No Wake

[The Real BigGuy]

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[XCR-700]

Ignoring no wake zones is clearly a problem, what I cant tell is if some boaters only think its there to buffer other boaters from waves causing them a potential loss of control, so they ignore it when there are no there are no pother boats, or do they know its also intended to protect property and just dont care???

As for the150' rule, I follow it because its the law, but in my mind its excessive and promotes incompetent boaters feeling comfortable on a busy lake, rather than inexperienced boaters building up their operation skills.

As stated previously in this thread; in other places you will have other boats passing by (in either direction) with as little as 20' - 30' feet of separation! I think 50' is a good reasonable number for any reasonably capable boater, but that just my opinion.

We now live in world of the nanny state of adjust and regulate to lowest possible skill set, and also the loudest voice, and there is no place for common sense or reasonable expectations and standards. So we will all have to learn to live with the loss of what was reasonable and accept the land of laws we have allowed to take over, where every aspect of life is regulated and taxed and monitored by someone. Sure glad I was able to see the world actually work in the 1960s and 70s so that I have a reality check on the media and political and other nonsense we all get barraged with every day.

Not the world I grew up in, and NOT better!

[SailinAway]

Originally Posted by XCR-700

As for the150' rule, I follow it because its the law, but in my mind its excessive . . . I think 50' is a good reasonable number for any reasonably capable boater, but that just my opinion.

50 feet is much too close to canoes and kayaks. I think a lot of people can't estimate 50 or 150 feet. By the time they slow down approaching a canoe or kayak, they've already caused waves that can upset a small craft. I try to avoid this by not paddling where there are motor boats and paddling defensively. I also carry an air horn.

[XCR-700]

Originally Posted by SailinAway

50 feet is much too close to canoes and kayaks. I think a lot of people can't estimate 50 or 150 feet. By the time they slow down approaching a canoe or kayak, they've already caused waves that can upset a small craft. I try to avoid this by not paddling where there are motor boats and paddling defensively. I also carry an air horn.

I totally agree!

Sorry I was referring to boats, as in power boats.

150' is probably a good number for sail boats, but may not even be enough for canoes and kayaks.

Sorry I should have been more clear.

We are on the same page for this, you should never be in a position to need an air horn due to a power boat coming too close, thats unthinkable if it was intentional.

Unfortunately there will always be the possibility of odd cases where if you are paddling a canoe or kayak, that you could become hidden from view of a power boat and there could be a close encounter, so I do understand the logic of having a horn.

ATB

[John Mercier]

Originally Posted by SailinAway

50 feet is much too close to canoes and kayaks. I think a lot of people can't estimate 50 or 150 feet. By the time they slow down approaching a canoe or kayak, they've already caused waves that can upset a small craft. I try to avoid this by not paddling where there are motor boats and paddling defensively. I also carry an air horn.

We aren't going to go that way...
Far too many people of ''ill character'' that cannot be given the opportunity to be problematic.

We've clearly gone to boating licenses and restrictions on those operators that are too young to be licensed. We've made small moves toward non-residents having higher registration costs... much like other off-road recreational activities... and I suspect that power boaters will take the brunt of the latest economic situation.

[XCR-700]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

We aren't going to go that way...
Far too many people of ''ill character'' that cannot be given the opportunity to be problematic.

We've clearly gone to boating licenses and restrictions on those operators that are too young to be licensed. We've made small moves toward non-residents having higher registration costs... much like other off-road recreational activities... and I suspect that power boaters will take the brunt of the latest economic situation.

Not sure I understand much of this response.

Boating licenses do virtually nothing as no one has to demonstrative their actual ability to operate the boat, its just a education certificate, and even the proctored component is worthless as they accept licenses from other states proctored or not.

Meaningful boater safety only comes with experience. Anything else is superficial.

Not sure how the economy or other comments about character or "We aren't going to go that way..." quite fit in, but for the moment I'll simply assume they are meaningful to others.

[John Mercier]

Originally Posted by XCR-700

Not sure I understand much of this response.

