Lake Daytime Speed Limit

[fatlazyless]

Originally Posted by codeman671

It was a 37' Formula sport cruiser, not a 32' Fountain.

If you are trying to tie the speed limit to this accident, I would focus more on the alcohol, weather conditions and failure to maintain a proper lookout.

As I recall, wasn't the driver also the president of SBONH, Safe Boaters of New Hampshire which opposed a Lake Winnipesaukee speed limit. .... ..... and it got mega-tons and tons of attention in the NH media and NH news.

[chachee52]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

As I recall, wasn't the driver also the president of SBONH, Safe Boaters of New Hampshire which opposed a Lake Winnipesaukee speed limit. .... ..... and it got mega-tons and tons of attention in the NH media and NH news.

Its my understanding she was something like that, maybe VP of SBONH or something, and it came across that Lynch passed the bill kind of out of spite in a lot of peoples minds. This accident didn't break any of the laws that passed right after.
MP didn't want to bill at the time because it was still being studied, and because of the weather that year there was only a few days they were actually able to use the radar guns up to that point of time.
Its a shame. Loved watching and listening to the "monster muscle" boats (as someone stated, not my words) run up and down the broads.

[John Mercier]

The Governor only gets to sign, let become law without their signature, or veto bill.

Lynch saw a 268 to 79 vote. Smart governors tread lightly when you see that kind of ratio.

Afterward when they tried to raise the speed limit... the vote was still 276 to 75... so the House conviction to the speed limit had gotten stronger.

If my dates are correct, that was the legislative term with the Republican super-majority.

[sunset on the dock]

Yes, having a Winni speed limit was popular then as it is now. If you listened to the testimony in Concord in February, 6 marinas on the lake have come out as being against HB 1424 and one marina owner even showed up to testify in person against the bill. Now Lake Winnipesaukee Association, NH Lakes Association and Lakes Region Conservation Trust have joined in opposition. Fast forward to last Tuesday and no surprise a bipartisan rejection, 15:3, to kill the bill.

[codeman671]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

As I recall, wasn't the driver also the president of SBONH, Safe Boaters of New Hampshire which opposed a Lake Winnipesaukee speed limit. .... ..... and it got mega-tons and tons of attention in the NH media and NH news.

In 2010 it was Scott Verdonck (OCDACTIVE here on the forum). Not sure about previous to that. I think SBONH is no longer.

[fatlazyless]

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 was about two years prior to 2010 with regard to who was president of the Safe Boaters of New Hampshire on that infamous, rainy, foggy night of the Diamond Island crash.

Similarly, the NH Marine Trades Assoc. has a website or an organization(?) to promote wake boarding with a You Tube, "Wake Responsibility Wave Study" .... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daa0...ature=youtu.be .... Sep 1, 2020 ....2:09 at their website or organization(?) that is named www.boatingnh.com

...... A-mazingly ..... this video link actually works ..... 3-cheers! .....

[LIforrelaxin]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 was about two years prior to 2010 with regard to who was president of the Safe Boaters of New Hampshire on that infamous, rainy, foggy night of the Diamond Island crash.

Similarly, the NH Marine Trades Assoc. has a website or an organization(?) to promote wake boarding with a You Tube, "Wake Responsibility Wave Study" .... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daa0...ature=youtu.be .... Sep 1, 2020 ....2:09 at their website or organization(?) that is named www.boatingnh.com

...... A-mazingly ..... this video link actually works ..... 3-cheers! .....

There where two entities which fought against the speed limit...

Safe Boaters of New Hampshire (SBONH), who's preseident fought for the speed limit but was not the person involved in the Diamond Island Crash, and was on this forum as OCDActive..... SBONH tried to hold on, but lack of involvement from members caused it to die out.

Now the person who crashed into Diamond Island... was part of and I believe president of NH Recreational Boaters Association (NHRBA), which also died, because of the incident on Diamond island as well as loss of interest after the speed limit was enacted....

[znh]

All of this just seems kind of silly and a huge waste of money and resources...of which how much is taxpayer money?

If I watch 100 boats cross the Broads on a Saturday afternoon, maybe 10% of them could even break the 45 MPH speed limit if they tried, in flat water, by themselves on their boat.

