, it is legal to sleep on your boat overnight while tied to a dock when you have the landowner’s permission. In addition, landowners must notify the Department of Environmental Services in writing.

[VtSteve]

Originally Posted by Steveo

From Marine Patrol FAQ's

Can I sleep on my boat overnight?

Overnight mooring is illegal in the State of NH, although, it is legal to sleep on your boat overnight while tied to a dock when you have the landowner’s permission. In addition, landowners must notify the Department of Environmental Services in writing.

Really? The entire State of NH?

So get a note from your next door neighbor, notify the government agency that you'll be sleeping in your boat overnight. I wonder, do you notify the Dept. of Enviro Services every time you get the urge to sleep at your own dock overnight, or just using someone elses dock?

[XCR-700]

Originally Posted by Bear Islander

You can tie up to my mooring at Bear Island for your wife's birthday.

Originally Posted by Bear Islander

It may be illegal to rent or lease a mooring but nothing says I can't let a friend use it free.

Are we sure you can't overnight at a mooring? I was not aware of that. However, if it's true, then MassCamper can tie up at my dock.

WOW, two very generous offers in one thread!

Very classy, and yet again why I love Winnipesaukee!!

Kudos to yet another Winnipesaukee resident for leading by example!!!

[jrc]

Have you guys ever seen Fay's from the water? No one ever sleeps on those big sailboats moored there?

[BroadHopper]

There are certain restrictions for a 'houseboat or cabin cruiser' for overnight on NH waters. However there is no law governing overnight stays for a day cruiser. To make a long story short, if you don't have a galley and or toilet facility you are technically not a houseboat. You may anchor overnight.

I was caught in a situation when anchoring off Timber Island one night. An MP officer stopped and told me I had to have my anchor light on if I want to stay overnight. I had a daycruiser with no galley and toilet. I did have a porta potty.

There was a thread on this when Skip quoted the RSA that resulted in this loophole. I can't find the thread.

[MAXUM]

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

There are certain restrictions for a 'houseboat or cabin cruiser' for overnight on NH waters. However there is no law governing overnight stays for a day cruiser. To make a long story short, if you don't have a galley and or toilet facility you are technically not a houseboat. You may anchor overnight.

I was caught in a situation when anchoring off Timber Island one night. An MP officer stopped and told me I had to have my anchor light on if I want to stay overnight. I had a daycruiser with no galley and toilet. I did have a porta potty.

There was a thread on this when Skip quoted the RSA that resulted in this loophole. I can't find the thread.

Huh that pretty interesting because I have asked before about spending the night on my bow rider when I was having the MP do a courtesy inspection couple years ago. The gentleman that I spoke to said that some think that the law is written such that one could get the impression that some boats would be OK anchoring overnight and you'd be fine sleeping on board. He said that assumption is incorrect and if I were caught spending the night I'd be sited with a ticket and asked to leave. So based on that conversation I believe that it's not OK. However I did tell him that I've read the law and it's confusing and it does lead one to believe it may be OK and he agreed with my assessment, but it doesn't change what is likely to happen if you got caught.

Bottom line - if you do it the key is don't attract attention to yourself and you may be able to get away with it, but be aware that depending on who may confront you - the outcome obviously will be different. I've been tempted but never did it at least not yet. I know of some spots where you could probably do it without being noticed but I personally don't want to deal with the hassle if I were caught so I don't bother.

[bigdog]

Broadhopper,

Was caught by MP myslef many years ago, achoring overnight. Was tucked back into a small cove out of the main travel channel/lane.

It was 1AM in the morning and I had 4 others onboard sleeping. Only reason MP pulled up, was because he spotted my anchor light, which I turned on
for safety reasons. MP (older guy-50+), made me start-up and leave location. Found another cove 15 min away, anchored and settled back-in
for the night. No problems!

IMO. Honestly, I think this is a ridiculous rule. If the captain takes the necessary precautions, anchor light on, and is in a location out of the general travel lanes, what's the harm ! I know you have to have rules for the general saftety of the public, but think this one should be reviewed !

What's our State slogan ? Think it may be time to be changed?
IMO Every new law is killing our State and way of life, not really adding to quality of life !

BD

[Steveo]

Originally Posted by bigdog

Broadhopper,


IMO. Honestly, I think this is a ridiculous rule. If the captain takes the necessary precautions, anchor light on, and is in a location out of the general travel lanes, what's the harm ! I know you have to have rules for the general saftety of the public, but think this one should be reviewed !

