Boating and weather advice

[aydinlik]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

Always add 50% more wind than what your local weathermen says. You are after all in more wide open area which allows the wind to pickup speed more quickly. For example according to my weather station here on the lake show today’s wind at average 15 mph with gusts to 21 mph.

I assume your 21’ pontoon is a double log boat and not a Tri-toon. I definitely would not want to be crossing the broads today in that boat!

Dan

Thanks....i think my limit is 10mph. Yes it is double toon. Which local weathrr station you are referring to? How can i access to that?

Sent from my LG-LS993 using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

[TiltonBB]

Trim the motor up a little and you will get some bow rise. It will not be like a conventional V hull but it may help the boat to go over the waves rather than through them.

[Cal Coon]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

Trim the motor up a little and you will get some bow rise. It will not be like a conventional V hull but it may help the boat to go over the waves rather than through them.

Do what TiltonBB says when it's rough and you should notice a difference for the better. Experiment a little with the amount of rpm's and find a spot that the boat seems to handle the current conditions the best at, and just stay there, and/or adjust accordingly as needed. Also, just try steering the boat at different angles to get a feel for where it handles the conditions the best at. You may be surprised at the difference a slight angle (either way) can make at taking the chop, but best to get that bow up!!

[Slickcraft]

You can see current wind speed here:
https://www.ventusky.com/

You can tap on wind and move the cursor around different locations. It is fed by many personal weather stations. You can also shift the timeline at the bottom to see a forecast. However remember what Yogi said about predictions.

At weather underground you can see a 10 day forecast including wind.
https://www.wunderground.com/forecas...a/43.61,-71.46
Keeping in mind that wind is hard to predict the exception being presidential debates.

The NOAA app on my phone shows the current wind speed and direction at the Laconia airport.

As for the Broads in your boat I would stick to the 5 MPH wind range while you are gaining experience.

[aydinlik]

Originally Posted by Slickcraft

You can see current wind speed here:
https://www.ventusky.com/

You can tap on wind and move the cursor around different locations. It is fed by many personal weather stations. You can also shift the timeline at the bottom to see a forecast. However remember what Yogi said about predictions.

At weather underground you can see a 10 day forecast including wind.
https://www.wunderground.com/forecas...a/43.61,-71.46
Keeping in mind that wind is hard to predict the exception being presidential debates.

The NOAA app on my phone shows the current wind speed and direction at the Laconia airport.

As for the Broads in your boat I would stick to the 5 MPH wind range while you are gaining experience.

Thanks for the good info. We have been on the lake for only a year. Are there many days with less than 5mph winds? We are at the lake house only on the weekends. I am just trying to understand if it will be possible for us to be boating rest of the year.

Sent from my LG-LS993 using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

[XCR-700]

Feeling safe and in control of your boat is a critical factor to truly enjoying your time on the water. And when you get to that point where you feel safe and always in control, you will enjoy your time so much more. So you need to think about more than just how to predict the wind on any day.

Wind is only part of the problem on weekends, the lake get churned up pretty bad by other boaters on Saturdays.

Also every boat rides different in rough wanter; our 20' Glastron ski boat is virtually unusable on Saturdays, our previous 23' Carlson was stern heavy and almost a flat bottom and you got pounded on a rough day, our 23' Caravelle was pretty good overall, and our 27' Formula is so much better than all my previous boats its hard to even describe the difference in spectrum from our ski boat to the Formula.

I have ZERO experience with pontoon boats, but the big tri-toons seem to do a whole lot better then a smaller and older twin pontoons when I see them crossing the lake in rough water.

I now try to take time off and boat during the week, it is totally different experience than any Saturday.

If you are only able to boat on Saturdays, try very early or very late in the day or think about a bigger and heaver boat. Life is short and time is our most precious and challenging to get commodity, so you need to figure out how to get what you need out of your time at the lake.

A couple of other quick final thoughts, as said by someone else add MPH to whatever wind speed any weather forecast says (they always seem wrong to me), and regardless of what the forecast says (i.e. forecast is for ZERO wind today) Winnipesaukee seems to create its own weather and wind mid-day that is never on the forecast. There is no such thing as a guarantee clouds and wind wont pop up at any time and you need to know that and ALWAYS be ready for it. It happens to me all the time, we finally moved up to a bigger boat in part because of this. So dont be surprised to find yourself thinking about an upgrade. Maybe try renting a bigger boat and see the difference for yourself, it usually pretty noticeable.

Good Luck and ENJOY your time on the lake.