I have also seen most of the boats that can easily do 45+ go that fast and without any issues or real safety concerns. I was told by a Marine Patrol officer that they issue less then 10 speeding tickets a year on Winni.

So what is really the issue here? It's not income from the state writing speeding tickets, it's not really an issue of need as most boats can't and wouldn't go much faster. Just seems like a lot of time and energy and resources wasted for a such a non-issue. Just keep it as it is and move on...

[sunset on the dock]

Originally Posted by znh

I have also seen most of the boats that can easily do 45+ go that fast and without any issues or real safety concerns. I was told by a Marine Patrol officer that they issue less then 10 speeding tickets a year on Winni.

So what is really the issue here?

I suspect no speeding tickets have been issued on my residential street for the entire year. And I suspect no tickets have been issued regarding dogs pooping in the park down the street. That does not mean that we should make these activities legal.

[Woodsy]

Originally Posted by sunset on the dock

I suspect no speeding tickets have been issued on my residential street for the entire year. And I suspect no tickets have been issued regarding dogs pooping in the park down the street. That does not mean that we should make these activities legal.

That is a false equivalency.... Rules/Laws on the road have nothing to do with rules on the water. The reasons for both are vastly different.

The DAYTIME speed limit on the lake has had ZERO effect on lake safety. There were no high speed (>45MPH) accidents before the speed limit... there have been no high speed (>45MPH) accidents since the passage of the speed limit. During the day a boaters visibility is measured in miles, not yards or feet.

Almost every accident on this lake has occurred at NIGHT and involved alcohol. There have been other mitigating factors as well, reduced visibility, operator error, etc etc.

The speed limit is a feel good law that luckily is rarely enforced. I would prefer the MP deal with the boneheads who do not know the ROW rules and the NWZ rules. Usually the 150' rule doesn't get me riled unless they are danger close (<40')

Woodsy

[sunset on the dock]

Originally Posted by Woodsy

That is a false equivalency.... Rules/Laws on the road have nothing to do with rules on the water. The reasons for both are vastly different.

The DAYTIME speed limit on the lake has had ZERO effect on lake safety. There were no high speed (>45MPH) accidents before the speed limit... there have been no high speed (>45MPH) accidents since the passage of the speed limit. During the day a boaters visibility is measured in miles, not yards or feet.

Almost every accident on this lake has occurred at NIGHT and involved alcohol. There have been other mitigating factors as well, reduced visibility, operator error, etc etc.

The speed limit is a feel good law that luckily is rarely enforced. I would prefer the MP deal with the boneheads who do not know the ROW rules and the NWZ rules. Usually the 150' rule doesn't get me riled unless they are danger close (<40')

Woodsy

Well your take on this seems to be somewhat at odds with the 83% of the Transportation Committee who voted to kill the bill this week, bipartisan no less. And the 80% of reps who supported the SL 11 years ago. And the greater than 80% of reps from towns bordering the lake that supported the SL 11 years ago.

[Woodsy]

Originally Posted by sunset on the dock

Well your take on this seems to be somewhat at odds with the 83% of the Transportation Committee who voted to kill the bill this week, bipartisan no less. And the 80% of reps who supported the SL 11 years ago. And the greater than 80% of reps from towns bordering the lake that supported the SL 11 years ago.

Sunset...

It's safe to say that most of the transportation committee has nothing to do with representing Lake Winnipesaukee. Only 2 lakes region towns are represented, but and only 1 representative ron the committee is from a town bordering the lake.

Nor does it change any of the facts I posted above.... ZERO accidents at a speed >45MPH.

Personally I don't really care or worry about speed when I am on the water. Its a rare day when I cruise faster than 45MPH, even though my boat is capable of 1.5X that speed.

Woodsy

[sunset on the dock]

Sorry Woodsy...Karel Crawford is from Moultonboro and voted to kill the bill. Not that that matters...people from all parts of the state boat on Winnipesaukee and like you have their own opinions. And as said, 11 years ago greater than 80% of reps from towns bordering the lake supported the speed limit.

And I was pleased to learn that the Lake Winnipesaukee Association and Lakes Region Conservation Trust have formally opposed the bill. And the NH Lakes Association. And the Lake Winni Sailing Assoc. And the NH Lakes Advisory Board. And 6 Winni marinas, one of whose owners spoke at the Trans. Comm. hearing. Check out the testimony, it's quite easy, all videotaped and available online. It is quite compelling.

