Going to Dow island on August 3rd

[kawishiwi]

Originally Posted by Fig

Thanks for all the great replies and suggestions, I did pick up two Bizer maps and had them laminated, I also got the Novionics app on my phone although I have T-Mobile and I’m hoping that I have coverage there, I also have Navionics on my Lorance chart plotter fishfinder, I’m still working on how to use it properly, and I will keep my speed to a minimum until I know what I’m dealing with ha ha. I will be launching from Herilla yacht club, cutting through the six pack and straight in to the house we’re renting, hopefully the west side of Dow Island is fit for a little tubing with the kids.

At the risk of igniting the paper map vs gps debate, I suggest you lean heavily on the navionics gps map. Its great you have the paper map but a working gps doesnt lose track of where it really is the way a boater can.
I learned the lake first in that very area and the gps was huge for me.
Generally there is a lot of room to tube west of Dow. There is a massive shoal to the northwest to be aware of. It is marked but not particularly well marked. It shows up in the Navionics map quite obviously.
My second or third trip on the lake I fished that shoal and saw that almost every large underwater rock within a couple of feet of the surface appeared to have evidence of a motor strike on it.
One careful circumnavigation of that bay will set you up to have fun.

[eillac@dow]

Fig, you will do fine! I grew up on Dow.

We keep our boat at Harilla Landing . Going from the marina to the island is easy. You do go through the six pack but that is not an issue at all. I am always the amazed at how people are so concerned about the six pack as for me it’s no big deal at all you go straight through.

I am guessing you are renting one of my neighbors house which is on the west side of the island facing the Long Island bridge.

We typically never head up to Moultonborough Bay because it is quite rocky treacherous . I really don’t think there’s much up there. But then again I haven’t gone up there in a while.

One word of caution is do not take your boat between Dow and Pleasant there are no markings but it’s not safe passage .

My recommendations for tubing would be right out in front of the island. Mid week tubing should not be too bad with boat traffic .

Try taking a nice little ride through the hole in the wall which is a little passageway between Bear Island in Cow Island. Take a ride to Center, Harbor even Meredith . I would say Wolfeboro but like you said you have a 19 foot Bayliner if it’s a really rough it could get tough.

Center Harbor, if you were able to put yourself in a dock space you can walk over and get an ice cream at red Hill Dairy or run over to Senters market or the liquor store.

You can get gas at Trexler‘s Marina which is right underneath the Long Island Bridge Street across from the island . Further along from there is Braun Bay but honestly I don’t know if you really need Braun Bay if you’re staying on an island.

There’s plenty to do in Meredith, restaurants, the town docks, little shops. you’ll have fun there . But just watch the wave action . That would definitely be a weekday trip not weekend .

When we venture out I am typically the map reader and my husband is the boat driver . Study the map before you go anywhere in even use a Dry Erase marker to map out your course If the map is eliminated you should be able to erase it after the fact.

It can get windy on some days on the west side of Dow .. if it does my recommendation to you is keep you bow out while docked.

I hope you enjoy your stay. Have fun 😀

[phoenix]

Regarding buoys the one thing i remember from boat safety school was red is hot black is cold so stay north and east of black ( tends to be cold states) and south and west of red ( hotter states )

[LIforrelaxin]

I will be over up there on the 3&4 at my place on Long Island, as your smart enough to be looking for Advice, I am willing to meet up, and take a tour of the area by boat if you would like......

Don't be scared of the broads especially during the week. As long as it is not windy there really isn't much of an issue.....( I have a 18' boat, and go back and forth across the broads all the time)

Send me a PM if you would like to talk or potentially meet up Saturday or Sunday....

[joey2665]

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

I will be over up there on the 3&4 at my place on Long Island, as your smart enough to be looking for Advice, I am willing to meet up, and take a tour of the area by boat if you would like......

Don't be scared of the broads especially during the week. As long as it is not windy there really isn't much of an issue.....( I have a 18' boat, and go back and forth across the broads all the time)

Send me a PM if you would like to talk or potentially meet up Saturday or Sunday....

That is extremely nice of you to offer a newbie a tour. Kudos!!!!!