What's our State slogan ? Think it may be time to be changed?
IMO Every new law is killing our State and way of life, not really adding to quality of life !

BD

Laws and rules are not for the best of people or the best of conditions, they are for the worst of both. An unattended anchoring (which is what it is when you are sleeping) can be dangerous. You have no idea if you lose your anchor at night and start to drift, into travel lanes, other boats on the water/moorings or on docks or other property. The rules they would have to put in place (anchor alarms; bow and stern anchors, not anchoring in front of populated areas, etc, etc) would be nearly impossible to enforce. Could you imagine a Marine Patrol stopping at 1am to check that you have all the proper equipment. It would not be practical.

Now mooring you might think is a different animal since it IS unattended anchoring all the time. I think there are two reasons for the same ruling as anchoring. First, the abuse of an anchor being disguised as a mooring. Again too much trouble for the Marine Patrol to enforce at 1am in the morning. Second would be the abuse by motel, camping grounds, etc that have mooring fields for their guest. If it was allowed you just double the rental space and the abuse to the lake (what is thrown overboard at night would amaze you , I have seen it). Also you are not allowed to rent or lease a mooring so they would have to change that law which means it would open up more abuse across the whole mooring program.

Bottomline, I don't think there is a choice in any kind of overnight anchoring/mooring that won't be abused or could be adequately enforced.

[joey2665]

Steve are you serious. I have slept out on lakes and the ocean for 30 years and never had a problem. As long as the proper precautions are taken there are minimal safety issues and it is a very enjoyable experience. This is just another example of over regulation. "Lie Free or Die" haha

[VtSteve]

Overnighting on the boat is something fairly new to me the last few years. Very much like tent camping, except no skunks

Growing up on Winni lakeside, my boating life was probably pretty narrow-minded as compared to now, and I'm still learning things every day. If you judge everything based on perceived negatives, or just in a narrow viewpoint based on your immediate location, it can indeed be hard to imagine anything different.

I've not witnessed any real issues from boaters overnighting over here, and you can put up anchor just about anywhere. It's also not wall to wall houses on the shoreline either, so it's easier to find secluded spots.

I've changed my mind totally about lake boating and living. I've been a lakefront resident on two lakes, plus a boater as resident and marina slip dweller. The majority of the problems or lack of shoreline restaurants and destinations, not to mention slips and marinas in general, can be attributed to lakefront property owners. I know that once your boat is at the dock out front, it's hard to imagine anything different. But there is another, big, fantastic boating adventure just around the corner from your lakeside home. It's called, The Rest Of The World.

If any past or present lakefront property owners have switched to being trailer boaters or marina dwellers, they'll know exactly what I mean. Current lakefront owners owe it to themselves to pack up the boat and family, and head for a new destination for a weekend. Whether it be another lake, or just the other end of Winni, it just might broaden your horizons.

[NoRegrets]

Originally Posted by joey2665

Steve are you serious. I have slept out on lakes and the ocean for 30 years and never had a problem. As long as the proper precautions are taken there are minimal safety issues and it is a very enjoyable experience. This is just another example of over regulation. "Lie Free or Die" haha

I totally agree with you. The excitement and challenge of life is to conquer the challenges you choose. If it is boating, how to be a safe boater in all conditions under changing environments, how to prepare backup actions when something fails, what spare equipment you should have, how to have a safe evening on a hook, and so on.... The experienced person that enjoys challenges normally prioritizes their actions to insure personal safety, property safety, and then having fun. Fun can be defined in many ways from achieving inner peace to the exhilaration of accomplishment.

This thread started with someone wanting to do something special for their wife. BI and others warmed everyone's inner emotions with gracious offerings. Now we debate the man made restrictions we allowed ourselves to be ruled by.

In today's “Politically Restricted” environment it is painfully obvious that you need to get a law degree so you can do the research required to stay out of trouble. Common sense and intent of the law has been trumped by self serving individuals that have learned how to manipulate the legal process and turned us into a society that is now ruled by the technicality of law. (What is the meaning of "IS")

MassCamper - Have a great night on the lake with your misses!

