I don't think it's tape. But on a black top spar, about the top two feet are black and the rest is white. On a red top, the top two feet are red, then there is a narrow (maybe 2") white strip, then a narrow red stripe (2" again) then the rest is all white. I just looked through all my lake pictures but could not find one. As far as I know this only applies to the round plastic spars, I don't remember the stripe on the old wooden ones.

The marker is a lone black spar SE of Treasure. If you're leaving the popular sandbar or West Alton Marina and headed due east towards Moose Island, the safe side of the marker should be the north but it's not. Plus the spar is quite a ways off Treasure, so it's not always obvious that going between the marker and shore is the wrong path. If you're traveling north from Minge Cove, then you pass east of the black spar as you would expect.

spar stripe
 

I thought the black spars had stripes also but they don't but the red ones do.
OK I learned something

The older red buoys are striped do too. The only problem is that I can never remember whether it's the black or red that has the extra stripe. Frankly, I think that the red buoys should have a cone shaped top like read sea buoys so that they are easily recognized in low light conditions. This photo is a faded, old red buoy.
http://www.bizer.com/lwother/000red1.jpg

As for the ambiguous buoys, there will always be a problem when the buoy is southeast (or northwest) of a boating hazard. The buoy southeast of Treasure Island could be red because the bulk of the traffic passes to the south. However there are others: Southeast of Spindle Point, southeast of Ozone, southeast of Long Point, southeast of Sandy Island, light #3, etc, etc. Traffic passing these buoys in a north/south path should pass to the east (so the buoy should be black). Those passing on an east/west path should pass to the south (so the buoy should be red).

The same could be said for buoys northwest of boating hazards like light #1, #2, northwest Varney Point, #66, #49, the black buoy 100m west of light #71, and others.

Perhaps a cap?
 

I agree completely, but I am sure it would take the State a loooonnng time to replace out the buoys in question (sure they would claim financial restraints). I wonder if some type of cap (or other feature) could be added to the top of the posts to help differentiate between the two?

Skip

no ambiguity
 

The bottom line on solving the buoy color ambiguity is to look at the chart to see the side of safe passage. I never trust color alone and always check charts continuously when in an area I'm not 100% familiar with. There are many questionable areas....Pistol Island is one that comes to mind and another area heading up Moultonborough bay where the colors seem to reverse. This is because there is a huge (18') submerged rock in 20' of water in the middle of the passage. You can never check your chart too often.

ATON shapes
 

I agree with Bizer.

I would love to see the black and white bouys changed to a black and white "can" shape about the size of the lighted bouys and the red and white ones changed to red and white "nun" shaped bouys. This would make them much easier to identify. Have you ever asked yourself " is that one red or black?" I have. And I would be willing to throw in a surcharge in the registration to pay for it.

But which way is north?

New question: When you look at the MAGNETIC compass in your boat it may not be reading truely north. There are two things causing errors in it's reading. What are they?

Misty Blue

The North Pole is where Santa lives
 

Let's see if I can get this one. The magnetic compass does not point to true north. Magnetic variation changes depending on where you and your compass are. Magnetic North also moves at a pace of about 10km a year. It's where the magnetic field is and that does not coincide with True North. So, the magnetic compass will (usually) point to Magnetic North which is NOT the same as TRUE North. I recall an old formula for converting, TV=MDC...or something like that.

Then there is magnetic deviation. Almost anything metallic on your boat can influence your compass needle. The motor, wiring, other metal can all make a difference and possibly cause false readings.

Some compasses have little adjustments you can make to compensate for magnetic variation. Some people have placed small magnets strategically around their compass to even out irregularities from metal in the boat.

I don't have a compass mounted on my boat anymore. They kept breaking and, after several units and an expired warranty, I gave up on it. Besides, to use it you often need to know where you are and where you are going. If I already know that then why do I need the compass :laugh: ?

Did I come close Misty?

True Virtue Makes Dull Company!
 

Right on Sea Que!