Boating licenses do virtually nothing as no one has to demonstrative their actual ability to operate the boat, its just a education certificate, and even the proctored component is worthless as they accept licenses from other states proctored or not.

Meaningful boater safety only comes with experience. Anything else is superficial.

Not sure how the economy or other comments about character or "We aren't going to go that way..." quite fit in, but for the moment I'll simply assume they are meaningful to others.

Each up and down session results in an expansion and contraction of the higher cost recreational format. Boating licenses were prescribed as a means to overcome the bad behavior (ill character)... if they don't overcome the perception... which you, yourself, stated that they can't. The Legislature will be pushed by the general public to go further.

The further may be... we need more MP... so the cost of boating registrations must rise to offset the cost of more MP, higher fuel and equipment prices, etc.

Residents, that can vote, will not want higher registration costs... and one of the few places to look is non-residents using reciprocity.
Historically, this is how snowmobiling moved from several open states to having registration in each state be the requiem.

Now... if everyone was behaving gracefully... not much that anyone can complain about.

[XCR-700]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

Now... if everyone was behaving gracefully... not much that anyone can complain about.

Well this a nice wish, and I hope to see it like that (again) on the lake, but I suspect it will get worse not better as the growth in Winnipesaukee boating continues.

Even if gas hits $10/gal and registration is $1000 I dont think we will see a significant change in behavior, as the troublesome types see to endure and the people that I share standards with tend to give up and move on.

We will see,,,

[John Mercier]

Quite plausible.

It seems our political system favors raising registrations and adding further regulation to offset problems rather than just placing heavy fines and penalties on the act at the get-go and nipping the problems early.

[CK5 Truck]

Now... if everyone was behaving gracefully... not much that anyone can complain about.[/QUOTE]

Haha this is funny, people have become accustomed to complaining about EVERYTHING, for some of you its like breathing.

[chachee52]

Originally Posted by SailinAway

I think a lot of people can't estimate 50 or 150 feet.

I can't agree more!! When I was taking the license course way back with it was actually in a class room, there was a sea captain that operated out Seabrook (if I remember correctly). The MP teaching had us go outside an walk 150' from the steps in front of the school we were at. He had measured before the class. The Sea Captain was 30ft at best, not exaggerating!!! He then argued that where he was doesn't need to obey the 150' rule because it was salt water/river inlet. The MP asked for his boat name and then said "well I'll make sure I let my friends know and they can pull you over and you can tell them that too and then they will give you your ticket".

[Weekend Pundit]

Originally Posted by SailinAway

I think a lot of people can't estimate 50 or 150 feet.

I try to gauge distance by the number of boat lengths, in this case multiples of my boat's length (20 feet). I find it easier to guesstimate 150 feet (7-1/2 boat lengths). A couple times I borrowed a rangefinder to find out how close I came to guesstimating distance between my boat and another boat, a dock, a buoy, a shoreline, or some other object. I think worst case I was off by about 30 feet at 150 feet (I guessed 120 feet). Conditions at the time threw off my guess, but better I underestimate the distance rather than the other way around. Generally I was with 15 feet out to about 200 feet. After that I my error expanded quickly.

[Descant]

Originally Posted by Weekend Pundit

I try to gauge distance by the number of boat lengths, in this case multiples of my boat's length (20 feet). I find it easier to guesstimate 150 feet (7-1/2 boat lengths). A couple times I borrowed a rangefinder to find out how close I came to guesstimating distance between my boat and another boat, a dock, a buoy, a shoreline, or some other object. I think worst case I was off by about 30 feet at 150 feet (I guessed 120 feet). Conditions at the time threw off my guess, but better I underestimate the distance rather than the other way around. Generally I was with 15 feet out to about 200 feet. After that I my error expanded quickly.

Good info.
Going in and out of various public docks, I was taught to use a fixture on shore, e.g. a boat house, as my reference. Usually, it was more like 300-400 feet. No problem, and we needed the extra time to determine which dock to head for in, say, Meredith or Wolfeboro.

