Speed Limit Poll

[Outlaw]

Here's a question that will stir up things.......

Let me stage a picture in your mind. It's Saturday, July 2nd, 2005 a long holiday weekend at 2:00 PM and there are in excess of 100 boats in the Broads alone and at least 1/2 that in Paugus Bay and in at least 100 boats elsewhere on the lake (not anchored or docked). For argument sake, lets say 20% of these boats are technically in violation of the proposed 45mph.

How would you propose this law be enforced? Meaning, how would violators be detected, stopped, and written up. Not to mention how the whole process would work in the courts when tickets are protested - "who" would be responsible to show up to enforce the violation.............

Now keep in mind that New Hampshire Marine Patrol came out against this proposed bill last time it was out.


Why do you think these boaters are violating the (proposed) speed limit? Is it because they can? Well, that is probably true - why not, we do it on the roads, so why not do it on the water. At least on the roads we have rules and laws that are enforced such as white lines, yellow lines, traffic lights and signs (a million signs of all sorts). None of which exist on the water. We do have rules and laws for the water, many of which I am most confident the average boater who comes to Winni may not be aware of. I'm sure you've all heard them at least once in your lifetime (hopefully). Maybe even some of you took a boating safety course to learn more about them. But how many boaters out there either haven't yet taken the course, or did but did not take is seriously, but rather just to pass and get the required certification, because that's what NH says we must do. How frustrating it must be for those boaters who did take the course and took it seriously and abide by the rules and regs and each day encounter someone who does not. Similar to why insurance rates continue to sky rocket, we all end up paying for those select few who continue to ignore the laws. I can only hope that some day those select few will meet with 'justice'.

I can quote you all the boating safety laws for NH, but better yet, why not just visit one of the following web sites to learn about them. The more you know the better empowered you are to operate your vessel in a safe manner and avoid dangerous situations, of which speed can be one of them.

Many of you have done this last year (and thank you all), and you need to do it again this year, is visit the Town Docks (usually Meredith, Wolfeboro and Alton) on one of the predefined Vessel Safety Check days. Not only to have your boat inspected for NH safety rules and regs, but to learn more about NH Boating Rules and Regs in general from your Vessel Examiner. There are two dates scheduled at this time: June 11th and July 23rd, 2005 (typically 8AM to 4PM).

Also, May 21 - 27, 2005 is National Safe Boating Week. Check with your areas local Marina to see what activities are planned around the lakes region.

Here are the sites I spoke of:
http://www.lrsps.org
http://usps.org/national
http://state.nh/us/safety/ss/

Thank you and safe boating to all this summer.

[ApS]

Originally Posted by Outlaw

"...Why do you think these boaters are violating the (proposed) speed limit? Is it because they can? Well, that is probably true - why not, we do it on the roads, so why not do it on the water...?

If you have a mishap on Route 11, it is unlikely that you will drown.

[xltRod]

Hey bear lover, I have been reading and enjoying posts on this board since before you had to register. I just registered to vote on this important issue. I have been wanting to register for some time but have not got off my butt to do it. Thanks to the narrow minded and self centered people of the aera, I have finely become a member.
Thank you IG, RG , Mcdude, and others for the pics around the lake, Thanks for the history lessons, I love em. This forum is awsome and we need the mix of people that this place has to see other points of view. We dont need to be regulated to death by people that hide under the bed and wine that it's bad out there. Thanks for listening. Rod

[Outlaw]

Originally Posted by Acres per Second

If you have a mishap on Route 11, it is unlikely that you will drown.

And if you have a mishap in the Broads it is unlikely you will collide head on with a semi........ And your point is what?

[ApS]

Originally Posted by Outlaw

"...Why do you think these boaters are violating the (proposed) speed limit? Is it because they can? Well, that is probably true - why not, we do it on the roads, so why not do it on the water..."

Boiled down, Outlaw's statement was that exceeding the speed limit set for the highway is no different a case than exceeding a speed limit set for the Lake.

Originally Posted by Acres per Second
If you have a mishap on Route 11, it is unlikely that you will drown.

Originally Posted by Outlaw

And if you have a mishap in the Broads it is unlikely you will collide head on with a semi........ And your point is what?

