Got Boats?

I think you're making a big mistake! Lake Winni is the most beautiful and friendly place I've ever visited. Some people do use this forum to blow off a little steam or sound off on their pet peaves, but did you also read all the friendly and informative messages here? Did you also notice that most of the hostile posts are from the same few people?

It's obvious to me that most people on this forum have a deep, enduring love for Lake Winni (and the people there). There must be a reason.

Lofty,
Don't let a few big mouths scare you off. I'm an "outsider" too and only get there about 1 week a year. During the week it's absolutely the greatest place on earth. Weekends can get a little crazy , but that seems to be common anywhere on the water. I've met a few people in person from this forum and they were really nice. Just glad I haven't met some of the really "opinionated" ones , although that might be fun without a moderator.

I have a Formula that I hope to bring up to the lake this summer. It has twin Big Blocks and goes aprox 60 miles per hour. Not the fastest by any stretch but still requires my attention. I have also done a LOT of boating with Biggus and I can attest to his concern for first and for most the safty of the people on his boat and also the people around him. My 65 year old parents took a ride on his boat and really enjoyed it (they have been sailer for about 50-55 years).

I am very disapointed to see a few guys that seem to be so soured by what they precieve as a danger on the lake. The reality is there are less accidents involving high performance boats per cap. then any others on the water nation wide.

Some one asked why it is that we go boating in a lake when the boats are offshore. Most have responded that we can not navigate. Well speaking from my experience I have sailed offshore more then most. This includes overnight sails from the Boston area up to Camden and Southwest Harbor, Nantucket and Nantucket to Tortola. I have been single handing my fathers Hickley since I was 16, and have raced on boats from Melgis's to America Cub boats. Why do I go to the lake then? Well it is simple for all the same reasons you all do. I enjoy the lake and most of the people there.

Jon

I have been on and around Lake Winni a few times, courtesy of our friend Biggus.

I too have to agree that I would be unsure to come up to your lake with my 'sport boat'. Many of you seem a little too pompous and uptight. I had someone loosen 10 wheel lugnuts on my 'sport boat's' trailer while at a lake in Virginia a few years back. Apparently, someone there was a little pompous and uptight too. Damn near killed a family of four when one of the wheels came off at 60mph and nearly missed their car, and yes, this was verified by an eyewitness that someone was messing with my trailer. Lug nuts were checked before leaving that morning. Imagine what your own pompous and uptight attitudes taken to one small next level could have done.

Hey thanks for the kind words from soooo few of you. I'm sure you all have a fine lake, that's why we planned the trip. I just can't see visiting, living at and spending money in a lake community that is so narrow minded and quite frankly, ignorant of performance boats and their owners! Performance boat owners (offshores as they have been labeled) are generally extremely experienced boaters. You don't just run out and buy a 30+ foot boat that runs 80+ mph without having some knowledge of boating. They are rather pricey in case you are un-aware! These boats are NOT available at COSTCO like many runabouts, fishing boats, kayaks, and jet ski's. You need to be INTO boating. I'm waiting my energy with this little rant.... I live and boat on the San Francisco Bay and inland Delta. I and my fellow "offshore" boaters run in very narrow delta slouse to the open waters of the Pacific Ocean. It takes skill and knowledge to navigate on open ocean as well as the narrow waterways of the Delta. When we operate we navigate with US Navy vessels, freighters, runabouts, fishing vessels(commercial and private), kayaks, swimmers, you name it, they're out there. It is rare that a "go-fast" runs someone down. It's usually some intoxicated fool destined for his ultimate fate. I understand your "concerns" for safety. Most "offshore" guys (and gals) do too. Nobody wants an accident, injury, or worse yet, a fatality. Too bad about Lake Winnie... So much for "Live Free or Die". Some of you have seemed to forget what that means.

Since you've never been here, how can you possibly understand the issues being debated here (often ad nauseum!) Owning a big fast boat on the West Coast hardly makes you an expert on boating issues in the Lakes Region of NH or the buying habits and experience levels of their operators for that matter. Instead of venting about things you know little about, please just stay home -- we really won't miss you!

