Water driveways

[SIKSUKR]

Originally Posted by jrc

Do pontoon boats make wakes

I've had at least three pass me in narrow spots, when I question then they always say that they're not making a wake. It seems I'm the only boat on the lake that makes a wake, because whenever I question (OK, yell at) someone passing me within in spitting distance, they always say they're not making a wake.
..

It doesn't matter if they don't make a wake at speed.The rule is 6mph or the slowest speed to maintain your course.

[Woodsy]

Hazel...

The amount of Boneheads out this saturday was amazing... Sorry you had a close encounter with one!


No Wake speed does not mean 'Dead Slow".... In the past I have seen the MP chastise boats going that slow in the Weirs Channel... Usually a big cruiser with Martini Yacht Club flag! LOL!

Woodsy

[sa meredith]

The difference between boating on a weekday and weekend, is remarkable!
It's like night and day.
On a Friday, which is my usual boat day, people seem to respect each other, and know where they should be..."give way, vs. stand on" and so forth.
But on a weekend?! Christ, it is completely impossible to anticipate another boat's coure of action...you just never know.
I would bet over 70 percent of weekend boaters have no idea who has the "right of way" in any given situation.

[Mee-n-Mac]

I took "Mee" and her friends out for a house tour around Governors I. on Sunday and despite the low number of boats I had no less than 4 boats ignore the 150' rule and 1 RoW violation. Two were cruiser captains, 1 runabout and 1 pontoon. Sad thing was, with one exception, all were at least my age or older. You'd think by that age they'd have learned something but as the saying goes, "age is no guarantee of wisdom". The good thing was as I waited for my turn to go under the G I bridge I antipated the 2'nd boat in line on the far side to try to sneak through. But to my surprise he held off and let me take my proper turn. Nice to see some courtesy and respect for the unwritten rules still exist.

Time to start this season's Capt Bonehead thread I guess. I've vowed to keep a spare digicam I have on the boat. You don't want to be in this gallery.

[hazelnut]

Originally Posted by Mee-n-Mac

The good thing was as I waited for my turn to go under the G I bridge I antipated the 2'nd boat in line on the far side to try to sneak through. But to my surprise he held off and let me take my proper turn. Nice to see some courtesy and respect for the unwritten rules still exist.

It is nice to come across the occasional courteous boater isn't it. I really do think that there are many good boaters out there and that it is just the few bad boaters that make the biggest impact on the whole experience.

[chipj29]

Originally Posted by hazelnut

It is nice to come across the occasional courteous boater isn't it. I really do think that there are many good boaters out there and that it is just the few bad boaters that make the biggest impact on the whole experience.

You know, that is a very good point. You guys who encountered the Capt Boneheads this weekend no doubt saw dozens more boats who were being safe and courteous. Yet we have no thread about that. Kind of makes me wonder, with all the negative posts about the boneheads maybe to the uneducated observer to this forum, the lake doesn't really appear to be all that safe. Again, that is based on the posts in this forum...in general.

[Winni Boater 17 Years]

Interesting, we use to anchor in the vary spot in the Verney's. The same folks, not so gray then, came shooting buy our kids swimming off the stern nearly hitting them. This is not new for these Gray Hairs, it's their mode of operation. You would think the Marine Patrol would take some action in this regard. Shame on them.

[KDL]

WB17Y, Thank you for your post. It sure does shed some light on what happened to us. The next time I choose to anchor in that location, I will have my camera at the ready. Apparently this has been going on way to long.

[jrc]

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

It doesn't matter if they don't make a wake at speed.The rule is 6mph or the slowest speed to maintain your course.

I was making a joke. The incidents I refer to were all well above 6 mph, more like 15+. I did not mean to single out pontoons, and sailboats, I've seen pinheads in pretty much every type of boat. Once in awhile I even see one in the mirror. Everyone make mistakes.


BTW I was thinking about the original topic of this thread on Sunday. We decided to search out some new spots to stop and fish for awhile.

We pulled into a quiet cove on Bear Island. I looked around for a few minutes for a good spot but there were people sitting out on docks and porches and this thread kept going through my mind.

