Really New Newbie

cbuzz · 06-06-2010, 07:10 AM

Hello all: I've been trolling the threads and picking up some great advice.
Here is my situation: We are having a large family gathering end of July in Tuftonboro (Winter Harbor) and would like to have a boat for tubing mainly and only for daytime use.
My boating experience as an operator is almost zero, though. I have been on plenty of boats as a passenger. I am in the process of doing the boating safety course on DVD to obtain a temporary license. I don't plan on venturing too far from where the house is on the lake, but wanted to know if there is a service or instructor out there who could help me get familiar with the lake and boat operation
We are up in NH a lot (have a vacation place in White Mts) and could get to the Lake as many weekends as needed between now and then

Thanks in advance

Dave R · 06-06-2010, 10:16 AM

I sent you a PM.

Rattlesnake Guy · 06-06-2010, 10:44 AM

Welcome to the Lake and to the forum.

Are you sure their is a "temporary" safety certificate? I know the rental places do something for the day.

The good thing about winter harbor is the relative weather (wave) protection it offers. It can get a little busy at times. Winter harbor is probably only about 2% of the lake so you might outgrow it pretty quickly depending on your interest. If that happens the area outside of WH is fairly simple to navigate. Find the middle ground shoal on the map if you do head out. If you get ambitious, a trip to Wolfeboro could be fun.

You sound very conscientious about your performance and that is the best first step. Not sure what size or type of boat you will be "learning" on but that can have some impact on your experience. When we learned how to boat, we started on a smaller lake called Winisquam with a rented pontoon boat with an undersized motor. Hard to get into to much trouble driving the equivalent of a golf cart around the mall parking lot.

When we came to Winnipesaukee for the first time we also rented a pontoon with a bigger motor. It still took us an awful long time to go from Meredith to Wolfeboro. But we loved the size and complexity of the big Lake. As you probably know, navigating the markers and not getting lost is one of the challenges on such a big lake with rocks and islands. Winter harbor does not have many markers and it won't take long for you to memorize your neighborhood. You will defiantly need a map if you venture very far.

The nice thing about boating is it is not completely like learning to drive a car. You don't have to go fast if you don't want to. Imagine how much easier learning to drive a car would have been if you could have started out at 5 mph on the highway. Fishing boats go slowly all day long and the rest of us drive around them.

Docking the boat can be the toughest part depending on the dock, boat and weather. Having a calm first mate can be a very big help while you do the heavy lifting with the motor. Dock slow. Don’t be afraid to back out and try again. (I still do)

The best newbie advice I got from a very long time boater that has helped me and all of my trainees is to remember the difference between a car and a boat in the way they steer. On a car you turn the front wheels to get the front of the car to go the way you want. On a boat the front of the boat can’t turn. The rear of the boat turns. When you want the boat to turn left the only way to do it is to move the back of the boat to the right. Sort of like pushing a wooden block across a table with your finger. It makes a huge difference in getting the boat to do what you want at low speed in tight quarters if you can think of it this way. While driving around the lake, you just turn the wheel like normal driving. A boat is like driving a fork truck, the back swings around to get the front to go where you want.

I would imagine one of the challenges of learning to get comfortable will be learning while entertaining. Pulling a kid in a tube can be a whole lot more challenging than simply driving the boat and keeping 150 feet from other boats, watching for wakes, markers, and other people who might not be following the rules. If it was me I would not do the tubing thing until you feel very comfortable.

I hope you enjoy your experience at the lake. Look forward to your future post and feedback on your progress. Be safe. Have fun. Spend Money.

cbuzz · 06-06-2010, 10:56 AM

Thanks for the advice. I am planning a one week rental and considering a 21' Sea Ray or 21' or 23' Bayliner. I see Stingrays available for rent as well.
My hope is that size will be small enough for me to navigate comfortably but big enough to hold a few people and pull a tuber. The place we are renting has a boat house, don't know if that is any easier or harder deal with

WeirsBeachBoater · 06-06-2010, 11:35 AM

I sent you a Private Message

webmaster · 06-06-2010, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbuzz

I am planning a one week rental and considering a 21' Sea Ray

Anchor Marine just added a 21' Sea Ray to their rental fleet: http://www.anchormarine.net/searay210.htm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rattlesnake Guy

Are you sure their is a "temporary" safety certificate? I know the rental places do something for the day.

http://www.nh.gov/safety/divisions/s.../14dayrev.html

jonfinn · 06-06-2010, 12:06 PM

One thing I found very useful is that most experienced boaters are usually willing to help out if you ask. It's a "pay it forward" thing.

Ex: If you're pulling up to a dock and having trouble, there's often someone around willing to help by catching a dock line and pulling you in.

