No Wake

[Weekend Pundit]

Yup, the Cap'n Boneheads will be out in force this summer...assuming they can afford the fuel.

[BroadHopper]

Outside of Glendale. No one is paying attention. Even the island residents and local fishermen. Going to get interesting!

[garysanfran]

Yesterday I was surprised to see a patrol boat near Stonedam Island with two officers fishing.

[Descant]

Originally Posted by garysanfran

Yesterday I was surprised to see a patrol boat near Stonedam Island with two officers fishing.

They must have been working undercover.

Or... Could it have been F & G or DES doing catch, TAG, and release?

[garysanfran]

Originally Posted by Descant

They must have been working undercover.

Or... Could it have been F & G or DES doing catch, TAG, and release?

Maybe. Two officers in the boat. One alternated between fishing and using binocs to scout other boats. I think they were scouting for violators. The boat was unmarked. Later they stopped an over crowded Whaler near Stonedam. They also seemed to spend a lot of time monitoring Sally's Gut...From a distance. Maybe placating the resident curmudgeon there.

[Descant]

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

Outside of Glendale. No one is paying attention. Even the island residents and local fishermen. Going to get interesting!

Often, when one state has a good idea and it has been implemented for awhile, other states follow suit. NH has had the 150' boat to boat rule for many years. As far as I know, it doesn't exist in 49 other states, and there is no push to copy. Hundredss of our 960 lakes are not routinely patrolled by MP, so the 150' rule doesn't apply there so much. MP will stop you when you come too close to them, but rarely when two other boats approach each other. Obviously, NWZ and related definitions are a continuing source of disagreement on this Forum. Is there a better way to deal with boats passing too close at speed? Is it really a problem? Only in NH but nowhere else? Be interesting to hear from those who do some boating in other states.

[John Mercier]

''Q. What is the speed limit for boating on lakes?

A. On lakes and ponds that allow for the use of motorized boats, vessels are not to exceed a speed of 5mph within the “Shoreline Safety Zone,” defined as the portion of the surface area of public waters within 200 feet of the shoreline. A "no-wake speed" is also required within 200 feet of marked swim areas and other vessels, including canoes and kayaks.''

https://dec.vermont.gov/watershed/la...c-waters-rules

[John Mercier]

''Operating at an excessive speed considering weather conditions, boat traffic, and other hazards. For inland waters, operating at a speed greater than 45 mph is considered negligent operation.''
''Operating at greater than headway speed (6 mph or less) within 150 feet of a swimmer, waterskier, mooring area, marina, boat launch, or when the operator's vision is obscured in any way.''

https://www.mass.gov/service-details...ng-law-summary


It takes a while... but it seems that the surrounding States are going toward the same restrictions. Most probably because the minority of the users that violate the rules often look for other outlets. So a problem that doesn't exist in an area, slowly becomes a problem... and then the rule gets adopted.

[chachee52]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

''Operating at an excessive speed considering weather conditions, boat traffic, and other hazards. For inland waters, operating at a speed greater than 45 mph is considered negligent operation.''
''Operating at greater than headway speed (6 mph or less) within 150 feet of a swimmer, waterskier, mooring area, marina, boat launch, or when the operator's vision is obscured in any way.''

https://www.mass.gov/service-details...ng-law-summary


It takes a while... but it seems that the surrounding States are going toward the same restrictions. Most probably because the minority of the users that violate the rules often look for other outlets. So a problem that doesn't exist in an area, slowly becomes a problem... and then the rule gets adopted.

I would say here on the Merrimack River in the Lowell area the last number of years it HAS been an issue with many accidents and deaths related to too close passage and too fast passage. Not not sure if you are being sarcastic? But it seems to be an issue. Also in some of the smaller lakes/ponds here on the border, I remember almost being hit while I was water skiing because a boat wanted to cut across and between me and the boat. Stupidity? Yes, but I think that the 150' rule is something that is needed around. And I agree, the small lakes/ponds don't get patrolled so it's a over looked.

[The Real BigGuy]

Originally Posted by Descant

Obviously, NWZ and related definitions are a continuing source of disagreement on this Forum.

