Alton Considers Seaplane Dock

TiltonBB · 05-21-2026, 06:45 AM

Alton is considering a privately funded dock on town owned land for two seaplanes.

From the Laconia Sun:
https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news...7e8d111b2.html

thinkxingu · 05-21-2026, 07:12 AM

I like the idea...as long as commercial enterprises would have to pay to use them and there are limitations to allow the public consistent access.

What I would not be ok with is a private company making money off public resources while simultaneously preventing public access to those resources.

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8gv · 05-21-2026, 07:58 AM

How does the seaplane take off and land with all the boat, PWC, SUP and now E-foil traffic?

There seems to be little regard for the rules for safe passage.

Never mind the dockage, I am wondering about all the go arounds.

fatlazyless · 05-21-2026, 09:41 AM

This proposed Alton Bay location for a two seaplane dock spot is very close to the southern most point of Alton Bay, just up beyond the Alton town beach on the east side and also close to Downing Landing boat launch.

Alton Bay has a long history with small airplanes, and in the past with seaplanes and is home to their winter fly-ins on the ice where small planes from all over fly in to land on their ice runway.

This could be another great reason to go visit this Alton Bay southern most area, just to watch the seaplanes fly in and out. As a kayak paddler or stand-up paddle boarder who stays close to shore, all the motorboats and seaplanes just turn up the local volume which adds up to a more happening place to visit.

Bring it on ........ where are the seaplanes? ......... there they is! ..... vvvroooommmm, vvvroooommmm, vrrroooooommmm!!!

chachee52 · 05-21-2026, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8gv

How does the seaplane take off and land with all the boat, PWC, SUP and now E-foil traffic?

There seems to be little regard for the rules for safe passage.

Never mind the dockage, I am wondering about all the go arounds.

Seen a few through the years come into the Alton Bay at the end and land and take off. I forget where they tied off to go walk around, but they have.

camp guy · 05-21-2026, 04:49 PM

I seem to remember that on the chart of the lake it showed seaplane landing/takeoff zones, usually identified by a narrow rectangle outlined in red. I don't k now exactly what the Rules were concerning right of way, etc., concerning boats and planes. I know that if I was a boater, and a seaplane was zeroing in on where I was, I'd move!

WinnisquamZ · 05-21-2026, 03:41 PM

Happens quite frequently on the northern end over here on Winnisquam. Enjoy watching a touchdown and take off. A few dock parks. Maybe I can rent a side of my dock for supplies. Interesting

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WinnisquamZ · 05-21-2026, 05:35 PM

Yes, there still is on the chart I have from 74. South of the state park

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The Real BigGuy · 05-27-2026, 02:59 PM

The rules put the onus on the pilot to make sure his path is clear for all takeoffs and landings. However boat operators can be cited if they intentionally obstruct a plane while taking off and landing.

The Real BigGuy · 05-27-2026, 03:02 PM

I should add that when a plane is on the water it is considered a boat and the NH boating regulations apply.

05-21-2026, 06:45 AM	#1
TiltonBB Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Gilford, NH and Florida Posts: 3,159 Thanks: 748 Thanked 2,277 Times in 986 Posts	Alton Considers Seaplane Dock Alton is considering a privately funded dock on town owned land for two seaplanes. From the Laconia Sun: https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news...7e8d111b2.html

05-21-2026, 09:41 AM	#4
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 9,168 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 310 Thanked 1,102 Times in 811 Posts	..... vroom, vroom, vroom! This proposed Alton Bay location for a two seaplane dock spot is very close to the southern most point of Alton Bay, just up beyond the Alton town beach on the east side and also close to Downing Landing boat launch. Alton Bay has a long history with small airplanes, and in the past with seaplanes and is home to their winter fly-ins on the ice where small planes from all over fly in to land on their ice runway. This could be another great reason to go visit this Alton Bay southern most area, just to watch the seaplanes fly in and out. As a kayak paddler or stand-up paddle boarder who stays close to shore, all the motorboats and seaplanes just turn up the local volume which adds up to a more happening place to visit. Bring it on ........ where are the seaplanes? ......... there they is! ..... vvvroooommmm, vvvroooommmm, vrrroooooommmm!!! __________________ .... Banned for life from local thrift store!

05-21-2026, 04:49 PM	#6
camp guy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: formerly Winter Harbor, still Wolfeboro Posts: 1,224 Thanks: 317 Thanked 560 Times in 310 Posts	Alton Considers Seaplane Dock I seem to remember that on the chart of the lake it showed seaplane landing/takeoff zones, usually identified by a narrow rectangle outlined in red. I don't k now exactly what the Rules were concerning right of way, etc., concerning boats and planes. I know that if I was a boater, and a seaplane was zeroing in on where I was, I'd move!

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05-21-2026, 07:12 AM	#2
thinkxingu Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 6,538 Thanks: 1,184 Thanked 2,174 Times in 1,351 Posts	I like the idea...as long as commercial enterprises would have to pay to use them and there are limitations to allow the public consistent access. What I would not be ok with is a private company making money off public resources while simultaneously preventing public access to those resources. Sent from my SM-S931U using Tapatalk

05-21-2026, 07:58 AM	#3
8gv Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,191 Thanks: 63 Thanked 764 Times in 497 Posts	How does the seaplane take off and land with all the boat, PWC, SUP and now E-foil traffic? There seems to be little regard for the rules for safe passage. Never mind the dockage, I am wondering about all the go arounds.

05-21-2026, 03:41 PM	#7
WinnisquamZ Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 2,238 Thanks: 223 Thanked 705 Times in 473 Posts	Happens quite frequently on the northern end over here on Winnisquam. Enjoy watching a touchdown and take off. A few dock parks. Maybe I can rent a side of my dock for supplies. Interesting Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

05-21-2026, 05:35 PM	#8
WinnisquamZ Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 2,238 Thanks: 223 Thanked 705 Times in 473 Posts	Yes, there still is on the chart I have from 74. South of the state park Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

05-27-2026, 02:59 PM	#9
The Real BigGuy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,330 Thanks: 128 Thanked 478 Times in 293 Posts	The rules put the onus on the pilot to make sure his path is clear for all takeoffs and landings. However boat operators can be cited if they intentionally obstruct a plane while taking off and landing.

05-27-2026, 03:02 PM	#10
The Real BigGuy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,330 Thanks: 128 Thanked 478 Times in 293 Posts	I should add that when a plane is on the water it is considered a boat and the NH boating regulations apply.