North vs South side of lake for boating

Jean · 05-04-2018, 08:11 PM

How is boating in the Moultonborough area, especially for newbies? I seem to recall seeing in previous threads that there may be some more hazards and it's pretty far to get to restaurants, ice cream, etc. Is it more remote but enjoyable? Is it easier to find a slip on northern side or is it just as difficult as south side? I'm curious what the pros and cons are.

We have been having a hard time finding an affordable vacation home with water access on south side of the lake but have seen a few on north side in and around Moultonborough. It's a further drive but there seem to be a lot more options for single family water access under $175k.

jeffk · 05-04-2018, 09:48 PM

I had a home in Moultonborough for 20 years. It IS further away for everything. If you are a person that just wants to get where you are going, that extra time might become an annoyance. If you like riding on the lake it's beautiful with the mountains in the background. Navigation isn't that tough once you get used to it. Follow the dashed navigation lines on a chart and take your time until you know your way around and you won't have any problems except in a few very tight places. Those aren't along the main navigation routes anyway. A positive of being in that area is that there are a lot of places to kayak and generally the water is calmer. It worked great for me. Oh, the taxes are generally a LOT more reasonable in Moultonborough as well! Also, that "further away" thing applies to services available by car as well. There are smaller, but more expensive places, like Skelley's but, depending exactly where you are, it can be a 20+ minute drive to get to other things, like a hardware or grocery store. If you do a little thinking ahead and get things from several places at once, it isn't a problem.

Prestige Worldwide · 05-05-2018, 05:21 AM

Also, the closer you get to greens basin, the murkier the water gets. I prefer boating and swimming in clear water.

rsmlp · 05-05-2018, 06:55 AM

We live at South point on Long Island and it is pretty much dead center in the lake. A pain to DRIVE to but once your there-a slice of heaven. No more than a 30 minute boat ride from all major eateries. eastern exposure gives us amazing sunsets. The "Neck" is-a 9.5 mile driveway...

thinkxingu · 05-05-2018, 12:24 PM

We're in the second-to-last cove in the North (Hanson) and love it. Sure, it takes a little longer to get places, but we can do anything--tubing, anchoring out, sunset cruises, kayaking, swimming, etc.--for more days a year because it's much quieter and sheltered. The views--mountains, Castle in the Clouds, small towns--are also much more pleasant. The only real drawback, really, is getting to the ports/sandbars, cut that also makes those times special.

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Biggd · 05-06-2018, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsmlp

We live at South point on Long Island and it is pretty much dead center in the lake. A pain to DRIVE to but once your there-a slice of heaven. No more than a 30 minute boat ride from all major eateries. eastern exposure gives us amazing sunsets. The "Neck" is-a 9.5 mile driveway...

I rented a house out there one year. It's a fantastic spot but it adds a half hour to your drive every weekend. A little too much for me.

WINNOCTURN · 05-06-2018, 03:29 PM

Moultonboro Neck!

There are 2 side to Moultonboro Neck. The "BAY" Side and for use of a better word the "Kona".

As for a Seasonal Home, we bought in Far Echo Harbor. We enjoyed it, good Neighbors, Best Beach anywhere on the Neck, and 2 minutes to Jo Jo's, BEST SUBS anywhere, greater Steaks and Chops.

Several years later we bought land in the Kona Area. Left Far Echo and built our Dream Hone 18 years ago. Good size Ranch with walk out Cellar.

The one thing about Moultonboro are the Taxes. They have traditionally been the lowest in the area. It is said we have the most Shore Line Frontage on the Lake.

As for Boating we have Welcraft 232 Eclipse. To Me the best time on the Lake is a Night, takes a lot of "Hours" to know the Lake.

Little Toot!

FlyingScot · 05-06-2018, 08:46 PM

Boating and watersports are definitely easier on the south side of the lake, but the north side has its charms.

I think the tough thing is the $175K budget for water access. You may be best looking at condos in larger associations.

Little Bear · 05-07-2018, 09:53 AM

Here's a condo with deeded boat slip for $167.9 asking price. I actually owned a unit in this place about 15 years ago. Nice group of people at the time.

https://nh.craigslist.org/reo/d/laco...581236738.html

Jean · 05-08-2018, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Little Bear

Here's a condo with deeded boat slip for $167.9 asking price. I actually owned a unit in this place about 15 years ago. Nice group of people at the time.

https://nh.craigslist.org/reo/d/laco...581236738.html

If we didn't have dogs this might work but unfortunately we are leaning toward a single family home where we can have a fenced in yard for them. It's likely going to mean being further from water and doing more maintenance ourselves but we are realizing that may be easier to deal with than trying to play ball in a small indoor space!

puremaple · 07-24-2026, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

We're in the second-to-last cove in the North (Hanson) and love it. Sure, it takes a little longer to get places, but we can do anything--tubing, anchoring out, sunset cruises, kayaking, swimming, etc.--for more days a year because it's much quieter and sheltered. The views--mountains, Castle in the Clouds, small towns--are also much more pleasant. The only real drawback, really, is getting to the ports/sandbars, cut that also makes those times special.

Sent from my Moto G (5S) Plus using Tapatalk

We rented in Hanson Cove years ago off Belden Road, what a beautiful spot!

Lake Fan · 07-25-2026, 08:53 AM

Reading this thread, I thought the real estate market crash had arrived until I noticed it was a revived 8 year old discussion.

Juiced06GTO · 08-23-2026, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lake Fan

Reading this thread, I thought the real estate market crash had arrived until I noticed it was a revived 8 year old discussion.

