Proof of safety course req'd? How likely to check?

[overeasy]

I'll keep looking for it. My boat is more than 25HP and you have my scared I'm an "easy mark" with out of state stickers. PA will send me a new card for $5 but it will take 30-40 days - too long! And it's a mail-in form, not something that provides digital proof right away. I didn't put much thought into keeping it somewhere sacred because it's not needed in PA for boaters born before 1982. I could retake an online version of the class for $45 and print a card immediately, but money is a little tight.

Maybe I will have my wife do it so she gets a better safety lesson than the one I give her at the ramp.

Very much looking forward to my trip! I plan to get a Bizer chart. This will be one of the first outings for this new boat.

And I agree with you on forfeiting being the stand-on vessel - most of my experience is on small sailboats on the Chesapeake. In that scenario one has to assume that every other boat is piloted by a drunk a-hole, or someone who is below deck and trusting their autopilot. I'm happy to change course before they even know I'm there. It's not like I'm in a hurry.

[overeasy]

Do you think NH will care if my certificate is from Maryland? BoatUS foundation offers a free online course and MD certificate. I'll gladly take the 6 hour class as a refresher. A lot of my boating is done in Maryland anyhow, as I'm about 20 miles from the PA/MD border.

Here is the link for anyone who stumbles upon this thread: it's good for 20+ states. Except NH. And mine. Go figure.

https://www.boatus.org/free/

[HomeWood]

Originally Posted by overeasy

Do you think NH will care if my certificate is from Maryland?

I rented from Winnisquam Marine last Summer with my NC issued one.

[Woody38]

I believe NH will accept Maryland and North Carolina License. These states appear to be NASBLA approved.

Exemptions:

New Hampshire accepts the following certificates or licenses in lieu of the New Hampshire Safe Boating Certificate.
•A boating certificate issued by another state agency and NASBLA approved.
•A boating certificate issued by the U.S. Power Squadrons.
•A boating certificate issued by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.
•An unexpired commercial boating license issued by the U.S. Coast Guard.
•An unexpired commercial boating license issued by the state of New Hampshire.

Go to www.boat-ed.com/newhampshire and click on "other states".


I am a retired workaholic and continuing aquaholic.

[overeasy]

Found it! It's not a card, but an 8x10 certificate suitable for framing. It's issued by the USCG Auxiliary so (per Woody38's post above) I should be good! I already registered for the online MD course so I'll probably do that too, as a refresher.

Thank you for your help.

[persistence]

I have a FL lic and its on the NASBLA site. I also have USCG Masters. My FL card was delaminated, so I just called last week and they sent me a new one. Not bad since first issue was probably 20 years ago. I'll most likely keep it in my travelling boat bag

[Descant]

Glad you found your certificate. I think you should now be able to get the USCG Aux to issue a wallet size card, perhaps for a small fee?

Out of state boaters don't stand out because of their bow numbers. They stand out because only NH has a 150' headway speed rule boat to boat where most other states only require headway speed near shore, docks, etc. I've heard MP ask out of staters if they are familiar with the 150' rule. They say yes, but they are not familiar with the New Hampshire 150' rule. Big difference.

[Hillcountry]

Originally Posted by Descant

Glad you found your certificate. I think you should now be able to get the USCG Aux to issue a wallet size card, perhaps for a small fee?

Out of state boaters don't stand out because of their bow numbers. They stand out because only NH has a 150' headway speed rule boat to boat where most other states only require headway speed near shore, docks, etc. I've heard MP ask out of staters if they are familiar with the 150' rule. They say yes, but they are not familiar with the New Hampshire 150' rule. Big difference.

I lost count, Sunday, of the myriad of Boaters in state and out, that completely ignore the 150' "rule" along with many many no wake zone violators.
My daughter had the reason pegged...no consequences no comply...and the marine patrol was only seen where they are "usually" seen parked outside the weirs channel seemingly, oblivious to other parts of the lake...just sayin'

[HomeWood]

I have tried to comply with the 150' rule when passing other boats going the opposite direction. I was the only idiot slowing down and it started to seem completely pointless. For example this was on Winnipesaukee in Moultonboro between M-Bay and Lees Mills. It can get tight on a busy day and here I am trying to comply while everybody is probably laughing at me. Unless it was going to be really close I stopped bothering.

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by HomeWood

I have tried to comply with the 150' rule when passing other boats going the opposite direction. I was the only idiot slowing down and it started to seem completely pointless. For example this was on Winnipesaukee in Moultonboro between M-Bay and Lees Mills. It can get tight on a busy day and here I am trying to comply while everybody is probably laughing at me. Unless it was going to be really close I stopped bothering.

