boat traffic

[rsmlp]

What's the sitrep on boat traffic? Back from FL on sunday and I should think that traffic is well below normal given gas prices.

[Descant]

I probably won't boat much when you arrive on Sunday if it is raining. Now that we have Ethanol, I fill my tanks in the fall, with stabilizer. By the time I need more gas, the price will be back down. As I add up the price of operating a boat, gas is only a minimal part of the budget. Club dues are the same, Insurance went down, did valet go up (?), but all that was done in January, before the bad news folks started worrying about my wallet.

[Biggd]

High gas prices affect everyone differently. If you have a dock you're probably going to still put your boat in the water, maybe won't go out cruising as much.
If you're trailering, then that's a double whammy! The gas in that truck to haul it around and the gas in the boat will cause you to think twice about your boating adventures. It's easier and cheaper to just leave it in the yard on the trailer.

[fatlazyless]

High gasoline price could be a good time to get a relatively low priced kayak. Walmart in Plymouth and Gilford both have a large selection of kayaks under $400. For higher quality paddle there's Wild Meadow Canoe, Kayak and Paddle Board on the Center Harbor/Moultonborough line. Wild Meadow has a launch spot on Lake Winnipesaukee, out back, so you can take a try-out paddle, there.

When you motorboat only your right hand moves the throttle forward a couple inches. When you paddle, it's a full body work-out, especially on a sup.

How much expensive $5.50/gal marina gasoline is used for paddling? Not one drop!

The Center Harbor town launch ramp attendant charges $25-cash for you to launch your motorboat. Did you know it costs only ten dollars to launch a kayak or sup, there, and the $10-cash includes a separate parking lot for paddlers and separate launch spot beyond the historic brick utility building located on the shoreline beyond the town beach.

[Garcia]

What a quiet Memorial Day weekend. Who wants to be spending the day out on the water in this weather? It's quite nice sitting inside by the fire looking out at the water, though!

[Smith Point]

Am I the only person that notice there has been no activity on the lake. except for (Alton Bay). We just put out two new webcams in front our place I've been monitoring activity from a undisclosed location. since January, no Bob houses, no ice fishing, no snowmobilers, no activity whatsoever. I have only seen two boats and two jet skis. Memorial Day weekend should have been packed with boaters, but not this year. What is going on?

[WinnisquamZ]

Gas prices, insurance premiums. It’s not just boat gas it’s transportation costs to and from. Over here on Winnisquam boat traffic is minimal


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[garysanfran]

I have one wakeboarder going back-and-forth for hours causing damage to my and neighbors docks. A captain with no clue and/or no care. Actually came by and turned about 50' in front of my dock. The wake should have deserved this moron a fine.

[WinnisquamZ]

That sucks


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[tis]

Originally Posted by garysanfran

I have one wakeboarder going back-and-forth for hours causing damage to my and neighbors docks. A captain with no clue and/or no care. Actually came by and turned about 50' in front of my dock. The wake should have deserved this moron a fine.

It's crazy, isn't it? What is wrong with these people.

[tummyman]

Same thing happened in my cove. These wave riding people are plain rude. No common sense. And NH does nothing. They destroy the land with increase erosion and nobody cares. They should not be allowed on coves. Go play in the broads.....

[Biggd]

I haven't even put my boat in yet, the weather every weekend has been so crappy that none of my family even want to come up!

[tis]

Bigg, so we can't blame you.

[WinnisquamZ]

Originally Posted by Biggd

I haven't even put my boat in yet, the weather every weekend has been so crappy that none of my family even want to come up!

True statement. One short ride last Friday then the cover goes back on. Snow showers in the White Mountains this weekend!

[8gv]

Wifey and I wanted to go on a lunch run via our boat on Tuesday. Prior to fetching it up from the mooring we took a look at the day dock where she would climb aboard.

With the high water the boat would have been too high for her to enter.

I could have backed stern in but am unsure of what perils exist below where our bow usually goes.

Reversing into a rock with a Bravo III prop set can be injurious to one's wallet.

Our gas tank is full but so is the lake.

We can wait a few weeks but it it is still high I might have to pull the drain plug!

[The Real BigGuy]

People seem to be focused on gas prices as the reason for low boat traffic. As another poster said, gas is a small part of having a boat. (I’ve always taken the approach that if I can afford all the fixed costs, I can afford the gas.) I think the main reason is weather. Rainy weather has raised the lake level causing difficulties for some, and crappy weekend weather has kept some people away. The real test will be once schools are out and vacationers and summertimers make their trek up. If the weather is good & boat traffic is low at that time, then I’ll put more credence in the drop off being gas prices.

[thinkxingu]

Weather, weather, weather.

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[FlyingScot]

Originally Posted by The Real BigGuy

People seem to be focused on gas prices as the reason for low boat traffic. As another poster said, gas is a small part of having a boat. (I’ve always taken the approach that if I can afford all the fixed costs, I can afford the gas.) I think the main reason is weather. Rainy weather has raised the lake level causing difficulties for some, and crappy weekend weather has kept some people away. The real test will be once schools are out and vacationers and summertimers make their trek up. If the weather is good & boat traffic is low at that time, then I’ll put more credence in the drop off being gas prices.

