Got Boats?

I agree that many go fast boats have the power and should be on the look out. I suggest to all kayak operators to defend your right to do so, and go on the offensive. How, by putting a bright color paint on your paddles, perhaps red on one side and lime green on the other so that you can wave them before you are used as a speed bump.

You may think that I am not being fair, but then sometimes some Kayaks are out and cannot be readily seen. And while I have not heard of any accidents, I don't want to either. So as the old saying goes an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.

"Fast boats have the power and should be on the look out".

Huh?
You absolutely must "maintain a proper watch".
(And "I'm on the offensive" if I'm "waving a red-and-lime-green paddle" upon your over-sized approach)?

"I have not heard of any accidents."

Huh?
One kayak was run over last season, (one, that we know of) with the person air-lifted to Dartmouth-Hitchcock hospital with broken bones.

"...sometimes some Kayaks are out and cannot be readily seen."

Huh?
Kayaks "are out"? Hmmm, we'll have to do something about that.

Not readily seen? Huh? Hmmm, again. Maybe some "offshore" boat owner can give you some pointers. Oh, Wait!... one posted yesterday that "people kill people". Hmmm. Hmmm.

Yes driver responsibility is priority.
But a little common sense would also prevail.
The lake is getting more and more crowded and there is nothing you or I or anyone else is going to do to change that for now. So stop trying to find fault in boaters and take a little initiative. Noticed a couple out there last year with those orange flags. Highly visible from a great distance. Great idea I thought.
I've notice that you are great at pointing fingers.
Why not help promote safe boating instead of rating all of us based on the actions of a few.
Power Squadron, Marine patrol to mention a couple are out to promoting safe boating why not join them. I for one think that this whole boater education thing falls short. It's a great start but needs to be updated regularly. Rules and regulations change from year to year. I belive we should be required to take refresher course every so often to stay on top of things.
You always seem to be quick to post a negative reply. I've been boating on this lake for a number of years. I can't begin to tell you how many boaters I've helped out, towed in to the nearest dock, etc. Yet I drive a semi fast boat. I say semi cause although it pushes 70 there are other much faster. So does this make me a bad offshore boater? Did I neglect to mention it's only 25', about the average size of a lot of you family bow riders not traveling the lake?

[zantheman]

Originally Posted by Belmont Resident

Yes driver responsibility is priority.
But a little common sense would also prevail.
The lake is getting more and more crowded and there is nothing you or I or anyone else is going to do to change that for now. So stop trying to find fault in boaters and take a little initiative. Noticed a couple out there last year with those orange flags. Highly visible from a great distance. Great idea I thought.
I've notice that you are great at pointing fingers.
Why not help promote safe boating instead of rating all of us based on the actions of a few.
Power Squadron, Marine patrol to mention a couple are out to promoting safe boating why not join them. I for one think that this whole boater education thing falls short. It's a great start but needs to be updated regularly. Rules and regulations change from year to year. I belive we should be required to take refresher course every so often to stay on top of things.
You always seem to be quick to post a negative reply. I've been boating on this lake for a number of years. I can't begin to tell you how many boaters I've helped out, towed in to the nearest dock, etc. Yet I drive a semi fast boat. I say semi cause although it pushes 70 there are other much faster. So does this make me a bad offshore boater? Did I neglect to mention it's only 25', about the average size of a lot of you family bow riders not traveling the lake?

Belmont:

I wonder if that couple you saw with the orange flag was myself and my wife. Here in New Jersey it is required by law to put up an orange flag when water skiing or tubing. When we were at Winnipesaukee last summer we noticed that no other boats were flying one for this but decided we would put ours up anyway. We had several boats pass by but no one come close or caused concern. After reading your post I will always put it up law or no law.

Alex
Lake Hopatcong, NJ

[Steve]

I agree, back to the topic...

I have a 99 Chaparral 1830. We replaced our 2003 Chaparral 265 SSi with this boat, and put it right at our dock on Lovell Lake...We loved being on Winnie, but we rack stored. Having the boat right at our dock, behind the summer home is great.