Bonehead Camp Councilors

ApS · 07-07-2011, 07:52 AM

Recriminations?

Isn't the lake "for everybody"?

This "cuts" both ways: a Winnipesaukee camp counselor once wrote:

Quote:

"I do remember one incident during one of my boat training courses where somebody in a powerboat who was living in or leasing a house almost directly across from the camp accosted one of our sailing craft on the way back to his house, almost as if he wanted to sink it with his wake.

It was either harrassment or incompetence on his part. So I got in the camp boat and went over to make sure our boys were uninjured and ask them about what occurred, and then went over to the house where the boat docked.

I stopped our boat within hailing-distance of their place, and some men were still out near their boat, and I said, "Excuse me, but we need you to not come so close to our boats." I wasn't obnoxious about it. I just related that these were kids in the boats who were not experienced boaters and might not know how to react when confronted with a large wake.

Well, the guy who responded with an offhanded, "Just keep your boats on your side of the lake".

I said that it was not in my experience that our laws observed an "our side" and a "your side" of the lake, and if there were further instances, we'd have to involve the Marine Patrol.

He had no answer to that, and I left. I told Waterfront Director about it when I got back, and he did a glance in their general direction. The two of us briefed the Camp Director about it at supper, who was surprized to hear it and took it very seriously.

The Camp Director came down to the waterfront with us later, just to see which house it was, and I think he may have known who owned the residence at one time, but had not known him well. Whether he made calls or not, I don't know, but there were no further problems.

It was my impression, just from the tone in the powerboater's voice, that this guy resented the camp being where it was."

While speaking of "Headway Speed"...

See anything wrong with Lakefront-Maintenance Personnel preparing a Jet-Ski for their client's use?

Yes, he just left that dock in the photo!

Those danged Lakefront-Maintenance Personnel!

Ryan · 07-07-2011, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acres per Second

See anything wrong with Lakefront-Maintenance Personnel preparing a Jet-Ski for their client's use?

Yes, he just left that dock in the photo!

Those danged Lakefront-Maintenance Personnel!

This photo cannot be from this year.....or last, or the year before, right???

"boating on Winnipesaukee is as balanced and civil as we have seen for more than 20 years."

VtSteve · 07-07-2011, 12:27 PM

Yes APS, the lake is "for everybody". There's certainly no shortage of boneheads, or arrogant people, whether they are camp boaters or non-camp boaters. You're usually pretty biased, so I'm sure the camp counselor story was for balance, something that may have shocked you into posting.

The PWC driver looks to be a cowboy

I can't think of a vessel type I've not seen a bonehead in. I encountered two kayaks this past weekend, both a dark, rusty brown color, out paddling in a very busy channel, about 4 miles from land. This is at about 3:00 PM. I should have taken a video of this particular instance. There were four fairly large (30' to 38') sailboats heading fast racing back to port. Since there were cruisers heading the other direction, the sailboats kept course moving at a pretty good clip. At that point, the kayakers had little choice but to keep paddling in between two of these massive vessels. A shot of the kayakers looking up as the sailboats passed them would have been priceless. There probably wasn't more than 25 yards between the sailboats.

I also encountered a small Hobie Cat (again), that almost hot me broadside. (I was at anchor) Again!

They say it takes all kinds, but I still don't buy it.

ApS · 07-07-2011, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan

This photo cannot be from this year.....or last, or the year before, right???

While looking for "in-water" observation of boat-renters, why not require the same for Maintenance Personnel?

The photo was taken Tuesday of this week.

Quote:

Originally Posted by VtSteve

Yes APS, the lake is "for everybody". There's certainly no shortage of boneheads, or arrogant people, whether they are camp boaters or non-camp boaters.

That's pretty much my point, while everyone's busy reviling the summer camper.

Quote:

Originally Posted by VtSteve

I also encountered a small Hobie Cat (again), that almost got me broadside. (I was at anchor) Again!

When a sailboat is "working to windward", it needs all the space it can get. Those with inadequate training in all boats, get all-panicky.

Sailboats also come uncomfortably close to shorelines, in order to "make passage".

BroadHopper · 07-07-2011, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acres per Second

When a sailboat is "working to windward", it needs all the space it can get. Those with inadequate training in all boats, get all-panicky.

Sailboats also come uncomfortably close to shorelines, in order to "make passage".

So what your saying a sailboat can actually change the course of Mt Washington, Sophie C and Doris E.

Sorry, I don't buy it!

ApS · 07-08-2011, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

So what your saying a sailboat can actually change the course of Mt Washington, Sophie C and Doris E.

Sorry, I don't buy it!

It's safe to say that the Mt Washington, Sophie C and Doris E have all changed course for a sailboat—but that's not what I'm saying.

Of which I repeat:

Quote:

When a sailboat is "working to windward", it needs all the space it can get. Those with inadequate training in all boats, get all-panicky.

Sailboats also come uncomfortably close to shorelines, in order to "make passage".

In sailboat racing, it takes especially-great skills when inches count:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtPG3...layer_embedded

Barney Bear · 07-12-2011, 05:37 PM

Early in the season, Camp Lawrence may have new pilots on the 50 foot Bear II. These pilots must obtain commercial licenses to operate the camp boats. Over the years, we've observed that new pilots would tend to pass fairly close [several hundred yards] to our point on East Bear Island and bouce our "navy" with its huge wake. A phone call to the camp requesting that the Bear II stay far off shore before making its swing toward the Camp Nokomis dock has always resolved this matter. Frequently, our young guests will hop into the water to ride the waves.

07-07-2011, 12:27 PM	#3
VtSteve Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,320 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 230 Thanked 361 Times in 169 Posts	Live and let whom live? Yes APS, the lake is "for everybody". There's certainly no shortage of boneheads, or arrogant people, whether they are camp boaters or non-camp boaters. You're usually pretty biased, so I'm sure the camp counselor story was for balance, something that may have shocked you into posting. The PWC driver looks to be a cowboy I can't think of a vessel type I've not seen a bonehead in. I encountered two kayaks this past weekend, both a dark, rusty brown color, out paddling in a very busy channel, about 4 miles from land. This is at about 3:00 PM. I should have taken a video of this particular instance. There were four fairly large (30' to 38') sailboats heading fast racing back to port. Since there were cruisers heading the other direction, the sailboats kept course moving at a pretty good clip. At that point, the kayakers had little choice but to keep paddling in between two of these massive vessels. A shot of the kayakers looking up as the sailboats passed them would have been priceless. There probably wasn't more than 25 yards between the sailboats. I also encountered a small Hobie Cat (again), that almost hot me broadside. (I was at anchor) Again! They say it takes all kinds, but I still don't buy it.

07-12-2011, 05:37 PM	#7
Barney Bear Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 962 Thanks: 496 Thanked 274 Times in 175 Posts	Bear II Early in the season, Camp Lawrence may have new pilots on the 50 foot Bear II. These pilots must obtain commercial licenses to operate the camp boats. Over the years, we've observed that new pilots would tend to pass fairly close [several hundred yards] to our point on East Bear Island and bouce our "navy" with its huge wake. A phone call to the camp requesting that the Bear II stay far off shore before making its swing toward the Camp Nokomis dock has always resolved this matter. Frequently, our young guests will hop into the water to ride the waves.

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Grandpa Redneck (07-07-2011)