Neophyte on the Lake

islandAl · 06-01-2005, 03:35 PM

Welcome to the lake. Quick note, licenses are required for almost all boaters now (a few of us old timers have another year or so)
This is the link to Bizer (person) who produces a great map. You DO want to buy one either on-line or at local store http://www.winnipesaukee.com/links/cgi/jump.cgi?ID=57
You can also go to quick links above select lake links and then boating.
You will spend most of your time in Moultonborough bay and tubing is fine. Weekdays best with less traffic. Same for trip to Wolfeboro and tie ups are first come first tied. Watch the weather as a very windy day could bring 5-6 waves down at the Wolfeboro end. Depending on exactly where you are, 20 to 25 miles. Nice ride and well worth the trip. Naturally, you can go lots of places on the lake.
Most neighbors will assist with advice, places to fish, tricky rock locations and weather forecasts. Have a great time.

Woodsy · 06-01-2005, 04:13 PM

Ditto! Al's advice is right on. Get a map. The GPS will be helpful but will not show the markers. I believe there is a rough outline of the lake on your GPS. If you can, take the time to get your NH boaters certificate. The navigation rules on the lake might be different from what your used to.

Welcome!

Woodsy

Mee-n-Mac · 06-01-2005, 05:08 PM

You are correct about Garmin not making a chart for the lake but I hear it's got the major islands mapped so with that and a lake chart (Bizer is my preference but Duncan press is an alternative) I think you should be OK. Ordering (and studying) one before you get to the lake can add to your peace of mind. Between the 2 you should always be able to know where you are on the chart and thus follow a safe course (as marked on the chart). In the event you're not sure, proceed slowly and remember that "BEN" is your friend. In that neck of the woods you might want to understand how to navigate around or through the "Graveyard" and around Cow & Little Bear Islands before you get on the lake. Where on Tuftonboro Neck are you staying ?

As for tubing you just want to stay out the areas where the lake gets narrow. North of the above islands and in Winter Harbor are relatively good and close locations. The open area of the lake just off the neck (known as the Broads) can be choppy, especially on a windy day.

There are town docks in Wolfeboro where you can tie up (3 hr limit). The are numerous restaurants and shops but it can be (very) crowded that time of year. Weekdays aren't bad and weekends before 10am you're probably OK. Your vacation week is more busy than most so there's no guaranteee you'll find empty dock w/o a (long) wait during the weekend prime hours (11am - 5 pm). From the closest tip of Tuftonboro neck to the Wolfeboro docks is just a little over 5 miles. Add another 2 - 3 depending on where you're staying so I would call that reasonably close. As Al said above, it's first come first served wrt dock space.

If you have other questions as to what to see and where to go post back.

*BEN - For Black tipped markers stay East or North. For red tipped stay west or south.

Silver Duck · 06-01-2005, 08:53 PM

Lcookster

It's true that Garmin doesn't make a dedicated chip for Winni comparable to the C-map chip with Bizer's map pre-loaded.

However, I just checked and their Mapsource US Recreational Lakes and Fishing Hot Spots - East CD (compatible with the 182) has a very reasonable chart of the lake, which, in combination with a hard copy of the Bizer map will be perfectly useable for your vacation.

You are correct in saying that the lake can a challenge to navigate; it's easy to lose your bearings among the islands.

It also has hard spots (i.e., submerged rocks) in unexpected places.

I believe that finding one may be what inspired the Bizer folks to start their map making business (see Bizer Rock on the map!)

Getting the software for your GPS is a good idea, but getting the Bizer map is a necessity!

Enjoy your vacation, and perhaps I'll see you on the lake!

Silver Duck

JTA · 06-01-2005, 09:00 PM

Plan your trip on the chart before you go. If you get lost, go up to the nearest lighted buoy and it will be numbered ... then, find it on the chart. I assume your boat has a compass. Also, many times I go from the Tuft Neck area down to Wolfeboro in the morning when it's calm. The lake picks up chop during the day (there are often afternoon T storms) so, your ride home could be an adventure. Good luck!

Misty Blue · 06-02-2005, 01:30 AM

Lcookster:

When you get up here go to any marina or sporting shop and get the State of NH boating safety booklet. It is pretty generic but has the general rules (some are totally spcific to NH waters) that you need to know and describes our state unified marking system which is very unique. It is a good system though and you will need it to get out of Moultonborough bay for sure.

As for the tubeing, remember each tuber (skiier) needs a type 1,2 or 3 PFD and each person being towed needs an observer over the age of 12. That is if you have two people in the water you need two observers. Even if you have two kids on one tube.

If you send me a personal post with your address I will mail you a book.

Have a blast!!!!

Misty Blue.

