Swim Raft Registration?

[jmen24]

Originally Posted by chipj29

There is no "view tax" in NH. Peoples property values were assessed higher, due to people willing to pay more for property with a view. The property assessed values were adjusted to be more in line with real estate appraisals.

While you are correct in that it is not a "tax" on the books in writing. But when you property is accessed they apply a value to your view and use that to increase the land value, not the building. It is the same process used for waterfront, but the multiplier is slightly smaller.

The person in my story saw an increase in his land value of $267,000 on a property that was originally valued at around $124,000 over the course of two years. These are numbers that he shared with us and in his rage could very well be exagerated, I have never taken the time to verify, as why call out a friend. The selectman at the time Ray Cummings, blaitently noted how nice the view was when he stopped to grab some vegies on his way through, that then started an entire mess as outlined above.

Most of the properties that have been hit hard by this are existing farms that have been in place, well probably since the town was incorporated or longer.

So basically, the owners of waterfront do not have to feel as though they are not the only ones fitting the bill for all our "services", the folks that are sitting on a side hill are paying as well.

[BroadHopper]

Originally Posted by jmen24

Most of the properties that have been hit hard by this are existing farms that have been in place, well probably since the town was incorporated or longer.

You are correct. Some towns do not have a seperate tax base land zoned for agricultural use. Even the state don't see a difference. the family's 350 acre sheep farm with a view of Winnipesaukee, Ossipee and White Mountains was taxed into nonexistent. Because developers will pay top dollars for the land! The farmer has to pay taxes on the current land value.

The biggest reason why we are losing our agricultural base today is TAXES!

[wadden]

A different question: someone just put a swim raft in our cove that is so far out it will restrict ours and others use of the cove for wakeboarding and waterskiing. Is there a regulation that restricts distance from shore or interference with other property owners' use and enjoyment of the lake?

[jrc]

You should visit this person and remind them about the NH good neighbor policy. Then ask them nicely to move it.

This is when you find out if the raft was placed as a message to you about too much wake boarding and watersking or a more innocent reason.

If that doesn't work, this might apply:

270:26 Injuring Buoys, Placing Obstructions. –
...
II. Any person who knowingly places an obstruction dangerous to navigation in any of the public waters of the state without reasonable precaution to protect the public from such obstruction shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

[ApS]

Originally Posted by jrc

"...You should visit this person and remind them about the NH good neighbor policy. Then ask them nicely to move it..."

Its location may be dependent on the depth in the area. You need about 7-feet of depth for safe diving from a swim raft. The nature of the bottom (boulders, sand, sunken logs) needs a look-see, too.

Originally Posted by NoBozo

If it's a New Mooring, maybe it dragged out of position already. NB

1) The WNW wind is so strong today, it may have returned to where it originally was.

2) My own boats are being "clattered about"—and they're on solid ground! Eighteen knots of wind at the Weirs—r-i-g-h-t.

3) A "tie-off" piling just floated by—dragging one end along the bottom... ...PM me if you're missing one.

[Bear Islander]

I just checked with the nice lady at the Dept. of Safety and the Swim Raft Permit system is still not in operation.

No Swim Raft Permits will be required in 2011.

[NoBozo]

Originally Posted by wadden

A different question: someone just put a swim raft in our cove that is so far out it will restrict ours and others use of the cove for wakeboarding and waterskiing. Is there a regulation that restricts distance from shore or interference with other property owners' use and enjoyment of the lake?

If it's a New Mooring, maybe it dragged out of position already. NB

[songkrai]

Originally Posted by wadden

A different question: someone just put a swim raft in our cove that is so far out it will restrict ours and others use of the cove for wakeboarding and waterskiing. Is there a regulation that restricts distance from shore or interference with other property owners' use and enjoyment of the lake?

Sadly we have some who abuse such. We have a new neighbor with a ton of money. He went out and purchased one of the largest available inflatable rafts with a high slide. This thing is a monster I mean huge. It sticks out like a sore thumb. Granted, the neighbor is a nice guy and offered all along shore to use it. But it is truly an eyesore. AND he has no children that use it And he does not use it himself. So what was the point?

I am against all government regulations for such. But how does one stop some person from doing such?

And onto another point mentioned. How far out is one allowed to place a raft? I have seen some way way out there and the only reason I can think of is to prevent boaters from coming too close to his waterfront home. Not used as a raft as such but boat traffic control.

And I know of one waterfront homeowner who "obtained" a red lake marker and somehow it ened up out front - way out - in front of his lake front home. There are no rocks or shallow areas where this marker was placed.

What is the answer to all of this?

[Bear Islander]

Originally Posted by songkrai

Sadly we have some who abuse such. We have a new neighbor with a ton of money. He went out and purchased one of the largest available inflatable rafts with a high slide. This thing is a monster I mean huge. It sticks out like a sore thumb. Granted, the neighbor is a nice guy and offered all along shore to use it. But it is truly an eyesore. AND he has no children that use it And he does not use it himself. So what was the point?

I am against all government regulations for such. But how does one stop some person from doing such?

And onto another point mentioned. How far out is one allowed to place a raft? I have seen some way way out there and the only reason I can think of is to prevent boaters from coming too close to his waterfront home. Not used as a raft as such but boat traffic control.

And I know of one waterfront homeowner who "obtained" a red lake marker and somehow it ened up out front - way out - in front of his lake front home. There are no rocks or shallow areas where this marker was placed.

What is the answer to all of this?

If someone has a marker not placed by the Marine Patrol you can call the Marine Patrol and have them take a look.

