First Time Boating on the Lake

[WINNOCTURN]

Originally Posted by FromDownSouoth

Hello all,

I live down in Virginia and am new to Lake Winni. My family (wife, daughters aged 6 and 4) and I are renting a house on the lake the last week of June. Although I have experience boating (both sailing yachts and cruising trawlers down on the Chesapeake Bay on multiple day trips), I have been away from extensive boating the last number of years (having small kids will do that do a guy!).

I would like to start my kids out boating and am considering renting a pontoon boat (with 25 hp engine) for a couple days during our trip. I am a pretty cautious guy and, being a former boy scout, I prepare pretty extensively. I bought a chart of the lake from Bizer's and have been studying the location of rocks, etc. I am aware of the boating "rules of the road", and have been teaching my kids boating safety. Do you regulars have any words of advice for me?

Before you go out on your own you may want to take a Cruise on either or both the Sophie C or the Doris E. They will get you close to things around the Lake. You may call and ask what specific areas of the Lake they cover.

It may be helpful to know the area you are staying in. Knowing that people here on the forum can offer more specific advise as to things to lookout for and things to look for.

Always have a chart with you and KNOW the WEATHER. WINNI is not always kind to Boaters.

If I had one word of caution avoid Moultonboro Bay!

Sophie C-U/S Mail Boat
http://www.cruisenh.com/sophie.php

Doris E
http://www.cruisenh.com/doris.php


Mt Washington
http://www.cruisenh.com/index.php

[kjbathe]

When in doubt, go slow or stop. Never assume the boat ahead of you knows the lake -- every year we see folks that manage to find well marked shoals lurking below the surface. Hourly point forecasts at weather.gov will help you pick the best weather.

But honestly, you already took steps to prepare, so relax and have fun. The combination of Bizer and seasonably high water levels will help make your visit to the Lake enjoyable.

[jpjm]

Originally Posted by WINNOCTURN

Before you go out on your own you may want to take a Cruise on either or both the Sophie C or the Doris E. They will get you close to things around the Lake. You may call and ask what specific areas of the Lake they cover.

It may be helpful to know the area you are staying in. Knowing that people here on the forum can offer more specific advise as to things to lookout for and things to look for.

Always have a chart with you and KNOW the WEATHER. WINNI is not always kind to Boaters.

If I had one word of caution avoid Moultonboro Bay!

Sophie C-U/S Mail Boat
http://www.cruisenh.com/sophie.php

Doris E
http://www.cruisenh.com/doris.php


Mt Washington
http://www.cruisenh.com/index.php

why moultonboro bay ?

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by jpjm

why moultonboro bay ?

My guess is that it's because MB has lots of hazards that you need to understand the buoy system well to avoid.

Sent from my XT1528 using Tapatalk

[FlyingScot]

Originally Posted by jpjm

why moultonboro bay ?

JPJM is right--Moultonboro Bay is full of submerged rocks and the markers can be counterintuitive. The Moultonboro side is easier than Tuftonboro side, which is missing an important marker or two as I write. But you're best to stay in other parts of the lake if you're just getting started

[The Patriot]

Originally Posted by WINNOCTURN

Before you go out on your own you may want to take a Cruise on either or both the Sophie C or the Doris E. They will get you close to things around the Lake. You may call and ask what specific areas of the Lake they cover.

It may be helpful to know the area you are staying in. Knowing that people here on the forum can offer more specific advise as to things to lookout for and things to look for.

Always have a chart with you and KNOW the WEATHER. WINNI is not always kind to Boaters.

If I had one word of caution avoid Moultonboro Bay!

Sophie C-U/S Mail Boat
http://www.cruisenh.com/sophie.php

Doris E
http://www.cruisenh.com/doris.php


Mt Washington
http://www.cruisenh.com/index.php

I wish I read the advice on Moultonboro Bay before I went and damaged my prop. Beware the Bay

[Greene's Basin Girl]

If anyone wants to follow me sometime I will teach you the way to travel through Moultonborough Bay up to Green's Basin.

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by Greene's Basin Girl

If anyone wants to follow me sometime I will teach you the way to travel through Moultonborough Bay up to Green's Basin.

Oh c'mon, everyone knows it's a myth, it cannot be done. If (and only if) you can get past the Witches safely (very few can), the only navigable part of the rest of the lake is the Broads, and one or two acres in Winter Harbor.