Wolfeboro Dock Crew

[ApS]

My dock has no cleats because my toes have a way of finding them!

Dock users might find large eye-bolts a better choice, but it's really up to Wolfeboro as to what they want to use in our entitled, litigious, society.

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by ApS

My dock has no cleats because my toes have a way of finding them!

Dock users might find large eye-bolts a better choice, but it's really up to Wolfeboro as to what they want to use in our entitled, litigious, society.

Put the cleats on the posts, not on the deck. This works unless you have a pipe dock

Or, you could get a boat hook with a loop.

https://www.amazon.com/Boat-Loop-Med...ps%2C85&sr=8-5

[camp guy]

There are plenty of dock piles and dock posts, so make some docking lines with a good-sized loop at the dock end to go over either the pile or the post, then take up the slack the way you want it and secure the lines to the cleats on your own boat.

[ishoot308]

What is “The Wolfeboro Dock Crew”?? I assume they assist in docking?? What else do they do??

Dan

[camp guy]

Dan - I would respectfully refer you to the Wolfeboro Department of Parks and Recreation, or the Wolfeboro Town Manager, for the Job Description of a Dock Crew employee. I am not trying to be snippy with you, I just don't know the answer to your question.

[Descant]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

What is “The Wolfeboro Dock Crew”?? I assume they assist in docking?? What else do they do??

Dan

In my ideal world, they would wave you in when it is your turn, and push you off if you cut in line.

[tis]

I think I read that they are doing it as an experiment and then might consider hiring full time people in the future. I'm not sure how I feel about this as it is another expense for the town. Has it changed so much that people aren't capable of docking any more? Probably a stupid question.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by tis

Has it changed so much that people aren't capable of docking any more? Probably a stupid question.

Tis, pretty much this….

We stopped going to Wolfeboro on weekends because of the free for all behavior at the docks. It just wasn’t fun anymore…

Dan

[tis]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

Tis, pretty much this….

We stopped going to Wolfeboro on weekends because of the free for all behavior at the docks. It just wasn’t fun anymore…

Dan

Sad, isn't it. It reminds me of why I quit downhill skiing years ago when someone ran right over the front of my skis.

[Winilyme]

No less than two black toes is all it took for me to remove the cleats from my dock.

[ApS]

Originally Posted by Winilyme

No less than two black toes is all it took for me to remove the cleats from my dock.

I never had any cleats, but just discovered I'd installed one to secure a boat on the dock. It's shielded from producing injury from every direction.

As to toes, a friend argued that you should always wear shoes around boats. That's debatable, because some fussbudgets won't let you on their boats while wearing shoes.

And then, there are grandchildren running and swimming off docks. :

[FlyingScot]

Originally Posted by ApS

As to toes, a friend argued that you should always wear shoes around boats. That's debatable, because some fussbudgets won't let you on their boats while wearing shoes.

It's not debatable if your objective is get as good a grip as you can on a potentially slippery surface. Passengers in bare feet always make me nervous; always wear sneakers or boat shoes.

No disrespect, but I thought you were a sailor? Aren't bare feet slick on the smooth parts your cockpit and deck?

[ishoot308]

I still would like to know whether this “dock crew” keeps track of who arrives first during busy boating days and docks them accordingly….

Dan

[TheTimeTraveler]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

I still would like to know whether this “dock crew” keeps track of who arrives first during busy boating days and docks them accordingly….

Dan

I would think they would be watching the times when people come in. If I am not mistaken I believe there is a two hour limit on the street as well as the docks.....

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by TheTimeTraveler

I would think they would be watching the times when people come in. If I am not mistaken I believe there is a two hour limit on the street as well as the docks.....

Thanks but I’m not talking about keeping track of time at the dock, I’m talking about who arrives at the dock first. On a busy weekend day when multiple boats are waiting for dock space, it becomes a joke as rude arrogant boaters cut other boats off who have been waiting patiently . I have seen numerous shouting matches and near fist to cuffs over who was there first. Like I said in a previous post, I stopped going during busy times as it just wasn’t worth the hassle. I would rethink this if the dock crew was helping with this issue…

Dan

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

Tis, pretty much this….

We stopped going to Wolfeboro on weekends because of the free for all behavior at the docks. It just wasn’t fun anymore…

Dan

That's why I go by car!

[DBreskin]

Originally Posted by tis

I think I read that they are doing it as an experiment and then might consider hiring full time people in the future. I'm not sure how I feel about this as it is another expense for the town. Has it changed so much that people aren't capable of docking any more? Probably a stupid question.

The town experimented with dockhands last year and made it permanent this year. The crew is made up of existing town employees, mostly from the electric department, who I believe earn overtime while on dock duty.

The goal of the crew is to minimize empty space between docked boats so the maximum number of boats can dock.

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by DBreskin

The town experimented with dockhands last year and made it permanent this year. The crew is made up of existing town employees, mostly from the electric department, who I believe earn overtime while on dock duty.

The goal of the crew is to minimize empty space between docked boats so the maximum number of boats can dock.

It is too bad more docks cannot be added in the major towns on the lake.

I am sure the state would object citing wetlands regulations. However, fewer boats idling in circles burning fuel while waiting for dock space would be a benefit to the lake. An added benefit to the state would be the taxes on the additional money spent when the occupants of the boats get off and dine in those communities. I know there are many times we do not go to places like Wolfeboro or Meredith because of the long wait to get a place to dock.

While many of the wetlands rules make sense, some of the rules should be allowed a common sense waiver.

