Small boat on the big lake.

MikeF-NH · 03-24-2014, 02:41 PM

As I've posted before, I have had my 16 foot lund on pretty much every part of the lake and have spent plenty of time on the Broads with it too (even on weekends in the summer). Heck even had it at Wolfboro for the fireworks last year and left the Bay with 1000 other boats in the dark out in to the Broads. Bottom line is know your boat and know the lake. Make sure if you are going somewhere that is exposed that you can get back (watch the weather).

The Broads doesn't define the whole lake but the Broads and the path into Weirs from there do define some of the most challenging conditions you will face. Northern and Eastern parts of the lake feel much more forgiving to me with a smaller boat but I never leave the dock without knowing exactly what the anticipated wind conditions will be. The advantage to a smaller boat is that you can more easily get into some of the smaller places on the lake and perhaps find a "hidden gem" where you can drop and anchor or even sit on an isolated beach that other boats aren't getting to.

winlessinnh · 03-24-2014, 02:51 PM

I agree. I have two boats, 16' whaler and 25'. Although 25' is much easier on the back, the 16' is fine as long as you don't go crazy in rough waters.

Rich · 03-24-2014, 02:55 PM

A few years ago we rented an 18.5 bowrider and rode from Meridith to Wolfeborough. So we went right through the broads.

It was doable, but not comfortable. We were tossed around a lot, and the comfort level was directly related to your speed.

Two years ago we had a 27ft cruiser, which was comfortable no matter where we we going. Now with a larger boat, I'm more worried about shallows, and if there is a dock space available at some of the public docks, than I am about the conditions on the broads.

So, it can be done, as many people do it. Just be careful of the conditions and your freeboard, your loading, and experience.

There are many places you can enjoy in a boat your size. If you head out towards the broads and it's too rough, either turn around, or stay inside of many of the islands for some protection.

Pineedles · 03-24-2014, 03:51 PM

How about a 14' Sears Aluminum with a 14 horse Scott outboard? it's been all over the lake and never once did I consider the weather as something to be looked at. Of course that was over 45 years ago and the boat traffic wasn't what it is now. But the lake the is the same! Just choose a day that won't have a lot of traffic and you can go anywhere.

Chaselady · 03-24-2014, 04:33 PM

I have boated Wiini for 30 years, and have been caught by surprise several times. Crossing the broads that kicked up 4-6 footers within an hour on a sunny but windy day, with my elderly mother hanging on in the back of our 21 ft boat was quite the experience I would not want to repeat. That was wind, and not boat wakes. We decided at that time that in order to really use the whole lake most of the time we needed a bigger boat.

03-24-2014, 02:51 PM	#2
winlessinnh Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 31 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	It's fine I agree. I have two boats, 16' whaler and 25'. Although 25' is much easier on the back, the 16' is fine as long as you don't go crazy in rough waters.

03-24-2014, 02:55 PM	#3
Rich Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Derry / Gilford Posts: 1,256 Thanks: 75 Thanked 348 Times in 237 Posts	A few years ago we rented an 18.5 bowrider and rode from Meridith to Wolfeborough. So we went right through the broads. It was doable, but not comfortable. We were tossed around a lot, and the comfort level was directly related to your speed. Two years ago we had a 27ft cruiser, which was comfortable no matter where we we going. Now with a larger boat, I'm more worried about shallows, and if there is a dock space available at some of the public docks, than I am about the conditions on the broads. So, it can be done, as many people do it. Just be careful of the conditions and your freeboard, your loading, and experience. There are many places you can enjoy in a boat your size. If you head out towards the broads and it's too rough, either turn around, or stay inside of many of the islands for some protection. __________________ Don't listen to me, obviously I don't understand what I'm talking about! Let's help each other save time and money: WinniGas.com Get a backup/duplicate RF DESS Key for your SeaDoo, CanAm or SkiDoo RideKey.app

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03-24-2014, 02:41 PM	#1
MikeF-NH Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 320 Thanks: 2 Thanked 120 Times in 80 Posts	As I've posted before, I have had my 16 foot lund on pretty much every part of the lake and have spent plenty of time on the Broads with it too (even on weekends in the summer). Heck even had it at Wolfboro for the fireworks last year and left the Bay with 1000 other boats in the dark out in to the Broads. Bottom line is know your boat and know the lake. Make sure if you are going somewhere that is exposed that you can get back (watch the weather). The Broads doesn't define the whole lake but the Broads and the path into Weirs from there do define some of the most challenging conditions you will face. Northern and Eastern parts of the lake feel much more forgiving to me with a smaller boat but I never leave the dock without knowing exactly what the anticipated wind conditions will be. The advantage to a smaller boat is that you can more easily get into some of the smaller places on the lake and perhaps find a "hidden gem" where you can drop and anchor or even sit on an isolated beach that other boats aren't getting to.

The Following User Says Thank You to MikeF-NH For This Useful Post:
LIforrelaxin (04-30-2014)

03-24-2014, 03:51 PM	#4
Pineedles Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Moultonborough & CT Posts: 2,550 Thanks: 1,072 Thanked 672 Times in 369 Posts	How about a 14' Sears Aluminum with a 14 horse Scott outboard? it's been all over the lake and never once did I consider the weather as something to be looked at. Of course that was over 45 years ago and the boat traffic wasn't what it is now. But the lake the is the same! Just choose a day that won't have a lot of traffic and you can go anywhere.

03-24-2014, 04:33 PM	#5
Chaselady Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Melvin Village Posts: 309 Thanks: 150 Thanked 105 Times in 73 Posts	I have boated Wiini for 30 years, and have been caught by surprise several times. Crossing the broads that kicked up 4-6 footers within an hour on a sunny but windy day, with my elderly mother hanging on in the back of our 21 ft boat was quite the experience I would not want to repeat. That was wind, and not boat wakes. We decided at that time that in order to really use the whole lake most of the time we needed a bigger boat.