This is all very rational, but as a society we are fixated on gas prices (and the S&P). Turn on the news (actual news, not opinion/commentary), and you'll get an update on every cent up or down. Drive any significant distance, and you'll get a roadside bulletin. Ask a friend what they just paid, they'll know. This weighs on people emotionally

[ishoot308]

Who in their right mind would want to be out boating this weekend or last!…Has nothing to do with gas’s prices. The weather has sucked for boating!

Dan

[Descant]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

Who in their right mind would want to be out boating this weekend or last!…
Dan

Guilty, Your honor.

BTW, this is a great day to negotiate a boat purchase. The sales guys have nobody to talk to. We did the Newport Power boat Show one year in the rain--bought rain suits, and the sales guys had nobody else to talk to. Saw a number of those huge cruisers that you normally have to make an appointment just to get on the dock. Ended up buying DESCANT that year, a sedan with lots of inside salon space for rainy days.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by Descant

Guilty, Your honor.

BTW, this is a great day to negotiate a boat purchase. The sales guys have nobody to talk to. We did the Newport Power boat Show one year in the rain--bought rain suits, and the sales guys had nobody else to talk to. Saw a number of those huge cruisers that you normally have to make an appointment just to get on the dock. Ended up buying DESCANT that year, a sedan with lots of inside salon space for rainy days.

To and from your island camp doesn’t count! I am guilty of that as well as there is no place I would rather be no matter the weather!

I agree, today would be a great day to buy a boat!

Dan

[Biggd]

I'm a fair-weather boater, we haven't had much of that so far!

[tis]

Originally Posted by Biggd

I'm a fair-weather boater, we haven't had much of that so far!

Fair and WARM. This is unbelievable.

[8gv]

Today's beautiful weather has inspired me:

Sing along with me to the tune of "Ding Dong the Witch Is Dead" from The Wizard of Oz.


Ding dong the weather sucks
The weather sucks
The weather sucks
Ding dong the weather sucks again!

Hi ho the dario
Got a boat
But I can't go
That's cause the weather sucks again...

[Garcia]

Originally Posted by 8gv

Today's beautiful weather has inspired me:

Sing along with me to the tune of "Ding Dong the Witch Is Dead" from The Wizard of Oz.


Ding dong the weather sucks
The weather sucks
The weather sucks
Ding dong the weather sucks again!

Hi ho the dario
Got a boat
But I can't go
That's cause the weather sucks again...

Today's the busiest day I've seen yet this season - and it is blessedly quiet. Another rainy Saturday, but at least I don't see snow on the mountains like I did a week ago. No matter the weather, I'd rather be here than anywhere else.

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by Garcia

Today's the busiest day I've seen yet this season - and it is blessedly quiet. Another rainy Saturday, but at least I don't see snow on the mountains like I did a week ago. No matter the weather, I'd rather be here than anywhere else.

It's definitely quieter right now than past years, not sure if it is weather related, economy, or both?

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by Biggd

It's definitely quieter right now than past years, not sure if it is weather related, economy, or both?

It was absolutely DEAD tonight (4-7:30 or so) in Meredith and Center Harbor. Ate at George's with zero wait and grabbed a sundae at Center Harbor Scoops and didn't see a customer in the 45 minutes we were here.

Weather is certainly part of it, but I can't help but think it's also fuel and food costs and maybe even reduced tourism from Canada.

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[Biggd]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

It was absolutely DEAD tonight (4-7:30 or so) in Meredith and Center Harbor. Ate at George's with zero wait and grabbed a sundae at Center Harbor Scoops and didn't see a customer in the 45 minutes we were here.

Weather is certainly part of it, but I can't help but think it's also fuel and food costs and maybe even reduced tourism from Canada.

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Wife and I went to the Woodshed tonight at 6pm, walked right in and got seated, very quiet. I hadn't been there in in a few years, very disappointed, I won't be back!

[John Mercier]

The Mount tour on Friday night saw some boating activity around it.
The DOX looked pretty full.

[tis]

I always think it's around the third week of June before we really get busy. I think it has to do with the kids getting out of school? The weather certainly hasn't helped weekends this year.

[John Mercier]

Friday night was beautiful.

The income numbers from the State (May is already in the system) don't show any decline or large deviation from projections.

Tourism numbers specific to the Lakes Region have a delay as they use seasonal rather than monthly.

But so far seem pretty flush.

[Mr. V]

Just wondering about Today vs. Back in the Day...

How do the tourism numbers compare today to how it was 50 or more years ago?

By "tourism" I am thinking mainly of visitors to the lakes region who do not own property and who rent while visiting, or who day trip.

There used to be a lot of cabin colonies and motels but many are gone today: are overnight visitors using Air BnB or the like to supplant the old ways?