[aydinlik]

Originally Posted by XCR-700

Feeling safe and in control of your boat is a critical factor to truly enjoying your time on the water. And when you get to that point where you feel safe and always in control, you will enjoy your time so much more. So you need to think about more than just how to predict the wind on any day.

Wind is only part of the problem on weekends, the lake get churned up pretty bad by other boaters on Saturdays.

Also every boat rides different in rough wanter; our 20' Glastron ski boat is virtually unusable on Saturdays, our previous 23' Carlson was stern heavy and almost a flat bottom and you got pounded on a rough day, our 23' Caravelle was pretty good overall, and our 27' Formula is so much better than all my previous boats its hard to even describe the difference in spectrum from our ski boat to the Formula.

I have ZERO experience with pontoon boats, but the big tri-toons seem to do a whole lot better then a smaller and older twin pontoons when I see them crossing the lake in rough water.

I now try to take time off and boat during the week, it is totally different experience than any Saturday.

If you are only able to boat on Saturdays, try very early or very late in the day or think about a bigger and heaver boat. Life is short and time is our most precious and challenging to get commodity, so you need to figure out how to get what you need out of your time at the lake.

A couple of other quick final thoughts, as said by someone else add MPH to whatever wind speed any weather forecast says (they always seem wrong to me), and regardless of what the forecast says (i.e. forecast is for ZERO wind today) Winnipesaukee seems to create its own weather and wind mid-day that is never on the forecast. There is no such thing as a guarantee clouds and wind wont pop up at any time and you need to know that and ALWAYS be ready for it. It happens to me all the time, we finally moved up to a bigger boat in part because of this. So dont be surprised to find yourself thinking about an upgrade. Maybe try renting a bigger boat and see the difference for yourself, it usually pretty noticeable.

Good Luck and ENJOY your time on the lake.

I was guessing that i might need an upgrade at some point as i learn more. Therefore i sticked to a used boat. Given that i just get this boat i need to learn to live with it for few years .

My biggest challange at the beginning was docking. I think i am getting much better at it. Now i need to learn how to deal with choppy waters with our life jackets on

Sent from my LG-LS993 using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

[XCR-700]

Originally Posted by aydinlik

I was guessing that i might need an upgrade at some point as i learn more. Therefore i sticked to a used boat. Given that i just get this boat i need to learn to live with it for few years .

My biggest challange at the beginning was docking. I think i am getting much better at it. Now i need to learn how to deal with choppy waters with our life jackets on

Sent from my LG-LS993 using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

Well I think you said it right "might" no need to rush, there are lots of things to consider for a new boater before making any change.

Also know that there are lots of small and medium size boats on the lake and they do fine.

There is a funny balance between finding your personal comfort zone in boat size and determining your tolerance for rough ride and then your ability to plan your trips. It can take a while to get it all figured out, so know you are not the first person to struggle with all this, I think we all do.

Your plan to start small is also sound, I think its much easier to learn on an smaller boat before moving up. (others may disagree,,,)

Having a good sense of your limits and knowing that you dont know it all but want to learn tells my you will figure it all out and be fine.

Most of all, dont let a rough day on the water drag you down for too long. Get back on the boat and try again and get more time at the helm and most of all ENJOY.

I've been boating on Winnipesaukee since diapers, being there is almost medicinal. It just seems to cure all that ails me ;-) I hope you come to enjoy it as much as I do.

[8gv]

Just keep practicing and be cautious of the wind.

Over time you will become more confident and competent.

If it gets rough, yell "weeeeeeeee!" and smile as the spray washes across your deck.

The kids look to the captain to decide if they should be worried.

[Patofnaud]

Recently retired my 20' 70hp dual 'toon.

I've gone across the broads on a Saturday with 1 - 2 foot whitecaps, not fun, very tiring. Doable but not recommended.

Have folks sit to rear, trim nose up so you are not trying to be a torpedo. Best to stay closer to the side of the lake and not out in the middle.

Keep the speed up faster around what the waves are moving at. Too slow and you will nose dive into a trough. Too fast and you drive your colon into your kidneys.

First-year I had my 20' I did not know this, on a Saturday afternoon in Medideth Bay not far out from the Wears I slowed down to let a big Caver go past my bow, and the trough was so bad, I blew out my port side panel and had water dripping off the entire inside of my bimini. I probably took at least 6 inches of solid water over my front seats.

[aydinlik]

Originally Posted by Patofnaud

Recently retired my 20' 70hp dual 'toon.