[MassCamper]

Wow, I never imagined this would be so involved. What really is the harm in sleeping overnight on a mooring? I can understand at anchor, you break free you could damage other boats or property, or your own, I figured a mooring would be pretty safe. I am greatfull for the genorosity shown on the forum. I enjoy reading the forum and I am pleasantly surprised to see there are still good people out there. Thanks to all the responses and great info, I hope to take BI up on his offer!

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by Steveo

Bottomline, I don't think there is a choice in any kind of overnight anchoring/mooring that won't be abused or could be adequately enforced.

It's legal in the other 49 states... I think NH is dead wrong on this issue and that the law was created solely to please some lakefront property owners. I understand that some people will be loud and obnoxious when anchoring overnight, but there are already laws against disturbing the peace.

[NoBozo]

I think the NO anchoring overnight, or NO hanging on a "Mooring" overnight comes from a simple reality. If people are given free and unregulated access to the lake...they WILL Take It.

Picture this: I live in the big city and it gets hot in the summer. I think I'll build myself a Barge with a "Cabin" on it ..maybe two stories high. I'll drag the barge up to Winni and launch it in June or so and tow it out to the nicest spot I can find and drop a large anchor over the side and ....Spend The Summer.

It's like I have Waterfront Property without the taxes and upkeep. I'll invite my friends up and they will see what a great idea this is and they will bring their own barge up next year....And so it goes.

Picture an All Summer Long Woodstock '69 in Braun Bay. Hundreds of Tie Dyed T-shirts flying from improvised clothes lines on improvised floating summer "Homes". NB

[alsadad]

A man from the Island of Bear
Told Mass Camper “Come anchor right there.”
Have fun all the night
But stay out of sight
Because I have neighbors who stare.

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by NoBozo

I think the NO anchoring overnight, or NO hanging on a "Mooring" overnight comes from a simple reality. If people are given free and unregulated access to the lake...they WILL Take It.

Picture this: I live in the big city and it gets hot in the summer. I think I'll build myself a Barge with a "Cabin" on it ..maybe two stories high. I'll drag the barge up to Winni and launch it in June or so and tow it out to the nicest spot I can find and drop a large anchor over the side and ....Spend The Summer.

It's like I have Waterfront Property without the taxes and upkeep. I'll invite my friends up and they will see what a great idea this is and they will bring their own barge up next year....And so it goes.

Picture an All Summer Long Woodstock '69 in Braun Bay. Hundreds of Tie Dyed T-shirts flying from improvised clothes lines on improvised floating summer "Homes". NB

It's legal in Sebago, nobody does it.

[LIforrelaxin]

Originally Posted by Dave R

It's legal in the other 49 states... I think NH is dead wrong on this issue and that the law was created solely to please some lakefront property owners. I understand that some people will be loud and obnoxious when anchoring overnight, but there are already laws against disturbing the peace.

I tend to agree with this statement. I was surprised completely by this particular law when I began boating in NH. I do believe it is one that should be revised maybe not complete overturned but definitely revised.

All they have to do to keep people from permanently mooring somewhere as No Bozo suggests will happen is add a clause....

A amended law should include the following:

Mooring overnight is allow given the following
1) the vessel has antiquate bathroom facilities,
2) the vessel is not moored in the same general location for more the X number of nights
3) the vessel is moored and a safe a prudent manner based on the prevailing conditions and location

[Bear Islander]

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

I tend to agree with this statement. I was surprised completely by this particular law when I began boating in NH. I do believe it is one that should be revised maybe not complete overturned but definitely revised.

All they have to do to keep people from permanently mooring somewhere as No Bozo suggests will happen is add a clause....

A amended law should include the following:

Mooring overnight is allow given the following
1) the vessel has antiquate bathroom facilities,
2) the vessel is not moored in the same general location for more the X number of nights
3) the vessel is moored and a safe a prudent manner based on the prevailing conditions and location

To a boater this idea sounds pretty good. Waterfront property owners see a disaster in the making. If 50 or 100 boats did this then no problem. However Winnipesaukee is very popular. What if 500 or 5,000 boaters think this is a good idea. Imagine fifty boats anchored in a small cove for "x" nights. If you have more than a couple of dozen boats at least one or two will be playing loud music until 3 am.

And what is the difference if a given boat moves after "x" nights if another boat immediately takes it's place.

The cost of waterfront rentals is very high. No problem, put a porta-potty on the boat and you have an instant lake home. Let's be real, this is EXACTLY the scenario this law exists to prevent.