It used to be that a big reason to be lakeside was to escape the heat and humdity of the city, but with the availability of air conditioning this impetus is lacking.

[John Mercier]

Financially we could look back.
Not sure that 50 years worth of data could be found.

This goes back to 2011.

https://www.travelstats.com/qimpacts/newhampshire

Has some data breakdown that can be useful.

But if the Air bNb (short term rental) is paying the M&R Taxes as it is supposed to, that data would be in there.

From what I can make out it appears to have grown reasonable to expectation.

I think what the STR, for all of its headaches, may be doing is providing that higher end experience at value.

[Biggd]

Just got last month's gas bill, up $200 and I haven't even filled the boat yet!

[Descant]

I see more than one sequence, but my thought starts 75 years ago, not 50. Looking mostly at boat traffic, since that is the theme of this thread. In 1950, few people owned boats. Commercial rides were popular--at the Weirs, there still was no Weirs Beach--airplane hangars. Uncle Sam, Foxy Boats, Miss Winnipesaukee (8) Sophie C and the Mount . Jim Irwin Sr. was selling CC cabin cruisers, and runabouts. Channel Marine and others were selling some smaller boats, but island residents, of which there were few, took taxi boats to/from and some rowed. So, some boating growth from 1950 to 1975, along with cabins. motels, marinas etc. To me, the next transition started in 1980. People who built cabins wanted to retire and the cash flow in these cabins wasn't enough to justify upgrades. Remember Jimmy Carter gave us 18% mortgages. People started selling their cabins and marinas as condo's. More "permanent" boat traffic. By 2000 those owners were retiring and the condo cabins started a transition to VRBO. Each time we had one of these transitions, people wanted to get out on the water. {Recall, Goodhue Boat Yard built the first(?) fork lift operation on the lake (~1957?) and now they're all over the place.} The next transition was Covid, when MP reported 30,000 newly certified safe boaters in one year. That was probably a peak with over 100,000 registered boats and over 40,000 estimated as being primarily operated on Winnipesaukee. My guess is, those who rushed into boating during the pandemic are now slowing down. In spring, 2025 we had 12 weekends in a row with rain. By Labor Day, the lake was too low for many boaters. Their boating habits changed. We'll have to see how 2026 works out, but summer boating, in my lifetime, really starts after Bike Week, Father's Day and school closing. So, just enjoy less boat traffic for awhile.

[MeredithMan]

As others have mentioned, historically, it doesn't tick up in boat traffic for another week or two, (based on unofficial observation). A couple things to note from this weekend:

--Friday was a beautiful afternoon. There were a fair amount of boats heading up to Meredith town docks and back. I got in the water, (fully submerged), for the first time Friday. It is pretty chilly!

--Brought the boat over for the season from Paugus Bay Marina on Saturday. Paugus Bay was empty. Weirs channel had a few boats in it, but basically no one from The Weirs to Meredith.

--Current in Weirs channel was very strong, especially near the bridge. When I entered from Paugus Bay, I slowed down at the No Wake sign to about 5.5 MPH. When I was going under the bridge, I really noticed the current movement and glanced at the speedometer...2.6 MPH...and I hadn't touched the throttle. Definitely had to give it a little more gas

--Speaking of gas, filled up at Channel Marine, (check that: Winnisquam on Winnipesaukee ), and their price was $5 per gallon. I did not think that was bad at all...I was prepared for $6 or more.

[FlyingScot]

Originally Posted by Descant

Remember Jimmy Carter gave us 18% mortgages.

One of many false memories we share as a society about Democratic vs. Republican presidents. Mortgage rates peaked at around 18% in 1981-82 under President Ronald Reagan.

But the rates under both Reagan and Carter were engineered by Fed Chairman Paul Volcker, appointed by Carter then reappointed by Reagan. It was really a team effort, haha. Today, most view Volcker as a hero

But back to the Lake...

[tis]

Originally Posted by FlyingScot

One of many false memories we share as a society about Democratic vs. Republican presidents. Mortgage rates peaked at around 18% in 1981-82 under President Ronald Reagan.

But the rates under both Reagan and Carter were engineered by Fed Chairman Paul Volcker, appointed by Carter then reappointed by Reagan. It was really a team effort, haha. Today, most view Volcker as a hero

But back to the Lake...

We had a business loan at the time and were paying 21%!! Volcker was terrible, I can't imagine why anybody likes what he did, let alone make him out a hero.

[John Mercier]

Because he defeated inflation.
Volcker took brutal action, but it worked.

I believe Descant (Chris???) is on the right track.
When I spent time as a teen/young adult boating, it wasn't because I could afford a boat.
That was pretty much my grandfather/grandmother.

So I believe that we have a cycle that involves pre-retirees and early-retirees that falls off as we become older retirees.

I can also attest that spring weather creates less enthusiasm than comparable temps in the autumn as the leaves change and the lake takes on a different aura.

Depending on the weather, comparing July to July would seem to make more sense.