I've gone across the broads on a Saturday with 1 - 2 foot whitecaps, not fun, very tiring. Doable but not recommended.

Have folks sit to rear, trim nose up so you are not trying to be a torpedo. Best to stay closer to the side of the lake and not out in the middle.

Keep the speed up faster around what the waves are moving at. Too slow and you will nose dive into a trough. Too fast and you drive your colon into your kidneys.

First-year I had my 20' I did not know this, on a Saturday afternoon in Medideth Bay not far out from the Wears I slowed down to let a big Caver go past my bow, and the trough was so bad, I blew out my port side panel and had water dripping off the entire inside of my bimini. I probably took at least 6 inches of solid water over my front seats.

Thanks. The boat took water inside before but the one on Sunday was really bad. Huge amount of water. What concerned me the most was the damage to the panel on front door. It popped out and dented. I am still trying to understand if the waves make the damage or door opened and hit something.

[Patofnaud]

Originally Posted by aydinlik

Thanks. The boat took water inside before but the one on Sunday was really bad. Huge amount of water. What concerned me the most was the damage to the panel on front door. It popped out and dented. I am still trying to understand if the waves make the damage or door opened and hit something.

Lucky it was just the front gate. A port side front Bennington panel on my 2011 cost about $400 just for the part and I still had to remove the port furniture to get it removed/replaced. Gate is a cheap lesson learned. You may also have to replace your plastic floor stop.

[MAXUM]

Think the key thing here is being new to this, with time you'll figure out how best to handle your boat in the conditions that you find yourself in and that is invaluable. The broads can be tricky and it doesn't take much wind to get things a little "nautical" out there. As the season winds down more care needs to be taken as if you get into trouble help maybe slow to arrive. Any time I head out after Columbus day I pretty much expect that I'm on my own should anything bad happen.

The weather reports that are given via National Weather on VHF depending on the station you pick up will actually provide not only lake water temps but also forecast expected wave\chop size. I know this is for sure broadcast on KZZ-41 @ 162.500 MHZ from the top of Mt Washington. I have that programmed into my HAM radio and refer to it on occasion as needed. I believe most if not all marine radios also have access to these broadcasts which to me are helpful as they also let you know when severe weather is threatening.

They broadcast information for both Lake Winnipesaukee and Sebago Lake.

[Donzi Minx]

Son #2 and I were launched at SS at around 9:30 yesterday. The cruise to Wolfboro was fairly tame, so we decided to jump to Winter Harbor, at that point even Winter Harbor had some chop. Cross the broads at 20 miles per hour in the Donzi deep vee was wet and painful. Settled on Paugus bay anchorage in the sand by the Margate had lunch, and begged the sun to come out from behind the clouds. Still a day on the lake is better than a day in Chelrose, Mass.!

[XCR-700]

Originally Posted by Donzi Minx

Son #2 and I were launched at SS at around 9:30 yesterday. The cruise to Wolfboro was fairly tame, so we decided to jump to Winter Harbor, at that point even Winter Harbor had some chop. Cross the broads at 20 miles per hour in the Donzi deep vee was wet and painful. Settled on Paugus bay anchorage in the sand by the Margate had lunch, and begged the sun to come out from behind the clouds. Still a day on the lake is better than a day in Chelrose, Mass.!

Made that trip in our CVX-20 many times and got beat-up plenty of them. But a few hours at that sandbar and all is right with the world ;-)

[jazzman]

12mph is my magic number. We live on the broads too. It gets really hard to dock in 1+ foot swells if you're single handed on an exposed dock perpendicular to the wind.

[XCR-700]

Originally Posted by jazzman

12mph is my magic number. We live on the broads too. It gets really hard to dock in 1+ foot swells if you're single handed on an exposed dock perpendicular to the wind.

WOW, never thought of that, as I dont live at the lake and most of the marinas are protected.

I'll have to keep that in mind if I ever find myself in a position to buy waterfront in retirement.

I can see how it could get real tricky, and cant imagine how much a new boater would struggle with that.

I'm sure there are some tricks of the trade, but I can see how it might take a bit of practice to become comfortable with it.

[jazzman]

Originally Posted by XCR-700

WOW, never thought of that, as I dont live at the lake and most of the marinas are protected.

I'll have to keep that in mind if I ever find myself in a position to buy waterfront in retirement.

I can see how it could get real tricky, and cant imagine how much a new boater would struggle with that.

I'm sure there are some tricks of the trade, but I can see how it might take a bit of practice to become comfortable with it.