[DBreskin]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

It is too bad more docks cannot be added in the major towns on the lake.

Wolfeboro had a plan to extend the existing docks but funding for it was defeated in the 2021(?) election. I believe voters didn’t want to incur an expense that primarily benefited businesses located near the docks.

[FlyingScot]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

It is too bad more docks cannot be added in the major towns on the lake.

I am sure the state would object citing wetlands regulations. However, fewer boats idling in circles burning fuel while waiting for dock space would be a benefit to the lake. An added benefit to the state would be the taxes on the additional money spent when the occupants of the boats get off and dine in those communities. I know there are many times we do not go to places like Wolfeboro or Meredith because of the long wait to get a place to dock.

While many of the wetlands rules make sense, some of the rules should be allowed a common sense waiver.

Or, with everyone thinking wait times are going to be shorter, more people would come, bringing wait times back to their current levels. As both you and Dan imply...

[LakeTimes]

From my perspective - They do a great job! I've seen many 'inexperienced' boaters trying to pull in to dock or get out and they've aided and helped several do just that safely and without 'dinging' up other boats. I can tell you, there would be MUCH more boat damage had they not assisted. As someone else called out up above, they also help make sure dock space is maximized.

Tips are appreciated as one might assume - I personally even tip them when I didn't need assistance which is just about every time. They are out there for several hours baking in the sun on hot, humid days. I guess I'm just hoping any extra tip will only aid them in keeping an extra eye on someone potentially banging into my boat. My goal is to just get in, get out, and enjoy the day without my boat getting damaged or being thrown any additional curve balls to throw off the day. Why we escape to the lake every weekend in the first place

[Dave R]

Very interesting news. Seems like a great segue towards overnight transient docking for a fee. I now boat on the ocean out of Hampton and we typically do some sort of overnight (or longer) trip somewhere every week. While I'm out cruising, my marina slip is available for transients to use (and their slip is available somewhere else, and so on) so the addition of a few temporary transient slips can open up slips in multiple other places. I find it astonishing that with all the cabin cruisers on the lake, none of the town docks on Winni allow overnights stays.

FWIW, I have been anchoring, using transient slips, lock walls, town docks, and moorings for overnight stays extensively all over the north east US and south east Canada for years and I have never experienced any noise issues from fellow boaters at night. Noise has not been an issue even in known party hubs like Provincetown, Alexandria Bay, Dow's Lake and Oak Bluffs.

[tis]

Originally Posted by DBreskin

The town experimented with dockhands last year and made it permanent this year. The crew is made up of existing town employees, mostly from the electric department, who I believe earn overtime while on dock duty.

The goal of the crew is to minimize empty space between docked boats so the maximum number of boats can dock.

Thank you, I didn't know if it became permanent.

[WinnisquamZ]

Originally Posted by DBreskin

The town experimented with dockhands last year and made it permanent this year. The crew is made up of existing town employees, mostly from the electric department, who I believe earn overtime while on dock duty.

The goal of the crew is to minimize empty space between docked boats so the maximum number of boats can dock.

If I understand correctly the town is paying time and a half to town employees to assist with docking. $50 per hour per employee!


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[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by DBreskin

The town experimented with dockhands last year and made it permanent this year. The crew is made up of existing town employees, mostly from the electric department, who I believe earn overtime while on dock duty.

The goal of the crew is to minimize empty space between docked boats so the maximum number of boats can dock.

Thanks for the explanation!...just curious, do they also keep track on busy days on who is next in line for docking or is that still left up to each individual boat captain??

Dan

[ApS]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

Put the cleats on the posts, not on the deck. This works unless you have a pipe dock Or, you could get a boat hook with a loop https://www.amazon.com/Boat-Loop-Med...ps%2C85&sr=8-5

I own a stainless steel "pop-up" cleat, but haven't rationalized a good reason to spend a couple of hours to fashion its complex installation--on a post.

(And which post? )

But even a standard cleat poses a threat to those wearing rings or jewelry. Guess what gives way first?

Horrible injuries have occurred with post-mounted cleats. I recall a woman who slipped moving from dock to boat at night. The cleat caught her eye socket and she was held above the boat for several minutes before her screams were answered. As I recall, she suffered no skull or eyesight damage.

At Wolfeboro, there should be one post with a cleat provided, and mark it "Handicapped Post".

Use a "Clove Hitch" on a post and be happy.


Learn the Bowline...

[Descant]

Originally Posted by ApS

My dock has no cleats because my toes have a way of finding them!

Dock users might find large eye-bolts a better choice, but it's really up to Wolfeboro as to what they want to use in our entitled, litigious, society.

Yeah. We had cleats many years ago and removed them as a tripping hazard. On the other hand in tidal waters where there are no posts, cleats are pretty common.
Elsewhere, Steve on Mark is offering boating lessons. You won't need a cleat or a boat hook after passing his class.

[steve-on-mark]

Originally Posted by Descant

Yeah. We had cleats many years ago and removed them as a tripping hazard. On the other hand in tidal waters where there are no posts, cleats are pretty common.

Elsewhere, Steve on Mark is offering boating lessons. You won't need a cleat or a boat hook after passing his class.

Don't laugh, but a lot of people are discovering that they don't need boat hooks after all. I think most Islanders could teach what I teach, but I needed a way to make money up here, and that's one of the things I came up with... there's only so many bodily fluids I can sell! By the way, I have never had the need for a boat hook, but I still use cleats!

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