The inherent errors in a magnetic compass are Variation and Deviation (no jokes folks, it's a technical term!).

Variation is the difference between true north (where Santa lives,and yes I have seen it) and this big blob of iron which lives up in the Queen Elizabeth islands. This blob moves a little bit every day to the west. For expmple, when Jesus walked the earth (or water or whatever) magnetic north was in Scandinavia!

Today our variation is about 16 degrees west in NH. In Florida magnetic and true north line up and there is no variation!

Deviation changes like crazy depending on your boat's heading. It is the change in your compass reading caused by metal in your boat, like engines and anchors, etc. When you are heading north the engine is directly behind you and may not influence the compass. When you are heading east or west it is perpendicular to the magnetic influence of the pole and pulls your compass either left or right. To compensate for this you should make up a "Deviation table" which can be used to mathematically correct the compass for each heading. OK for the Queen Mary but really not necessary here on the Lake.

Now pull out your Bizer or Duncan and take a look at the "Compass Rose". It is not the name of a boat owned by a Yachting wannabee but a depiction of a compass on your chart. It is full of information.

New question: What information is on the compass rose?

Misty Blue

Some interesting wordage:

http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~feegi/compass.html

http://www.gisnet.com/notebook/comprose.html

http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~feegi/chart2.html

GPS North
 

Pretty sure you can select your GPS to display true north or magnetic north. Magnetic north will display the same as a properly set up compass, minus the deviation for the heading. The GPS won't have any deviation since it determines magnetic north solely through math and your location. Every compass will have some deviation since it's impossible to tune out on every heading.

Compass Rose
 

I don't have a Bizer (or even his chart ;) ) in front of me right now but in addition to what GWC posted I recall 2 circles, an outer one for "true" bearings and an inner one for magnetic bearings. It'll have marking for North, East, Sout and West and usually some intermediate markings. I seem to recall a date when the magnetic declination/variation was last measured, how much per year it changes (it changes with time !) and perhaps what co-ordinate system the chart uses.

Yes your GPS should have a choice of using true bearings or magnetic bearings. All GPS info comes from measuring distance and doppler shift to a variety of orbiting satellites, so to get your GPS to read some bearing (be it true or magnetic) you need to be moving (or have moved).

Like Sunset Bob I remember that BEN is my "buoy" friend ;) I also wish that some differing caps would be put on top of the markers so as to make them readily distinguishable when lighting is bad, or when the paint is faded (like the old wood one off Patrician Shores). Like Orion I keep a chart handy because there are some places where the buoy color just doesn't work 100 %. The one off Treasure I comes to mind.

Lastly as to blowers I say the reason to keep them off during fueling and on after, is to give you a chance to sniff out a problem. If you've had a refueling mishap and have have gotten fuel into the bilge it may not be noticable if you've had the blowers running all the time. If however you turn them on only after refueling is done and then immediately sniff you should be able to detect a problem. All blowers (indeed all engine compartment devices) are supposed to be ignition protected and shouldn't be able to cause a spark and subsequent fire but I'd rather find a problem at the dock and not out on the lake.

A rose by any other name...
 

GWC, cool sites! I never knew where the term "rose" came from.

MnM, right on again! The outside of the rose is true heading and the inside is magnetic heading. Magnetic variation changes about 2' (two minutes) westward each year around here. My chart's (Bizer calls it a map, lawyers) rose was developed in 1980. 26 years X 2' per year and you will find that the magnetic part of the rose is almost one full degree off to the east. Again, if you are trying to find Midway Island this may be important. If you are trying to fine Gar Wood's, probably not.

Here is one that will win you a few cocktails at the Yacht Club but I warn you it is very tricky!

What is the Eastern most part of the United States.

Hint: 49.

Misty Blue.

Very tricky question
 

Somehow I'm reminded of a scene from "Monty Python and the Holy Grail"....

I have to ask what do you include in the definition of "United States" ? Can I include territories ? Also just what is most East ? As defined by the Prime Meridian or by which part sees the Sun rise first (using International Date Line) ?

