No additional cost!
 

:emb:Originally posted by FLL
At an average operating cost of $431.70 dollars an hour for a standard Bell 407 helicopter (not a helicopter with additional police equipment, avionics or personel) I doubt that the NHSP will be doing the "eye in the sky" trick very often over Lake Winnipesaukee to maybe watch for a boat or two!

I know of several people who have allready hit 100 mph on the lake this year. And a new 52 foot performance boat was just dropped in the lake this weekend. As far as Fay saying the lake is quieter? Its the weather.

Maybe...maybe not
 

At noon yesterday, I counted 28 sailboats between Welch Island and Alton on The Broads. At that same moment, there were fewer powerboats! :eek:

Here?

Unless present, how can one make that assertion? :confused:

The "driver" could have temporarily left his navigational duties and taken the picture at arm's length: That would account for the extreme tilt to the horizon. (Or a terrified passenger—maybe). :rolleye2:

I spent both days on the water, sat on my dads nor-tech for the poker run and sun on my wakeboard boat with friends. Both days were full of people passing within 50ft under way and people not knowing the rules about standing down to boats on your right....

All weekend I felt surrounded by people who just got there first boat and had no clue what the rules were....

BTW big thanks to the big shot in his big Regal cruiser that smashed my dads boat into the dock messing up the paint and then acting like its no big deal and boats are meant to be scratched.... him and his whole crew were rude and very UN simpathetic.... people like that should be kicked off the lake back to ware they came from.... my Guess in NY or CT

LFOD if a guy smashed my boat into the dock and messed up the paint, I'd be looking for his insurance company, he can keep the sympathy.

Same here. Hats off to the moron on the "Syphen" who decided to blow past me just outside of the mouth of Alton Bay. He split the distance between myself and another boater who were about 250 ft apart.

Nice to see many of the performance boats supporting the Easter Seals on Saturday.

def a great evet as always.....

That's better than most at 125' apart on each side :D


Good to see everything's under control over there.

Seriously? You're upset because you had 125' feet between boats instead of 150'?

I do my absolute best to obey the 150' law, but damn if that isn't one of the most idiotic boating laws I've ever heard of. I keep seeing people getting so bent out of shape if someone comes within 80' of their boat. This is a relatively small lake, there are many places where no more than 2 boats can reasonably pass each other while also maintain adequate distance from shore, each other, other water hazards, etc.

Part of my big problem with the 150' law, is that it seems 1/2 of the people on the lake aren't aware of it, and 1/2 of the remaining bunch can't judge 150' with any degree of accuracy. I would much rather be alert and expect that a boat may come closer than 150' to me then expect people will obey this law.

If someone cuts across your bow or stern with only a dozen feet to spare, they are certainly reckless. If someone passes you 80 feet to the side because the area is congested, or simply because that is the most direct or logical path, you are not in imminent danger of death.

I'm sure many people will disagree with me, but that is just one that just seems like a waste of legislation.

:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:: laugh::laugh::laugh:
CLASSIC! BI, I got a huge kick outta this one. Whatever the facts may be yes they will ALWAYS support your argument. Thanks for the laugh.

Happy Boating 2009... Is it summer yet?

Yes, I spend alot of time avoiding those that have no idea what 150' feet is or could care less. That said, it is the law and I don't really give a damn if it's the "most direct way" or not.

I am always well aware of what's happening around me. He must've just pulled out of a cove becuse he was not there just seconds before he blew threw there and we always have 4 eyes watching the traffic. My wife is a bit of a paranoid about it.

There was plenty of room to our port for him to safely pass both of us.

And that's generally what I would do as well. It's more proper, less of an annoyance for others, and just a bit more friendly. :)

But he has a point. Many people couldn't judge 150' with a laser rangefinder :rolleye2: I've been within half of that with two to three boats, traveling at (GASP!!!!!!!!!!!:eek) Plane speed. About 25 to 35 is fine.

