Another one hits the rocks

[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?