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Bridgekeeper: STOP!
He who would cross the Bridge of Death
Must answer me
These questions three
Ere the other side he see.

Arthur: Ask me your questions, Bridgekeeper. I am not afraid.

Bridgekeeper: What...is your name?

Arthur: King Arthur of the Britons!

Bridgekeeper: What...is your quest?

Arthur: I seek the Holy Grail!

Bridgekeeper: What...is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?

Arthur: (brief pause) What do you mean, an African or a European swallow?

Bridgekeeper: (confused) Well...I don't know... (An unseen force whisks him up and over the side of the bridge) AAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGHHHH!!!

Bedevere: (crossing behind Arthur) How do you know so much about swallows, sire?

Arthur: Well, you have to know these sorts of things when you're a king you know...

Alaska
 

Your hint indicates that it is part of the 49th state, Alaska. Does that mean the one of the islands lies on the other side of the International Date Line and therefore the most easterly?

Quoddy Point.

Attu.
 

The island of Attu is the last in the chain of the Aleution islands and is on the other side of the international date line making it the eastern most part of the continental US. I should have made that clear.

Sorry DONZ, but this does have something to do with our Lake. Both the Biizer and Duncan charts now have Lat. and Lon. on them. There is nothing that I like better than getting a call and the caller has the GPS co-ords. I once had a lost boater at night. When I asked him "where are the red beacons on Mt. Belknap in relation to your boat"? he said "on my right"!

It's good to take your GPS position and place it on the chart once in a while.

The GPS is a Nav tool, not a vidio game.

If anyone is interested and I can get 10 students we can put on an Auxiliary Basic Coastal Navigation course. (It works on the Lake too). It takes about six to eight lessons (with homework) and is a lot of fun! PP me and we can see what happens.

Misty Blue

GPS, Compass and NO-WAKE
 

Earlier in this thread, there was talk about GPS and a magnetic compass. No one pointed out that each device measures a different thing. A compass tells you which way your boat is pointed. A GPS tells you your direction of motion. To take an extreme example: If your boat is pointing toward the North Star, you compass will say you are pointed (approximately) north. If you’re in reverse and going backwards, your GPS will tell you that you are heading south. A GPS has no idea which way you are pointed, it only knows its position.

One question that I have concerns NO-WAKE areas. In general, all boats must slow to NO-WAKE speed (under six MPH) when within 150 feet of shore, another boat, swimmers, etc. Which of the following (if any) are authorized exceptions to the NO-WAKE rule on Winnipesaukee?
· (A) It’s 5:57 pm and you’re in a rush to get to Meredith Center for your 6 pm dinner reservations so you zip through the NO-WAKE zone so you’re not late.
· (B) Your daughter is unconscious and you zip through the NO-WAKE zone in Meredith Center to get medical attention.
· (C) Another boat is illegally fishing in the channel between Governors Island and Eagle Island and you want to get around them quickly.
· (D) You’re in the Graveyard Channel which is about one half mile long and another boat is approaching you at high speed. Neither boat can leave the channel for fear of hitting rocks. Each boat may continue “on plane” while passing as long as each keeps to the right.
· (E) You’re in the Graveyard Channel and you catch up to a boat which is chugging along at 5 MPH. It’s OK to pass him as he will take another 8 minutes to clear the channel.
· (F) Your wife wants to water ski, but she can only start while sitting on your dock. Your rope is the standard 75 feet, but there’s no way she can ski at 6 MPH until you get beyond 150 feet. It’s OK to go faster than 6 MPH within 150 feet of shore as long as you head away from the shore and that there are no other boats within 150 feet.
· (G) You’re traveling from Wolfeboro to Meredith across The Broads at 31 MPH. You overtake another boat going in the same direction at 29 MPH. It’s OK to pass near them because the difference in your speeds is only 2 MPH.

F is the only authorized excuse for breaking the 150 foot/no wake rule that I am aware of.

I agree with Dave R. That's what it says in Saf-c 400.

