Are you for or against rafting?

[littlebear]

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

Oh boy, you opened yourself up for some criticism now. I'll start. Everybody has the right to raft even in front of YOUR house. A little discretion of course but please.

I'm talking about two feet from shore in front of my house, that's a little excessive.

[Jonas Pilot]

It's still public water.

[NH_boater]

I am against ALL no rafting zones and they limit where folks can anchor and enjoy public water. I know swimmers can go right up to shore anytime but it is wrong to eliminate specific areas of the lake from the public that owns it. This is especially true for families with younger children who could enjoy shallower water on the sand bars.

I also do not agree with sporadic enforcement, from none to strict from day to day.

[SIKSUKR]

Originally Posted by littlebear

I'm talking about two feet from shore in front of my house, that's a little excessive.

You didn't say that in your post,you simply mentioned people TRY TO DO IT outside your house.If you read my post I said a little discretion of course.

[MikeF-NH]

I think you can see this topic pretty evenly split between those who own lake front property and those who do not. As a "trailer boater", I see many lakes in NH where the owers associations have taken significant steps to limit access to the water body they live on despite the State assuring us that these are public resources.

As long as we continue to view Winni as a public resource, it should be completely open for all legal public uses as long as safety and ordinances are adhered to. MP should police this with that in mind... The view from my side of the subject is "if you build on a lake, you should expect John Q public in your front yard (off your shoreline). If John Q is disturbing the peace, littering or breaking other laws, MP should deal with that just as they would if someone was breaking a law on the street in front of your house. It's amazing how diffucult it is for non-shorefront owners to get our families swimming on public waters in this state unless we anchor off shore (not a great option for young families). Each shore front owner should remember that this is not "your lake" it's the State's lake and you own to the shoreline and nothing more. The fish under your dock are not your fish and the water between your dock and your raft is not your water.

I think things are already restrictive enough on NHs public waters without yet another law restricting use of this resource that targets "non-lakefront owners". I think this is a healthy topic and agree that if I owned property on the lake, I wouldn't be excited about 20 boats floating off my beach but as long as they are not disturbing the peace, climbing up on my beach or breaking other laws, I would respect their rights and understand that this is part of what I purchased (if I bought land at the end of an airport, I would expect noisy planes flying over).

[AC2717]

Originally Posted by MikeF-NH

I think you can see this topic pretty evenly split between those who own lake front property and those who do not. As a "trailer boater", I see many lakes in NH where the owers associations have taken significant steps to limit access to the water body they live on despite the State assuring us that these are public resources.

As long as we continue to view Winni as a public resource, it should be completely open for all legal public uses as long as safety and ordinances are adhered to. MP should police this with that in mind... The view from my side of the subject is "if you build on a lake, you should expect John Q public in your front yard (off your shoreline). If John Q is disturbing the peace, littering or breaking other laws, MP should deal with that just as they would if someone was breaking a law on the street in front of your house. It's amazing how diffucult it is for non-shorefront owners to get our families swimming on public waters in this state unless we anchor off shore (not a great option for young families). Each shore front owner should remember that this is not "your lake" it's the State's lake and you own to the shoreline and nothing more. The fish under your dock are not your fish and the water between your dock and your raft is not your water.

I think things are already restrictive enough on NHs public waters without yet another law restricting use of this resource that targets "non-lakefront owners". I think this is a healthy topic and agree that if I owned property on the lake, I wouldn't be excited about 20 boats floating off my beach but as long as they are not disturbing the peace, climbing up on my beach or breaking other laws, I would respect their rights and understand that this is part of what I purchased (if I bought land at the end of an airport, I would expect noisy planes flying over).

Hi Mike
WHile I fully agree with you about the lake status, some restraint should be practiced and maybe even inforced with regards to anchoring up right in front of someone's property instead of being right up on them, but that is just me, as for rafting see no reason why it has to be banned, I do not like to raft myself just because of the amount of free board I have on my boat does not really allow for it, but I would not mind doing it with friends in sand bar areas or the like if we could match up without hurting each other's boat. One reason being is that there are public/town beaches available for those that do not have lakefront property so it is open to everyone

I dunno maybe a 150foot buffer or something when it is private lake front property or something, I do not have the answer, but as far as rafting these is no reason for it not to happen if people wish to do it

[VtSteve]

But it picked up like it never ended, so no foul.

This is a topic similar to towns that have a lot of on street parking. Many people get irritated when others park right in front of their house, on the street. It's a funny topic as well.

There are many that would love to have a law on Winnipesaukee that no boat can have an anchor on board (except their own boats)

The funny part is when you listen to people that have these NIMBY attitudes towards their own spaces, but can in an act absolutely horrible manner when they're in someone else's backyard. You know the ones. Always complaining about someone or somebody, whether it be an occasional party, maybe two boats anchored, whatever. When they go on vacation or visiting, they'll be the obnoxious ones hooting and hollering, probably after hours when people are trying to sleep. I'll bet at least ten people smiled at that thought? Be honest, you know one don't you?

[NH_boater]

Originally Posted by MikeF-NH

I think you can see this topic pretty evenly split between those who own lake front property and those who do not.

I do not think the split is as clean as some may think. I am a lake front property owner and I believe there should not be NRZ's. I would support a limit of 3 or 4 boats to a raft, lake-wide, to avoid navigation congestion but I do not think there should be restrictions for 'small' rafts and I do not support any 'no anchoring zones' keeping craft 150ft or any other distance from shore. I believe the lake is public property for public use, not the privileged use of land owners (myself included).

I have not seen any long rafts, more than 3 boats. I have seen them on other lakes and they can be an impressive obstacle.

I would support stronger enforcement for trespassing on private land, dogs relieving themselves on private land, littering, excessive noise or inappropriate behavior such as public nudity or public intoxication. All of which are already covered by existing laws or statues.

I bought my lake front land with full awareness that I am buying property in front of a 'state park' and all the fun that comes with it. I believe that all land owners bought the same way, but some would now like to quarantine their corner for their private use. Don't like the lake activity, you are perfectly free to move.

[SIKSUKR]

Coming from a non lakefront owner and one who trailers to Winni, I would never raft right in front of any lakefront home without a long distance from shore. No, I still don't raft unless there are no houses a good distance away. Saturday myself and my friends who do own on Paugus just rafted in the middle of the Broads unanchored. Love it out there!