[DEJ]

Woodsy wrote: Nor does it change any of the facts I posted above.... ZERO accidents at a speed >45MPH.

[sunset on the dock]

Originally Posted by DEJ

Woodsy wrote: Nor does it change any of the facts I posted above.... ZERO accidents at a speed >45MPH.

Zero? Really? You need to get your facts straight. Wonder how that swimmer did?


State of New Hampshire
DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY
Robert L. Quinn, Commissioner of Safety
Division of State Police
James H. Hayes Safety Building, 33 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03305

Colonel Nathan A. Noyes
Director



February 3, 2022


The following accidents have been identified as being related to speeds potentially in excess of limits set by RSA 270-D:2 X:

2013
July 7th 5:00 pm Operator of PWC (Personal Watercraft) fell into handle bars 45 mph
July 20th 8:00am Operator struck underwater object and boat sunk 45 mph

2015
August 23rd 8:17am Powerboat struck swimmer 65+mph

2018
September 2nd 2:56pm PWC fall over board 50 mph


Sincerely,

Timothy C. Dunleavy
Marine Patrol Captain

[joey2665]

Originally Posted by DEJ

Woodsy wrote: Nor does it change any of the facts I posted above.... ZERO accidents at a speed >45MPH.

Zero? Really? You need to get your facts straight. Wonder how that swimmer did?


State of New Hampshire
DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY
Robert L. Quinn, Commissioner of Safety
Division of State Police
James H. Hayes Safety Building, 33 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03305

Colonel Nathan A. Noyes
Director



February 3, 2022


The following accidents have been identified as being related to speeds potentially in excess of limits set by RSA 270-D:2 X:

2013
July 7th 5:00 pm Operator of PWC (Personal Watercraft) fell into handle bars 45 mph
July 20th 8:00am Operator struck underwater object and boat sunk 45 mph

2015
August 23rd 8:17am Powerboat struck swimmer 65+mph

2018
September 2nd 2:56pm PWC fall over board 50 mph


Sincerely,

Timothy C. Dunleavy
Marine Patrol Captain

May not be zero, but 3 incidents in 7 seasons and extremely minimal for the amount of boats on the lake.


Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

[chachee52]

Originally Posted by joey2665

May not be zero, but 3 incidents in 7 seasons and extremely minimal for the amount of boats on the lake.


Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

I only saw 2 that fell into the "against that rules".

Thank you Woodsy for saying what you have been saying. At the time of the original bill, I know MP stated less than 1% of all boating accidents in NH had anything to do with speed.
And falling off a jet ski is just stupidity and bad driving most of the time. Yes, randomly a rouge wave, but most of the time the accidents I hear from jetskis are they jumped the wave and hit their head or another boat.

[sunset on the dock]

Originally Posted by joey2665

May not be zero, but 3 incidents in 7 seasons and extremely minimal for the amount of boats on the lake.


Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

Again, as alluded to previously, just because there were no accidents on my street in the last 7 years does not mean I will advocate to have no speed limits on my street.

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by sunset on the dock

Again, as alluded to previously, just because there were no accidents on my street in the last 7 years does not mean I will advocate to have no speed limits on my street.

Let's use your logic: There were probably no dog bites on your street either but shouldn't we outlaw dogs on your street just to eliminate that possibility.

It looks like only two incidents that would have fallen outside the speed limit in 9 years. That statistic, on a lake with thousands of boats, actually illustrates the opposite of what you are trying to say.

It solidifies that fact that speed is not, and has not been, a problem. It remains a "feel good" law.

Anyone who thinks that two incidents in 9 years represents a problem is kidding themselves.

[DEJ]

I always go with the experts when it comes to safety on the lake, in this case the experts are Marine Patrol, they were not in favor of this law.

[sunset on the dock]

Actually the MP did not come out as in favor or not. Ditto Marine Trades Assoc. But the NH Lakes Management Advisory Committee did come out as against the bill. It is a 19 member NH governmental agency, not simply a single head of the MP with his own agenda. And I also consider the NH Lakes Assoc. and Lake Winni Assoc. as knowledgeable stewards of the lake. And six marina owners know what helps and hurts the local economy.

