Anchoring Near Shore

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by stevem

We were 150’ from shore not the mooring row so if we were supposed to be 150’ from that then we weren’t. There were no boats attached to any of the moorings at the time until she brought out her sailboat, husband and I assume grandson to play on the sailboat. We chose that area due to the water depth so the kids would be able to touch bottom.

Yes, You should of Been 150’ from mooring field. No big deal everyone learns from their mistakes. Take a ride around with a Bizer chart and see where everyone else is anchoring. Like I said earlier it’s a big lake with lots of other legal places to anchor while respecting property owners privacy.

Dan

[stevem]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

Yes, You should of Been 150’ from mooring field. No big deal everyone learns from their mistakes. Take a ride around with a Bizer chart and see where everyone else is anchoring. Like I said earlier it’s a big lake with lots of other legal places to anchor while respecting property owners privacy.

Dan

Bought the bizer chart in advance after reading these forums definitely helpful navigating where we are staying.

[DBreskin]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

Yes, You should of Been 150’ from mooring field. No big deal everyone learns from their mistakes. Take a ride around with a Bizer chart and see where everyone else is anchoring. Like I said earlier it’s a big lake with lots of other legal places to anchor while respecting property owners privacy.

Dan

I understand courtesy dictates keeping some distance from a mooring field but is there a law prohibiting anchoring within 150’ of a mooring field?

[DBreskin]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

Yes, You should of Been 150’ from mooring field.
Dan

I was able to locate the following statute:
270:64-a Docking, Mooring Prohibited. –
I. (b) No person shall anchor within an approved congregate or public mooring field.

The description stevem provides in the initial post sounds like a row of private moorings rather than a congregate or public mooring field so it should not be prohibited to anchor within 150', even if it is ill-advised.

[Sue Doe-Nym]

Most of the summer camps are closed this year, so you might want to try setting anchor by Robindell or Tecumseh. Swimming in our cove is not great, so we used to take the grands to Ragged Island for swimming, picnics, etc. They love tubing near Tecumseh. There you are...a few suggestions from an old bat!

[BroadHopper]

Originally Posted by Sue Doe-Nym

Most of the summer camps are closed this year, so you might want to try setting anchor by Robindell or Tecumseh. Swimming in our cove is not great, so we used to take the grands to Ragged Island for swimming, picnics, etc. They love tubing near Tecumseh. There you are...a few suggestions from an old bat!

Amost all of the camps are close. Sandy Island is a perfect spot to anchor offshore (150'). I do believe there is a caretaker living on the island so don't attempt to go exploring on the island.

[XCR-700]

I think some of you are missing a key point that OP was making;

"We chose that area due to the water depth so the kids would be able to touch bottom. "

So some of you may be thinking older kids and deeper water anchoring, but as a parent, I will tell you it was a challenge when my kids were young to find a safe spot to anchor where the kids could get out and walk.

A lot of the rest of the country has places that you can "beach" your boat and then get the little ones out for some fun in shallow water, but so far as I know there is no such place on Winnipesaukee. The concept of beaching a boat on any beach at Winnipesaukee seems like a taboo subject on par with satanic rituals,,,

And let me echo the shock and displeasure someone else posted of this homeowner actually "plowing into" the OP's tube or even coming so close to their boat when they had little kids in the water. I fully respect home owners and the sometimes unacceptable behavior they suffer at the hands of rude boaters, but in no way does that EVER justify boating and hitting a tube where little kids are swimming. I fear my response to anyone who would intentionally put small children in the water at risk by boating out to put their boat on a mooring just to make a point. NOT ACCEPTABLE, EVER. Safety first and ALWAYS around children and boats. The last thing any of us wants to read is that some child was injured or worse because someone was trying to make a point.

Enough said by me,,,

[FlyingScot]

Originally Posted by XCR-700

I think some of you are missing a key point that OP was making;

"We chose that area due to the water depth so the kids would be able to touch bottom. "

So some of you may be thinking older kids and deeper water anchoring, but as a parent, I will tell you it was a challenge when my kids were young to find a safe spot to anchor where the kids could get out and walk.

A lot of the rest of the country has places that you can "beach" your boat and then get the little ones out for some fun in shallow water, but so far as I know there is no such place on Winnipesaukee. The concept of beaching a boat on any beach at Winnipesaukee seems like a taboo subject on par with satanic rituals,,,

And let me echo the shock and displeasure someone else posted of this homeowner actually "plowing into" the OP's tube or even coming so close to their boat when they had little kids in the water. I fully respect home owners and the sometimes unacceptable behavior they suffer at the hands of rude boaters, but in no way does that EVER justify boating and hitting a tube where little kids are swimming. I fear my response to anyone who would intentionally put small children in the water at risk by boating out to put their boat on a mooring just to make a point. NOT ACCEPTABLE, EVER. Safety first and ALWAYS around children and boats. The last thing any of us wants to read is that some child was injured or worse because someone was trying to make a point.

Enough said by me,,,

I agree that hitting the tube was completely unacceptable.

As a separate matter, I don't think anyone's missing the point--as others have pointed out in different ways--whatever the law, waist deep on your little kids is just too close to anchor in front of a person's home.

[XCR-700]

Originally Posted by FlyingScot

As a separate matter, I don't think anyone's missing the point--as others have pointed out in different ways--whatever the law, waist deep on your little kids is just too close to anchor in front of a person's home.

