Kayak struck on Lake Sunapee

[ApS]

Originally Posted by VtSteve

"...I really don't see your point above..."

Many have waterskied happily behind just 20-HP; conversely, nobody needs 700-HP to waterski. (But oversized boats are seen waterskiing a little too often inside Lake Winnipesaukee's bays and coves—impacting shorelines, paddlers, and sailing craft).

Originally Posted by Mee-n-Mac

The NHMP are investigating ?!? Hmmmm, somewhere I heard that these things weren't investigated unless the damage was over $2000. Musta been one expensive kayak.

A nice Cailou, a kayak I considered briefly, costs $7000.

An Old Town Canoe today costs $7500!

A recent law change means damage must exceed $2000 before a report must be filed with the NHMP. While this change has reduced NHMP paperwork, it also has the effect of reducing collision statistics to the USCG. In other words, through a stroke of the NH Legislature's pen, the U. S. Coast Guard has instantly made NH lakes "much safer" as no $2000+ kayaks have been struck for years.

Why this case was reported seems clear; however, among the possibilities are that the waterski-boat sustained damage also (pushing the damage beyond $2000), the kayak (only) is valued at over $2000 or that something bad happened.

[VtSteve]

Originally Posted by Acres per Second

Many have waterskied happily behind just 20-HP; conversely, nobody needs 700-HP to waterski. (But oversized boats are seen waterskiing a little too often inside Lake Winnipesaukee's bays and coves—impacting shorelines, paddlers, and sailing craft).

I remember skiing behind a friend's 16' aluminum boat with an 18 hp Evinrude. Larger people need hydrofoils to get up, or ski off the dock.

I rarely see high HP boats doing watersports, occasionally, but very rare. Some pocket cruisers go tubing, and yes, their wakes at lower speeds can get pretty large. I must admit, I haven't seen a GF boat pulling a skier.

Are you saying boat sizes should be limited for skiing?

A recent law change means damage must exceed $2000 before a report must be filed with the NHMP. While this change has reduced NHMP paperwork, it also has the effect of reducing collision statistics to the USCG. In other words, through a stroke of the NH Legislature's pen, the U. S. Coast Guard has instantly made NH lakes "much safer" as no $2000+ kayaks have been struck for years.

Why this case was reported seems clear; however, among the possibilities are that the waterski-boat sustained damage also (pushing the damage beyond $2000), the kayak (only) is valued at over $2000 or that something bad happened.

So before this law changed, there were a lot of collisions being reported on the lake? Since this was a "recent" change, there must be tons of stats from prior years.

http://www.uscgboating.org/statistic...dent_stats.htm

I'm not being argumentative here APS, I just haven't seen anything that supports your cause.

[Airwaves]

Originally posted by VtSteve

I'm not being argumentative here APS, I just haven't seen anything that supports your cause.

And you point about lack of support would be?

[ApS]

Originally Posted by VtSteve

"...I rarely see high HP boats doing watersports, occasionally, but very rare...I must admit, I haven't seen a GF boat pulling a skier...Are you saying boat sizes should be limited for skiing...?"

1) Watersports are probably far more popular on Lake Winnipesaukee than on Lake Champlain. (Plus, we don't have Lamprey eels hanging onto our boats here. ).

2) I don't mind seeing oversized boats pulling tubers from town to town, as anyone can see on the Broads any weekend. The constant wake environment there sure beats repeatedly crossing their own wakes in our inlets and bays.

3) Boat sizes should be self-limiting as to where they visit: it's common sense.

4) Is a new BAJA ~36' a "high HP" boat?

In my view, it is a "high HP" GFBL: One visited here for several days. The prop it had was awful for skiing. Even if it had been quiet, the view would have annoyed most savvy observers. FWIW, I'll take photos of them next season.

Originally Posted by VtSteve

"...So before this law changed, there were a lot of collisions being reported on the lake...?"

Who's to know? A close call is bad enough. Longtime readers here will recall that none other than Bill Marriott nearly ran my kayak down—in reverse!

My BIL tells of a neighbor's all-white GFBL nearly backing over their kayak when they were close to shore.

Excepting Evenstar, how do kayakers report their near-misses except to other kayakers or newspapers? Similar instances will appear in our local NHLakes and Mountains newspapers. (Most complain through a letter).

Originally Posted by VtSteve

"...I'm not being argumentative here APS, I just haven't seen anything that supports your cause..."

Another boater more savvy than I am said it much better than I have, but let's not go there.

[VtSteve]

You want a pond? Seriously, I agree that a 36' Baja (with a speed prop) is a bad choice for watersports. Not to mention the huge wake it leaves forever towing a tube


Lampreys are far less visible now that they actually did something about them. You actually have to bite the bullet and work at it, just as with millfoil and all that.