But here is the really interesting part. Two of the bill's co-sponsors, Littlefield (R)( Laconia) and Dennis Thompson withdrew their support citing their objections to this reckless bill. I'm told that when a sponsor, in this case two, withdraws their support for a bill then said bill is pretty much dead on arrival. We saw a harbinger of that when the committee voted 15:3 to ITL.

[chachee52]

Originally Posted by sunset on the dock

Again, as alluded to previously, just because there were no accidents on my street in the last 7 years does not mean I will advocate to have no speed limits on my street.

Going around in circles. Again, forget about the last 7 years. When there was no speed limit on the lake, speed was not a factor in over 99% of all accidents.
Again taking the speed limit off or keeping it in place has no affect on how I boat. My boat doesn't go about 45 anyway. But when laws make no sense statistically, like it did when it was first put into affect, than its a "feel good law" as others have stated.

[joey2665]

Originally Posted by sunset on the dock

Again, as alluded to previously, just because there were no accidents on my street in the last 7 years does not mean I will advocate to have no speed limits on my street.

Just because there are 3 accidents on 93 doesn’t mean we need to drop the speed limit down to 45 either.


Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

[sunset on the dock]

Originally Posted by joey2665

Just because there are 3 accidents on 93 doesn’t mean we need to drop the speed limit down to 45 either.


Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

And just because there are only 3 accidents on 93 doesn't mean we remove all speed limits from said highway.

And getting back to the 2 reps who withdrew co-sponsorship and the 6 marinas who oppose the bill, to quote James Carville, "it's the economy stupid".
Safety is just one of many reasons to preserve the speed limit on the lake.

[Seaplane Pilot]

I have contacted my state rep encouraging them to introduce a bill requiring safety flags on all kayaks. That’s a REAL safety issue, unlike the useless speed limit law.

[joey2665]

Originally Posted by sunset on the dock

And just because there are only 3 accidents on 93 doesn't mean we remove all speed limits from said highway.

And getting back to the 2 reps who withdrew co-sponsorship and the 6 marinas who oppose the bill, to quote Larry Carville, "it's the economy stupid".
Safety is just one of many reasons to preserve the speed limit on the lake.

Here is were you are incorrect. Nationwide due to the low accident rates speed limits were increased in many areas to 65 and 75.

So maybe the speed limit shouldn't be removed but at least increased in the daytime. Oh wait, a compromise, how original these days

[LikeLakes]

Originally Posted by sunset on the dock

Again, as alluded to previously, just because there were no accidents on my street in the last 7 years does not mean I will advocate to have no speed limits on my street.

Sunset, I get what you are trying to say. I just don't see the equivalency. I'm guessing you mean you are on a side street, probably 25 or 30 mph limit? Let me know if I'm wrong. I agree, and I bet every person here would agree, that speed limit is appropriate and necessary for a neighborhood street.

I believe the 45 mph speed limit in large open water areas is neither needed nor effective. Just my opinion, of course. Would I consider an 80 mph limit appropriate? I don't know, but I'd have to think about it.

Now back to your street. If they implemented a 10 mph limit, would it be appropriate? Would you then perhaps advocate that yes there should be a limit, but 25 or 30 is the correct number?

Not really trying to argue with you, I really do respect the "limit is appropriate" side of the discussion. But I think part of the discord is how 45 mph is viewed by boaters like me, I'm an owner of a 60 plus mph boat and feel the limit is neither needed nor effective.

[John Mercier]

The bill was not specified to large open water.
Maybe it will get amended. Maybe they will need to wait until the next session.

[fatlazyless]

Stand-up paddle boards are required to have a pfd onboard and a whistle while kayaks are required to have a pfd but not a whistle. Has something to do with the Coast Guard decision that a stand-up paddle board is a vessel .... toot-toot ... ???

And, actually wearing the pfd is not required in NH if age-16 or older, or something??? Common sense tells you to wear a pfd with a good loud whistle or maybe an air horn! Air horns come small enough to fit in a pocket on a pfd or be worn around the neck on a lanyard.