That's a real tough area to keep 150' from both the shore and other boats and, frankly, no way are people gonna do headway speed for that long a distance on a busy day.

Sent from my XT1528 using Tapatalk

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by HomeWood

I have tried to comply with the 150' rule when passing other boats going the opposite direction. I was the only idiot slowing down and it started to seem completely pointless. For example this was on Winnipesaukee in Moultonboro between M-Bay and Lees Mills. It can get tight on a busy day and here I am trying to comply while everybody is probably laughing at me. Unless it was going to be really close I stopped bothering.

Don't feel bad even Marine Patrol does not slow down in this area!

If the 150' rule makes the lake so much safer, one has to ask why are we the only lake in the country (probably world!) that has adopted it??...Besides the rule being ridiculous, the biggest problem I see is how many boaters don't know the difference between 150' and 1500'!! I can't begin to tell you how many times I have seen boaters with their hands in the air waving all flustered and screaming 150', 150' when a boat passes them 3 times that distance away! If you get scared when a boat goes by 125' away then you should probably not be captaining a boat...and before anybody bashes me, I follow the rules of the lake.

Dan

[ursa minor]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

Don't feel bad even Marine Patrol does not slow down in this area!

If the 150' rule makes the lake so much safer, one has to ask why are we the only lake in the country (probably world!) that has adopted it??...Besides the rule being ridiculous, the biggest problem I see is how many boaters don't know the difference between 150' and 1500'!! I can't begin to tell you how many times I have seen boaters with their hands in the air waving all flustered and screaming 150', 150' when a boat passes them 3 times that distance away! If you get scared when a boat goes by 125' away then you should probably not be captaining a boat...and before anybody bashes me, I follow the rules of the lake.

Dan

Dan, come on. It's not about 150 feet, it's about revenue. (Sarcasm font, I'm 100% with you on this.) Arbitrary, subjective rule at best and often applied as a means to an end from my observation. People that complain about a busy weekend on the lake would be horrified by "safe passage" rules that apply virtually anywhere else. Nothing like having a 50 foot sport fishing boat throttle up leaving a harbor no wake zone 10 feet off your beam to make you realize you're not on Lake Winnipesaukee anymore...

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by ursa minor

Dan, come on. It's not about 150 feet, it's about revenue. (Sarcasm font, I'm 100% with you on this.) Arbitrary, subjective rule at best and often applied as a means to an end from my observation. People that complain about a busy weekend on the lake would be horrified by "safe passage" rules that apply virtually anywhere else. Nothing like having a 50 foot sport fishing boat throttle up leaving a harbor no wake zone 10 feet off your beam to make you realize you're not on Lake Winnipesaukee anymore...

Yup agreed! Safe passage, good for the rest of the world but not here for some reason.

The best boating course I can think of would be a weekend day at the mouth of the Merrimack. Oh the horror!

[8gv]

Mount new, carry a spare.

Read the chart and know what the markers mean.

The marker system may not be familiar to you and I think that is how much of boat damage is done here.

An SS prop has different performance characteristics than aluminum. It's not just about corrosion and salt water.

Also, an SS prop hitting a rock may transmit more of the impact to your prop shaft and vertical drive shaft than an aluminum prop would.

It can transmit more impact to your wallet as well.

[ApS]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

Yup agreed! Safe passage, good for the rest of the world but not here for some reason.

How far around Lake Winnipesaukee would you get if you circumnavigated the lake within 150-feet of shore?

.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by ApS

How far around Lake Winnipesaukee would you get if you circumnavigated the lake within 150-feet of shore?

.

I must be missing something....

I have no issue with headway speed 150' from STATIONARY objects such as the shoreline, moored boats, islands, etc, etc. I have an issue with headway speed every time you encounter an active boat going the same direction or opposite within 150'. I think HomeWood gave a perfect example when he mentioned Moultonborough Neck. No one and that includes Marine Patrol goes headway speed when encountering another boat in the opposite direction in that area and there many others like it on the lake.

[FlyingScot]

Originally Posted by ursa minor

Dan, come on. It's not about 150 feet, it's about revenue. (Sarcasm font, I'm 100% with you on this.) Arbitrary, subjective rule at best and often applied as a means to an end from my observation. People that complain about a busy weekend on the lake would be horrified by "safe passage" rules that apply virtually anywhere else. Nothing like having a 50 foot sport fishing boat throttle up leaving a harbor no wake zone 10 feet off your beam to make you realize you're not on Lake Winnipesaukee anymore...

No rule is perfect, and yeah, who knows if 150' is exactly right. But your description of other places makes me appreciate the 150' rule.

[MikeF-NH]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

Don't feel bad even Marine Patrol does not slow down in this area!

