Which is rougher?

8gv · 07-23-2023, 05:24 PM

A beautiful day like today when the entire boat inventory of New England is out turning the lake into a blender?

OR

A very windy day that keeps all but the hardiest of boaters sidelined?

Slickcraft · 07-23-2023, 05:54 PM

Having experienced both, as most islanders have, I would take today.

Alan

steve-on-mark · 07-24-2023, 06:53 AM

I've come through wind driven 4 footers heading home from Wolfboro. I never get nervous when I'm on the lake, even on a pitch black night, but that day I was nervous. I'll take the elevated boat traffic please...

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LIforrelaxin · 07-24-2023, 10:33 AM

Agree that elevated boat traffic is easier to deal with..... I have handle some fairly rough conditions on the lake.... and while yes there is less traffic when the weather is causing the waves..... there is also less chance of someone seeing something go wrong, and having the ability to get to you. When your out there and don't see many others, because of the conditions there is a level of anxiety that starts to come into play, that takes the fun out of it.

I have made sure over the years that both my boys, got to see how nasty the lake can be.....When I have done that the anxiety level is always what got to me..... vs. not feeling that I had the skill to handle the situation.

Descant · 07-24-2023, 11:13 AM

I'd just as soon have wind. As youngster, I got swamped by an unfortunate wake from a large boat just coming on plane. I've never been swamped by wind, which is mostly predictable. In 1965 (?) I competed in a two day 120 mile ski marathon. Very windy both days. Many did not finish. My 18' Thompson did just fine. A real adventure. On windy days, you can always find a cove, or duck behind an island for quiet times. On busy days there's already 22 boats ahead of you.--Yes, my boats are bigger now--

camp guy · 07-24-2023, 11:24 AM

I haven't boated for a few years, but when I did boat I felt that on a day like yesterday all the boat operators thought they were the "Mario Andretti's" of the Lake, however,, on a windy day, boat operators seemed to be more careful. Interestingly enough, to be an experienced boater you need both types of days to hone your boating skills. All things in moderation, and everyone will be happy.

ishoot308 · 07-24-2023, 12:22 PM

I’ll take the wind any day, as the wind is experienced and doesn’t cut you off!!

Dan

TheTimeTraveler · 07-24-2023, 01:45 PM

Has anyone noticed that the daily boat activity on the lake this summer (during nice days) is substantially down versus previous years?

I wonder if folks are worried about the damage to the shoreline, or just haven't bothered to launch theirs boats because of the rotten weather?

Also, a year ago boat gas was about $1 per gallon higher in price.....

tis · 07-24-2023, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheTimeTraveler

Has anyone noticed that the daily boat activity on the lake this summer (during nice days) is substantially down versus previous years?

I wonder if folks are worried about the damage to the shoreline, or just haven't bothered to launch theirs boats because of the rotten weather?

Also, a year ago boat gas was about $1 per gallon higher in price.....

Today is quiet. I think you might be right, it's been a little quieter this summer.

07-23-2023, 05:24 PM	#1
8gv Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,115 Thanks: 64 Thanked 749 Times in 483 Posts	Which is rougher? A beautiful day like today when the entire boat inventory of New England is out turning the lake into a blender? OR A very windy day that keeps all but the hardiest of boaters sidelined?

07-24-2023, 06:53 AM	#3
steve-on-mark Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Epping, NH / Mark Island Posts: 1,873 Thanks: 188 Thanked 735 Times in 428 Posts	I've come through wind driven 4 footers heading home from Wolfboro. I never get nervous when I'm on the lake, even on a pitch black night, but that day I was nervous. I'll take the elevated boat traffic please... Sent from my Pixel 6 using Tapatalk __________________ ....keeping " urban decay " out of photos for nearly 3 years!

07-24-2023, 10:33 AM	#4
LIforrelaxin Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Texas, Lake Ray Hubbard and NH, Long Island Winnipesaukee Posts: 2,876 Thanks: 1,037 Thanked 892 Times in 524 Posts	Agree that elevated boat traffic is easier to deal with..... I have handle some fairly rough conditions on the lake.... and while yes there is less traffic when the weather is causing the waves..... there is also less chance of someone seeing something go wrong, and having the ability to get to you. When your out there and don't see many others, because of the conditions there is a level of anxiety that starts to come into play, that takes the fun out of it. I have made sure over the years that both my boys, got to see how nasty the lake can be.....When I have done that the anxiety level is always what got to me..... vs. not feeling that I had the skill to handle the situation. __________________ Life is about how much time you can spend relaxing... I do it on an island that isn't really an island.....

07-24-2023, 11:24 AM	#6
camp guy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: formerly Winter Harbor, still Wolfeboro Posts: 1,193 Thanks: 303 Thanked 529 Times in 296 Posts	Which is rougher I haven't boated for a few years, but when I did boat I felt that on a day like yesterday all the boat operators thought they were the "Mario Andretti's" of the Lake, however,, on a windy day, boat operators seemed to be more careful. Interestingly enough, to be an experienced boater you need both types of days to hone your boating skills. All things in moderation, and everyone will be happy.

07-24-2023, 12:22 PM	#7
ishoot308 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gilford, NH / Welch Island Posts: 6,308 Thanks: 2,407 Thanked 5,309 Times in 2,070 Posts	Wind I’ll take the wind any day, as the wind is experienced and doesn’t cut you off!! Dan __________________ It's Always Sunny On Welch Island!!

The Following User Says Thank You to 8gv For This Useful Post:
ApS (07-23-2023)

07-23-2023, 05:54 PM	#2
Slickcraft Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Welch Island and The Taylor Community Posts: 3,318 Thanks: 1,233 Thanked 2,103 Times in 960 Posts	Having experienced both, as most islanders have, I would take today. Alan

07-24-2023, 11:13 AM	#5
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,413 Thanks: 1,366 Thanked 1,636 Times in 1,068 Posts	I'd just as soon have wind. As youngster, I got swamped by an unfortunate wake from a large boat just coming on plane. I've never been swamped by wind, which is mostly predictable. In 1965 (?) I competed in a two day 120 mile ski marathon. Very windy both days. Many did not finish. My 18' Thompson did just fine. A real adventure. On windy days, you can always find a cove, or duck behind an island for quiet times. On busy days there's already 22 boats ahead of you.--Yes, my boats are bigger now--

07-24-2023, 01:45 PM	#8
TheTimeTraveler Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 899 Thanks: 284 Thanked 291 Times in 181 Posts	Has anyone noticed that the daily boat activity on the lake this summer (during nice days) is substantially down versus previous years? I wonder if folks are worried about the damage to the shoreline, or just haven't bothered to launch theirs boats because of the rotten weather? Also, a year ago boat gas was about $1 per gallon higher in price.....