[sunset on the dock]

Originally Posted by LikeLakes

Sunset, I get what you are trying to say. I just don't see the equivalency. I'm guessing you mean you are on a side street, probably 25 or 30 mph limit? Let me know if I'm wrong. I agree, and I bet every person here would agree, that speed limit is appropriate and necessary for a neighborhood street.

I believe the 45 mph speed limit in large open water areas is neither needed nor effective. Just my opinion, of course. Would I consider an 80 mph limit appropriate? I don't know, but I'd have to think about it.

Now back to your street. If they implemented a 10 mph limit, would it be appropriate? Would you then perhaps advocate that yes there should be a limit, but 25 or 30 is the correct number?

Not really trying to argue with you, I really do respect the "limit is appropriate" side of the discussion. But I think part of the discord is how 45 mph is viewed by boaters like me, I'm an owner of a 60 plus mph boat and feel the limit is neither needed nor effective.

30 MPH is an appropriate speed limit for my street. And 45 MPH is what the public feels is an appropriate speed on the lake. How do I justify my argument? The public has weighed in:

As noted in my previous posts:

1) 80% of the house voted in 2011 that 45 MPH was appropriate with greater than 80% of reps from towns bordering the lake.

2) The Transportation Committee with a 15:3 vote last week concurs.

3) Business agree that 45 MPH is an appropriate speed. Over 300 businesses supported the implementation of our 45/30 law a decade ago. This included marinas and this time around 6 of them are opposing HB 1424. They know what is good for their bottom line. One marina owner testified as such at the recent hearing in Concord.
I walk to the town docks in Meredith during the summer and boats are lined up waiting for an open dock space.

4) Influential organizations/stewards of the lake feel 45 MPH is an appropriate speed.

Lakes Region Conservation Trust
Lake Winnipesaukee Association
NH Lakes Management Advisory Committee
NH Lakes Association
Loon Preservation Committee
Wolfeboro Waters
NH Camps Directors Association
Lake Winnipesaukee Sailing Association
Camps Brookwoods, Deer Run, Kabeyun, Belknap, and Sandy Island Camp

I get it. You have a boat that goes 60 MPH. Rep. Bordes has a boat that will go 58 MPH. Rep. Bordes stated in the LDS article last fall that NY, the state from which he hailed, has no speed limits on lakes...wrong, Lake George for example has a SL of 45 MPH. He states that owners of $250K-$350K boats are some of the safest/responsible boaters around. Many would take issue with that given the Littlefield accident, the fatal accident occurring off Diamond island, or online bragging by an anti speed limit advocate regarding alcohol consumption. These are not hallmarks of responsible behavior.

People do not want another open invitation to have ocean going speed boats return to the Broads racing back and forth. The whole tenor of the lake has changed with implementation of the common sense 45/30 MPH speed limit. People want to enjoy all parts of the lake. They do not wish to recreate on an aquatic racetrack anymore than you would want to have a picnic on the median strip of I-93. Again, points 1-4 above show that the public agrees.

[LikeLakes]

Well said and as I said above, I don't think you are wrong. My stance on the limit actually isn't because of my boat, I rarely go over 45 anyway and the few times I do it's on a weekday in calm water with virtually nobody in any proximity to me. I just wonder about the research behind it. But, if most people want it, I don't have a strong enough objection to do anything more than accept it as the law.

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by sunset on the dock

Many would take issue with that given the Littlefield accident, the fatal accident occurring off Diamond island, or online bragging by an anti speed limit advocate regarding alcohol consumption. These are not hallmarks of responsible behavior.

People do not want another open invitation to have ocean going speed boats return to the Broads racing back and forth. The whole tenor of the lake has changed with implementation of the common sense 45/30 MPH speed limit. People want to enjoy all parts of the lake. They do not wish to recreate on an aquatic racetrack anymore than you would want to have a picnic on the median strip of I-93. Again, points 1-4 above show that the public agrees.

The accidents you cite had nothing to do with speed. The "feel good" speed law would not have prevented either accident.

"People do not want another open invitation to have ocean going speed boats return to the Broads racing back and forth."

That was never the case. I have been on the lake some part, or all, of every summer since 1970. Were there a few speed boats passing by now and again? Sure. Were there a significant number of speed related accidents? NO Two speed related incidents in 9 years is actually proof that speed is not, and has never been, a problem.