My trick of the trade is my "o-sh**" rope. It's tied to bow and stearn cleats with 20 feet of slack tucked into the rear seat. If it's rough you get the nose of the boat to the dock, jump off and use the rope to haul the boat in.

[Descant]

Originally Posted by jazzman

My trick of the trade is my "o-sh**" rope. It's tied to bow and stern cleats with 20 feet of slack tucked into the rear seat. If it's rough you get the nose of the boat to the dock, jump off and use the rope to haul the boat in.

Being not so agile anymore, and not having access to the bow over the windshield, I bring the stern to the dock, get a line on a post, take a wrap and use the engine to pull the boat to the dock. The engine will hold the boat in place while other lines are fastened. Jumping onto a wet, slippery dock in the rain while engine is running and nobody is t the helm to control the boat is not my best move. I have a breakwater, but when the canvas is all up and the wind is blowing the boat sideways, I need to be able to back out and start over. Can't do that from the dock.

[XCR-700]

Originally Posted by jazzman

My trick of the trade is my "o-sh**" rope. It's tied to bow and stearn cleats with 20 feet of slack tucked into the rear seat. If it's rough you get the nose of the boat to the dock, jump off and use the rope to haul the boat in.

Originally Posted by Descant

Being not so agile anymore, and not having access to the bow over the windshield, I bring the stern to the dock, get a line on a post, take a wrap and use the engine to pull the boat to the dock. The engine will hold the boat in place while other lines are fastened. Jumping onto a wet, slippery dock in the rain while engine is running and nobody is t the helm to control the boat is not my best move. I have a breakwater, but when the canvas is all up and the wind is blowing the boat sideways, I need to be able to back out and start over. Can't do that from the dock.

WOW, both options sound tough to me.

I dont care for running to either end of the boat when docking, and I have never liked backing into a dock,,,

If I am docking by myself I usually have a line ready on my starboard midship cleat reach out from the helm and once I can get it around a post, the boat will usually stay put more than long enough to get out and get the bow and stern lines tied off.

But then I dont dock on the Broads in rough weather, so I tip my hat to you both.

Thanks for sharing your technique(s).

[ApS]

Wind speed, as broadcast, is always less than actual wind on the lake.

As suggested, 12-MPH is a good threshold, especially as that speed is showing a few whitecaps. For sailing, that's a speed that's ideal! You can still sail in a wind at 5-MPH, when no wind appears--y'know, "when it's calm".

For docking in a breeze, there's a modified boat hook available that allows a single boater to drop a loop over a piling or upright.

As oversized boats are ruining Winnipesaukee boating and eroding shorelines, I'm loathe to suggest a larger boat; however, 'toons are especially Winnipesaukee-friendly boats.

Also, I see many of the larger 'toons managing heavy chop very well. On another lake, a neighbor had a passenger fall off their smaller pontoon. Fortunately, it occurred in a shallow canal. I recall the brand being an "Aqua-Patio" pontoon boat.

[aydinlik]

Originally Posted by ApS

For docking in a breeze, there's a modified boat hook available that allows a single boater to drop a loop over a piling or upright.
.

I can't dare to go out single yet. I and my wife use one of these
https://www.amazon.com/Boat-Loop-Lon.../dp/B00AS0264A

We love it

[Descant]

Good for you and your wife. I've never seen one of these Boat Loops in person, so I'm glad to hear of success.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by aydinlik

I can't dare to go out single yet. I and my wife use one of these
https://www.amazon.com/Boat-Loop-Lon.../dp/B00AS0264A

We love it

I have one of those in all my boats and they work great!

Sounds like your doing everything right, just need more time in the seat. You’ll be fine!

Dan

[Cal Coon]

Originally Posted by aydinlik

I can't dare to go out single yet. I and my wife use one of these
https://www.amazon.com/Boat-Loop-Lon.../dp/B00AS0264A

We love it

Pretty soon there will be fully automatic "driverless" boats, so no one will have anything to complain about, ie: wakes, right of way, speed, docking, NWZ, 150ft rule, wind, currents, etc, etc, and no one will have to learn how to do anything for themselves!! Just get on the boat, and let the boat do the rest!! Can't wait so everyone will be happy...

[Slickcraft]

Originally Posted by aydinlik

I can't dare to go out single yet. I and my wife use one of these
https://www.amazon.com/Boat-Loop-Lon.../dp/B00AS0264A

We love it

You can get one at Parafunalia in Gilford. Every boat should have one!

https://www.parafunalia.com/boatloop.html

[XCR-700]

Originally Posted by aydinlik

I can't dare to go out single yet. I and my wife use one of these
https://www.amazon.com/Boat-Loop-Lon.../dp/B00AS0264A

We love it

Oh man, I am liking that gadget ;-)

THANKS!