Like I always say about interstate driving, If you can't travel from Vermont to NH at 75 mph without tapping your brakes without traffic, you really shouldn't be driving. Same at 70 mph, 65 mph .....

Think Ten Canoe Lengths...
 

What would happen if every boater ignored the rules that annoyed them? :confused:

I think it needs to be pointed out that 3 boats within 250' evenly spaced leaves about 83' between each boat. About half the required 150'.
I do agree that 150' is excessive, as long as each captain is fully aware of the other and their intentions.
Right, because every boat within 150' is going to have a head on crash. I mean seriously, that has happened so many times on Lake Winni, I can't begin to count them all.

1. Hello everyone..just found this forum..

Re. The 150 Rule...I have been boating on the lake for about 10 years and it amazes me everyday how many people dont know or refuse to obey the 150 rule. Of course I have to admit judging 150 is not that easy..it is much farther than most people think. Also on the weekends it can be tough to cruise and be that far away all the time. However passing me within 50 feet because I am obeying the rule annoys the hell out of me. The MPs were out enforcing this rule hardcore this weekend I can say. Some guy in a 18 foot bayliner or something blows by us and 3 other boats in Alton Bay Sunday and the MP is sitting right in the channel-where you have to obey the rule or he has you. This guy broke the 150 on 4 boats and also the MP:D


Re. Speeding. Has anyone been given a ticket? I was out all weekend and only exceeded the limit once and there was no one around and I was in the broads. I wonder if they will let that stuff go and only look for people doing something stupid like in a crowded bay or channel?

Lastly...my wife and I saw this Ridiculous Streamlined Boat in Alton Bay on Sunday...It must have been 42+ it was all white with a sloped/curved rear and looked SICK...anyone see that before?

The speed limit law is arbitrary. Not absolute. It also has a reasonable and prudent clause. The MP can stop you at any speed that is not reasonable and prudent. If you were in the Broads and no one is around. I don't think the MP will have probably cause to ticket you if you are over the speed limit.

Thanks for the info....Do they even have radar guns?


ps...Love your Sig and could not agree more

Where did I say I ignored the rule? In fact, I specifically pointed out that I comply with the 150' law as best as possible (sometimes other boaters make it damn near impossible to do so).

Draw it out on a piece of paper.

You would have one boat at "0" feet. Then the second boat at 125 feet, then the third boat at 250 feet.

Ignoring the beam of each boat, if someone splits the difference between you and another boat that is 250' away, you'd have about 125' between each boat.

Unless the boat in the middle was 84' wide :laugh:

Gotcha. I was picturiing a different scenario. It made sense to me at the time. :laugh:

Back on topic...just found out that over 60K was raised on Saturday for the Easter Seals! Nice job to everyone that participated!

New 52 Outerlimits SL

Northport Power Station?
 

TRFOUR - if I'm not mistaken, in the pictures, you are putting in at the Nortport Power Station ramp on Long Island, NY. How long does it take to run to Connecticut?

I got an admittedly bad picture of it heading up Alton Bay on Sunday. Alas it's in the camera which is in the camp.

Wow!
 

That is fantastic! Did everyone have fun? I really enjoyed the boats, (especially the fast ones) though I could not tell which ones were participating. :laugh:

You are confused, on purpose :laugh:

People ignore, or are ignorant of the laws every single day of the week. The reason you're appearing so confused to yourself, is because you don't really care about what you state you are. You care about sailing, freedom to roam, all of that. You care not for safety, or enforcement, or any of that.

If you genuinely did care for all of that, you'd wonder about the missing link in all of these discussions. You know, the one you never bring up. If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem.

If you picked up on the math quiz, and I'm quite sure you did, you'd know that the problem boater above (rude), was illegal by about 25' per boat. Not a huge sum, but technically in the wrong. But you commented on the principle of it. But I've yet to see you chime in on the other, far more important, and far more dangerous moments. Jet skiis between swimmers.

