Help With Possible Island Home

Seeker · 09-22-2008, 09:39 AM

Hopefully of interest in this thread: What islands, accessible only by boat, have electricity?

Bear Islander · 09-22-2008, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seeker

Hopefully of interest in this thread: What islands, accessible only by boat, have electricity?

Interesting question. The only large residential island without electricity I can think of is Diamond. The smaller islands can go either way.

HUH · 09-22-2008, 02:05 PM

Camp island in Gilford has no juice although it only has a few homes on it.

Slickcraft · 09-22-2008, 04:00 PM

I can't add to the great list of island considerations posted here so far but I'll expand a little on two items:

1. Which side of an island? We are on the west side of Welch which is subject to the prevailing NW wind so we and our neighbors have the necessary breakwaters. The NW wind often makes docking a real challenge; good boating skills and a well trained and agile crew person are necessary on many days. Also that wind can take the enjoyment out of some otherwise nice days. However we get those unforgettable sunsets and many summer days are fairly calm. On the SE side there is normally (not always) little wind and the sunrise to view but you will have to boat or walk to see a sunset. Our verdict? We will stay right where we are.

2. Islanders by and large are a do-it-yourself lot. Here not only your skills but your neighbors’ skills and attitudes are important. We are fortunate to be part of group of neighbors that have complementary skills, tools, materials and spare part supplies. There will be a few things that go south every year and we take turns helping each other out. Be wary of a camp where the neighbors have never picked up a hammer.

I'll also mention that a while ago there was a thread on what kind of boat makes a good island boat aka floating pickup truck.

Mr. Moyer · 09-22-2008, 09:47 PM

ishoot308,

I think everyone who has posted so far have made so many great points. it's such an exciting time that your experiencing. I know, i just went through it about a year and a half ago. We bought a place on Rattlesnake, on the non-broads side. I really don't have any useful points to add, except that I think your making a great move going to an island. I actually thought I may not have liked the island property. And altough, it is a bit more work, it's worth it. I bought a fixer upper on rattlenake and have spent many weekends up there over the past 2 summers. It has been one of the most rewarding expeirences of my life. The island is such a peaceful place, and one which I can envision my daughters (3yr old and 5 yr old) enjoying over the next 15-20 years. When you are there it is as if the rest of the world stops moving and you truly get to relax.
As a side note, there is a place for sale right next door to mine. It is a very nice lot, with very good access to the mainland and rattlesnakes private dock. It is a least a 3 bedroom and it's going for low 200's (listed with cullen or curren I think). The dock is beat up, so many don't stop to look. But for the money, you won't beat this place. I wish it was on the market when we bought ours. Add to it that you have great neighbors, how can you go wrong.
Best of luck with your search

Rattlesnake Guy · 09-23-2008, 09:28 PM

One of the things that occurred to me this weekend was the potential extra need for dock space on the island. If you have family and friends they can't come to the island property by car (sans bridge). Although you end up ferrying most of your guest, you may find you have friends with boats. We have had many forum members to our place and if we only had one slip it would be pretty difficult.

Then again, some days, it would make a great excuse.

After 6 seasons this do it yourself family has only had one repairman come out. We picked him up at the dock and it did not really cost a premium. The property may sell at a discount due to the lack of desirability and the shorter season but I get the impression that having people help you out cost more. But it sure sounds good now that the kids are off to school and took all the money with them.

Our season is dictated by the ice. Ice melting in the spring and ice forming in the engine in the fall. This year we are going to add a month by delivering the boat to the marina in the water instead of on a trailer.

Dial up on our island was at about 12K (Very painful with modern internet) Air card made it fun again.

fatlazyless · 09-23-2008, 10:23 PM

If your boat has an outboard, it can be used until about January 10, as long as it is kept straight down and into the unfrozen lake water.

The water drains down and the unfrozen lake keeps the water inside the lower area of the outboard warm enough so it won't freeze.

There's a few people with little row boats and outboards who go out to the islands, somewhere, right into January. Watching the navigation lights on these small boats as they round the south end of Bear Island and disappear into the night from the safety of my hot tub, it always impresses me. How cold is that water?

HUH · 09-23-2008, 10:57 PM

Almost all my neighbors rent dockspace to IR's and they are the best renters. We are looking for an island gem, more peaceful out there for sure. Ill take southwest exposure with a nice beach. Gilford docks seem to work pretty well now dont they..

steadyon · 09-24-2008, 07:48 AM

ishoot,
I am inspecting a place on Mark Is. on Friday (in the rain

) If you need an inspection send me a message and we can chat.
thanks,
steadyon

09-22-2008, 09:39 AM	#1
Seeker Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Effingham Posts: 408 Thanks: 37 Thanked 19 Times in 15 Posts	electricity Hopefully of interest in this thread: What islands, accessible only by boat, have electricity?