This may be a "right-brain" / "left-brain" issue. Perhaps a parable will help:

I stood with a old retired aircraft pilot once, contemplating a light plane that had just crashed into a pine tree right adjacent to Lake Winnipesaukee. There were no injuries.

I asked the old guy, "Which is the better crash site to choose, were it possible...a lake or a tree?"

He told me, "The impact is the same, but you won't drown if you've selected the tree."

Well, I see the logic in it.

Originally Posted by Belmont Resident

"...Last year the topic was because of all the close calls..."

It also happened to be the cloudiest, soggiest, coldest, most turbid season in years with a low turnout of boaters, divers, and skiers. What happens next season?

Originally Posted by Cal

"...We fought the same battle in Jersey just last year and the speed limit lost..."

As goes 'Jersey, so goes New Hampshire?

How many people are fleeing New Hampshire for 'Jersey?

State motto: "New Jersey...You got a problem wid dat?"

[Outlaw]

Originally Posted by Acres per Second

I stood with a old retired aircraft pilot once, contemplating a light plane that had just crashed into a pine tree right adjacent to Lake Winnipesaukee. There were no injuries.

I asked the old guy, "Which is the better crash site to choose, were it possible...a lake or a tree?"


How many people are fleeing New Hampshire for 'Jersey?

State motto: "New Jersey...You got a problem wid dat?"

Acres per Second, aka Madrashas, aka I.R. - If you're going to continue to change your screen name every so often, at least change your writing style.

And more importantly, stick to the topic. Everyone is so so tired and bored with your anticis. If you have something to say about the topic of HB162, write a letter, make a phone or send an email to the local representative. If you are not familiar with who is the rep for Winter Habor, let me know and I can find out for you.

[Frdxplorer]

Originally Posted by Outlaw

If you are not familiar with who is the rep for Winter Habor, let me know and I can find out for you.

Outlaw, thanks for the offer, although it was not specifically made to me. If you wouldn't mind just letting me know where I can find that information I would greatly appreciate it. I certainly don't expect you to have to look it up by yourself. Although I am not a voting resident of NH, my Political Science background tells me that as an informed individual I really should know this. Also, please correct me if I am wrong, but don't I recall that same Poli Sci background taught me that there is a huge number of state legislators in NH. Thanks for your help Outlaw! Stay warm up there.

[upthesaukee]

Frdexpoler...In the first page of the speedlimit thread, there is a post by Island Girl that has links to legislative pages where you can get info on Reps if you know them, and also a link for finding out who your rep is. Click on a county and you will get the appropriate reps.


Stay Warm!!

[Island Girl]

I sent an email to all on the list that I posted. A few of the addresses are invalid, less than 10%. I have heard back from several of the reps and the dialogue has been interesting. I very much appreciate that they took the time to respond.

IG

[Outlaw]

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

Frdexpoler...In the first page of the speedlimit thread, there is a post by Island Girl that has links to legislative pages where you can get info on Reps if you know them, and also a link for finding out who your rep is. Click on a county and you will get the appropriate reps.


Stay Warm!!

Thanks upthesaukee for helping out with this one, I appreciate it.

Frdexpoler, I hope you find what you are looking for - it's refreshing to hear someone who actually wants to be informed and takes the time to do so - Thanks.

[Just Sold]

I hope those who can will attend the Hearing today. I cannot but did send e-mails to 6 of the Rep's from my town with very positive results. Of the responses I recieved all expressed interest and did not support HB 162. One who did respond is a little out of touch with the realities of what speed is required to go water skiing, " a boat can not pull skiers at 45mph", but did agree a speed limit is not the right solution.

[Frdxplorer]

Thanks for everyone's help. I appreciate it. Just Sold, can you really not pull skiers at 45 MPH? If this is the case I would have been out of touch as well. I keep our whaler at about 3500 RPM while pulling a skiier. We don't have a speed guage but I estimate that to be closer to 25-30 MPH. I will have to check it using the handheld GPS next year. I guess different boats require different levels of speed to pull a skier. Speaking of... I wish it were skiing time again.

[PROPELLER]

On a slalom ski you would probably sink or at least drag severely at 25mph but on combo skis you may be ok. It also depends on the weight of the skier. I typically ski at 32-33 mph on a slalom ski but anywhere from 30-35 depending on the skier is good. I don't barefoot but I believe 40mph at the very least is needed, maybe more. I have friends that have barefoot skied & I think they needed at least 40mph.