Watch. For the most part the larger the boat the farther out they slow down or accelerate going out. The smaller the boat, the more likely they are to try to scoot past others to get to the dock, violating the boat to shore safe passage as well as boat to boat. I'd love to have a dockmaster who would refuse these guys dockage and tell them to go out in the bay and start over: "You're number 12, and I'm watching". I'd rather see this than saddle MP with it, and I think it might be more effective without tickets, etc. Those guys bother me more than close passage in more open waters.

[tis]

Descant, then you would have to pay for docking to pay the harbormaster.

[TiltonBB]

No sense adding to the Police, Dockmaster, or Marine Patrol duties.

How about just a Social Worker to counsel them on their docking habits and tell them to try harder next time!

[Descant]

Tis: We have volunteers in Glendale. Works just fine, and the PD backs them up with a substation at the docks. Wolfeboro PD monitors the docks for extended overtime parking. Wouldn't take much to extend their activity a little. Taxpayers who are willing to pay for public docks should want to have them well operated to maximize benefit to merchants and residents alike.

[John Mercier]

Originally Posted by Descant

Tis: We have volunteers in Glendale. Works just fine, and the PD backs them up with a substation at the docks. Wolfeboro PD monitors the docks for extended overtime parking. Wouldn't take much to extend their activity a little. Taxpayers who are willing to pay for public docks should want to have them well operated to maximize benefit to merchants and residents alike.

I wonder how that will work long term... each municipality on the lake seems so different.
I haven't been around most... especially in recent years... but more docking traffic at Meredith seems to clash with the way Route 3 goes between the docks and most of the merchants. While the Weirs had Route 3 further from the waterfront, but is - at least according to reports and what I see being purchased - in a refurbish mode.

[gillygirl]

Originally Posted by Descant

Tis: We have volunteers in Glendale. Works just fine, and the PD backs them up with a substation at the docks. Wolfeboro PD monitors the docks for extended overtime parking. Wouldn't take much to extend their activity a little. Taxpayers who are willing to pay for public docks should want to have them well operated to maximize benefit to merchants and residents alike.

As of a few years ago, they were paid employees, not volunteers. Perhaps that has changed. The only volunteers I saw were on weekends questioning people launching their boats about where it had been, checking for invasive species.


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[Descant]

Originally Posted by gillygirl

As of a few years ago, they were paid employees, not volunteers. Perhaps that has changed. The only volunteers I saw were on weekends questioning people launching their boats about where it had been, checking for invasive species.

You're right, there's a mix. The Lake Hosts are joint project between NHLakes and DES. Some paid, some volunteers. As far back as the mid 60's the Town of Gilford PD had an officer on duty (Bert Shaughnessy). The point is, it is easily within possibility to have someone manage these "impossible" issues.

[steve-on-mark]

I had my first experience in the new nwz saturday ... coming from Mt. View over to Glendale, I slowed down to headway speed and was promptly passed rapidly from behind by two boats ( one on either side ). Oh well...

[BroadHopper]

Originally Posted by steve-on-mark

I had my first experience in the new nwz saturday ... coming from Mt. View over to Glendale, I slowed down to headway speed and was promptly passed rapidly from behind by two boats ( one on either side ). Oh well...

All weekend! Boaters ignore the NWZ. Same as the NWZ between Eagle and Governors. Guess they think MP is only seasonal.

[Weekend Pundit]

Originally Posted by tis

Descant, then you would have to pay for docking to pay the harbormaster.

Find a couple of surly curmudgeons with nothing better to do. It lets them put the "young whippersnappers" in their place, gets people unwilling to take any guff from the Cap'n Boneheads in place, and provides better control of the no wake and docking situations.

[Descant]

Originally Posted by Weekend Pundit

Find a couple of surly curmudgeons with nothing better to do. It lets them put the "young whippersnappers" in their place, gets people unwilling to take any guff from the Cap'n Boneheads, and provides better control of the no wake and docking situations.

