Why doesn't Winnipesaukee have real buoys?

[Lakegeezer]

Bluewater Sailor, I can't fault you for your complaint. The bouys on the lake today leave something to be desired. In some light conditions they seem to disappear. Those of us that have been on the lake for a while aren't complaining much, because what we have now is SO much better than what we had before. There are still some of old wooden spars around. The whole lake had them not too long ago. the wood tended to soak up water and sink, so in many cases, there was just a few inches of spar above the water. The plastic spars are a huge improvement. I haven't a clue about the politics of lake bouys, but suspect that cost enters into it. The coast guard is not responsible for navigation on the lake as far as I know, so we're dealing with state standards, and frugality. Look at the lake as a challenge. Find every marker your first few times out, and stop if you can't find one. Eventually, you can just feel where there should be a marker. There are many tricky navigation spots on the lake, especially because the color of the bouys change by compass direction, not flow to the sea. In several spots, red is on your right, and 100 yards later, its on your left - just because you have changed direction by a few degrees. Many bouys are far from danger, and others are right on top of it. It is part of the charm of the lake, but in no means an excuse for ignoring the right of way passage laws. Those even apply on a five acre pond.