09-22-2008, 02:05 PM	#3
HUH Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 230 Thanks: 21 Thanked 14 Times in 8 Posts	Camp Camp island in Gilford has no juice although it only has a few homes on it.

09-23-2008, 10:23 PM	#7
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,907 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 304 Thanked 1,046 Times in 762 Posts	If your boat has an outboard, it can be used until about January 10, as long as it is kept straight down and into the unfrozen lake water. The water drains down and the unfrozen lake keeps the water inside the lower area of the outboard warm enough so it won't freeze. There's a few people with little row boats and outboards who go out to the islands, somewhere, right into January. Watching the navigation lights on these small boats as they round the south end of Bear Island and disappear into the night from the safety of my hot tub, it always impresses me. How cold is that water? __________________ .... Banned for life from local thrift store! Last edited by fatlazyless; 09-24-2008 at 04:45 AM.

09-23-2008, 10:57 PM	#8
HUH Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 230 Thanks: 21 Thanked 14 Times in 8 Posts	Dock Almost all my neighbors rent dockspace to IR's and they are the best renters. We are looking for an island gem, more peaceful out there for sure. Ill take southwest exposure with a nice beach. Gilford docks seem to work pretty well now dont they..

09-22-2008, 04:00 PM	#4
Slickcraft Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Welch Island and The Taylor Community Posts: 3,339 Thanks: 1,247 Thanked 2,119 Times in 969 Posts	I can't add to the great list of island considerations posted here so far but I'll expand a little on two items: 1. Which side of an island? We are on the west side of Welch which is subject to the prevailing NW wind so we and our neighbors have the necessary breakwaters. The NW wind often makes docking a real challenge; good boating skills and a well trained and agile crew person are necessary on many days. Also that wind can take the enjoyment out of some otherwise nice days. However we get those unforgettable sunsets and many summer days are fairly calm. On the SE side there is normally (not always) little wind and the sunrise to view but you will have to boat or walk to see a sunset. Our verdict? We will stay right where we are. 2. Islanders by and large are a do-it-yourself lot. Here not only your skills but your neighbors’ skills and attitudes are important. We are fortunate to be part of group of neighbors that have complementary skills, tools, materials and spare part supplies. There will be a few things that go south every year and we take turns helping each other out. Be wary of a camp where the neighbors have never picked up a hammer. I'll also mention that a while ago there was a thread on what kind of boat makes a good island boat aka floating pickup truck.

09-22-2008, 09:47 PM	#5
Mr. Moyer Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 49 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	ishoot308, I think everyone who has posted so far have made so many great points. it's such an exciting time that your experiencing. I know, i just went through it about a year and a half ago. We bought a place on Rattlesnake, on the non-broads side. I really don't have any useful points to add, except that I think your making a great move going to an island. I actually thought I may not have liked the island property. And altough, it is a bit more work, it's worth it. I bought a fixer upper on rattlenake and have spent many weekends up there over the past 2 summers. It has been one of the most rewarding expeirences of my life. The island is such a peaceful place, and one which I can envision my daughters (3yr old and 5 yr old) enjoying over the next 15-20 years. When you are there it is as if the rest of the world stops moving and you truly get to relax. As a side note, there is a place for sale right next door to mine. It is a very nice lot, with very good access to the mainland and rattlesnakes private dock. It is a least a 3 bedroom and it's going for low 200's (listed with cullen or curren I think). The dock is beat up, so many don't stop to look. But for the money, you won't beat this place. I wish it was on the market when we bought ours. Add to it that you have great neighbors, how can you go wrong. Best of luck with your search

09-23-2008, 09:28 PM	#6
Rattlesnake Guy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 1,254 Thanks: 423 Thanked 366 Times in 175 Posts	One of the things that occurred to me this weekend was the potential extra need for dock space on the island. If you have family and friends they can't come to the island property by car (sans bridge). Although you end up ferrying most of your guest, you may find you have friends with boats. We have had many forum members to our place and if we only had one slip it would be pretty difficult. Then again, some days, it would make a great excuse. After 6 seasons this do it yourself family has only had one repairman come out. We picked him up at the dock and it did not really cost a premium. The property may sell at a discount due to the lack of desirability and the shorter season but I get the impression that having people help you out cost more. But it sure sounds good now that the kids are off to school and took all the money with them. Our season is dictated by the ice. Ice melting in the spring and ice forming in the engine in the fall. This year we are going to add a month by delivering the boat to the marina in the water instead of on a trailer. Dial up on our island was at about 12K (Very painful with modern internet) Air card made it fun again.

09-24-2008, 07:48 AM	#9
steadyon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Meredith Posts: 102 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 6 Posts	ishoot, I am inspecting a place on Mark Is. on Friday (in the rain ) If you need an inspection send me a message and we can chat. thanks, steadyon