Exactly right. I bet they'd even buy their own whistle and clipboard. "We're gonna take names and kick ass." Gunnery Sergeant Walker. June 10, 1970 NAS Pensacola. LOL

[P-3 Guy]

Originally Posted by Descant

Exactly right. I bet they'd even buy their own whistle and clipboard. "We're gonna take names and kick ass." Gunnery Sergeant Walker. June 10, 1970 NAS Pensacola. LOL

Ah yes, Aviation Officer Candidate School. Staff Sergeant Snow, USMC, class 06-87. Good times.

[tis]

MP is not the same since the SP took over. I am very disappointed.

[steve-on-mark]

Originally Posted by tis

MP is not the same since the SP took over. I am very disappointed.

On the flip side of that coin...many years ago we were renting a slip at Fays, and one day I was coming in with the pontoon. I was pulled over just before I got to the mooring field there by MP, who told me " one of your bow numbers is faded...go to Fays and get a new number...NOW!" The curious onlookers at the marina had a good laugh after I told them what I'd done wrong! I also remember being stopped a few times for " equipment checks".

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[Excalibur]

OMG, I cant believe the signage at this NEW NO WAKE Zone !!

Shame on the Marine Patrol !!!

You need binoculars at 50 feet to read the NO Wake on a look a like lighted buoy like marker.

You have no idea where the zone begins or ends ?

What kind of signage is this.. a brand NEW no wake zone that's not on any of the charts yet.. and they put a sign you couldn't read unless you where 20ft away from and is way out of position.

What Happen to the big NO WAKE buoy and signs of the past?

I can see everyone not seeing that buoy and going through at full speed like past seasons as a shortcut down the lake to Alton.

The buoy on that side isn't even near the middle at all, its way off to the shore on the right, where no one comes from..

[Weekend Pundit]

I launched my boat at Glendale early yesterday evening (6:30PM) and neither I or my son saw one of the new NWZ buoys until we were on top of it. (I took a slight 'detour' around Locke's Island before heading into Smith Cove to dock my boat. So sue me.)

I have to agree that they need to be better placed, i.e. more visible. Otherwise a lot of boaters will unknowingly violate No Wake. I'd hate to think they'll be ticketed because of the poor marking of the NWZ.

[chachee52]

Went through that area today. Agreed, the buoy on the southeast side is just one along Lock Island, they need a second one on the land side. So really not sure where it starts coming from the broads, the two on the Northwest side are clear and makes sense.
Hopefully they will fix that up soon.

[Hivolt]

Originally Posted by XCR-700

Ignoring no wake zones is clearly a problem, what I cant tell is if some boaters only think its there to buffer other boaters from waves causing them a potential loss of control, so they ignore it when there are no there are no pother boats, or do they know its also intended to protect property and just dont care???

As for the150' rule, I follow it because its the law, but in my mind its excessive and promotes incompetent boaters feeling comfortable on a busy lake, rather than inexperienced boaters building up their operation skills.

As stated previously in this thread; in other places you will have other boats passing by (in either direction) with as little as 20' - 30' feet of separation! I think 50' is a good reasonable number for any reasonably capable boater, but that just my opinion.

We now live in world of the nanny state of adjust and regulate to lowest possible skill set, and also the loudest voice, and there is no place for common sense or reasonable expectations and standards. So we will all have to learn to live with the loss of what was reasonable and accept the land of laws we have allowed to take over, where every aspect of life is regulated and taxed and monitored by someone. Sure glad I was able to see the world actually work in the 1960s and 70s so that I have a reality check on the media and political and other nonsense we all get barraged with every day.

Not the world I grew up in, and NOT better!

With the change in the "no wake" law from a set speed to the "slowest speed at which your vessel is under control". It's likely not worth issuing a ticket unless someone is clearly on plane.
The same goes for the 150' rule. Unless they are passing within a 150' buoy it's next to impossible to prove they were actually within 150' and anyone could go to court and contest and win both those cases.