Mink Islander - you have GOT to be kidding with that attitude! It is comments like that that give those of us good folks on the lake a bad name! I have been on this lake for 35 years, (since I was 10 mo. old.) and I have seen LOTS of changes! Changes in people, places and boats, some for the better and some for the less-than-better. But I have to agree with my fellow "sport boat / Cigarette boat" owners on this board. The overwhelming MAJORITY of the owners of these boats know what they are doing and are VERY respectful, don't lump the few clowns that don't in with the rest of us. It takes lots of seat time to develop the skill and knowledge of how to operate a large boat properly, anyone can jump in and drive away in a 20' bow-rider, just look at all the renters on the weekends up on the lake! Lofty's point is a general point about the operation of these boats, and I will put my money on the "performance" boater ALL DAY LONG when it comes to day-to-day boating skills, ALL DAY LONG!! Crusing around in a six inch ripple in a 20' boat can be done by a child of 10. Now, try getting out in 3, 4 or even 5 foot confused water and run, then see how you do. Try docking a 38' boat at the town docks in Wolfeboro some Saturday, and see how you do... Boating is for EVERYONE, and just because one guy (or gal, and there are plenty of those too...) chooses to buy a "big - fast" boat, and someone else chooses to buy a nice little Sea Ray doesn't make either of them right or wrong, just different people with different interests. Don't perpetuate the "stuffy, stuck-up, if they are not with me they are against me" wrap... it is not making you, or the rest of your fellow lakers look very good! Respect the water, respect the land and respect your fellow boater, regardless of the boat they drive and they will respect you back!

Ughhh did you even read the post I responded to? Why no "attitude" comments for Lofty --- oh, I forgot, you AGREE with him, so it's ok? LOL!

My message was HARDLY on a par with the flamethrowing so many of you revel in!

You mean this one!?:

Since you've never been here, how can you possibly understand the issues being debated here (often ad nauseum!) Owning a big fast boat on the West Coast hardly makes you an expert on boating issues in the Lakes Region of NH or the buying habits and experience levels of their operators for that matter. Instead of venting about things you know little about, please just stay home -- we really won't miss you!

Yeah, I read it, seemed pretty clear to me what you were trying to say... Did I miss something!? Must be that clean island living that makes you interpret things differently!? Oh, wait I have a house on an island up there as well, but ours has a bridge to it, so it must be the bridge vs. no bridge scenario... Face it, your comments are unfounded and I honestly think you just like to stir it up.

It's just that attitude that will keep me and my money away from YOUR lake. What makes you think I've never been there? As a matter of fact I lived just outside Keene NH for many years. I owned a thriving manufacturing company and employed many NH natives. I understand the issues all too well. And as to my boating experience I must laugh. Who do you think you're talking to? Do you know what my boating experience is? I didn't think so. While living in NH I owned many boats large and small. I spent my time on the many lakes of the region and in the coastal waters. In my late teens I crewed on a Crab Boat in Alaska. I spent 20+ years in the US Navy. I have sailed from Italy to San Francisco. I have sailed the Trans Pac 5 times. I have rounded the Horn and am here to tell you about it. I have Kayaked on rivers, lakes and the ocean waters. I LOVE boating, it is my life. You may have, along with many others, far more experience than I. However, I feel that my knowledge of boating affords me some latitude and to speak with authority. "Offshore" boats can be safely operated on waterways both vast and small.

Lofty,
You are just the kind of boater we like. Responsible. It is very likely that you have more support than you know, but the quiet ones do not want to put a target on themselves.
Your loss if you avoid Winni.
Rattlesnake Gal

From what Lofty has said - it sounds like it could be our loss too! Bet he's an interesting guy!

Oh good grief. In your original posts you went out of your way to sound like a west coast guy who "happened" to be considering a vacation in NH --and then proceeded to trash anyone who had a negative view on performance boats. Now your a displaced NHite? LOL. How deceptive of you!