I even dropped the anchor for a second but just didn't feel comfortable, so I went for a ride instead.

My wife thinks I'm an idiot. She really likes to find good fishing spots, even though we never seem to catch anything. She could not understand why I felt uncomfortable.

[Rattlesnake Guy]

Originally Posted by jrc

BTW I was thinking about the original topic of this thread on Sunday. We decided to search out some new spots to stop and fish for awhile.

We pulled into a quiet cove on Bear Island. I looked around for a few minutes for a good spot but there were people sitting out on docks and porches and this thread kept going through my mind.

I even dropped the anchor for a second but just didn't feel comfortable, so I went for a ride instead.

My wife thinks I'm an idiot. She really likes to find good fishing spots, even though we never seem to catch anything. She could not understand why I felt uncomfortable.

Try to remember this post from a land owner that is fortunate to have one edge of the property adjoining "the lake" the next time you feel uncomfortable. The great majority of those of us fortunate enough to touch the lake with our property and docks also own a boat. With that boat we travel to every nook and cranny of "the lake". We respect everyone's right to share the water. Boats come buy and fish or picnic or swim all day long. (on a good day) Most of us enjoy the change in scenery. We love to check out the variety of boats and people.

I get a little stressed when a Captain B head comes close to my family swimming, but that is a rare event for us.

I don't want to feel uncomfortable when I travel the lake and hope that no one feels uncomfortable experiencing our bit of heaven from the other side of the glass. The way I look at it is if I did not want people enjoying the space right next to me, I should have not bought a house that abuts a State Park.

Enjoy this great lake we share.

[Skip]

Originally Posted by Rattlesnake Guy

Try to remember this post from a land owner that is fortunate to have one edge of the property adjoining "the lake" the next time you feel uncomfortable. The great majority of those of us fortunate enough to touch the lake with our property and docks also own a boat. With that boat we travel to every nook and cranny of "the lake". We respect everyone's right to share the water. Boats come buy and fish or picnic or swim all day long. (on a good day) Most of us enjoy the change in scenery. We love to check out the variety of boats and people.

I get a little stressed when a Captain B head comes close to my family swimming, but that is a rare event for us.

I don't want to feel uncomfortable when I travel the lake and hope that no one feels uncomfortable experiencing our bit of heaven from the other side of the glass. The way I look at it is if I did not want people enjoying the space right next to me, I should have not bought a house that abuts a State Park.

Enjoy this great lake we share.

That is one of the nicest and well thought out posts that I have read here in a long time!

You Rattlesnake's are a very fine couple; the Lake in general and society in particular would do well to have more folks around just like you guys!

[BroadHopper]

Originally Posted by Rattlesnake Guy

Try to remember this post from a land owner that is fortunate to have one edge of the property adjoining "the lake" the next time you feel uncomfortable. The great majority of those of us fortunate enough to touch the lake with our property and docks also own a boat. With that boat we travel to every nook and cranny of "the lake". We respect everyone's right to share the water. Boats come buy and fish or picnic or swim all day long. (on a good day) Most of us enjoy the change in scenery. We love to check out the variety of boats and people.

I get a little stressed when a Captain B head comes close to my family swimming, but that is a rare event for us.

I don't want to feel uncomfortable when I travel the lake and hope that no one feels uncomfortable experiencing our bit of heaven from the other side of the glass. The way I look at it is if I did not want people enjoying the space right next to me, I should have not bought a house that abuts a State Park.

Enjoy this great lake we share.

Wish there was a thank you button on this thread.

[ApS]

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

"...I have seen an aerial photo at Lancaster BBQ in Mooresville NC of a huge rafting party on Lake Norman. From the air it looks like a huge serpent in the middle of the lake..."

Lake Norman's exceptional rafting contest is done for Charity: As a long, narrow and awkwardly-shaped lake, the raft must be serpent-shaped because room for normal boat traffic is necessary.

Two advantages of Lake Norman, is that it has a municipal water supply, and the location is
a "dry county". (IF you get my drift).