As to (B), the probabilty of getting a ticket for this is tiny, and even if they did, the chance of conviction is even smaller. And even if convicted, it's a small price to pay to potentially save a life.

(G) is the strange one, as soon as the 31MPH boat is within 149' of the 29MPH boat, they are both guilty.

Yup,F is the only one I know for sure but I wonder if an emergency superseeds that law.I know I would not take the 6-7 minutes it takes to get through the channel if it was a REAL emergency.

Agreed
 

F for sure and for B, I don't care, I'm getting there as fast as possible.

Stand on vessel
 

JRC:

When a vessel is being passed within 150' he is not necessarily also guilty of a violation of the Safe Passage Rule (a good rule).

Anywhere except in NH he would be the "Stand On Vessel" and by law would be required to "maintain course and speed". This is to avoid confusion during a maneuver being undertaken by an other vessel.

In NH they throw in a curve ball. The vessel being overtaken must maintain course and "such speed as circumstances prudently permit". To me, stepping on the brakes when someone is passing you is bad policy. The MP has given out tickets to both boats in the past but I would take that one to a judge.

As for Bizer's quiz I go along with Dave. The only written deviation from the rule is for a skiier TAKING OFF. When you land the no one, the boat or the skiier can be within 150' of the shore, rafts, etc. so when they whip you back in make sure that you have enough Moxie to make it in!

Let's try a new tack. We will soon be launching and that means trailers!

Fun with trailers: When you hook on your trailer to your F-350 Super Duty "Dullie" how should you set you safety chains?

Misty Blue.

...crossed
 

Tire chains should be crossed. In case the hitch lifts off the trailer ball while being towed, the trailer hitch and tongue will be caught by the crossed chains and not dig into the road. If the chains are too long, their cradle effect will not work too good, or at all.

Next question: For trailers built before directional signals were required, what's the universal hand signal for signaling a right hand turn?

criss cross
 

crossing so the theroy goes will help the trailer track straight if it should some how come off the ball.

test question, when putting the padlock on when storing, should the "catch" be open or closed?

That's akin to asking if the door should be closed prior to locking it.

Does not make much sense to "lock" an open door and leave it opened.

Just because to knob will not turn, does not preclude someone from entering the open door.

Trailer latch
 

You are right on with crossing the safety chains AL. The hitch popped off of the wife's boat last year and without the chains she would have rolled down a steep driveway into mu neighbor's cottage. WOW!

Try this one: How do you keep your trailer lights from "popping" when launching your boat?

Misty Blue

You unplug the lights before getting them wet or switch to LED instead of bulbs, a really nice upgrade.

Pretty sure cables handle shock loads better than chains and would probably be an upgrade to any trailer. I know the breaking limit of plain steel cable is roughly 5 to 6 times the working load limit of the same diameter proof coil chain. I like the way cables self coil too.

Doctrine of competing harms....RSA 627:3
 

Siksukr is right, depending on the circumstances B would be a reasonable exception. However, carefully note the exception in section II....The RSA follows (pertinent passages in red as usual):

Section 627:3
627:3 Competing Harms. –
I. Conduct which the actor believes to be necessary to avoid harm to himself or another is justifiable if the desirability and urgency of avoiding such harm outweigh, according to ordinary standards of reasonableness, the harm sought to be prevented by the statute defining the offense charged. The desirability and urgency of such conduct may not rest upon considerations pertaining to the morality and advisability of such statute, either in its general or particular application.
II. When the actor was reckless or negligent in bringing about the circumstances requiring a choice of harms or in appraising the necessity of his conduct, the justification provided in paragraph I does not apply in a prosecution for any offense for which recklessness or negligence, as the case may be, suffices to establish criminal liability.
Source. 1971, 518:1, eff. Nov. 1, 1973.

....dial 911!
 

Back in 1971, cell phones didn't exist but now there's no excuse for not phoning your attorney for an opinion, before proceeding. With a cell phone, everyone is excused from having any personal responcibility. Hey, just phone 911......24/7......and qualified help is right there! Am I correct?