It is a feel good law for people who would like to see Winnipesaukee become Squam lake.

Almost every jet ski on the lake can exceed 45 MPH. Many can go over 60. Should we throw them off the lake too?

People should be a lot more concerned about the shoreline damage and noise cause by the wake boats. They are a bigger, growing, problem than a few speed boats ever were.

[lakewinnie]

Originally Posted by sunset on the dock

Zero? Really? You need to get your facts straight. Wonder how that swimmer did?


State of New Hampshire
DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY
Robert L. Quinn, Commissioner of Safety
Division of State Police
James H. Hayes Safety Building, 33 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03305

Colonel Nathan A. Noyes
Director



February 3, 2022


The following accidents have been identified as being related to speeds potentially in excess of limits set by RSA 270-D:2 X:

2013
July 7th 5:00 pm Operator of PWC (Personal Watercraft) fell into handle bars 45 mph
July 20th 8:00am Operator struck underwater object and boat sunk 45 mph

2015
August 23rd 8:17am Powerboat struck swimmer 65+mph

2018
September 2nd 2:56pm PWC fall over board 50 mph


Sincerely,

Timothy C. Dunleavy
Marine Patrol Captain

"related to speeds potentially in excess of limits..."

I would need to know more about these three accidents to conclude that they were due to boats going over 45 mph day/30 mph night. Are these basically all of the fatal accidents where the boat/PWC was going over the speed limit? If so, thus the qualifier "potentially".

Everyone here knows that a boat going slower than the speed limit can kill a swimmer.

I don't find these statistics compelling one way of the other, without knowing more about these accidents.

[Woodsy]

Originally Posted by sunset on the dock

Sorry Woodsy...Karel Crawford is from Moultonboro and voted to kill the bill. Not that that matters...people from all parts of the state boat on Winnipesaukee and like you have their own opinions. And as said, 11 years ago greater than 80% of reps from towns bordering the lake supported the speed limit.

And I was pleased to learn that the Lake Winnipesaukee Association and Lakes Region Conservation Trust have formally opposed the bill. And the NH Lakes Association. And the Lake Winni Sailing Assoc. And the NH Lakes Advisory Board. And 6 Winni marinas, one of whose owners spoke at the Trans. Comm. hearing. Check out the testimony, it's quite easy, all videotaped and available online. It is quite compelling.

I edited my post accordingly... thanks for pointing that out.

Like I said above I personally don't worry too much about the speed limit.

Speed limits on the roadways don't stop people from buying sports cars like a Porsche or a Corvette and driving them faster than allowed. I don't think a speed limit on the lake stops people from buying fast boats and driving them faster than allowed either.

Now if the economy tanks or hi-test gas gets ridiculous... then you might see the folks with those boats slow down a little.

Woodsy

[fatlazyless]

"The speed limit is a feel good law that luckily is rarely enforced." ... Woodsy[/QUOTE]

Hey Woodsy, you used to have a Donzi ...... do you still have it and use it?

Was it a Donzi Sweet-16 or a Donzi much larger and what's it got for an engine?

[Woodsy]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

"The speed limit is a feel good law that luckily is rarely enforced."

Hey Woodsy, you used to have a Donzi ...... do you still have it and use it?

Was it a Donzi Sweet-16 or a Donzi much larger and what's it got for an engine?

Why does that matter? I make no secret of who I am or what boat(s) I possess.

Woodsy

[Boatbottom952]

Originally Posted by Woodsy

That is a false equivalency.... Rules/Laws on the road have nothing to do with rules on the water. The reasons for both are vastly different.

The DAYTIME speed limit on the lake has had ZERO effect on lake safety. There were no high speed (>45MPH) accidents before the speed limit... there have been no high speed (>45MPH) accidents since the passage of the speed limit. During the day a boaters visibility is measured in miles, not yards or feet.

Almost every accident on this lake has occurred at NIGHT and involved alcohol. There have been other mitigating factors as well, reduced visibility, operator error, etc etc.

