Renting a Boat - recommendations?

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

If I were exploring the lake for the day, I would start as early as possible at Trexler's and head over to the Swallow Boathouse in Senter Cove, Black Cat Island Bridge to see Becky's Garden (might not be there, though), and back to Sally's Gut, stopping at Bear Island to check out the chapel on the way. After Sally's Gut, head to the Weirs to check things out and under the Governor's Island Bridge.

From there, head over to West Alton sandbar for a bit OR lunch at Pop's in Alton Bay.

Afterward, head to Wolfeboro Town Docks for dinner and ice cream at Bailey's Bubble before getting ready for the sunset.

Cruise from Wolfeboro through the Broads enjoying the sunset all the way over to the Long Island Bridge and back to Trexler's.

An alternative would be to start at Melvin Village Marina and explore up to Greene's Basin and back first.

These would require FULL days and great weather.

Godspeed!

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

Just curious: My first though about telling anyone who usually goes to Meredith to start at the northern end of the lake is that you just added 45 minutes or more to the drive up (and down Moultonborough Neck Road) and the ride home. Why not start at a place more central or in the southern part of the lake? And, that doesn't even consider the Meredith traffic!

If the are coming up from Mass for the day (and I don't know if that is true) it will make for a much longer day.

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

Just curious: My first though about telling anyone who usually goes to Meredith to start at the northern end of the lake is that you just added 45 minutes or more to the drive up (and down Moultonborough Neck Road) and the ride home. Why not start at a place more central or in the southern part of the lake? And, that doesn't even consider the Meredith traffic!

If the are coming up from Mass for the day (and I don't know if that is true) it will make for a much longer day.

The ride from Meredith to Trexler's is 20 minutes, about the same time it would take to get out of that absurdly long Meredith Bay NWZ. By doing so, they'd see more/different parts of the lake and some of the best sites from a central location. It would also allow ending where I think the sunset is best while providing more flexibility to continue north if time allows as well as getting through the crappy Washing Machine early and once.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

[Descant]

Winnivisit, welcome to the Forum.
I agree with TiltonBB. Start in Meredith. Don't rush to get to too many places.
Naswa Beach Bar in Weirs Channel is great for lunch, dock attendants to help you tie up, no wind to make docking difficult. Akwa Marine in Meredith Bay closer to the Weirs is also good food, eat outdoors, great views. I think they have dock attendants too. If you want to go a little farther, The Lyons Den in Glendale is excellent and there are places in Cenetr Harbor that you can get to with easy navigation.
If you are new to boating, take the online boater safety course. You will need a safe boater certificate to rent a boat. You can get a temp from the rental agent but why take vacation/rental time out of the day? Everybody should take the course so everybody can take turns driving. NH laws and buoys are different from other states, so take the NH course.
We,, in exchange for moistly good advice, expect a report and maybe a picture or two.

Have fun

[WinniVisit]

1) I have driven boats in the past but inexperienced
2) I plan on being extremely careful and well prepared.
(ex: avoid traffic like Meredith Bay and no need to go through Weirs Channel etc)
3) Hoping to rent on a weekday
4) Looking to rent near Meredith - possibly Shep Browns

just looking to cruise, maybe tube, stop at an island, take a few breaks at sand bars and/or beaches

[Garcia]

Originally Posted by WinniVisit

1) I have driven boats in the past but inexperienced
2) I plan on being extremely careful and well prepared.
(ex: avoid traffic like Meredith Bay and no need to go through Weirs Channel etc)
3) Hoping to rent on a weekday
4) Looking to rent near Meredith - possibly Shep Browns

just looking to cruise, maybe tube, stop at an island, take a few breaks at sand bars and/or beaches

Rent it from Shep's (don't know how their selection/prices compare but they seem to rent a lot of boats) and you'll have pretty easy, not too tricky access to many of the spots others have suggested.

[fatlazyless]

Over on Golden Pond, about a ten minute drive north up Rt 3/25 from the big intersection in Meredith, there is River Edge Marina. Big Squam lake, aka 'Golden Pond' is the second largest lake in NH after Lake Winnipesaukee and is a very different, more quiet, more trees, more green, less boat traffic, type of a lake.

For $175/day, www.riveredgemarina.com has a 15', 1989 aluminum, bow-rider fishing boat with a windshield, steering wheel, seats/3 or 4, with a 25-hp Honda that is just the right type of boat for Squam Lake.

Re-live 1989 on scenic Squam Lake with a no-worry, reliable, quiet, clean Honda from '2012' or some year?!

[Phantom]

Originally Posted by WinniVisit

1) I have driven boats in the past but inexperienced
2) I plan on being extremely careful and well prepared.
(ex: avoid traffic like Meredith Bay and no need to go through Weirs Channel etc)
3) Hoping to rent on a weekday
4) Looking to rent near Meredith - possibly Shep Browns

just looking to cruise, maybe tube, stop at an island, take a few breaks at sand bars and/or beaches

Being "inexperienced" brings its own alarm bells to us here on the forum. An ABUNDANCE of caution is needed, but don't be scared away- we all were inexperienced once. The biggest adjustment will be to our Navigational aids (Cardinal system). And ALWAYS remember not to follow anyone thinking they know where they are going.

If you are mid week, that is by far the best time -- significantly less traffic and sand bars accessible without the extreme crowds.

I would like to suggest a more central location to start -- Gilford. and would also suggest that a "newbie" take a pontoon rental as opposed to v-hull.

Here is one suggestion for what it is worth https://faysboatyard.com/boat-rentals/.