Right arm out the right window? :D

Ok, if your right arm is too short...

You put your left arm out the left window. Make it straight from your shoulder to your elbow, bend your elbow up so your hand points straight up.

Agreed. I'm having a little deja-vu here.

RSA 270-D:2 is a little confusing.

This part:
IV. When vessels are running in the same direction and the vessel which is astern desires to pass the other, it shall do so only when sufficient distance between the vessels is available to avoid danger of collision, and at such a speed that its wake will not endanger the boat being passed or its occupants. No person operating a vessel shall abruptly change its course without first determining that it can safely be done without crossing immediately ahead of another vessel.

and this part:

VII. When a vessel is given the right-of-way, such vessel shall hold its course and maintain such speed as the circumstances prudently permit.

Pretty much align with the stand-on vessel in a passing situation rules everyone else uses.

And it kind of conflicts with:

VI. (a) To provide full visibility and control and to prevent their wake from being thrown into or causing excessive rocking to other boats, barges, water skiers, aquaplanes or other boats, rafts or floats, all vessels shall maintain headway speed when within 150 feet from:
...(6) Other vessels...

But Saf-C 400 has a specific $68 fine for violating part VI. But no fine for either part IV or VII.

Bondage with your trailer...
 

1) Sailors know that there are cables...and there are cables: Neither show particularly well that they have been dangerously compromised. Stressed cables (or sailboat shrouds/halyards) can unravel or reveal "fishhooks", indicating a severe weakness. :eek:

Like knots in rope, cable ends are especially important: Swaged cable ends are far superior to clamps, but neither connector can be counted on when the cable has any plastic coating, such as found on self-coiling cable.

A chain that has been compromised will stretch, but only an expert's eye (or measure) can determine if the chain is still safe. Tow truck operators will give away stressed chain (if you're using it for securing a canoe to a tree, say).

2) I discovered first hand why trailer chains should be crossed: If they are not crossed, and the towing vehicle's hitch requires a longer length of chain than provided by the trailer, the entire "safety-chain rig" can be compromised in a sharp turn. (You can straighten the hook, skew the eye, or even bend the trailer neck). :(

Crossed chains self-cancel the effect of a sharp turn. The "cradle-effect" is a bonus. :)

padlock open!
 

I always padlock open (unless I have a lock that blocks the underside of the receiver...preferred!). The reason is that leaves the thief no way to secure the trailer on the ball. If you padlock the lock closed, all it takes is a 7/8" socket wrench to loosen the receiver nut, put the trailer on the hitch, then tighten the nut back up!

Correct
 

Orion has it right. But there are a lot of folks that do not realize that. They think it's locked so I'm safe. Only take a minute or so to loosen, put on your hitch and retighten and now it looks like you are the rightful owner because the trailer is padlocked onto your vehicle.

Food for thought...

http://www.trailerlock.com/five.html

A fantastic boating information thread!!!!
 

I've been following along here on this thread since it started and I have another question to add, If I may.


You are riding along at 20 knots, and the engine just quits. The question that I have is for one, two or more engined crafts.

What is the first thing the operater should do?

1st, I'd ask my wife what she did :-)
 

I'd probably make some sort of muttering noises.
I might look around, maybe for an alien... 'er, make that extra terrestrial craft.

First thing I'd do is check my "Man Overboard" switch (or whatever you call that kill switch at the helm).
I probably yanked on the lanyard and pulled the clip from the switch :) so, I'd check that first.

I'm with Al....
 

....cause I've lost track of the times I've popped the lanyard myself! It's my own fault, on many occasions I'll site atop a throwable cushion and the edge of the cushion will push the lanyard out just enough to stop the engine....keep telling the wife I need a new boat with better seats to overcome this predicament and, err since this is a family website, I'll let you imagine her response! :D

First thing
 

Take a fast look around to see if you need to wave off/sound horn warn anyone. You just changed speed abrubtly and someone that may have been doing the same speed following you, may need quick course change.