How about this one?

"The MPs were out enforcing this rule hardcore this weekend I can say. Some guy in a 18 foot bayliner or something blows by us and 3 other boats in Alton Bay Sunday and the MP is sitting right in the channel-where you have to obey the rule or he has you. This guy broke the 150 on 4 boats and also the MP
"


No comment APS?

That's down a little from last year, but phenomenal given the weather and the economy this year. Any news on how much the kayakers contributed?

Pricestavern, that would be the place, you have a good eye!.... We were under full power, all three engines, for under 15 minutes. I'd say that we made the trip in about a half hour. Distant Thunder was a big boat, although with 2700 HP it would truck along pretty good. 105 in a four foot chop.

Finally, MY Turn to Say It...
 

You're new here, aren't you? :laugh: :laugh:

I seldom "try" to miss an opportunity to comment. However, in this case, I can only offer that perhaps he was alerted for a specific boat to stop. (Or that his presence was more important as a warning to a specific boater).

MPs can get writer's cramp on weekends.

And I "try" to avoid striking pedestrians. :rolleye2:

Sorry other boaters inconvenience you. :rolleye1:

Both observations are very true: For me, I think of 10 canoes, lined up end to end.

1) Is that a fair question for a "Poker RUN"? :confused:

2) How could one determine that, anyway? Anyone can contribute freely and without participating. :confused:

onlywinni -- it doesn't appear that anyone answered your question -

Yes, the MP most definately have radar guns. I was docked one afternoon in Center Harbor and "chatted it up" with a MP officer docked there early this season. He was very congenial and even showed me the radar unit he was issued. It is about the size of a mid sized pair of binoculars (6"w x 3"h x 8"d approx) it has a monocle sighting window and display's speed & range (distance) and is completely portable i.e no wires. The interesting aspect was range as he indicated to me that he uses it to tell if two boats are 150' apart by simply "targeting" each and taking the difference in range.

Therefore, if you see a MP boat just floating/ idling (as I have seen numerous times since) and the officer has what you think are Binoculars up to his face --- SMILE, your on radar!!

Thanks for the info.

Looks like I will have to mind my speed or at least get a radar detector for the boat:(

I hope he tries that one in court someday, two boats could a mile apart and still only be a few feet different in range.

LIDAR capabilities and limitations....
 

Hi jrc,

You are correct, the LIDAR handheld unit being discussed here gives the operator relative opening or closing speed between the gun and the target be measured, and actual distance between the gun and the target at time of measurement. While you could theoretically point the gun at two separate targets on the water the gun will only give you the distance between itself and each target, it does not and cannot measure the distance apart of two separate targets.

The NHMP officer can indeed use the gun to cite you for a 150 foot offense, only if that offense occured between the the gun (NHMP unit) and you. It is not capable of doing the same for two opposing targets in the field.

Skip

Got sour grapes???????

Not at all
 

new here, that is, just observant.

Most had stopped debating facts or their honest thoughts with you many moons ago. Now that I'm not New here anymore, I will follow suit.

I think most on this board want to debate issues they think relevant. Silly issues like safety, common sense and decency. Hopefully, some of the more important discussions will get the attention of those empowered to focus attention on solutions. The only agenda for the vast majority here is to have safe fun, be considerate of others, that sort of thing.

Then why the petty, sourpuss comment about kayakers? Got self righteous indignancy?

...file this one under the...."when do we get there" file....look'n thru my binoculars....there goes a 17' aluminum canoe, like an olde Grumman...with two on board....paddl'n down past south Bear and Dolly Island and either around or onto Mark Island....time will tell....somethin you basically never see....a canoe....hope that canoe knows about the 45-mph speed limit....paddle-paddle-paddle :D

Just ignore the turtle VTsteve, he is just trolling for an argument. About all he is capable of doing, non value added as usual.