Look, I know accidents happen, just like stupidity happens. I also know you can't cure stupid. I'm all for safety and common sense APS, believe me. I also am not a bif fan of boats lower than planing speed roughing me up from their wakes (my bot is 22', not 36'). I have experienced the Mad Wakes before, trust me on this.

If there are kayaks being run over, in reverse no less, I'd blame the captain, not the boat. You like to sail, and I have to trip over many a large sailboat just to get out of my bay. I don't begrudge them their right to sail on a great sailing lake. That's the difference between you and me. One of many I presume. It's not your friggin lake, and if you have legitimate gripes, by all means, report them. Including the noisy boat that broke the laws.

BTW, I reported a Montreal Sailboat that dumped his tanks heading Northboud out on the main lake here to the Coast Guard. I would have preferred to either impound his boat, or send a missile his way. But alas, I didn't have either at my disposal. If we banned sailboats here, life would be pristine, quiet, serene, and far easier. But somehow, we persevere. Thorughout all od this, we've had several fun runs and many fast boats (100 mph plus) sharing the lake with no issues. I'd take a dozen more of them over these absolute idiots in bowriders towing tubers through a beach area.

You of little facts, have a great day.

[Airwaves]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Acres per Second

_____

Depending on the weight of the skier and the number of skis used, you can waterski at half that speed.

For a full-sized adult, it's "work", but it's still done and enjoyed by thousands. In considering the full history of the sport, perhaps enjoyed by millions!

Originally posted by VtSteve

I think most recreational skiers go around 25 mph to 35 mph. I really don't see your point above. I assumed BRK was pointing out that most do not ski near 45 mph. Unnecessary drama?

But then it gets really odd...APS links to Les Hall's comments from what appears to be an out of state cruiser forum talking about speed limits.

Another boater more savvy than I am said it much better than I have, but let's not go there.

What has that got to do with pulling a water skiier? Anything to muddy the waters heh APS?

[VtSteve]

but, butttttt, APS has an in here. He may be waay out there and FOS, but he still gets posted.

[Mee-n-Mac]

Originally Posted by Acres per Second

Who's to know? A close call is bad enough. Longtime readers here will recall that none other than Bill Marriott nearly ran my kayak down—in reverse!

My BIL tells of a neighbor's all-white GFBL nearly backing over their kayak when they were close to shore.

Excepting Evenstar, how do kayakers report their near-misses except to other kayakers or newspapers? Similar instances will appear in our local NHLakes and Mountains newspapers. (Most complain through a letter).

IOW you have no idea as to how the raising of the $$ limit has, or hasn't, affected the reporting of boat/boat or boat/kayak collisions. As far as near misses go, there is no $$ damage done (it's that whole miss thing) and so there hasn't, now or years ago, been any compulsory reporting of them. And as far as the non-misses goes, can you imagine the victim not reporting the incident (assuming they thought they were guilt free) ? So the stats on the lake aren't skewed by the change.

Originally Posted by Acres per Second

Another boater more savvy than I am said it much better than I have, but let's not go there.

So what limit does Les Hall think would be worse that the present 45 MPH ? Would it be so low as to preclude ... waterskiing ? Hey mebbe that should be applied on Sunapee. Seems they have a problem. Or might it just be that speed isn't the real problem ... naaaah can't be that.

[ApS]

Originally Posted by This'nThat

"...Only thing I could fault the guy for was not wearing sunglasses as the explanation for no one seeing the kayaker until the last second as he was in the sun glare and the middle of the channel..."

Maybe, or possibly I just found "Cap'n B" himself.

Originally Posted by VtSteve

"...there must be tons of stats from prior years....
http://www.uscgboating.org/statistic...dent_stats.htm...
I'm not being argumentative here..."

A good way to avoid argument is to not discuss statistics.

Originally Posted by Airwaves

"...What has that got to do with pulling a water skiier...?

1) It concerns a peril to kayakers: waterskiing isn't mentioned.

2) Hall is a permanent resident of NH and resides only a few miles from Lake Winnipesaukee.

3) You'd dismiss Hall's boating credentials?

Originally Posted by Mee-n-Mac

"...IOW you have no idea as to how the raising of the $$ limit has, or hasn't, affected the reporting of boat/boat or boat/kayak collisions..."

1) As only one person, I can bring only my own experience to the forum. I've never frequented, nor seen, the fabled "NHMP Logbook".

2) This particular thread started with the headline of a kayak split up by a powerboat. (With a near-miss of the kayaker).

I've advised of two unreported near-misses in my own Lake Winnipesaukee neighborhood.

But I do know of two kayak-collisions on Winnipesaukee: one on the radio (reported Medivac'd to D/H hospital with broken bones), and one other (a Meredith crushed kayak and a near-miss of two Vermonters reported here), but—to borrow a Mee-n-Mac expression...


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