Waiting in Line to Dock

[Bear Islander]

Almost every time I go to Wolfeboro there are boats waiting. However there are always slips available close to shore.

I pause, then go past the waiting boats to tie up. I believe some boaters can't judge the space available or they are afraid to traverse the narrow lane between boats.

I never have to wait for a spot at Wolfeboro, but I do not think I am cutting the line when I take a spot that others can't see or are afraid to use.

[hazelnut]

Originally Posted by Bear Islander

Almost every time I go to Wolfeboro there are boats waiting. However there are always slips available close to shore.

I pause, then go past the waiting boats to tie up. I believe some boaters can't judge the space available or they are afraid to traverse the narrow lane between boats.

I never have to wait for a spot at Wolfeboro, but I do not think I am cutting the line when I take a spot that others can't see or are afraid to use.

I agree with you to a point. I usually make eye contact and point to said spot and if the person declines then I have no qualms about taking the spot. If the other boater doesn't see it I think it is kind of rude to just take it.

I have experienced it from the other side and it is infuriating when someone just blasts in and cuts the line. Just breathe and count to 10. Cutting a boat loose is not the answer as you would end up being liable and would have to answer to the MP.

[chipj29]

Can I beach my jet ski on the sand behind the docks at the Weirs?

[Cristen]

Originally Posted by chipj29

Can I beach my jet ski on the sand behind the docks at the Weirs?

I believe you can beach your jet ski behind the Weirs docks. I have never done it because the waves that roll in are usually big, and I think they would push the watercraft around too much. I usually tie mine up behind the docks near the shallow water spots.

[chipj29]

Originally Posted by Cristen

I believe you can beach your jet ski behind the Weirs docks. I have never done it because the waves that roll in are usually big, and I think they would push the watercraft around too much. I usually tie mine up behind the docks near the shallow water spots.

Thanks Cristen. That is where I usually tie up anyway, will stay with that practice since it works.

[PC31]

Originally Posted by Bear Islander

I never have to wait for a spot at Wolfeboro, but I do not think I am cutting the line when I take a spot that others can't see or are afraid to use.

If others can't see the spot maybe you should ask if they want it otherwise you are cutting the line.

[SIKSUKR]

Originally Posted by Bear Islander

I pause, then go past the waiting boats to tie up. I believe some boaters can't judge the space available or they are afraid to traverse the narrow lane between boats.

I never have to wait for a spot at Wolfeboro, but I do not think I am cutting the line when I take a spot that others can't see or are afraid to use.

What? You don't just go and take an open spot cuz you think others can't see it or don't want to take it. You ask the ones waiting in line first. Wow.

[Resident 2B]

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

What?You don't just go and take an open spot cuz you think others can't see it or don't want to take it.You ask the ones waiting in line first.Wow.

I agree!

To cut the waiting line without asking is irresponsible boating and just plain rude behavior. You cannot assume anything. You have to ask.

If the people in line do not feel that they have the docking skills to use a tight inside position, they will always tell you to go ahead. That is the fair way to go about it.

R2B

[Bear Islander]

I wait a minute or two to see if anybody wants to take the inner spaces. If a boat is neaby the space I will ask.

I'm not going to go up and down the line to ask 5 or 6 boats if they want a space that is in plain site. If they wanted it, why didn't they take it? Waiting and making no move, indicates they don't want it.

Its not my fault I am better at parking a boat than they are. And its not my responsibility to find them a space and talk them into using it.

I have stood on the docks in Wolfeboro and tried to wave in boats to spaces near the shore. There is almost always a space there. And you can tie up parallel to the shore. Most of the time they will not come in. There are timid people that want a space near the end.

[Island Lover]

I am not confident in my ability to maneuver between a double line of boats. It usually means boat hooks and high blood pressure. Like a driving test with everybody watching. I will wait for an easy space.

You can embarrass people by asking.

[jrc]

Sometimes getting in is not the problem it's getting out. Usually that means backwards. Some single engine boats don't behave well in reverse. Plus you might get blocked in. I don't think anyone should be embarassed by their low speed docking skills. It's harder than it looks.

I do get upset when people try something they can't do but don't use the proper care. If you get in a pickle slow down and ask for help. Most people will help you. Most boaters would rather fend you off, than watch you scratch their boat or worse.

[chipj29]

Originally Posted by Island Lover

I am not confident in my ability to maneuver between a double line of boats. It usually means boat hooks and high blood pressure. Like a driving test with everybody watching. I will wait for an easy space.

You can embarrass people by asking.

Yes, heaven forbid one of us embarrass anyone by trying to be courteous.

[Wolfeboro_Baja]

Originally Posted by hazelnut

I agree with you to a point. I usually make eye contact and point to said spot and if the person declines then I have no qualms about taking the spot. If the other boater doesn't see it I think it is kind of rude to just take it.

I have experienced it from the other side and it is infuriating when someone just blasts in and cuts the line. Just breathe and count to 10. Cutting a boat loose is not the answer as you would end up being liable and would have to answer to the MP.

Sorry, BI, but I have to agree with hazelnut on this one. I understand the point you made about not wanting to check with 5 or 6 boats but it did initially sound like you weren't checking with any of the boaters waiting ahead of you.

Originally Posted by Island Lover

I am not confident in my ability to maneuver between a double line of boats. It usually means boat hooks and high blood pressure. Like a driving test with everybody watching. I will wait for an easy space.

You can embarrass people by asking.