If the 150' rule makes the lake so much safer, one has to ask why are we the only lake in the country (probably world!) that has adopted it??...Besides the rule being ridiculous, the biggest problem I see is how many boaters don't know the difference between 150' and 1500'!! I can't begin to tell you how many times I have seen boaters with their hands in the air waving all flustered and screaming 150', 150' when a boat passes them 3 times that distance away! If you get scared when a boat goes by 125' away then you should probably not be captaining a boat...and before anybody bashes me, I follow the rules of the lake.

Dan

I 100% agree with Dan in many people just don't realize how close 150' is. As I hunter I KNOW Dan knows because a 50 yard shot in the woods and darn close and most hunters in NH are aware of that distance. 150 is only 50 yards...I have a one yard pace (which is two steps by the way). If you take 50 paces (100 steps) I think many would be shocked how close that is and maybe more shocked how many boats they previously thought were inside that distance are actually twice that distance.

Having said that, I know where I am comfortable when on plane and its more like 200-300 feet...mostly because I drive defensively and assume the OTHER guys is going to make a mistake. Sometimes heavy traffic gets me closer to 150 and I usually slow down until I'm 100% sure the other guy sees me and has committed his course. Anytime there is doubt, I come off plane, smile and wave. That said, there are also many times when I'm suprised how unattentive or unconcerned other boaters are in regards to their course in relation to my or other boats in the area. I do very much prefer (and enjoy) being on the lake when the traffic is light or non-existant.

[Seaplane Pilot]

Originally Posted by MikeF-NH

I 100% agree with Dan in many people just don't realize how close 150' is. As I hunter I KNOW Dan knows because a 30 yard shot in the woods and darn close and most hunters in NH are aware of that distance. 150 is only 30 yards...I have a one yard pace (which is two steps by the way). If you take 30 paces (60 steps) I think many would be shocked how close that is and maybe more shocked how many boats they previously thought were inside that distance are actually twice that distance.

Having said that, I know where I am comfortable when on plane and its more like 200-300 feet...mostly because I drive defensively and assume the OTHER guys is going to make a mistake. Sometimes heavy traffic gets me closer to 150 and I usually slow down until I'm 100% sure the other guy sees me and has committed his course. Anytime there is doubt, I come off plane, smile and wave. That said, there are also many times when I'm suprised how unattentive or unconcerned other boaters are in regards to their course in relation to my or other boats in the area. I do very much prefer (and enjoy) being on the lake when the traffic is light or non-existant.

I agree with all of your points (and Dan's) but 150 feet equals 50 yards.

[SIKSUKR]

Originally Posted by Seaplane Pilot

I agree with all of your points (and Dan's) but 150 feet equals 50 yards.

Since when? You dont miss a thing do ya SP?

[VitaBene]

Originally Posted by HomeWood

I have tried to comply with the 150' rule when passing other boats going the opposite direction. I was the only idiot slowing down and it started to seem completely pointless. For example this was on Winnipesaukee in Moultonboro between M-Bay and Lees Mills. It can get tight on a busy day and here I am trying to comply while everybody is probably laughing at me. Unless it was going to be really close I stopped bothering.

I boat out of Ambrose Cove and understand your issue. If boats stay reasonably close to the markers, there should be no issue. I have noted 2 new floats and
at least 1 boat moored offshore in the narrows which do not help.

To the OP, take a picture of your certificate. It will suffice for most , if not all, MP officers.

[ursa minor]

I refuse to have a nice day on the lake ruined by the ignorance of others. I'll alter course all day for those "less informed" to keep my passengers and myself safe; no sense debating right of way with someone that has no clue. (I'll even wave back with all my fingers!) All one needs to do is walk around the public docks on a busy day and watch;it's not hard to pick out the amateurs from the professionals. What amazes me is that in many cases it's the people with really expensive boats that have the lowest boat handling skills.

[8gv]

I regularly operate a boat in FL where there is no 150' rule.

After so much time boating in NH it is a bit disconcerting when a Florida boat blows by 50' away.

Last weekend I was at the cape in a friend's boat. We passed a boat port to port in a meeting situation with about 10' of clearance. Both boats were planing briskly. It was very uncomfortable.

I like the 150' rule even if not everybody follows it. I figure if half the boats do it's still better than none.

[overeasy]

Originally Posted by Descant

Glad you found your certificate. I think you should now be able to get the USCG Aux to issue a wallet size card, perhaps for a small fee?

Yup! Only five bucks. But it will take 30-40 days to arrive. I'll be home and unpacked by then. I'm taking the Maryland class online, it's a good refresher and will get me a legit card I will print and laminate.