Dilemma over boats anchoring off our beach

PROPELLER · 08-05-2004, 03:30 PM

I have concerns about any remaining areas that are being used to anchor, disappearing as Belmont Resident alludes to in his 2nd post, slowly all the undeveloped shore is disappearing & someday, we who can not afford waterfront property will not be able to go to these anchor sites. However, that being said, thats what makes Cabinfevers unselfish attitude all the more reassurring & refreshing. Cabinfever seems to understand this problem us anchoring boaters have & is willing to help us out, AS LONG AS US BOATERS SHOW SOME RESPECT. Maybe if more boaters showed respect the shore front owners would not be so belligerent trying to keep the boaters away. I could not believe the brazeness (is that a word) of the adults climbing on the swim raft (see my earlier post in this thread)

Thanks Cabinfever, for being understanding. Maybe if more shore front owners were like you then boaters would not have bad impressions.

Outlaw · 08-05-2004, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PROPELLER

Maybe if more shore front owners were like you then boaters would not have bad impressions.

Here! here! Propeller, couldn't agree with you more. And vise versa, if more boaters were as respectful and courteous as you, than land owners and other boaters would not have anything to complain about (what are the chances of that happening

).

Cabinfever - let us know what we can do to help you.

cabinfever · 08-05-2004, 06:10 PM

I've been on this lake since I was a child. My parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents grew up summering here on an island that's been in the family since the late 1800s. In the 25 years before we became property owners, we were waterskiers, barefooters, sailors, powerboaters, kayakers -- you name it. Anything that allowed us to hang out on the water all day long, we did it. Honestly, this is why I'm so sympathetic to the boaters alongside my own concerns! This is why I put out a message for ideas on this Forum. But I didn't intend for it to get so controversial.

I'm grateful to Outlaw, Siksukr, SamIam, Propellor, Mee-n-Mac and the many others (including the polite private messengers) who found the time to offer helpful suggestions and counter some of the nastiness that cropped up mid-string. Thanks to you, I think I have a good plan and genuinely hope that any changes that come along are harmless to others.

Enjoy your summers, everyone. Stay safe. Signing off...

cabinfever

watrskir · 08-05-2004, 07:38 PM

I think it is a commendable act for cabinfever to look for answers/suggestions that might appease both the land owners of Timber Island, and the other people that would like to enjoy it also. Hopefully will all make out in the end. Play nice people.....

Belmont Resident · 08-05-2004, 09:10 PM

I apologize if I read too much into what you were trying to accomplish.
Every summer this subject comes up and every summer some land owners believe they own the lake in front of their property. With that type of attitude eventually no one will be able to get off their boat and touch bottom. That coupled with someone saying that the beaches over at Timber have been roped off.
I spent some time this afternoon trying to get the subject of who owns the lake clarified by the people who issue the permits for swim areas over at the Marine patrol headquarters. This is what I was told.
The lake is not private property for starters. From the waters edge to the deepest point it is all there for public use. Same as someone walking down the road in front of your house, they are also on the same public property... As long as a person’s feet are wet they are in essence standing on public property. Once they step onto dry land they are trespassing.
A roped off swim area is also public property. All the rope is supposed to do is keep boaters out. That is why all swim areas must be completely closed off at both ends. The water within that area is still open to all who wish to venture in and swim so long as they do not come onto land.
So I’m sorry if I took this to heart but I get passionate about the subject based on previous postings by land owners such as you. It wasn’t so much what you said but others who feel they own the lake in front of their property that set me off.
Also know that I do not nor have I left any trash on Timber Island or any other shore on the lake. My wife and I almost always pick up anything we see floating in the water. I’ve acquired a nice queen size air mattress and an assortment of life jackets, bumpers and throw able floats over the years floating in the lake.
That being said good luck with your new place.

08-05-2004, 06:10 PM	#3
cabinfever Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 35 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I've been on this lake since I was a child. My parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents grew up summering here on an island that's been in the family since the late 1800s. In the 25 years before we became property owners, we were waterskiers, barefooters, sailors, powerboaters, kayakers -- you name it. Anything that allowed us to hang out on the water all day long, we did it. Honestly, this is why I'm so sympathetic to the boaters alongside my own concerns! This is why I put out a message for ideas on this Forum. But I didn't intend for it to get so controversial. I'm grateful to Outlaw, Siksukr, SamIam, Propellor, Mee-n-Mac and the many others (including the polite private messengers) who found the time to offer helpful suggestions and counter some of the nastiness that cropped up mid-string. Thanks to you, I think I have a good plan and genuinely hope that any changes that come along are harmless to others. Enjoy your summers, everyone. Stay safe. Signing off... cabinfever Last edited by cabinfever; 08-05-2004 at 06:24 PM.

08-05-2004, 09:10 PM	#5
Belmont Resident Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Belmont NH but prefer Jackman Maine Posts: 1,857 Thanks: 491 Thanked 410 Times in 251 Posts	Sorry cabinefever I apologize if I read too much into what you were trying to accomplish. Every summer this subject comes up and every summer some land owners believe they own the lake in front of their property. With that type of attitude eventually no one will be able to get off their boat and touch bottom. That coupled with someone saying that the beaches over at Timber have been roped off. I spent some time this afternoon trying to get the subject of who owns the lake clarified by the people who issue the permits for swim areas over at the Marine patrol headquarters. This is what I was told. The lake is not private property for starters. From the waters edge to the deepest point it is all there for public use. Same as someone walking down the road in front of your house, they are also on the same public property... As long as a person’s feet are wet they are in essence standing on public property. Once they step onto dry land they are trespassing. A roped off swim area is also public property. All the rope is supposed to do is keep boaters out. That is why all swim areas must be completely closed off at both ends. The water within that area is still open to all who wish to venture in and swim so long as they do not come onto land. So I’m sorry if I took this to heart but I get passionate about the subject based on previous postings by land owners such as you. It wasn’t so much what you said but others who feel they own the lake in front of their property that set me off. Also know that I do not nor have I left any trash on Timber Island or any other shore on the lake. My wife and I almost always pick up anything we see floating in the water. I’ve acquired a nice queen size air mattress and an assortment of life jackets, bumpers and throw able floats over the years floating in the lake. That being said good luck with your new place.

08-05-2004, 03:30 PM	#1
PROPELLER Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 340 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I have concerns about any remaining areas that are being used to anchor, disappearing as Belmont Resident alludes to in his 2nd post, slowly all the undeveloped shore is disappearing & someday, we who can not afford waterfront property will not be able to go to these anchor sites. However, that being said, thats what makes Cabinfevers unselfish attitude all the more reassurring & refreshing. Cabinfever seems to understand this problem us anchoring boaters have & is willing to help us out, AS LONG AS US BOATERS SHOW SOME RESPECT. Maybe if more boaters showed respect the shore front owners would not be so belligerent trying to keep the boaters away. I could not believe the brazeness (is that a word) of the adults climbing on the swim raft (see my earlier post in this thread) Thanks Cabinfever, for being understanding. Maybe if more shore front owners were like you then boaters would not have bad impressions.

08-05-2004, 07:38 PM	#4
watrskir Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 51 Thanks: 39 Thanked 9 Times in 8 Posts	I think it is a commendable act for cabinfever to look for answers/suggestions that might appease both the land owners of Timber Island, and the other people that would like to enjoy it also. Hopefully will all make out in the end. Play nice people.....