[Frdxplorer]

Originally Posted by PROPELLER

On a slalom ski you would probably sink or at least drag severely at 25mph but on combo skis you may be ok. It also depends on the weight of the skier. I typically ski at 32-33 mph on a slalom ski but anywhere from 30-35 depending on the skier is good. I don't barefoot but I believe 40mph at the very least is needed, maybe more. I have friends that have barefoot skied & I think they needed at least 40mph.

Somehow I am missing something. I slalom all the time behind our 20' whaler. According to the GPS, we can't get the thing above about 40 MPH and when I am skiing, we run at a much lower RPM than full throttle. There is no dragging and no sinking either. Very typical ride. Maybe the GPS is off.

[ApS]

My most recent slalom skiing was done pre-GPS.

The fastest I ever skied was behind a "big" 18-footer with a 60HP Mercury. (Direct-reversing, too -- a neat safety and convenience feature).

Back then, we skied at an indicated 26 MPH. Being skinny back then, we could have skied much faster with that rig.

This indicated 26 MPH speed was consistent with our slower -- but still happy -- ski boat experience, which showed indicated speeds of 20-22MPH, and was commensurately effortless. I fell off -- as one is wont to do in water skiing -- and was given a hit to my stomach (and knocked near-unconscious) by my state-mandated ski belt. Ski belts are history now, but that recollection stays.

Non-skiers are unaware of how "hard" water gets as the speeds increase. You don't want to be ejected from any speeding boat, just as you wouldn't want to be ejected from an SUV at any speed.

(Ejection is just one other reason for the proposed speed limit and its poll).

[Just Sold]

"FRDXPLORER: Just Sold, can you really not pull skiers at 45 MPH? "



I never said that. That was an e-mail comment from one of my local state reps. When I was younger and still waterski'd we never needed big HP to get up on the ski's and it certainly was not at 45MPH but closer to 25 to 30 mph. We used a 35hp Evinrude on a 1955 15' Lyman with rear seat steering for quite a few years before moving up to an inboard 19' Lyman (1959) w/109HP Grey Marine engine. By the way our boat was the "ELBO" for Eleanor and Bob, my parents.

[zantheman]

I'm not a New Hampshire resident (wish I was) but I do visit the lake each summer with my boat. Here in New Jersey we do have a speed limit on Hopatcong on the weekends and at night. Is it effective? On crowded summer weekends on a lake of Hopatcong's size maybe. That being said I can't see one on Winnipesaukee particularly in the broads. Maybe sections of the lake on weekends but not the entire lake. Its kind of like the rafting arguments going on on this board. I like the idea of designated rafting zones and maybe there should be zones where one can open it up and zones where you can't. Like someone said there are zones where it's not prudent to go fast anyway. I don't want to get step on any NH residents toes who are totally opposed to a limit but just make a suggestion. We love the lake and look forward to our trip in August.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

[Cal]

If my memory serves me correctly , isn't Hopatcong about the size of Alton Bay?

[zantheman]

Cal:

Hopatcong's about the size of Newfound Lake. Just out of interest what waterways were the speed limit voted down on in NJ that you metioned in an earlier post? Hopatcong's limit has been around for years. The speed limit is only enforced on weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

[KTO]

I don't know if it's just me (and excuse me if I offend anyone), but I believe that people on the lake are just plain RUDE! For example, passing past Eagle Island on a weekend, have you ever noticed, NOBODY SLOWS DOWN? It is becoming much less common every year! Why is everyone in such a hurry? I mean, if you are out boating, you are most likely on vacation. . . I hope anyway!

If people could just be a bit more respectful to other boaters, there wouldn't need to be a poll in the first place (If this poll was meant for other reasons, and with my luck it probably was, I'm sorry! ) But its just ridiculous how people don't understand basic numbers, like I don't know, 150 for example!

Just to let you all know, this is NOT a heated post and I am not speaking out of pure anger (maybe a little anger) but it is quite irritating when the 150 feet rule isn't followed.

[Outlaw]

KTO - you hit the nail on the head with this post - excellent, thank you. What I believe you are referring to is what is known as BOATER EDUCATION. Mix that with a little common courtsey and guess what, the boaters police themselves.