There shouldn’t be any disagreement on the definition of what no wake means. From NH RSA 270-D:1 Definitions:

VI. "Headway speed" means the slowest speed that a boat can be operated and maintain steerage way.

VIII. "No wake area" means an area where a boat is to be operated only at headway speed.



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[Descant]

Originally Posted by The Real BigGuy

There shouldn’t be any disagreement on the definition of what no wake means. From NH RSA 270-D:1 Definitions:

VI. "Headway speed" means the slowest speed that a boat can be operated and maintain steerage way.

VIII. "No wake area" means an area where a boat is to be operated only at headway speed.

Hardly close on point. Everybody has NWZ close to shore, swim areas, etc etc. The point of the discussion was "Boat to Boat" an d the difficulty of enforcing it. Not that we expect MP to be stopping everybody who is a violator, but based on folks experience in other states. Unless I misread them, the quotes of various laws were not on point re: boat to boat.

[John Mercier]

A "no-wake speed" is also required within 200 feet of marked swim areas and other vessels, including canoes and kayaks.

Pretty sure that Vermont's ''other vessels'' includes boat-to-boat.

[The Real BigGuy]

Originally Posted by Descant

Hardly close on point. Everybody has NWZ close to shore, swim areas, etc etc. The point of the discussion was "Boat to Boat" an d the difficulty of enforcing it. Not that we expect MP to be stopping everybody who is a violator, but based on folks experience in other states. Unless I misread them, the quotes of various laws were not on point re: boat to boat.

I was responding to your comment regarding disagreement concerning the definition of No Wake. The definition, as published by the state is very clear!


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[Descant]

Originally Posted by The Real BigGuy

I was responding to your comment regarding disagreement concerning the definition of No Wake. The definition, as published by the state is very clear!

Perhaps I should have used the word discussion instead of disagreement? Over the years there has been a lot of discussion. Some time ago, the definition was modified to add "6 mph" to allow for places where there are currents. in 2019, this was deleted and a new definition was passed by the legislature. Two years later, MP thought there was enough misunderstanding to cause them to publish this in 2021.

https://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums...highlight=wake

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by Descant

Be interesting to hear from those who do some boating in other states.

Most summers I spend a little time in the Falmouth, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket area. That area seems to be so wide open that boats just don't pass that close.

In Florida it is much different. Boats will routinely overtake you and pass 20 or 30 feet away. After spending most of my time on Winnipesaukee that is sometimes shocking. I have been thinking of putting a rear view mirror on the boat just so I am not surprised when it happens.

The safety factor is one aspect, because the boat passing has no idea if you will be turning or changing course at all. There is not a lot of time to react when two boats are that close. The second issue is the wake and spray from the passing boat. I often wonder it the boat operator going by gives that any thought at all. I think to do that to another boat is rude, but since it is done all the time in Florida it is just something you learn to accept.

Boating is very different when you get off the lake.

[8gv]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

Most summers I spend a little time in the Falmouth, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket area. That area seems to be so wide open that boats just don't pass that close.

In Florida it is much different. Boats will routinely overtake you and pass 20 or 30 feet away. After spending most of my time on Winnipesaukee that is sometimes shocking. I have been thinking of putting a rear view mirror on the boat just so I am not surprised when it happens.

The safety factor is one aspect, because the boat passing has no idea if you will be turning or changing course at all. There is not a lot of time to react when two boats are that close. The second issue is the wake and spray from the passing boat. I often wonder it the boat operator going by gives that any thought at all. I think to do that to another boat is rude, but since it is done all the time in Florida it is just something you learn to accept.

Boating is very different when you get off the lake.

After years of acclimating to the NH 150' rule, boating in FL can be down right scary.

I had a guy pass my family and I in my 20' bow rider with his 30'+ center console in a narrow channel.

He was about twenty feet abeam of us running at the worst possible angle as he was climbing up on plane.

I am pretty sure he needed a distress flare suppository but that gear was stowed.

[BroadHopper]

https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/pdf/navR...n%20Rule%2028.

This should cover all 50 states. However states create their own rules clouding safe passage judgement among boaters. Why can't we just enforce rule 18 and another important Rule 20 "rules of the road".

https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/D...d%20necessary.

Enforce these rules and all should be fine!