[Steveo]

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

I tend to agree with this statement. I was surprised completely by this particular law when I began boating in NH. I do believe it is one that should be revised maybe not complete overturned but definitely revised.

All they have to do to keep people from permanently mooring somewhere as No Bozo suggests will happen is add a clause....

A amended law should include the following:

Mooring overnight is allow given the following
1) the vessel has antiquate bathroom facilities,
2) the vessel is not moored in the same general location for more the X number of nights
3) the vessel is moored and a safe a prudent manner based on the prevailing conditions and location

What a burden this would put on the Marine Patrol. Check each of the 500 boats to see if they have a head and are properly anchored. Then keep a list of each boat and its location and the start of its X night. Then watch the musical chairs they all do when X nights is up. And oh by the way do this all at night.

[Winnipesaukee Divers]

I know, they are long and drawn out, but there are loopholes in it.

The short version is:
• A line ashore
• A written permission note form the adjacent land owner
• Anchor light on at all times (during the dark hours)
• If you have toilet faculties on board, must have current state environmental permit
• Plus all the state required safety gear. (Life jackets, sound producing device... ect.)

I've had the rules cited to me chapter and verse more times than I care to remember. However, if you're on a mooring they most likely won't bother you unless someone complains and if you have met the requirements listed above your good to stay.
They (MPs) just want to make sure you’re a welcome guest if you’re anchored out in front of someone’s home.

[Steveo]

Originally Posted by Winnipesaukee Divers

I know, they are long and drawn out, but there are loopholes in it.

The short version is:
• A line ashore
• A written permission note form the adjacent land owner
• Anchor light on at all times (during the dark hours)
• If you have toilet faculties on board, must have current state environmental permit
• Plus all the state required safety gear. (Life jackets, sound producing device... ect.)

I've had the rules cited to me chapter and verse more times than I care to remember. However, if you're on a mooring they most likely won't bother you unless someone complains and if you have met the requirements listed above your good to stay.
They (MPs) just want to make sure you’re a welcome guest if you’re anchored out in front of someone’s home.

I think what you are referring to is a beach/grounded boat is OK with line to shore as quoted from Boater Education course:

Occupied or unoccupied houseboats may be beached, grounded, or tied to the shore of any of the inland surface waters of the state for an overnight period, or any part of an overnight period, only when on or at a location owned, leased, or permitted by the owner. Also, the owner, lessee, or person with permission of the owner must give written notice of this fact promptly to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.

[AC2717]

Ok those rules are just BS, seriously come on

[Winnipesaukee Divers]

Originally Posted by AC2717

Ok those rules are just BS, seriously come on

You got that right... I'd like to say NH is the most screwed up state I've ever seen... But, the more I'm exposed to other state’s bureaucracy, the only words that come to mind are: "My God".... Then I think to myself,” it’s not so bad here; it could be a lot worse".

BTW: The state didn't think up all these stupid rules... It was the shore land owners who don't want to share their piece of the lake, and the state now has to enforce them... Like Chef McCabe said to me one day... "You think we really care whether you’re camped out on your mooring or 50' further in tied to the dock? We don't, but your neighbor has complained and now we have to act. Follow the law to the letter and there will be nothing I can or will do about it."

[White Rook]

Originally Posted by MassCamper

I would like to take the wife out ON the lake overnight for her BDay next month. I know that one cannot sleep on the lake, but does anyone know of a mooring or island house that we can get for 1 night?

Hello MassCamper,

I'm fairly certain that Lakeport Landing Marina at the far end of Paugus Bay still has covered transient slips available. Docking is excellent, clean rest rooms, paved parking lot, etc. 603-524-3755 and / or www.lakeportlanding.com/. Whatever plans you decide on, I hope you and the Mrs enjoy yourselves.

[ApS]

Originally Posted by MassCamper

I would like to take the wife out ON the lake overnight for her BDay next month. I know that one cannot sleep on the lake, but does anyone know of a mooring or island house that we can get for 1 night?

My adjacent neighbors include three rental lakefront "cottages". Except for a long road to the conveniences of town, the area is indistinguishable from island living.

Due to the economy, I'm not surprised those places are renting by the weekend! I'm not familar with their fee schedule for a weekend—but the range of accommodations (2-5 B/R) is impressive. Included would be one to three docks—no moorings in sight.

Thinking about this some more...Take care to pick a location where your boat is not subject to the fierce wakes of weekends.