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

"...I like to see on a calm day a huge rafting party on The Broads...Will anyone be interested in joining a rafting party on The Broads, weather permitting, to enter a number in Guinness Book of World record? That will be slick to have another Winnipesaukee first..."

I doubt, even for Charity, you could get as many boats as Lake Norman gets:
Their record is over 1453 boats registered for the event!

That said, locating your competing Lake Winnipesaukee rafting contest in "The Broads" would be far more accommodating to lakefront owners.

Many lakefront owners depend on a "clean" supply of water at the intake pipe. The availability of clean water is much-reduced in the shallower waters of Lake Winnipesaukee's inlets, coves, bays, and especially those oft-maligned No-Rafting zones.

[hazelnut]

Originally Posted by jrc

I was making a joke. The incidents I refer to were all well above 6 mph, more like 15+. I did not mean to single out pontoons, and sailboats, I've seen pinheads in pretty much every type of boat. Once in awhile I even see one in the mirror. Everyone make mistakes.


BTW I was thinking about the original topic of this thread on Sunday. We decided to search out some new spots to stop and fish for awhile.

We pulled into a quiet cove on Bear Island. I looked around for a few minutes for a good spot but there were people sitting out on docks and porches and this thread kept going through my mind.

I even dropped the anchor for a second but just didn't feel comfortable, so I went for a ride instead.

My wife thinks I'm an idiot. She really likes to find good fishing spots, even though we never seem to catch anything. She could not understand why I felt uncomfortable.

I have to admit this thread went through my mind this past weekend as well. My wife and kids and I were out for a kayak ride. I was hugging the shoreline and we came across a property where I got the distinct feeling that the owner wasn't quite happy to see me just 20 feet off the dock cruising by. Oh well, most of the people I encountered were more than happy to offer a good morning a wave and a smile much to the delight of my kids who emphatically waved back. The 2 year old says "Hi, hi, hi, hi, hi, hi, hi...." over and over until she gets a response. Most love it and laugh, wave and say hi back. Then as we paddle away she starts with "bye, bye, bye, bye, bye, bye...." until she gets a bye and a wave.

Saturday was soooooooooo quiet up until noon time or so.

[Just Sold]

R-Guy is right on target and Skip has both the RG's pegged right. They are very nice people that some out there need to learn from.

From my experiences out on the lake: a few years ago I was in the far eastern end of the lake in an area that has a sandy botton and is < 25' deep quite a distance out from shore. I anchored about 200' out from where there was a very small boat mooring area (400'+ from shore) and in fact not directly out from the mooring area. Well the "Woman" who obviously had some children with her on shore went out to her moored boat got in releasing the boat from the mooring and proceeded to do a few spins creating a large wake which came out towards my boat and then parked the boat at the dock. She never took the boat out from the dock while I was there. I also got a few nasty looks from her as well but she never said a word to me. I did not move - finished our lunch took a swim and then read a book for a while. BTW the "Womans" property was a common area to a number of other homes not directly on the water. I know the area well as the adjoining property is one that I visited in my youth and is still owned by the same family today.

I believe in respecting a property owners litoral rights and not be so rude as to drop anchor up close to shore. Would you pull up in front of someones home - on a street - get out and play catch in the street right up to their property line? Well maybe there are some that would.

[sa meredith]

If you are boating on weekdays, and are seeking a quiet cove, where there are no homes (yet, at least), try Johnson's Cove in Winter Harbor.
On weekdays, it has become one of my favorite spots on the lake.
Very easy to anchor, and see nothing but water and woods all day. Very quiet, usually. And if you feel like climbing ashore after a swim, there is noone there to chase you away.

[jrc]

Thanks for the good advice RG,

I'm not totally inhibited from anchoring but I usually don't like to be too close. We are quiet, no kids or loud music, so if you have to have a boat in your cove...

Now when the teenagers visit, we go to Paugus bay near the cemetary, and let the splashing and yelling wake the people there.

SA Meredith, I know about Johnson's, but I never tried going in there. Can't think of why now. Probably pretty crowded on weekends.

We have our tried and true places, some for crowded days, some we have friends at, some good for windy days, some only for weekdays, but sometimes we like to explore and find new places.