Another one hits the rocks

[Rich]

Chasedawg,

I'd still like to know where this place is on the lake. If you prefer, PM me and I won't repeat it.

Thanks!

[chasedawg]

Originally Posted by Rich

Chasedawg,

I'd still like to know where this place is on the lake. If you prefer, PM me and I won't repeat it.

Thanks!

My apologies Rich....It has been sort of mention several posts in this thread.
It is between Chases and Farm Islands over towards the NE side of the lake and in the 19 Mile Bay area. It is on the South side of Chases and the North side of Farm Islands. It is in the NWZ. There are two black and white markers. As someone mentioned earlier there is more open water closer to Farm Island.

The narrow side or North side of the markers and the correct passage is along Chases Island. It is clearly marked on the charts. The rocks are in about 4' of water at high water. It always gets those who do not pay attention to the NWZ and the black markers.

One of the issues I feel is how the black markers are placed. The far West one is closer to Farm Island. So if one is not paying attention and look at both markers it appears that safe passage would be to go between them. Obviously, that is the worst possible course to take and "another one hits the rocks" will most likely will occur. If they are obeying and following the rules of the NWZ ( We know about that discussion in another post) they will probably clear the rocks. And those that do will generally let out a frantic scream...STOP!...ROCKS!

It has been mention by VitaBene that we should hire a painter and paint the rocks florescent. LOL :<)

What would you do?

[jrc]

Well if I read you right there are four damaged boats a week in there. That's a 30-40 boats a season. I'd think the MP would take notice and improve the markers.

If they are not interested, you could obviously do something. Two 12" round orange buoys, $35 each at Amazon, 20' of nylon line and two cinder blocks, for less than $100 and an hour of time you could mark the two biggest rocks on the bad side of the markers.

I guess it depends how much it bothers you that this is happening, it doesn't sound like anyone is getting hurt. So how much time and money are you willing to spend to prevent total strangers from breaking their boats.

[Rich]

Chasedawg,

Thanks for clarifying. I haven't made it over to that part of the lake yet, so I'm happy to have your clarifications.

I looked at the Navionics web app map (http://webapp.navionics.com/?lang=en ), and I can see how some could be confused.

[BroadHopper]

Is clearly marked with channel buoys yet I have seen many people ignore the Headway speed marker and plane right into the rocks in front of Irwin Marine. On occasion someone would float some Clorox bottles in the area hoping it would be a deterrent.

I would like to make two proposals to NH legislature. One all motorized rental vessels regardless of horsepower, the lessee must pass the boater's safety course. Two, lessors of motorized vessels must inform the lessees of all safety features such as a map, life jackets, throwables, whistle etc. Unless there are already on the books.

I don't think this is too much to ask.

[chasedawg]

I can't believe it. My wife is sitting out on our deck just now and she said to me "another one hit the rocks". This was at 6:25 PM this evening. I went out to see if they needed help. It was a elderly couple and it looked like a brand new Colbalt! I waved to them to see if I could help. They went slow for a long way then opened the boat up to WOT. Good luck to them. Hopefully they will make it home.

[Bear Islander]

The Marine Patrol do not have a problem with bleach bottles that are placed in an area to be helpful. Naturally they reserve the right to remove them if they don't like the placement.

I think what would work here is to find an old busted in half boat and secure it up on the rocks. That might give boaters a visual indication of which side of the markers they should be on.

Then you could have a cute name for the area like "Hole in Boat Bay" or "Propeller Pile Cove". I was sailing the coast of Antarctica when we came on a large dangerous rock. The chart actually had it's name "Full Astern Rock".

http://icetent.net/page/2/

[Rich]

So is this how Nipple Rock got its name?

[Coolbreeze]

We have a similar problem here except boats are on full plane and don't see the tiny not navigable markers. The water depth goes from plenty to 2 feet with big rocks and these boats hit hard and stop dead. There have been many hulls, lower drives, kids on tubes, props and human noses broken in this spot. It can be scary; especially at night.

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

Is clearly marked with channel buoys yet I have seen many people ignore the Headway speed marker and plane right into the rocks in front of Irwin Marine. On occasion someone would float some Clorox bottles in the area hoping it would be a deterrent.

I would like to make two proposals to NH legislature. One all motorized rental vessels regardless of horsepower, the lessee must pass the boater's safety course. Two, lessors of motorized vessels must inform the lessees of all safety features such as a map, life jackets, throwables, whistle etc. Unless there are already on the books.

I don't think this is too much to ask.

I agree with the concept but you can't legislate common sense. I am against more laws and regulations. There are many licensed, seasoned boaters on this lake that violate the rules daily. Two of the most significant accidents on the lake in recent years were with very seasoned boaters at the helm.

If someone rents a vessel to head out on the lake and doesn't have, or inquire about a chart, then there is not much hope. If they are not smart enough to know they they need it then what would you expect? You can't fix s.....

I was going through the Weirs Channel today and someone was coming towards me in the middle of the channel. I was operating a boat with a 14 foot beam. After honking at them three times, motioning to them, they forced me aside and as they passed asked me what I wanted. I explained that they couldn't take their half in the middle. They didn't get it. They went under the bridge, dead center.

It's getting worse. I have seen more violations and dumb moves in the last month than I have in the previous 5 years.

[Chaselady]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

I agree with the concept but you can't legislate common sense. I am against more laws and regulations. There are many licensed, seasoned boaters on this lake that violate the rules daily. Two of the most significant accidents on the lake in recent years were with very seasoned boaters at the helm.

If someone rents a vessel to head out on the lake and doesn't have, or inquire about a chart, then there is not much hope. If they are not smart enough to know they they need it then what would you expect? You can't fix s.....

I was going through the Weirs Channel today and someone was coming towards me in the middle of the channel. I was operating a boat with a 14 foot beam. After honking at them three times, motioning to them, they forced me aside and as they passed asked me what I wanted. I explained that they couldn't take their half in the middle. They didn't get it. They went under the bridge, dead center.

It's getting worse. I have seen more violations and dumb moves in the last month than I have in the previous 5 years.

I agree, you can't legislate common sense. And you can't fix stupid. But when you let inexperienced people go out on the lake, piloting a boat, with little to no experience, it puts everyone else on the water at risk.
It's not all about that driver, yeah, I know, they're on vacation...we can't ruin their "fun" This is NH, the "Live free or die " State
It's also about us, who have to share the water, and our kids, who also are out there on the water.
We can't rent a car without a (real) license. Why do we allow people to drive on the lake without that real experience?

[Chaselady]

Originally Posted by jrc

Well if I read you right there are four damaged boats a week in there. That's a 30-40 boats a season. I'd think the MP would take notice and improve the markers.

If they are not interested, you could obviously do something. Two 12" round orange buoys, $35 each at Amazon, 20' of nylon line and two cinder blocks, for less than $100 and an hour of time you could mark the two biggest rocks on the bad side of the markers.

I guess it depends how much it bothers you that this is happening, it doesn't sound like anyone is getting hurt. So how much time and money are you willing to spend to prevent total strangers from breaking their boats.

If they don't see the 2 no-wake markers, the 2 black and white spar markers, and the rather LARGE floating, orange floating sign that says "Caution! Caution"
(Warning of loon chicks in the area) they aren't going to see any more bouys.