Sloooow season:

[fatlazyless]

Lakes Newfound, Squam and Winnisquam are all relatively close to Winnipesaukee, especially if someone is already trailering their boat from Manchester or Andover, Ma or someplace. Where they gonna go? To a totally free state launch that includes parking, ramps, dock and rest rooms all closely together in one waterfront spot, or go to one of the varioius ten or 20-dollar town or marina spots. The state ramps are designed pretty good too with high quality ramps and parking.

What's missing from the weekend Buoy 3 area this summer is the usual "head inside a chainsaw" sound effects that been here for the last 17-years. It seems like the lake has become a quieter lake with less growling big bad go-fast style boats roaring around out they-re.

Must say that I be missing the big rolling waves! Hate to be losing the big 2-3 foot waves rolling and crashing so if somebody knows how to restore the lake's wave machine back to the old days.....that would be nice!

100% totally free; free is my number one favorite word. In case you were wondering, the State of NH ramp facilities were constructed with boat registration fee money....which means it was your money if you registered a boat in New Hampshire.

PS ......something tells me Mr Yankee, that ten years from now we will be having this same continuous argument, and you will still be wrong in ten years, too!

[VtSteve]

I suspect the slow season is because of economic factors.

As for noise? I thought that allowing switchable exhaust has brought throngs of noisy boaters from other states? I never bought into that argument, but it has been presented by many this year.

I was also told that the lake had returned to normal now that The law is in place. Apparently, families haven't been spotted on the lake either?

[Yankee]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

Lakes Newfound, Squam and Winnisquam are all relatively close to Winnipesaukee, especially if someone is already trailering their boat from Manchester or Andover, Ma or someplace. Where they gonna go? To a totally free state launch that includes parking, ramps, dock and rest rooms all closely together in one waterfront spot, or go to one of the varioius ten or 20-dollar town or marina spots. The state ramps are designed pretty good too with high quality ramps and parking.

What's missing from the weekend Buoy 3 area this summer is the usual "head inside a chainsaw" sound effects that been here for the last 17-years. It seems like the lake has become a quieter lake with less growling big bad go-fast style boats roaring around out they-re.

Must say that I be missing the big rolling waves! Hate to be losing the big 2-3 foot waves rolling and crashing so if somebody knows how to restore the lake's wave machine back to the old days.....that would be nice!

100% totally free; free is my number one favorite word. In case you were wondering, the State of NH ramp facilities were constructed with boat registration fee money....which means it was your money if you registered a boat in New Hampshire.

PS ......something tells me Mr Yankee, that ten years from now we will be having this same continuous argument, and you will still be wrong in ten years, too!

Once again you are wrong. I am not arguing, heck it's not worth my time to even attempt to debate with you. I just point out the ludicrous statements that you make.

Please tell me if I miss anything: You are of the opinion that the majority of the boats on the lake are the ones that go faster than 45mph, driven by drunkards, are loud, create enormous wakes, and are responsible for causing mayhem on the lake. You believe that the new SL law has changed everything and that the lack of boat traffic is the result. You profer that people are discouraged to trailer their boats to Winni because there are no free State of NH ramps, and conveniently ignore that I point out three that are. You attempt to spin the idea that somone who has $20,000+ invested in their boat won't pay $20 to launch it?

That we're in the worst economic times since the Great Depression is seemingly of no consequence to you.

[BroadHopper]

Originally Posted by Yankee

Please tell me if I miss anything: You are of the opinion that the majority of the boats on the lake are the ones that go faster than 45mph, driven by drunkards, are loud, create enormous wakes, and are responsible for causing mayhem on the lake. You believe that the new SL law has changed everything and that the lack of boat traffic is the result. You profer that people are discouraged to trailer their boats to Winni because there are no free State of NH ramps, and conveniently ignore that I point out three that are. You attempt to spin the idea that somone who has $20,000+ invested in their boat won't pay $20 to launch it?

This spin convinced our fearless leaders in NH Capitol to cut back on the Marine Patrol budget, as the Lake is now peaceful and under control. That is why the boneheads are back in full force.

[codeman671]

We called Saturday at 3:45pm for a reservation at Giuseppe's and were able to get a 7:15pm with no problem. Got there 15 minutes early and were taken right in. Never had that kind of luck before... There was a 45 minute walk in wait downstairs.

When we got to the town docks at 6:45pm they were half full at most. At 8:30pm when we left there was 13 boats total including us on all of the docks, well below 1/4 capacity.

I heard from a relative that was at Sebago the other day that it was a zoo! 2 hour line to get lunch, all rental boats were booked, and traffic was crazy.

[ishoot308]

Have to agree with how slow things are... Went to Pops on Sunday around noon time and we were the only ones there. We then went to West Alton Sandbar for a swim and there was only one other boat!! Weather was good also!

Dan

[LIforrelaxin]

Indeed things are slow on the lake this year. My theory is that there are many causes that have brought this about.

1-- The cost of gas... I don't care who you talk to the cost of gas is eating at everyone's wallet. Because of that there are fewer trailer boaters making a trip just for the day. Additionally folks are spending all day on the water boating from port to port they are more likely to go somewhere and anchor for the afternoon.

2-- Because of the economy the lakes region is out of the price range when it comes to spending a weeks vacation. Through the prosperity of the 90s rents for vacation rentals skyrocketed. Unfortunately they really have come back down. Thus people look for places where their income can be wisely spent on less expensive accommodations... Hence Lake Sebago is busier, and so probably is Lake Champlain.

3-- Also economy and gas priced based. People are tending to stick closer to home, making smaller less lengthy trips.

The bottom line is the lake is slower, I don't believe any of it is tied, to speed limits or the lack of public access. The bottom line is an afternoon on the water, has become cost prohibitive, as a day trip for an afternoon of fun. And the cost of staying in the lakes region is also cost prohibitive, when there are spots just as nice that are less expensive.

Every area has its hay day, for Winnipesaukee it was the 90s and early 2000s the hey day is over.... it will settle down for a while... It doesn't mean it is never going to boom again, we are just in a lul....

A final thought here, is people in my mind are more likely to vacation in an area, where they feel, as though they might eventually be able to afford a piece of the heaven that they are enjoying. The lakes region has become unaffordable for most people as a spot to own a second home.

Anyways just some thoughts and observations.... my own personal opinion, nothing more nothing less...