Island Lover, I'm with you on the stress of manuveuring between 2 lines of docked boats. I will admit that, even though I'm pretty good at deciding where my boat will fit and where it won't, I'm not fond of backing OUT between boats tied to the docks in Wolfeboro. Heading in isn't a problem; backing out IS! I haven't quite mastered the fine art of backing out in a straight line between boats and the thought of bumping one of them stresses me out to no end.

In my opinion, the best public docks are in Meredith (wide open!) and Alton Bay (no need to manuveur between boats).

[jonfinn]

I've seen these kinds of behaviors on Winnipesaukee too. Because I consider myself more on the "beginner" end of the spectrum, I tend to hold my tongue if I see something that upsets me. Occasionally, it's because they were right and I didn't understand what they were doing.

My goal when I come up is to relax, enjoy the water, make some new friends, and connect with my family in ways that are often impossible in my normally crazy life.

If I encounter an inconsiderate or ignorant boater, I'm usually tempted to get upset and scheme for revenge. But if I do that, I'm achieving the opposite of why I came up in the first place... because SOMEONE ELSE is inconsiderate. In the end, I just try to forget about it.

If I saw that same boater stranded somewhere in the broads, I'd still try and help them if it's appropriate. But I might not hurry.

[Rattlesnake Guy]

Our public dock score card.

Weirs: Looks like a lot but they are to close together so not practical to park more than one per dock.

Meridith: Docks so far apart, they limit how many boats they can accommodate.

Alton: One row makes for easy docking but little capacity.

Wolf: Actually our favorite. Docks spaced just right so all the spaces can be used and accommodates the most boats for the area. (Except for the blue spaces which are still just dumb)

[ghfromaltonbay]

My good friend had a Century Resorter (inboard) which was miserable to back up. When we would dock in Center Harbor or Wolfeboro, we would pull in straight and then get onto the dock and as he said do a "manual" reverse. We'd swing the boat around by the lines and tie up heading out. We never had to back out of a close-in spot, and saved a lot of grief trying to back out and use a boat hook to keep from hitting others on the way out.

[Gatto Nero]

I think I actually have to agree with BI on this one. I will always look around and sum up the situation, but if I can plainly see an open slip close to shore and 5 or 6 sitting boats not doing anything about it I would assume that they are not interested and start towards it. Maybe I would ask, or at least make eye contact with, whoever is closest but I'm not going to flag down every other boat that was there before me and ask their permission. Now, if it just became available as I arrived then it's a different story. Then I would go through the normal process to make sure nobody else is interested first.

[Phantom]

Originally Posted by Gatto Nero

Now, if it just became available as I arrived then it's a different story. Then I would go through the normal process to make sure nobody else is interested first.

Gatto -- I agree hole heartedly -- and I think that perhaps (quoted above) this is the part that BI left out -- for I too follow the same practice you described so eloquently !!

[2Blackdogs]

What's the problem with using the back docks in Wolfeboro? THere's a space every time, and it's no further a stroll to the stores.

[jrc]

The bridge between the lake and the back docks is pretty low. A lot of boats won't fit. I'm guessing your talking about the back bay docks, not just the docks near the back of the main public docks.

[alsadad]

The New Hampshire House announced it is considering three proposals to address growing problems related to overcrowding and unruly behavior at public docks on Lake Winnipesaukee. Two recent events triggered this effort:

1. Reports on the website winnipesaukee.com of an increase in incidents of impolite, discourteous and lawless behavior as some boaters “cut the line” while others are forced to wait for slips to become available at various town docks around the lake.

2. The completion by members of winnipesaukee.com of an in-depth analysis and extrapolation of the results of NHMP’s speed sampling on the big lake. Lawmakers were reportedly alarmed to learn that there are now 770,000 powerboats, hundreds of sailboats and canoes, and one sea kayak using the lake and competing for space at the town docks.

The first proposal, from a group known as WinnBIG (which stands for Winnipesaukee Boaters In GFBLs), would like to see the lake’s shoreline taken by eminent domain with docks constructed around the entire perimeter. In addition, a bar would be built every 1000 yards along the waterfront and a gas dock placed every 500 yards so the GFBLs can travel from one bar to the other without running out of fuel. This group’s motto is “Make every hour happy hour.”

The second proposal comes from a group known as WinnBAGS (which stands for Winnipesaukee Boaters Against Gratuitous Slips). This group wants all docks to be removed from the lake. The only allowable vessels would be canoes, kayaks, and other boats that can be hand-carried from the lake, as well as amphibious cars which do not need docks. The group’s leader, a carnival fortune teller from Omaha, predicts a boom in the market for amphibious cars because they are slow, quiet, and available in pretty colors. This group’s motto is “End unlimited docking.”

The final proposal, sponsored by a group known as WinnCRAPS (which stands for…well, never mind) is the one most favored by the House for its revenue raising possibilities. This proposal calls for bulldozing Rattlesnake Island, constructing docks all around the island’s shoreline, and erecting casinos. This group’s motto is “Anyplace that boasts at least 770,000 people who have more money than brains, ought to have a casino.”

The Speaker of the House said that no action will be taken on these proposals until the completion of an unbiased study funded by the New Hampshire Gaming Industry.

[wifi]

Nice one...... LOL

[Gatto Nero]

I'll take proposal #3 please, Monty

[Woodsy]

Thats HILARIOUS!!!!

Woodsy

[Resident 2B]

Alsadad,

Great creativity!

You have my vote for Post-of-the-Year!

R2B

[KonaChick]

Originally Posted by Island Lover

I am not confident in my ability to maneuver between a double line of boats. It usually means boat hooks and high blood pressure. Like a driving test with everybody watching. I will wait for an easy space.

You can embarrass people by asking.

And here I thought it was only the speed limit thread that you and BI made "interesting".