The speed limit is a feel good law that luckily is rarely enforced. I would prefer the MP deal with the boneheads who do not know the ROW rules and the NWZ rules. Usually the 150' rule doesn't get me riled unless they are danger close (<40')

Woodsy

Not sure people will understand you Woodsy, Way Way to much Common Sense in that statement. IQ does not equal Common sense. Money doesn't equal Common Sense. It's either YOU have it or you Don't.

[VitaBene]

Originally Posted by sunset on the dock

I suspect no speeding tickets have been issued on my residential street for the entire year. And I suspect no tickets have been issued regarding dogs pooping in the park down the street. That does not mean that we should make these activities legal.

Who do you post as usually?

[Boatbottom952]

Originally Posted by VitaBene

Who do you post as usually?

Remember " Rusty "

[webmaster]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

As I recall, wasn't the driver also the president of SBONH, Safe Boaters of New Hampshire which opposed a Lake Winnipesaukee speed limit. .... ..... and it got mega-tons and tons of attention in the NH media and NH news.

She was the President of the NH Recreational Boaters Association (NHRBA).

[phoenix]

Glad it was defeated but like the moultonboro rec center it keeps coming back

[swnoel]

How many boaters on the lake have actually been affected by this law? My guess is not many can or want to travel over 45MPH. My boat will do 40+/- mph at WOT and is a a very unpleasant ride. Course bass boats and cigarette style hull boats are designed for those high speed rides, but I'd guess they can't be very pleasurable either.

[TiltonBB]

There are a lot of boats on Winnipesaukee, and most jet skis, that will exceed the 45 MPH speed limit.

I don't think the speed limit is enforced much, if at all. It would come in to play in the reconstruction of serious accident. In many boats the engine computer leaves a trail so after an accident the engine RPM at the time of the accident could be used with reasonable accuracy to determine the boat speed.

I regularly see boats and jet skis exceeding the speed limit, without incident. The law was, and remains, a feel good law.

[fatlazyless]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

There are a lot of boats on Winnipesaukee, and most jet skis, that will exceed the 45 MPH speed limit.

I regularly see boats and jet skis exceeding the speed limit, without incident. The law was, and remains, a feel good law.

For kayaks and stand-up paddle boards, the speed limit definitely makes the paddler FEEL GOOD!

For something like $300-400 at Wally World you can take yourself way out there on the big lake with a kayak/sup paddle, pfd & whistle and be good to hit the wide open water spaces out there.

Kayaks and sups tend to be somewhat invisible to motor boats and will show up way out beyond the spar markers in the motorboat channels so the speed limit makes the lake a safer place to go paddle the Lake Winnipesaukee big waters.

Motorboats certainly seem to have a lot of needs ..... a motorboat need registration, NH boater certificate, gasoline, insurance, and rocky water at least 5' deep while a kayak/sup only needs a paddle and .... a BIG SMILE!

[swnoel]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

There are a lot of boats on Winnipesaukee, and most jet skis, that will exceed the 45 MPH speed limit.

I don't think the speed limit is enforced much, if at all. It would come in to play in the reconstruction of serious accident. In many boats the engine computer leaves a trail so after an accident the engine RPM at the time of the accident could be used with reasonable accuracy to determine the boat speed.

I regularly see boats and jet skis exceeding the speed limit, without incident. The law was, and remains, a feel good law.

How do you know how fast they're actually going?

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by swnoel

How do you know how fast they're actually going?

I am a trained observer. I also have a radar gun. I didn't state that I knew how fast they were going, only that they had exceeded the 45 MPH limit.

I have a pontoon boat and a V hull boat, both of which have GPS speedometers (and both capable of speeds in excess of 45 MPH).

I have been out in my boats, of course only doing 45, and been passed by boats going faster.

Any questions?

[Boatbottom952]

Originally Posted by swnoel

How many boaters on the lake have actually been affected by this law? My guess is not many can or want to travel over 45MPH. My boat will do 40+/- mph at WOT and is a a very unpleasant ride. Course bass boats and cigarette style hull boats are designed for those high speed rides, but I'd guess they can't be very pleasurable either.

In the morning, when it's just a small chop or Flat smooth, 73 mph is quite awesome. The only thing you need to avoid is salmon guys. Flip the coin/ after 11am, No way to go that fast in a bass boat. Sometimes you hit so hard your butt cheeks are coming out your ears and your spine is 1 inch shorter.