The weirs docks

Misty Blue · 06-09-2010, 09:56 PM

Who(m) ever designed the docks (and yes they are actually piers) at the Weirs could not have been a boater. There are too many finger piers.

In an attempt (I supoose) to fit more boats into a defined space of shore line they squeezed in as many finger piers as possible. It looks good on paper but they are so close that with two boats tied side by side no other boats can fit between. So what happens...

People want to tie up to the docks but do not want to be stranded by two boats lake side of them side by side. So he ties up at the end of an empty finger pier. His neighbor has the same idea and you have two boats blocking 80' of useful dock space on both sides!

In Meredith and Wolfeboro the finger piers are seperated enough to allow boats to pass even though two boats are tied up side to side. This allows the entire pier to be used. Good planning.

BTW. For the nautical language folks on this thread a "dock" is the space taken up by the boat. ie. Dry dock. Not tied up to anything, just sitting there.

The pier is what you tie up to and walk on.

Misty Blue.

Rattlesnake Guy · 06-09-2010, 10:24 PM

Misty Blue,
You are 100 percent correct. It is odd that in the pursuit of docking more boats they have reduced the potential quite dramatically while increasing the cost. Sometimes less is more or is it more is less?

jrc · 06-09-2010, 10:46 PM

OK four years ago I posted this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrc

Being a bored engineer and a geek, (is that redundant). I thought of two cheap ways to increase the non-blocking docking capacity at the Weirs.

The first way is free. In each U-shaped area, make one side no docking. Right now each U gets two boats before any blocking occurs. If you close one side, the other side will support three or more boats and they can use the closed side to get in and out. Right now the last U with the drop-off dock on one side works this way. You could even squeeze one more boat on inner most spot of the closed side or the bottom of the U. And perhaps you could allow jetskis on the closed side.

The second way requires de-construction. Simply remove every other finger. Today each group of two U's supports four boats before blocking. If you remove the center finger pier, the two U's become one larger U. The larger U can support three boats on each side and one or two along the back. It would be like the Meredith docks.

chipj29 · 06-10-2010, 08:35 AM

Is it legal to beach a boat there?

jrc · 06-10-2010, 10:17 AM

Not during Bike week, they have the area behind the docks roped off.

Any other time, I don't think there is a law? Obviously you can't do it near the public beach and the swim lines, but behind the docks, why not?

BroadHopper · 06-10-2010, 10:40 AM

The pier was built in the the 30's and 40's when boats were narrow. Then it was not a problem docking on both sides of the pier mates!

Back in the 60's one could navigate under the foot bridge and dock along the broadwalk. Today the area needs to be dredge out. Building the berm out along the Weirs Channel pass the Endicott Rock cause the sand to build up at the pier.

The pier needs to be 'reengineered' to today's watercrafts. Like the Meredith Docks and to some extent the Wolfeboro Docks.

My opinion. The fingers at the Meredith Pier are spread a bit to thin. The Wolfeboro Pier should be a bit wider. An architect should take them into consideration before redesigning the Weirs Pier.

Another thought. Have PWCs dock along the broadwalk side of the pier. They have a very low draft. Move the 'drop off docking only' from the South side of the pier to the North side of the pier. The North finger is just the right size for dropping off and more protected from waves for easier launching. Allow more boats to dock at the pier.

Any thoughts from the forum members? I am a Laconia residence and I would like to present the ideas to the selectmen and the Chamber of Commerce.

jrc · 06-10-2010, 11:06 AM

BH, I guess it depends if they want to spend money or not. These are the issues to deal with:

1. Depth, it getting really shallow in all the docks except for the last couple on the north. The entire street facing side is almost useless.

2. Wakes, there is always a lot of traffic in that bay, you get a lot of general chop from them. Plus a lot of people run very close to the docks. There needs to be a 150' no wake marker at least. A larger NWZ could be considered.

3. Repairs, as mentioned in the beginning of the topic, broken poles and exposed bolts. This seems a no-brainer, someone will sooner or later get hurt and sue.

4. Blocking, most of the dock areas are too narrow to dock two boats and allow a third to pass. There are several solutions up to rebuilding.

5. Attractions, growing up Wiers was the place to go, the last few years it's lacked strong attraction for me. Lately there is some upswing but there is no sense spending big bucks on the docks if no one uses them.

SIKSUKR · 06-10-2010, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rattlesnake Guy

Sometimes less is more or is it more is less?

More or less

Capt. Quint · 06-13-2010, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

More or less

SIKSUKR I think you would have liked my old bunk mate Les Izmore.

chriscraft208 · 06-14-2010, 11:11 PM

I would like to reply to several posts while I was away then try to get back to my original question.
To: upthesaukee . Yes i had 3 boat fenders out . not dock bumpers
To: no regrets At your own risk only applies if what is made available is in good working order. I was planing on taking the damage hit until as mentioned in original post found photo showing pylon broken over 2 years ago. That shows disregard to the dock user .
To: belmont res. I Love my boat two but I was hosting family from florida that wanted to go to the weirs and as a good host I complied. Knowing what I know now that was my 1st last and only tieup at the weirs docks
I would like to try and get post back on track has anyone had their boat damaged at a weirs dock tieup or do you know anybody ? I need help to follow up with my complaint to Laconia .

