Bringing my boat to Winnipesaukee

[Hillcountry]

My one and only experience with the MP was on Winnisquam probably 7-8 years ago. I was operating my ex-gf's boat on the lake and we were hailed down by a female officer. She did the complete inspection and found no violations except one...the boat reg. numbers were, in her opinion, "not legible enough to read" and she promptly, wrote a ticket for it. The boat's numbers were not just the black "block letters" usually seen...they were more of a custom lettering done with lettering that complemented the boat's green and white coloring.
Perfectly, legible to me and everyone else on board but there was no arguing about it.
A sizable fine was paid. I, of course thought it was a lame excuse for a fine.
Anyone else ever been cited for this types of "custom" lettering?

Added note: I just went to the NH requirements for numbers and saw that they emphasize "BLOCK LETTERS" I guess that explains it...but anyone else had this experience?

[Descant]

I agree with Dave R, MP generally has to have "Articulable cause" for a stop. I've heard this phrase directly from MP in legislative testimony. On the other hand, nobody should have to feel a need to call in and say "i'm from out of state and wanted you to know I'm here." At the same time, displaying a NH or CG Auxiliary courtesy inspection sticker answers a lot of questions without a word being spoken.

Many states have a 150 ft rule regarding distance to shore, docks, etc, but only NH has it boat to boat. If I were from out of state,I could honestly say "I'm aware of the 150' rule," and really not be aware of the NH distinction. I could see where that might be cause for multiple violations, and MP simply being "informative" to a visitor. I know this is always the attitude that comes from MP leadership, courtesy to all.

[Outdoorsman]

A few of the times I was pulled over was for informative purposes. They asked on one occasion if I was aware of the 150 foot rule ...

Originally Posted by Descant

Many states have a 150 ft rule regarding distance to shore, docks, etc, but only NH has it boat to boat. If I were from out of state,I could honestly say "I'm aware of the 150' rule," and really not be aware of the NH distinction. I could see where that might be cause for multiple violations, and MP simply being "informative" to a visitor. I know this is always the attitude that comes from MP leadership, courtesy to all.

This could be the reason. Perhaps MP was stopping you because they felt that you passed too close to another boat and rather than ticketing you they felt that informing you was enough?

For me, over the past 20 years I have been "approached" by MP 2 times while trolling. Both times they instructed me to continue "fishing" and they would maintained speed along side me at a distance. They asked each person to hold up their fishing license, a PDF and the other required gear (one person was viewing us with binoculars). They never asked me to pull up our gear so they could approach the boat.

IMO that was MP/FG doing what they should be doing. I am sure if they had any doubt they would have asked for a closer look and we would have had to pull up our gear but they seemed to go out of their way to make sure we could keep enjoying our fishing.

[Descant]

Havingh, presumabaly, read all the comments, I would ask RaplhT44 to give us a little feedback. There's been a lot of speculation on this topic. It would certainly be helpful to other out of state boaters, many of whom are regular visitors to this sire, if not participants.

[HomeWood]

I have towed my bass boat (sold since) from North Carolina up to Winnipesaukee a few times for a week at a time. Never had a problem with MP. I've never been stopped on Winnipesaukee and that includes operating all of our other boats. It's near impossible to answer and kind of unfair to ask us why YOU were stopped.

[Phantom]

Although my boat is currently Registered in NH -- for at least 25 years we trailered our MA registered boat(s) to the Lake and left it for weeks at a time. Never once been "hassled" by the MP.

Also, I thought it was 45 consecutive days of being in the water i.e docked, moored, etc. not 30 days ?




here's where someone will save me the time of researching the RSA's
.

[jeffk]

Sounds like someone taped a "Kick Me" sign to the back of rappht44's boat.

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by Hillcountry

My one and only experience with the MP was on Winnisquam probably 7-8 years ago. I was operating my ex-gf's boat on the lake and we were hailed down by a female officer. She did the complete inspection and found no violations except one...the boat reg. numbers were, in her opinion, "not legible enough to read" and she promptly, wrote a ticket for it. The boat's numbers were not just the black "block letters" usually seen...they were more of a custom lettering done with lettering that complemented the boat's green and white coloring.
Perfectly, legible to me and everyone else on board but there was no arguing about it.
A sizable fine was paid. I, of course thought it was a lame excuse for a fine.
Anyone else ever been cited for this types of "custom" lettering?

Added note: I just went to the NH requirements for numbers and saw that they emphasize "BLOCK LETTERS" I guess that explains it...but anyone else had this experience?

My boat has non-block, but very legible registration numbers and has had them for 11 years with extensive use on Winnippesaukee and other bodies of water. I have never been hassled about them despite a few (always pleasant) interactions with NHMP I was stopped by the US Coast Guard in Annapolis Harbor a couple of weeks ago for a safety check (also pleasant), they went through everything and gave me a piece of paper (for future CG stops) stating that I was in compliance with all their checks.

[Hillcountry]

Originally Posted by Dave R

My boat has non-block, but very legible registration numbers and has had them for 11 years with extensive use on Winnippesaukee and other bodies of water. I have never been hassled about them despite a few (always pleasant) interactions with NHMP I was stopped by the US Coast Guard in Annapolis Harbor a couple of weeks ago for a safety check (also pleasant), they went through everything and gave me a piece of paper (for future CG stops) stating that I was in compliance with all their checks.

I'm thinking the MP lady had a hair across her butt for some reason...legible is legible...period. Or perhaps she had one of those..??

[LastonBoard]

This may just be a quota issue, need to get those safety checks in to support the on-the-water funding.

I've never been stopped on Winni, but frequently have been stopped for safety checks by the state police on Lake Memphremagog in Vermont (most of the time they'll motor up while I'm fishing on my trolling motor).

Having the police/mp on any body of water I fish is worth the short delay for a safety check - even if its multiple times in a week. They should give you a dated "receipt" showing that you completed the safety check. When your stopped the 2nd, 3rd, 4th time just show them this receipt and you'll be on your way.

[NoBozo]

Originally Posted by LastonBoard

Having the police/mp on any body of water I fish is worth the short delay for a safety check - even if its multiple times in a week. They should give you a dated "receipt" showing that you completed the safety check. When your stopped the 2nd, 3rd, 4th time just show them this receipt and you'll be on your way.

How would you feel if this happened... (being pulled over) while you were driving your car to the market for a pound of hamburger. NB

[Descant]

MP has to have "arguable cause". If you're being stopped multiple times in NH, I will suggest there is a reason. Can't say for other states. I think Fish & Game can just ask for a license, but they don't have many boats and don't do regular patrols the way MP does on Lake Winnipesaukee.

[LastonBoard]

Originally Posted by NoBozo

How would you feel if this happened... (being pulled over) while you were driving your car to the market for a pound of hamburger. NB

Different situation. Police do not have to physically stop and see what's in a car to assure safe operation. They achieve similar results with seatbelt check points, DUI check points, Radar/ Speed traps, traffic cams, etc.

[Skippermark]

Originally Posted by LastonBoard

Having the police/mp on any body of water I fish is worth the short delay for a safety check - even if its multiple times in a week. They should give you a dated "receipt" showing that you completed the safety check. When your stopped the 2nd, 3rd, 4th time just show them this receipt and you'll be on your way.

In CT there's usually a DEEP/Coast Guard officer at the major boat launches if you get there early, and they ask if you want a free safety inspection. If you agree, when you're done, they give you a "Coast Guard Inspected" sticker for your window, so next time you launch, they just wave you through, and having it on the water usually means you won't get stopped because they can see it from a good distance away and know your boat is up to standard.

Not sure what happens if you say no because I've always had them do it.