06-01-2005, 03:35 PM	#1
islandAl Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mountonboro Posts: 200 Thanks: 12 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Lake info Welcome to the lake. Quick note, licenses are required for almost all boaters now (a few of us old timers have another year or so) This is the link to Bizer (person) who produces a great map. You DO want to buy one either on-line or at local store http://www.winnipesaukee.com/links/cgi/jump.cgi?ID=57 You can also go to quick links above select lake links and then boating. You will spend most of your time in Moultonborough bay and tubing is fine. Weekdays best with less traffic. Same for trip to Wolfeboro and tie ups are first come first tied. Watch the weather as a very windy day could bring 5-6 waves down at the Wolfeboro end. Depending on exactly where you are, 20 to 25 miles. Nice ride and well worth the trip. Naturally, you can go lots of places on the lake. Most neighbors will assist with advice, places to fish, tricky rock locations and weather forecasts. Have a great time.

06-01-2005, 05:08 PM	#3
Mee-n-Mac Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,943 Thanks: 23 Thanked 111 Times in 51 Posts	Newbie advice You are correct about Garmin not making a chart for the lake but I hear it's got the major islands mapped so with that and a lake chart (Bizer is my preference but Duncan press is an alternative) I think you should be OK. Ordering (and studying) one before you get to the lake can add to your peace of mind. Between the 2 you should always be able to know where you are on the chart and thus follow a safe course (as marked on the chart). In the event you're not sure, proceed slowly and remember that "BEN" is your friend. In that neck of the woods you might want to understand how to navigate around or through the "Graveyard" and around Cow & Little Bear Islands before you get on the lake. Where on Tuftonboro Neck are you staying ? As for tubing you just want to stay out the areas where the lake gets narrow. North of the above islands and in Winter Harbor are relatively good and close locations. The open area of the lake just off the neck (known as the Broads) can be choppy, especially on a windy day. There are town docks in Wolfeboro where you can tie up (3 hr limit). The are numerous restaurants and shops but it can be (very) crowded that time of year. Weekdays aren't bad and weekends before 10am you're probably OK. Your vacation week is more busy than most so there's no guaranteee you'll find empty dock w/o a (long) wait during the weekend prime hours (11am - 5 pm). From the closest tip of Tuftonboro neck to the Wolfeboro docks is just a little over 5 miles. Add another 2 - 3 depending on where you're staying so I would call that reasonably close. As Al said above, it's first come first served wrt dock space. If you have other questions as to what to see and where to go post back. *BEN - For Black tipped markers stay East or North. For red tipped stay west or south. __________________ Mee'n'Mac "Never attribute to malice that which can be explained by simple stupidity or ignorance. The latter are a lot more common than the former." - RAH

06-01-2005, 09:00 PM	#5
JTA Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Fort Pierce, Florida Posts: 233 Thanks: 34 Thanked 25 Times in 21 Posts	Newbie Plan your trip on the chart before you go. If you get lost, go up to the nearest lighted buoy and it will be numbered ... then, find it on the chart. I assume your boat has a compass. Also, many times I go from the Tuft Neck area down to Wolfeboro in the morning when it's calm. The lake picks up chop during the day (there are often afternoon T storms) so, your ride home could be an adventure. Good luck!

06-02-2005, 01:30 AM	#6
Misty Blue Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 658 Thanks: 121 Thanked 283 Times in 98 Posts	Welcome! Lcookster: When you get up here go to any marina or sporting shop and get the State of NH boating safety booklet. It is pretty generic but has the general rules (some are totally spcific to NH waters) that you need to know and describes our state unified marking system which is very unique. It is a good system though and you will need it to get out of Moultonborough bay for sure. As for the tubeing, remember each tuber (skiier) needs a type 1,2 or 3 PFD and each person being towed needs an observer over the age of 12. That is if you have two people in the water you need two observers. Even if you have two kids on one tube. If you send me a personal post with your address I will mail you a book. Have a blast!!!! Misty Blue.

06-01-2005, 04:13 PM	#2
Woodsy Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Weirs Beach Posts: 1,968 Thanks: 80 Thanked 980 Times in 440 Posts	Ditto! Al's advice is right on. Get a map. The GPS will be helpful but will not show the markers. I believe there is a rough outline of the lake on your GPS. If you can, take the time to get your NH boaters certificate. The navigation rules on the lake might be different from what your used to. Welcome! Woodsy

06-01-2005, 08:53 PM	#4
Silver Duck Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Billerica, MA Posts: 364 Thanks: 40 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Lcookster It's true that Garmin doesn't make a dedicated chip for Winni comparable to the C-map chip with Bizer's map pre-loaded. However, I just checked and their Mapsource US Recreational Lakes and Fishing Hot Spots - East CD (compatible with the 182) has a very reasonable chart of the lake, which, in combination with a hard copy of the Bizer map will be perfectly useable for your vacation. You are correct in saying that the lake can a challenge to navigate; it's easy to lose your bearings among the islands. It also has hard spots (i.e., submerged rocks) in unexpected places. I believe that finding one may be what inspired the Bizer folks to start their map making business (see Bizer Rock on the map!) Getting the software for your GPS is a good idea, but getting the Bizer map is a necessity! Enjoy your vacation, and perhaps I'll see you on the lake! Silver Duck