As a general rule I will totally agree, BUT,,, there are spots that have a long slow pitch, just look at Ellacoya, I think you could be 300' from shore and still be in 4' of water.

I doubt there are many such places, but maybe some that keep you 150' out as the OP said they were, but still be in shallow water. I have seen a few such spots over the years.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by DBreskin

I was able to locate the following statute:
270:64-a Docking, Mooring Prohibited. –
I. (b) No person shall anchor within an approved congregate or public mooring field.

The description stevem provides in the initial post sounds like a row of private moorings rather than a congregate or public mooring field so it should not be prohibited to anchor within 150', even if it is ill-advised.

Private would fall under the term “Congregate”. The 150’ foot rule does not differentiate between private or public objects....if it’s an object the 150’ rule applies....I may be wrong but that is the way I have always understood the rule.

Dan

[DBreskin]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

Private would fall under the term “Congregate”. The 150’ foot rule does not differentiate between private or public objects....if it’s an object the 150’ rule applies....I may be wrong but that is the way I have always understood the rule.

Dan

NH Saf-C 408.05 Mooring Permit Application distinguishes between private moorings and congregate mooring fields, and defines congregate moorings as 5 or more moorings under a single permit.

My understanding is the 150' rule governs headway speed while underway, rather than anchoring. I believe it is legal to anchor within 150' of shore even if it is inconsiderate to do so.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by DBreskin

NH Saf-C 408.05 Mooring Permit Application distinguishes between private moorings and congregate mooring fields, and defines congregate moorings as 5 or more moorings under a single permit.

Call Marine Patrol and ask if your allowed to anchor in a Private mooring field. When they stop laughing, let us know what they say...

Dan

[ursa minor]

Steve, welcome to the forum. It’s a big lake, if someone is annoyed they may (or may not) have a point. Instead of pushing back by “going back tomorrow” ( I know, I would want to push back too) move on, take a ride and see more of this beautiful lake.
As an example, Ragged Island is a great spot to moor especially during the week. The Lakes Region Conservation Trust owns it and has nature trails and “facilities” available on the island. No need to deal with stress on vacation, if someone’s being a jerk just move on. Plenty of room for all of us.

[stevem]

Thanks for the responses everyone, got some great suggestions and places we will try out during the week. Just a clarification, when we arrived in the area there were zero boats anchored or attached to the mooring buoys so we didn’t think it was an issue anchoring there. Also when I say the woman plowed into the tube we had the tube on a rope attached to the boat and when the woman was walking into the water towards us/her mooring spot I started pulling it back toward the boat so she didn’t have to go under or lift the rope up and she just hit into the tube with her body and kept going.

[barefootbay]

Originally Posted by ursa minor

Steve, welcome to the forum. It’s a big lake, if someone is annoyed they may (or may not) have a point. Instead of pushing back by “going back tomorrow” ( I know, I would want to push back too) move on, take a ride and see more of this beautiful lake.
As an example, Ragged Island is a great spot to moor especially during the week. The Lakes Region Conservation Trust owns it and has nature trails and “facilities” available on the island. No need to deal with stress on vacation, if someone’s being a jerk just move on. Plenty of room for all of us.

It may be a “ big lake “ but it seems to get smaller every year !

[ApS]

Originally Posted by barefootbay

It may be a “ big lake “ but it seems to get smaller every year !

About thirty years ago, I regularly asked anchoring boaters to move from in front of my place. Or, at least, unhook from my waterline. (!)

In succeeding years, tubers being towed behind 24+ foot boats would make any anchored picnickers seasick! So, in Winter Harbor, at least, we don't see the "south-side" of anchored boaters any longer.

Tuesday, a boater anchored nearby, and had a good time. We couldn't object, because they were 500-feet away, and in 20 feet of water.

Wednesday, a two-story pontoon boat anchored. My comment to a guest, "It looks like an entire boy's camp is on board!" They had lunch, went tubing for hours, and left. They, too, had anchored in deep water, and were perhaps 750-feet away.

Maybe we have classier visitors to Winter Harbor?

[Kamper]

15 years ago, I managed a property with large frontage, for about 10 years. and this is what I learned over the years...

Except in legally restricted areas, you can anchor as close to other boats, and shore, as you like.

You may not beach, tie to a dock, tree or rock, or place an anchor above the water line without the permission of the property owner.

You may not tie to a float line or exceed head-way speed within 150 feet of a float/swim line. Also a no-no for official buoys.

You may not bring a motorized boat within a float/swim line unless you have the owner's permission to dock or beach there. (Owners/tenants are restricted to launch/recovery only in these areas.)

You may still swim and wade within the areas protected by float/swim lines. Just keep your feet wet. You may leave the water to get around docks or other structures installed by the property owner, you may also step on docks for the purpose of continuing your stroll. You may not go further than necessary though.

By being considerate and behaving reasonably (especially near houses obviously owned by the wealthy and influential people) we can slow the spread of no-wake/no-rafting areas which is the lake equivalent of snob-zoning.

That's pretty much all I think I know about that. Some of these rules may have been refined since the period when I had an active interest.

Enjoy!

[stevem]

Thanks everyone for the responses, figured I would only get 1 or 2. Left today but found some good areas from recommendations that the kids were able to stand in for the most part. Looking forward to coming back again.

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by stevem

Thanks everyone for the responses, figured I would only get 1 or 2. Left today but found some good areas from recommendations that the kids were able to stand in for the most part. Looking forward to coming back again.

Glad to hear!

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