Autumn day on the Lake
 

I had the pleasure of spending the day on Winnipesaukee with a friend yesterday. We spent the day fishing and most of our time was North and East of Middle Ground. We likely entered nearly every cove from the Cow Island area all the way up to and including the Lee's Mills are. There was certainly a lack of pleasure boaters. We did see the Winnipesaukee Bell with a large party on board = sign said it was a birthday party- they couldn't have asked for a better day. For anyone who missed it, the colors gave everyone a real treat. The reflection of the colors made it appear as if there was no horizon = the reflection blended the water with the hillsides and mountains. The fishing was a bit tough but the majestic show of natures best was nothing short of breathtaking and extremely relaxing. My friend Joe and I are probably in the background of a large amount of pictures taken by a group of leaf peepers. We happened to be fishing in front of the docks at 19 mile when a tour bus stopped to give the passengers a chance to take pictures of the colors bouncing off Chase & Loon Islands, with the Graveyard & Moultonborough in the background.

Hopefully someone on this site managed to get some pictures of the colors on the lake that they can post for all to see.

John/NH

Columbus Day Weekend
 

Yes! The weather Firiday and Saturday was the best! Friday saw very few boats, and a speed run across the Broads was the order. The nights were warm and sleeping over on the boat was nice. The stars were in full force. I'm surprise of the many boaters at the beach bar as I didn't see too many boaters on the lake. I thank Cyndi for another wonderful year. :cheers:
Many people winterize their boats Columbus Day Weeknd. I have a wedding to go to at Church's Landing on the 16th. The wedding couple had asked if I could take guests that have never seen Winnipesaukee out for a cruise. If the weather holds, I could do that. Hopefully there will be a gas station open.

Hit rock off Long island
 

Saturday we were out for a "foliage ride" in our 21 foot Four Winns when we started through the six buoys off of East Point, Long island on the east side just north of the area between Little Bear and Long Island. We were heading northwest toward Long Island bridge. Another boat started south through the set of buoys, and since we would not be the required 150 feet from that boat, we slowed to "no wake" speed. Halfway between the first two red buoys , (heading north), we hit a rock. We were defintiely in the channel, just more to the right( as opposed to down the center of the channel) as the other boat was heading south toward us. We have been through this area hundreds of times and have never had a problem. Our propellor will need to be replaced, and we hope that is all. Luckily, our Tuftonbor ohome was not too far away, and we were able to limp back to our dock.

JUST A WARNING as the lake level is low.

Bugs Bunny

After the Lake water level has been dropped... for winter
 

To everyone, still boating here, a word of caution!

When entering a narrow channel, if another boat is coming at you, taking his or her half out of the middle, even in cases where the other boat does not have the right of way, "STOP", and wait, so as you can bring your boat through the center... Also, stay away from island and mainland shoreline areas, unless you know them to be free of Rocks!
I have been very fortunate here in all of my years of boating, but have had vacationers come up to me and ask, where can I buy a prop for my boat, or, get my boat fixed!

This could save you a prop or two, an outdrive or even a hole in the hull.

Hope this helps.

That channel is on my cruise plan this weekend
 

Just curious but were you at NWS when you hit or in the process of slowing to NWS when you hit ? FWIW I checked the lake level and it appears to be 4-5 in below average for this time of year. It's definitely time to trim up the outdrive when bringing the boat to (my) dock (or other questionable areas).

http://www.des.state.nh.us/dam/graph/graph.htm