Thoughts go out to the families
 

What a terrible accident. My thoughts and prayers go out to all the families involved. By reading the new stories this was something fun these women did every year, and what a tragedy that this time it ended as it did.

If she was exceeding 6 MPH/no wake, speed was a factor. It's obvious the boat was closer to Diamond Island than 150'.

this is a very tragic story and reality for all involved.My prayers go out to all of the families involved and think making judgements of what and how should be done by professionals who have more info than has been released

Stop you incensitive idiots
 

This has hit real close to home for me.I know Erica and Steph real well.Stephanie was the sweetest girl.Please stop this crazy taking sides before any infomation has been released.What is wrong with members like FLL and Turtle Boy jumping on the speed limit bandwagon without one shred of info.The only thing we know is that the weather was not good.Shame on you people!

I agree with you.

And speculating the speed was under the limit is no different from speculating it was over. Plus it will only lead to more speculation or counter theories.

Good to see everyones getting along the same while I'm gone. One person has died and 2 have to live with that and their injures forever and we're all worried about how fast they were going.

My condolences to all those effected.

speculation...
 

Because she was such an experienced boater, and would know the lake like the back of her hand, I would think people should lean more toward speculation of mechanical failure, or something of this nature. But, really, I agree...NONE OF THAT MATTERS NOW.
Maybe later, but now the only thing people should be concerned with is passing along thoughts of condolence to the families involved.

These boats have a good reputation, but that hull IS thin. Other large boats have been known to climb over Lake Superior's rock jettys at high speeds saving their drivers. Some fiberglass cloth hanging low from deckline level on this Formula don't appear to have been thoroughly infused with resin. Possibly an error in construction? Fiberglass cloth is now made in China.

I correct myself on the amount of light available.

Just checking today's weather, I see that there is a full moon. I saw other boats miles away after midnight so the visibility was very good, at least after midnight. This boat's direction was from the most open part of the lake, so distractions or just not paying attention seems likely. Comments of a temporary government suspension of GPS seem hardly likely at all.

Are you sure you have the correct night?It rained pretty hard Saturday night and was foggy.Sunday was overcast and drizzly till I left at noon.

Update
 

Latest update from a friend who talked to someone close was that Erica is in critical condition but was expected to survive.I hope that is the case.

what a tragedy
 

siksukr, I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend and my condolences go out to her family, as well. I'll keep Erica and Nicole in my thoughts and prayers as they recover from the physical and emotional toll of this tragedy.

Sad situation....2.30 am.. would Radar have assisted, it looked high end for a boat.

The fiberglass is thick enough. Even from the photo it is impossible to tell if the glass was properly laid or not. Regardless, no glass hull is meant to strike a rock wall head on at a high rate of speed. The whole thing weighs at least 7 tons...

The obstruction was too high for the boat to "soar" over. Lower obstructions, such as those under water or partially above (the Witches is a good example) would allow a boat to act as a ramp and fly over. It's like driving a car over a curb vs. into a wall.

so sad
 

Yes radar would have helped, unfortunately this boat was not equipped with it according to lakeport site..

http://www.lakeportlanding.com/mored...g&icc_ind=BOAT

Exactly,,, if this boat were at WOT when it hit it would have disintegrated. I dont believe there is any design flaw here.. When you take into consideration the forces at work here it is not surprising the amount of damage to the hull.. No fiberglass vessel could withstand the impact of hitting a rock wall at any speed over headway.

I guess all we can hope is that the families can heal and maybe some folks will learn something from this tragedy.

My heart goes out to all affected by this accident. I pray for a speedy recovery for those injured.

HUH? :eek:

Formula does not make a thin-hulled boat at all, in fact they historically have a rather heavy build and have a great reputation. Unless you are a nationally accredited marine surveyor and are overqualified to the point of being able to make such judgements from a website picture about the resin, hull composition, etc you are spewing garbage.

The night was cold, dark and raining at that time. At 1am when we got out of the hot tub and went to bed it was not raining yet but it was extremely dark.

For the record, that boat is capable of 53mph+/-, not exactly a GFBL. It has a dry weight of 15,100lbs and the intertia that it would have at even 25mph could be extremely destructive.

Please let me be clear, I was not saying that the hull was undersized or poorly constructed or defective. It just saying that it looked thinner in the picture than I would have guessed. Formula makes some very expensive boats and I'm sure they have well engineered layups. The stress on that hull at impact to immovable granite has to be incredible.

Boston.com article gives some more information.

Give it a break Less
 

Is this the same Erica Blizzard that is the President of the NHRBA (NH Recreational Boaters Assoc.)? This is the lobbying group of high speed/high horsepower ocean type racing boats owners that vehemently opposed day & night time speed limits on Lake Winnipesaukee! If so, the media needs to follow up on this aspect of the story, as it sheds a whole new light on the speed limit debate!
- F L Less, Meredith, NH"


Anyone who knows Erica Blizzard knows that she is a seasoned boater and highly experienced. And she's smart too. How does her being a part of a lobbying group have anything to do with this unfortunate accident? You, obviously have formed your own opinion. We wish Erica, Paul and their family our heart felt love and support. Every one on this website should do the same.

