Quote:
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Originally Posted by TomC
not the absolute number of gallons sold. When plotted year to year to eliminate random variations, a trend might emerge....
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A trend like New Hampshire's weather during the summers—when 2003-2006
were our wettest? 
Quote:
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Originally Posted by sgold44
"...I ask all the old timers out there to tell us if the traffic on the lake is getting lighter each year..."
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I'm fully qualified to answer, then!
...And I'm saying that the trend
is obviously downward:
and it's a result of converging trends.
1) Boater-Ed is trying to blend the Older Boater in at present: some won't be bothered, and will just play golf or game electronically. (Not to mention that their test taking skills are less well-honed than younger boaters
and the requirements have just become an impediment this year over the much-friendlier on-line requirements!)
2) Gas has increased in cost, but it's been incremental; all the while, boats are incrementally larger—creating new demand for fuel—thereby raising the cost of fuel!
3) Larger boats contribute to the lake's "agitation-cycle" that conflicts with other
former activities, such as waterskiing, sightseeing, cruising, picnicking at anchor, and
learning to waterski.
Tubing thrives on the "agitation-cycle", and ever-larger boats are taking up the activity!
4) Ocean-racers pride themselves on their money-spending and have little to fear financially from enforcement activities: there's that intimidation factor from their speeds and wakes—particularly in congested bays and harbors.
5) Some
begin their boating experience with a large-ish boat for Lake Winnipesaukee, and have little appreciation for the effect of their wakes on other boaters and swimmers in shallow waters. (Where wakes
really increase in force).
There. I
think I'm done!