Cobalt 25 · 06-15-2010, 03:54 AM

How much of a complaint will you have if you tied up in a place that could result in damage to your boat? Is it possible you didn't notice the missing/damaged piling? Could you have tied up someplace else?

I don't know if you are seeking financial restitution, but in my opinion it is incumbent upon all of us to carefully consider where we tie up. Notifying the appropriate authorities of a potential hazard is helpful, but it is our responsibility to avoid situations that could damage our boats. It can be an expensive lesson.

Peter

Dave M · 06-15-2010, 05:42 PM

I have a 20' boat. I used to use fenders but I found they rolled around alot and slide up over the rubber strip on the side of the boat. For the last 10 years or so I've been using the cushions. I buy cushions that are stiff(dense form). I make sure they have long loops on them. I tie one side of the cushion in a knot to decrease the loop size. When arrving at docks I put these on the vertical poles and I can adjust the height depending on which side I use on the cushions or use both loops at once or add one on top of each other. I always dock on the sections that have thinner poles. I haven't had an issue since I started using this method. I do have bumpers as backup but have hardly ever used them. I also have cushions for safely as well.

Enjoy.

Dave M

VtSteve · 06-16-2010, 06:13 AM

I've generally found that having cleats with no posts works better than having posts. This type generally allows your fenders to do their job better, without the hindrance of rubbing against flat posts. A little easier for spring lines as well.

Way back in the 70's, my dad's boat suffered some dock rash at the Weirs. He had a 20' boat, and even then, the docking areas were too narrow for all but the smallest boats. I would imagine having the Mount there limits redesign choices.

Grady223 · 06-16-2010, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VtSteve

I've generally found that having cleats with no posts works better than having posts. This type generally allows your fenders to do their job better, without the hindrance of rubbing against flat posts. A little easier for spring lines as well.

Way back in the 70's, my dad's boat suffered some dock rash at the Weirs. He had a 20' boat, and even then, the docking areas were too narrow for all but the smallest boats. I would imagine having the Mount there limits redesign choices.

I have 2 large fenders with a line that attachs to both ends; I slip them over the posts whenever I dock in town. That configuration has the fender sitting perpendicular on the post, completely protecting the boat. Cleats are OK, as long as they are properly secured to the dock.

Regardless, whenever and wherever you dock it is your responsibility to protect your boat.

06-09-2010, 09:56 PM	#1
Misty Blue Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 658 Thanks: 121 Thanked 283 Times in 98 Posts	Weirs docks, poor design. Who(m) ever designed the docks (and yes they are actually piers) at the Weirs could not have been a boater. There are too many finger piers. In an attempt (I supoose) to fit more boats into a defined space of shore line they squeezed in as many finger piers as possible. It looks good on paper but they are so close that with two boats tied side by side no other boats can fit between. So what happens... People want to tie up to the docks but do not want to be stranded by two boats lake side of them side by side. So he ties up at the end of an empty finger pier. His neighbor has the same idea and you have two boats blocking 80' of useful dock space on both sides! In Meredith and Wolfeboro the finger piers are seperated enough to allow boats to pass even though two boats are tied up side to side. This allows the entire pier to be used. Good planning. BTW. For the nautical language folks on this thread a "dock" is the space taken up by the boat. ie. Dry dock. Not tied up to anything, just sitting there. The pier is what you tie up to and walk on. Misty Blue.

06-10-2010, 08:35 AM	#4
chipj29 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bow Posts: 1,874 Thanks: 521 Thanked 308 Times in 162 Posts	beaching? Is it legal to beach a boat there? __________________ Getting ready for winter!

06-10-2010, 10:40 AM	#6
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,589 Thanks: 3,230 Thanked 1,107 Times in 797 Posts	Weirs Pier The pier was built in the the 30's and 40's when boats were narrow. Then it was not a problem docking on both sides of the pier mates! Back in the 60's one could navigate under the foot bridge and dock along the broadwalk. Today the area needs to be dredge out. Building the berm out along the Weirs Channel pass the Endicott Rock cause the sand to build up at the pier. The pier needs to be 'reengineered' to today's watercrafts. Like the Meredith Docks and to some extent the Wolfeboro Docks. My opinion. The fingers at the Meredith Pier are spread a bit to thin. The Wolfeboro Pier should be a bit wider. An architect should take them into consideration before redesigning the Weirs Pier. Another thought. Have PWCs dock along the broadwalk side of the pier. They have a very low draft. Move the 'drop off docking only' from the South side of the pier to the North side of the pier. The North finger is just the right size for dropping off and more protected from waves for easier launching. Allow more boats to dock at the pier. Any thoughts from the forum members? I am a Laconia residence and I would like to present the ideas to the selectmen and the Chamber of Commerce. __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