Sue

From What I Heard 1st Hand From the Nephew
 

Speed was an issue. His aunt is the deceased. The boat hit some rocks and went airborne?? and landed on or near shore. I only know that the families are grieving. The nephew is my future son in law and works at the Whining Butcher in Gilford.( not that that matters) I am not a boater but I have seen what speed can do whether it be a rock or tree or whatever. People kill people. It just brings me to tears. RIP

Well Said Waterbaby
 

Well said! I can only hope that all who read your tread will truly understand what a difficult time this is for all the families involved and will leave them alone. WE weren't in the boat, WE don't know what happened.
Sue

This is a very tragic ACCIDENT. This is not the time to be judmental or speculative, it is the time to offer support, condolences and prayers to all those affected. Please show some sense of decency. The anguish these families are dealing with does not need to be intensified by the stupidness I've read here.

My thoughts and prayers to all those affected.

Erica Blizzard is a vey high respected business woman. I wish her well and my heart goes out to the victims/families involved in this horrible tragedy. Lets all let it be and respect the victims/families involved in this horrible nightmare.

Terrible tragedy
 

Thoughts and prayers go out to all those involved and their families.

...someone stole my name!
 

........

Hello Everyone - just saw this thread, and no it was not me who wrote and posted it in the Union Leader. Someone, acting in bad faith, chose to write up a very rude and nasty letter and post it in the UL, under the name of F L Less.

It's not me....didn't write it and most certainly do not appreciate this deceit.

To whoever crafted this act of deception and miss-statement, you must be very proud of yourself for spreading bad feelings at the hurtfull expense of others.

No doubt, this can be chaulked up as collateral damage from the long running topic in the 'other' boating thread.
..........


Sympathies extended, at what must be a difficult time, to all close to the recent boat accident.

fll

One time,several years ago,I was returning from a party on Bear Island late at night.Not a lot of drinking going on but people on board were having a good time after dinner and visiting friends. I grew up on the lake,but missed a marker and had to frantically reverse because I almost ran right into the Kona boathouse in the fog.
Erica is a skilled and experienced boater and knows the lake well.ANYONE can make a mistake or miss a marker.We need to show some support and understanding .She is a respected businesswoman who is loved by everyone who knows her and using this tragedy to express a point of view about speed limits or performance boats is twisted.I wish this site had a "ignore" feature like the chat rooms.

I agree,untill the facts are out why is it so many want to further there own objectives? why not let the families grieve and find out what MP and the experts find out????????? Or is it in some groups interest to sully someones name and further an objective

I was out on the lake at about 11PM Saturday night and it was lightly raining and very heavy cloud cover. Basically it was dark, very dark. I can say that it was the kind of night that would challenge even the most experenced boaters' knowledge of the lake.

I too think some folks here should be ashamed of their comments, especially given we have no facts. I sincerely hope we get to hear from Erica, as 1 life lost is 1 too many.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by this tragic accident.

As some one that was involved in an accident similiar to this (snow mobile)were I lost one of my very closest friends, my heart goes out to the family of all those involved. This is going to hurt for some time but you will find comfort from your friends, religion, and family and you WILL get through it. Eventually you will move on with your life and things will start to normallize. You will never forget your friend and your memories will again become fond and put a smile back on your face. Forget what all the negative people have to say, best to probably just stay away from all the threads. People all have an agenda and can be down right cruel. God Bless

Well said
 

Nice job CC Everyone on all sides of the "how fast can I drive my boat" issue need to leave this story alone. Show some class and pray for these three families.

I'm afraid the press is not going to leave this story alone. I have just seen the report in the national Fox news.

Our "News" isn't news anymore, its sensationalism. Accuracy and relevance are not important.

NECN Report
 

Dave nailed it here, 6 MPH was the limit.

It is a shame that this tragedy occurred- my prayers are with all of the familes involved.

Sad!!
 

This may or may not be the case but it is exactly the type of post we have seen from FLL on a non-stop basis.Sorry,not buying this post at all.If the shoe fits.

Based on his post and how the name was written in the paper- I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt here.

I obviously have no idea who wrote the letter from F L Less. One can imagine what their intent was.

What I do know, is that I absolutely - positively - absolutely did not write it!

As I said in my post from last night, someone acting in very bad faith crafted this nasty letter to the Union Leader and signed it F L Less.

It was not me!

With such a grave and serious accident that involves big injuries and death, it would be extremely rude and nasty. People have feelings! It is just totally out of good taste to be so disrespectfull.

On the human scale of importance, a grave boating accident emotionally outweighs a speed limit law by a million times......no comparision....

Again, please accept my condolences to all close to this boating accident!

I'm a boater too. Wave to me, and I'll wave back to you.

You know, I do not expect any apologies from anyone who wrote any of the nasty ghoulish replies about me. There was a terrible accident. People get very upset, and they see that nasty letter, and they assume it is real so they react in turn.

Let's just forget about that and move on.

Here's hoping the accident survivors will make a speedy & full recovery.

Is it just me?
 

....but wouldn't a $350,000 boat be equipped with at least a $350 GPS?