[kauriel]

Originally Posted by aydinlik

I can't dare to go out single yet. I and my wife use one of these
https://www.amazon.com/Boat-Loop-Lon.../dp/B00AS0264A

We love it

I have terrible aim and short arms so my husband made me cheaper version - it's just rope through some rubber tubing tied in a big loop so that I can toss it over top of post when we approach dock. It's not quite as good as boat loop but it was much cheaper!

[Descant]

Originally Posted by XCR-700

WOW, both options sound tough to me.

I dont care for running to either end of the boat when docking, and I have never liked backing into a dock,,,

If I am docking by myself I usually have a line ready on my starboard midship cleat reach out from the helm and once I can get it around a post, the boat will usually stay put more than long enough to get out and get the bow and stern lines tied off.

But then I dont dock on the Broads in rough weather, so I tip my hat to you both.

Thanks for sharing your technique(s).

Your center cleat plan is perfect. I've had extra cleats added when the mfg failed to provide such. For me, Stay with the boat. If you're single handed and you drop the line or fall on your jump and the boat blows away, what's your Plan B ? It's like throwing a life ring without an attached line. If you miss, you can't retrieve it for another throw.
Initially, people will tell you "neutral is your friend" drift into the dock gently. Fine, if there is no wind or current. If there is wind and current, you need every tool, so shift, throttle and wheel coordination have to all function together. Hull shape factors in too. A traditional hull can be moved nearly sideways. Not so much a boat with a deep keel and single engine. A tritoon is like three keels. Great for stability, harder to move sideways.
BTW, backing into a slip (Med style docking), you're usually protected with pilings, etc, but you see many boaters hanging fenders on both sides of the boat before they start. If you want to back in, say at Meredith or Wolfeboro, the key is to back past the desired space and then dock going forward as you normally would. I've said this before: you don't back up a boat. It is much easier to think of it as driving the boat forward, stern first.

In our next episode, we'll talk about How to overcome helpful crew and dock bystanders. "To Taze or not to Taze?"

[Phantom]

Originally Posted by Descant

In our next episode, we'll talk about How to overcome helpful crew and dock bystanders. "To Taze or not to Taze?"

PLEASE give adequate notice before this episode !!!

[XCR-700]

Originally Posted by Descant

In our next episode, we'll talk about How to overcome helpful crew and dock bystanders. "To Taze or not to Taze?"

Ha, I cant wait to see that episode ;-)

[Descant]

You don't need a bigger boat, just more experience. Conditions this weekend were unusual, I'd say.
My family has lived on the broads (Welch Island) since 1950.
My first power boat was a 13' MFG, 18 hp. I was 12, and I went all over the lake by myself. I learned how to manage the boat in the wind and waves and to navigate at night. Later graduated to a 15' flat bottom, 50 hp.
My father taught me how to go with/against the wind, from shore or island to island to shore so I was always the shortest distance to safety or close to shore where the waves were less due to friction.
You can't learn this overnight or in a class. Regardless of wind and waves, I don't think there is a way to swamp a 'toon, although you can get very wet, at least your feet. No big deal. After you've buried the bow a couple of times, you will know this and have a lot of confidence in your boat, and yourself.
We don't require it of guests, but everybody in the family age 72-8 wears a PFD. The kids are required by law, but adults do it to set an example, and we aren't the strong swimmers we were 30 years ago. I find the vest type, like MP wears, to be comfortable; recommend those, especially if you go solo, say, fishing. And connect the kill switch lanyard.
Being safe will not diminish the fun, and being able to handle the weather will increase the number of bating days. Have fun.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by aydinlik

Thanks....i think my limit is 10mph. Yes it is double toon. Which local weathrr station you are referring to? How can i access to that?

Sent from my LG-LS993 using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

It’s my personal weather station I have at my camp on Welch. I can access it remotely and it gives very accurate wind, rain and weather data.

Dan

[WinniBreeze]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

It’s my personal weather station I have at my camp on Welch. I can access it remotely and it gives very accurate wind, rain and weather data.

Dan

Dan ... I'm in the market for a weather station as well. Which one did you purchase? Thanks.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by WinniBreeze

Dan ... I'm in the market for a weather station as well. Which one did you purchase? Thanks.

This is the one I have....

https://www.samsclub.com/p/professio...g/prod21391576

Dan