Doesn't matter. I stand by my prior post. Your Navy experience isn't relevant. You don't boat here. You are in no position to lecture any of us on the skills/knowledge of power boat owners in this area. I've seen plenty of bad behavior in all types of boats -- including those sacred performance boats. There's a lot of $$ on the lake these days and I really wouldn't assume that just because it costs a lot of money, the performance boat pilot is competent. Or the captain of that big cruiser bearing down on you for that matter. Look at the guy who flipped a brand new performance boat only last year horsing around as an example. Doesn't mean they're all idiots, but some are and they're the ones everyone notices!

And by the way, they do indeed ban performance boats on some lakes in other states. And even limit horsepower on some lakes in NH so don't believe for a minute that you have absolute rights to the waterways....

Ice out in three weeks (or less?) and the fish are waiting.....

Man, you're a real piece of work aren't you? There was nothing "deceptive" about my original post, you're just spinning it to your taste. You said "and then proceeded to trash anyone who had a negative view on performance boats. Now your a displaced NHite?" Could you please, I have a hard time reading my own writing, show me where I trashed people with an opposing view? As far as me being displaced? I still own a house in Keene, I own property in different states, I own a business that keeps me on the move. You? My Navy experience isn't relevant?!?!?! I must inform the State Department, they got ripped off in that case. You state "You are in no position to lecture any of us
on the skills/knowledge of power boat owners in this area"; Does one require a DIFFERENT skill set in that region? It must have something to do with magnetic deviation. I'm shocked by that statement and it tells me that YOU have little or NO skill with regards to boating and navigation. I would imagine few if any of your fellows would agree with you on that point but I would certainly enjoy hearing your dissertation on this subject. It seems that you feel YOU are in a position to lecture me and others on what peculiar skill are required to navigate in YOUR waters. Sir, you are but a fool. Tap tap tap, I'm waiting.

"I've seen plenty of bad behavior in all types of boats -- including those sacred performance boats. There's a lot of $$ on the lake these days and I really wouldn't assume that just because it costs a lot of money, the performance boat pilot is competent. Or the captain of that big cruiser bearing down on you for that matter. Look at the guy who flipped a brand new performance boat only last year horsing around as an example. Doesn't mean they're all idiots, but some are and they're the ones everyone notices!"

MI,
First let me say that in responding to your post I'm not trying to argue (in the bad sense) against you. Rather I believe from past history that you're pretty reasonable wrt this oft occuring "debate". I post here because I think you've hit on a good point above. First I agree in that I've seen "bad behavior" in all types of boats. I see no trend to brand any type of boat as "guilty". Then there's no good reason to assume the performance boat pilot has the credentials to be "competent". AND BY the same reasoning, there's no reason to ASSUME he/she is incompetent. This latter point seems to get lost in this debate. There's no correlation btw good sense and $$$. My OPINION is that, on the lake, there's probably, at worst, as many Cap't B's, per capita, behind the helm of performance boats as behind the helm of other boats. Just because the public doesn't NOTICE when other "non-performance" boaters screw-up doesn't mean they shouldn't (and accord scorn appropriately). That's why I find it interesting (to paraphrase Mr Spock) to see people so worried about performance boats. Not that the concern is baseless, but rather mis-ranked. I'd be more concerned about Capt'n B behind the helm of the much more numerous average boats ramming me than Capt'n B doing the same at the helm of the relatively rare performance boat.

FWIW - I don't think any deception was intended. Simply "full disclosure" was not warranted, at least until "qualifications" as a good boater came into the discussion. Frankly I can only hope that stereotypes may be tempered by the Biggus & Lofty etal posts.

PPS - Again I really don't have a dog in this fight. Our measly 24' mini-cruiser certinly isn't fast, nor large by todays standards.