I did the same! I was like where are you finding deeded water access for 167K!!!

My how times have changed....North side is still my favorite side of the lake.

Senter Cove Guy · 08-30-2026, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lake Fan

Reading this thread, I thought the real estate market crash had arrived until I noticed it was a revived 8 year old discussion.

Hey Jean - What did you do? Are you with "US" on the north side?

thinkxingu · 08-31-2026, 03:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Senter Cove Guy

Hey Jean - What did you do? Are you with "US" on the north side?

It looks like Jean was a one-and-done member—s/he hasn't been back on since May of '18.

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05-04-2018, 08:11 PM	#1
Jean Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	North vs South side of lake for boating How is boating in the Moultonborough area, especially for newbies? I seem to recall seeing in previous threads that there may be some more hazards and it's pretty far to get to restaurants, ice cream, etc. Is it more remote but enjoyable? Is it easier to find a slip on northern side or is it just as difficult as south side? I'm curious what the pros and cons are. We have been having a hard time finding an affordable vacation home with water access on south side of the lake but have seen a few on north side in and around Moultonborough. It's a further drive but there seem to be a lot more options for single family water access under $175k.

05-05-2018, 06:55 AM	#4
rsmlp Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 516 Thanks: 5 Thanked 179 Times in 92 Posts	North Vs South We live at South point on Long Island and it is pretty much dead center in the lake. A pain to DRIVE to but once your there-a slice of heaven. No more than a 30 minute boat ride from all major eateries. eastern exposure gives us amazing sunsets. The "Neck" is-a 9.5 mile driveway...

05-06-2018, 03:29 PM	#7
WINNOCTURN Deceased Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Moultonboro Posts: 849 Thanks: 350 Thanked 352 Times in 194 Posts	Moultonboro Neck! Far Echo Harbor! Moultonboro Neck! There are 2 side to Moultonboro Neck. The "BAY" Side and for use of a better word the "Kona". As for a Seasonal Home, we bought in Far Echo Harbor. We enjoyed it, good Neighbors, Best Beach anywhere on the Neck, and 2 minutes to Jo Jo's, BEST SUBS anywhere, greater Steaks and Chops. Several years later we bought land in the Kona Area. Left Far Echo and built our Dream Hone 18 years ago. Good size Ranch with walk out Cellar. The one thing about Moultonboro are the Taxes. They have traditionally been the lowest in the area. It is said we have the most Shore Line Frontage on the Lake. As for Boating we have Welcraft 232 Eclipse. To Me the best time on the Lake is a Night, takes a lot of "Hours" to know the Lake. Little Toot!

05-04-2018, 09:48 PM	#2
jeffk Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Center Harbor Posts: 1,281 Thanks: 220 Thanked 505 Times in 294 Posts	I had a home in Moultonborough for 20 years. It IS further away for everything. If you are a person that just wants to get where you are going, that extra time might become an annoyance. If you like riding on the lake it's beautiful with the mountains in the background. Navigation isn't that tough once you get used to it. Follow the dashed navigation lines on a chart and take your time until you know your way around and you won't have any problems except in a few very tight places. Those aren't along the main navigation routes anyway. A positive of being in that area is that there are a lot of places to kayak and generally the water is calmer. It worked great for me. Oh, the taxes are generally a LOT more reasonable in Moultonborough as well! Also, that "further away" thing applies to services available by car as well. There are smaller, but more expensive places, like Skelley's but, depending exactly where you are, it can be a 20+ minute drive to get to other things, like a hardware or grocery store. If you do a little thinking ahead and get things from several places at once, it isn't a problem.

05-05-2018, 05:21 AM	#3
Prestige Worldwide Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: M-Vegas & Lake Winni Posts: 68 Thanks: 45 Thanked 34 Times in 14 Posts	Also, the closer you get to greens basin, the murkier the water gets. I prefer boating and swimming in clear water.

05-05-2018, 12:24 PM	#5
thinkxingu Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 6,694 Thanks: 1,187 Thanked 2,222 Times in 1,381 Posts	We're in the second-to-last cove in the North (Hanson) and love it. Sure, it takes a little longer to get places, but we can do anything--tubing, anchoring out, sunset cruises, kayaking, swimming, etc.--for more days a year because it's much quieter and sheltered. The views--mountains, Castle in the Clouds, small towns--are also much more pleasant. The only real drawback, really, is getting to the ports/sandbars, cut that also makes those times special. Sent from my Moto G (5S) Plus using Tapatalk

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05-06-2018, 08:46 PM	#8
FlyingScot Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Tuftonboro and Sudbury, MA Posts: 2,620 Thanks: 1,458 Thanked 1,088 Times in 679 Posts	Boating and watersports are definitely easier on the south side of the lake, but the north side has its charms. I think the tough thing is the $175K budget for water access. You may be best looking at condos in larger associations.

05-07-2018, 09:53 AM	#9
Little Bear Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 616 Thanks: 143 Thanked 278 Times in 149 Posts	Here's a condo with deeded boat slip for $167.9 asking price. I actually owned a unit in this place about 15 years ago. Nice group of people at the time. https://nh.craigslist.org/reo/d/laco...581236738.html

07-25-2026, 08:53 AM	#12
Lake Fan Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Whortleberry Island Posts: 139 Thanks: 20 Thanked 71 Times in 35 Posts	Reading this thread, I thought the real estate market crash had arrived until I noticed it was a revived 8 year old discussion.

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