On the lake itself, just keep your head on a swivel, proceed with caution, and enjoy the day!

06-06-2010, 07:10 AM	#1
cbuzz Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Really New Newbie Hello all: I've been trolling the threads and picking up some great advice. Here is my situation: We are having a large family gathering end of July in Tuftonboro (Winter Harbor) and would like to have a boat for tubing mainly and only for daytime use. My boating experience as an operator is almost zero, though. I have been on plenty of boats as a passenger. I am in the process of doing the boating safety course on DVD to obtain a temporary license. I don't plan on venturing too far from where the house is on the lake, but wanted to know if there is a service or instructor out there who could help me get familiar with the lake and boat operation We are up in NH a lot (have a vacation place in White Mts) and could get to the Lake as many weekends as needed between now and then Thanks in advance

06-06-2010, 10:16 AM	#2
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,974 Thanks: 246 Thanked 736 Times in 438 Posts	I sent you a PM.

06-06-2010, 10:44 AM	#3
Rattlesnake Guy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 1,254 Thanks: 423 Thanked 366 Times in 175 Posts	Welcome to the Lake and to the forum. Are you sure their is a "temporary" safety certificate? I know the rental places do something for the day. The good thing about winter harbor is the relative weather (wave) protection it offers. It can get a little busy at times. Winter harbor is probably only about 2% of the lake so you might outgrow it pretty quickly depending on your interest. If that happens the area outside of WH is fairly simple to navigate. Find the middle ground shoal on the map if you do head out. If you get ambitious, a trip to Wolfeboro could be fun. You sound very conscientious about your performance and that is the best first step. Not sure what size or type of boat you will be "learning" on but that can have some impact on your experience. When we learned how to boat, we started on a smaller lake called Winisquam with a rented pontoon boat with an undersized motor. Hard to get into to much trouble driving the equivalent of a golf cart around the mall parking lot. When we came to Winnipesaukee for the first time we also rented a pontoon with a bigger motor. It still took us an awful long time to go from Meredith to Wolfeboro. But we loved the size and complexity of the big Lake. As you probably know, navigating the markers and not getting lost is one of the challenges on such a big lake with rocks and islands. Winter harbor does not have many markers and it won't take long for you to memorize your neighborhood. You will defiantly need a map if you venture very far. The nice thing about boating is it is not completely like learning to drive a car. You don't have to go fast if you don't want to. Imagine how much easier learning to drive a car would have been if you could have started out at 5 mph on the highway. Fishing boats go slowly all day long and the rest of us drive around them. Docking the boat can be the toughest part depending on the dock, boat and weather. Having a calm first mate can be a very big help while you do the heavy lifting with the motor. Dock slow. Don’t be afraid to back out and try again. (I still do) The best newbie advice I got from a very long time boater that has helped me and all of my trainees is to remember the difference between a car and a boat in the way they steer. On a car you turn the front wheels to get the front of the car to go the way you want. On a boat the front of the boat can’t turn. The rear of the boat turns. When you want the boat to turn left the only way to do it is to move the back of the boat to the right. Sort of like pushing a wooden block across a table with your finger. It makes a huge difference in getting the boat to do what you want at low speed in tight quarters if you can think of it this way. While driving around the lake, you just turn the wheel like normal driving. A boat is like driving a fork truck, the back swings around to get the front to go where you want. I would imagine one of the challenges of learning to get comfortable will be learning while entertaining. Pulling a kid in a tube can be a whole lot more challenging than simply driving the boat and keeping 150 feet from other boats, watching for wakes, markers, and other people who might not be following the rules. If it was me I would not do the tubing thing until you feel very comfortable. I hope you enjoy your experience at the lake. Look forward to your future post and feedback on your progress. Be safe. Have fun. Spend Money.

06-06-2010, 10:56 AM	#4
cbuzz Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for the advice. I am planning a one week rental and considering a 21' Sea Ray or 21' or 23' Bayliner. I see Stingrays available for rent as well. My hope is that size will be small enough for me to navigate comfortably but big enough to hold a few people and pull a tuber. The place we are renting has a boat house, don't know if that is any easier or harder deal with

06-06-2010, 11:35 AM	#5
WeirsBeachBoater Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 709 Blog Entries: 9 Thanks: 39 Thanked 148 Times in 65 Posts	I sent you a Private Message

06-06-2010, 12:06 PM	#7
jonfinn Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Weymouth, MA Posts: 37 Thanks: 1 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	One thing I found very useful is that most experienced boaters are usually willing to help out if you ask. It's a "pay it forward" thing. Ex: If you're pulling up to a dock and having trouble, there's often someone around willing to help by catching a dock line and pulling you in. On the lake itself, just keep your head on a swivel, proceed with caution, and enjoy the day!