06-14-2010, 11:11 PM	#10
chriscraft208 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	back to the question at hand but 1st I would like to reply to several posts while I was away then try to get back to my original question. To: upthesaukee . Yes i had 3 boat fenders out . not dock bumpers To: no regrets At your own risk only applies if what is made available is in good working order. I was planing on taking the damage hit until as mentioned in original post found photo showing pylon broken over 2 years ago. That shows disregard to the dock user . To: belmont res. I Love my boat two but I was hosting family from florida that wanted to go to the weirs and as a good host I complied. Knowing what I know now that was my 1st last and only tieup at the weirs docks I would like to try and get post back on track has anyone had their boat damaged at a weirs dock tieup or do you know anybody ? I need help to follow up with my complaint to Laconia .

06-15-2010, 05:42 PM	#12
Dave M Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 395 Thanks: 4 Thanked 26 Times in 24 Posts	Option on fenders I have a 20' boat. I used to use fenders but I found they rolled around alot and slide up over the rubber strip on the side of the boat. For the last 10 years or so I've been using the cushions. I buy cushions that are stiff(dense form). I make sure they have long loops on them. I tie one side of the cushion in a knot to decrease the loop size. When arrving at docks I put these on the vertical poles and I can adjust the height depending on which side I use on the cushions or use both loops at once or add one on top of each other. I always dock on the sections that have thinner poles. I haven't had an issue since I started using this method. I do have bumpers as backup but have hardly ever used them. I also have cushions for safely as well. Enjoy. Dave M

The Following User Says Thank You to Misty Blue For This Useful Post:
Rattlesnake Guy (06-09-2010)

06-09-2010, 10:24 PM	#2
Rattlesnake Guy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 1,254 Thanks: 423 Thanked 366 Times in 175 Posts	Misty Blue, You are 100 percent correct. It is odd that in the pursuit of docking more boats they have reduced the potential quite dramatically while increasing the cost. Sometimes less is more or is it more is less?

06-10-2010, 10:17 AM	#5
jrc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NH Posts: 2,689 Thanks: 33 Thanked 439 Times in 249 Posts	Not during Bike week, they have the area behind the docks roped off. Any other time, I don't think there is a law? Obviously you can't do it near the public beach and the swim lines, but behind the docks, why not?

06-10-2010, 11:06 AM	#7
jrc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NH Posts: 2,689 Thanks: 33 Thanked 439 Times in 249 Posts	BH, I guess it depends if they want to spend money or not. These are the issues to deal with: 1. Depth, it getting really shallow in all the docks except for the last couple on the north. The entire street facing side is almost useless. 2. Wakes, there is always a lot of traffic in that bay, you get a lot of general chop from them. Plus a lot of people run very close to the docks. There needs to be a 150' no wake marker at least. A larger NWZ could be considered. 3. Repairs, as mentioned in the beginning of the topic, broken poles and exposed bolts. This seems a no-brainer, someone will sooner or later get hurt and sue. 4. Blocking, most of the dock areas are too narrow to dock two boats and allow a third to pass. There are several solutions up to rebuilding. 5. Attractions, growing up Wiers was the place to go, the last few years it's lacked strong attraction for me. Lately there is some upswing but there is no sense spending big bucks on the docks if no one uses them.

The Following User Says Thank You to jrc For This Useful Post:
AC2717 (06-10-2010)

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to SIKSUKR For This Useful Post:
Rattlesnake Guy (06-10-2010), Waterbaby (06-11-2010)

06-15-2010, 03:54 AM	#11
Cobalt 25 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Cape Cod Posts: 228 Thanks: 227 Thanked 36 Times in 20 Posts	How much of a complaint will you have if you tied up in a place that could result in damage to your boat? Is it possible you didn't notice the missing/damaged piling? Could you have tied up someplace else? I don't know if you are seeking financial restitution, but in my opinion it is incumbent upon all of us to carefully consider where we tie up. Notifying the appropriate authorities of a potential hazard is helpful, but it is our responsibility to avoid situations that could damage our boats. It can be an expensive lesson. Peter

06-16-2010, 06:13 AM	#13
VtSteve Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,320 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 230 Thanked 361 Times in 169 Posts	I've generally found that having cleats with no posts works better than having posts. This type generally allows your fenders to do their job better, without the hindrance of rubbing against flat posts. A little easier for spring lines as well. Way back in the 70's, my dad's boat suffered some dock rash at the Weirs. He had a 20' boat, and even then, the docking areas were too narrow for all but the smallest boats. I would imagine having the Mount there limits redesign choices.