[Evenstar]

Originally Posted by Woodsy

Evenstar...Squam is a gorgeous lake. It has historically been a very private/exclusive lake with no public access until recently. The landowners on Squam actually banded together to buy property that the state was going to use to build a public launch. The state finally was able to build a public ramp that to this day is very sore spot with some people. Squam is nothing like Winnipesaukee.

Why is it that every time another lake with a speed limit is brought up, the speed limit opponents argue that it’s not relevant to Winni?

Yes, there are differences between the two lakes. Goodness, I never said that the two largest lakes in NH were exactly the same. My point is that the speed limit on Squam seems to be working, with the result being that Squam is a much safer lake for smaller boats.

BTW: the public access in Holderness, along the Squam River, was donated to the State of New Hampshire by the Squam Lakes Association. And guess what? Only cars with trailers (including non-residents) can park in the parking lot. So us paddlers can only unload our gear at the access, but then we have to find a parking spot somewhere else, and walk back to the access.

Truthfully Evenstar, its not speed that is really the issue. Its congestion! …

That’s your perception, and congestion does likely add to the problem. But I and many others happen to see high speed as the biggest problem. There’s also the fact that a faster boat actually uses up more space on a lake. You could put 100 sea kayaks on Squam and would never guess that there were 100 boats on the water. Now put 100 high speed powerboats on Squam, all traveling at 75 mph and that same lake would be very congested.

You could argue that if by going slower there is a better chance of seeing a small boat or kayak, however I don't agree. Most of the go fast boaters I know are extremely safe, proactive drivers. ... I would ask you to post any info you have on any kayaker/go-fast collision. I do not wish to limit your enjoyment of the lake, I really would hope you don't feel the need to limit mine.

My argument is a factual one: The faster you go, the more distance you cover per second. If you don’t see a kayak in your path until you are 260 feet away, and you are traveling at 90 mph, you have less than 2 seconds to avoid hitting it. At 45 mph, you’ll have almost 4 seconds to avoid it. Those extra 2 seconds are very important to me.

Paddlers have effectively been forced off the main lake. That’s the only reason why there aren’t more collisions with us. We’re afraid to go there, for fear of being run over. So the high speed power boaters are limiting our enjoyment of the lake, for their own selfish needs to travel at dangerous (for us) speeds. A speed limit will help make it possible for more people to enjoy the entire lake. So who’s limiting who?

My new kayak is a bright red sea kayak, with a white hull. I wear a red PFD, a salmon colored dry top, and have a red cockpit skirt. I’m very visible, but if you are heading at me at 75+ mph, and the sun is hitting your wet windshield, will you even see my kayak? Goodness, large power boats even hit each other!

The waves are not the problem. I like big waves. The possibility of being run over is the problem.

And how can I be defensive in a kayak? Perhaps I could mount a small cannon on my deck, and fire warning shots?