While I may agree with some of your points, the tone of your post is hostile & I don't blame Lofty for the impressions he is getting about people who boat on Winni with posts like that. You could have been a little more tackful. I hope that attitude is not reflected in your boating.

LOFTY, while I am not in favor of restrictions I understand the concern. You must understand that Lake Winni is much smaller than running off shore of San Francisco Bay. A run in the Broads, the biggest part of the lake, at speeds of 70-80 mph would be a 10-15 ride & then you run out of lake. As far as "live free or die" its just a quote from colonial times that is not realistic or relevant in this day an age. You should still make the trip to this beautiful area, I don't think you will be disappointed. For the most part we are all friendly, courteous boaters that has our fair share of exceptions like anywhere else.

Too bad about Lake Winnie... So much for "Live Free or Die". You have seemed to forget what that means.

We're reminded from time to time.

"You don't just run out and buy a 30+ foot boat that runs 80+ mph without having some knowledge of boating. They are rather pricey in case you are un-aware! I understand your "concerns" for safety."

Winnipesaukee folks know they cost $340,000, and we also know that you do "run out and buy new ones":

http://www.winnipesaukeeforum.com/archive1.cgi?noframes;read=57573

Well from the overwhelming response I think I'll come out after all! I've decided that this might be a fun little lake but I've made up my mind no "Offshore" boat as it's too dangerous because of its' size and the attitude of those other boaters around it. I think that most of you will steer under by bow just to prove your point.

I think I'll be bringing my 19' Sanger. Its a sweet little pickle fork, one seat(in a capsule) and will do well over 200MPH if I can keep it on the water. It has a 1500hp blown Keith Black top fuel motor. It frightens the crap out of me every time I run it. It has two speeds, go and go much faster. It won't throw any wake and should be easy to see as the rooster tail will be about 50' high. If you remove your ear plugs you should be able to hear me coming for miles. I might get ticket or two for that but what the hell, I can afford it and I just don't care.

Oh darn! How can we miss you when you won't go away?

Hey didn't I see you on Walden Pond last year??? LOL

I liked your idea for this thread.

I bet you didn't expect it to evolve into the whole off shore, too big, too small, safe/unsafe boaters and oh yeah, I almost forgot...it even came close to a gun control debate.
Don't bash me about Gambling for the "I bet" comment. It's just a saying. Actually Per this thread I think I'm not supposed to use sayings or cliche's either.

Before I forget: Regal Sport cruiser w/lot's of fun stuff, Tracker Fishing boat, SeaDoo, Alden Rowing skull, and my favorite a 5' Sevelor Raft with drink holder and custom nylon rope from Aubuchon Hardware. Clip the rope to my swim line and close my eyes and drift off...Hard to beat!

2 weeks ago I thought it went Bike Week then ...

"Yup, and next the discussion will swing to PWCs or midges or mosquitoes. I forget which comes next though."

Guess I forgot about "go-fast" boat "debating". So let's see it's ice out, bike week, go-fasts, PWCs, then mosquitoes ??

you forgot black flies, dam control/water level, and the newest addition, Mitt Romney's not a swim line

"you forgot black flies, dam control/water level, and the newest addition, Mitt Romney's not a swim line "

Thanks, I'll add these to the agenda

FWIW - I do think the Mitt "swim line" touches on an area that is philsophically important to how we mere mortals are to conduct our democracy (vs European aristocracies of old). Worthy of considered discussion, say in the June time-frame ?
hehehehe...

Back to the original post. 35' Silverton Sport Bridge, 350 mag engines,lots of comfy stuff. Also for sale with a slip available.Lots of fun, but other places need my money now. Enjoy the lake!!!

[NautiqueJeff]

Back to the topic....

I have a 2003 Correct Craft Super Air Nautique 210. For those who aren't into watersports, it is a wakeboarding boat. We had a 1994 Ski Nautique, and that was a great boat too. We'll be taking the boat with us to Winnipesaukee this summer. This is the first year that we'll be staying on the water, although we have a good number of years experience navigating the lake. I can't wait to get there!