They will allow you to use bleach bottles or some other kind of float, to mark rocks or other hazards that are not far from shore. If they think it is unnecessary they will remove it.

There is no specific maximum distance you can put out a swim raft or mooring. However 150 feet seems to be the rule of thumb. The most important thing is that you are not a hazard to navigation. If you live in Sally's Gut you might be limited to 25 feet.

There is a red tip marker near Pine Island that mysteriously keeps moving out from shore, and then the MP move it back. Even Bizer has noted that it seems to move.

[Mink Islander]

Originally Posted by wadden

A different question: someone just put a swim raft in our cove that is so far out it will restrict ours and others use of the cove for wakeboarding and waterskiing. Is there a regulation that restricts distance from shore or interference with other property owners' use and enjoyment of the lake?

How far out from shore is the new raft? If it's less than 150 ft, then your statement that it's placement restricts using the cove for wake boarding makes me wonder whether that activity was ever appropriate there. Hard to know from the scant facts presented.

And what if he'd installed a registered mooring out 150 ft and put a sailboat on it? Are you saying you would object to that too? Unless that mooring interferes with navigation or is a safety hazard, it would be approved.

I'm not going to ascribe any motive to why the raft is there this year. It's possible the just wanted a swim raft! Which they are permitted to have. No good neighbor violation seems in order here. Go ski elsewhere. It's a big lake.

[Kamper]

Originally Posted by Mink Islander

... Go ski elsewhere. It's a big lake.

The problem with that advice is that eventually there will be no where left to go.

[Shreddy]

Originally Posted by Mink Islander

How far out from shore is the new raft? If it's less than 150 ft, then your statement that it's placement restricts using the cove for wake boarding makes me wonder whether that activity was ever appropriate there. Hard to know from the scant facts presented.

Don't jump to this conclusion...

If there was no raft there, they would be limited to 150 feet. If the raft is out 150 feet from shore, the wakeboarder should now be 300 feet out (to stay 150 feet away from the new raft). In a small cove, this can be very restricting. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

[Mink Islander]

I agree. Raft out to a max 150 ft plus 150 ft safe passage plus at least another 150 feet to the opposite shore. And then you need to add something as a buffer for the boat to operate in, right? If taking a max 300 feet away from the operating area in the cove makes skiing impossible now, then the cove was awfully narrow to start with. IMO. Your's may differ.

And Kamper, the lake IS very big and you really shouldn't expect that all areas are suitable for all activities. Skiing in small coves sounds sketchy at best. The homeowner is completely within his rights to have a raft and if that impacts the skier, so be it. And as I stated earlier, if the raft were a sailboat moored how do you feel? Would you tell the homeowner he's being a jerk and not a "good neighbor" because he bought a sailboat and dared to moor it off his property? I'd also tell you that a ski boat doing laps in a small cove sounds like the inconsiderate one to me.

Doesn't apprear the raft is blocking safe passage or obstructing access. Sorry, under current law, the ski boat loses this argument -- and has a reasonable alternative to go use his boat somewhere else.

[Shreddy]

Originally Posted by Mink Islander

I agree. Raft out to a max 150 ft plus 150 ft safe passage plus at least another 150 feet to the opposite shore. And then you need to add something as a buffer for the boat to operate in, right? If taking a max 300 feet away from the operating area in the cove makes skiing impossible now, then the cove was awfully narrow to start with. IMO. Your's may differ.

And Kamper, the lake IS very big and you really shouldn't expect that all areas are suitable for all activities. Skiing in small coves sounds sketchy at best. The homeowner is completely within his rights to have a raft and if that impacts the skier, so be it. And as I stated earlier, if the raft were a sailboat moored how do you feel? Would you tell the homeowner he's being a jerk and not a "good neighbor" because he bought a sailboat and dared to moor it off his property? I'd also tell you that a ski boat doing laps in a small cove sounds like the inconsiderate one to me.

Doesn't apprear the raft is blocking safe passage or obstructing access. Sorry, under current law, the ski boat loses this argument -- and has a reasonable alternative to go use his boat somewhere else.

You're not overly familiar with the WHOLE lake then as their are several coves that are small and acceptable for skiing/wakeboarding. One of the coves I ride in, is very small. In all honesty, there is less than 150ft to shore on both sides. It's not a no wake zone, and marine patrol has sat in or just outside the cove before with no issues. This particular cove is commonly used for skiing/wakeboard as it's calm. If you ski/wakeboard, you know that it's only enjoyable to do so under calm conditions, which on a weekend are rare to find. So, us riders often try to find these calm coves. Now, if a landowner were to stick a raft out in this particular cove, all skiing/riding would be completely shutoff for the most part.

All I'm saying is that you are basing your judgement off of opinion as you've stated above. I'm just trying to paint a practical scenario, and assuming that this is what the original poster is fighting unfortunately.

[Rattlesnake Gal]

I would like to suggest that you put your telephone number and lake address on any water toys, especially the big ones like swim rafts and trampolines. Chairs that you like that might get blown away too.

Last year it was great knowing where to bring the escaped trampoline we found. It also was nice to be able to call the owner to let them know what had happened.

Years ago, we rescued a swim raft and had it for several weeks before the owners came for it. We would have brought it back if we had known where to bring it.
(I have always wondered if they thought that we stole it. They just showed up and took it away, without speaking with our son's who happened to be at the camp when it happened.)

If you find or lose something big, be sure to contact Marine Patrol: 603-293-2037 or 1-877-642-9700 (toll free)

Thanks!

RG

[Bluesman]

I am sure this is old news for most folks, but registration of swim platforms is not required as I was just informed by NH safety Services