Steam boats at Lee's Mills

camp guy · 09-19-2010, 02:48 PM

This is a time when I wish I was more articulate and could accurately describe the gathering of the steam boats at Lee's Mills. Each of these basically hand-crafted vessels represents thousands of hours of labor, and, I'm sure, many dollars. The families involved are all so friendly and sociable, and just want to talk about their steamboats, and show off their efforts to the public. It just looks like a fun event, tucked away in Lee's Mills, with little or no publicity. The weather worked out well for them, and several times they went out on parade. I even saw three of them tied up at theTown docks in Wolfeboro - now that's a long way from Lee's Mills by steamboat.

My granddaughter and I spent a wonderful few hours looking at each boat, all different, and, unfortunately due to time considerations, had to pass up on several offers to take a ride.

This is a great gathering, and I thank all of them for coming to Lee's Mills, and I look forward to seeing them again next season.

webmaster · 09-19-2010, 03:14 PM

I was at the rally both yesterday and today taking pictures and video. It is an amazing display of craftsmanship and ingenuity. I was fortunate enough to get rides on 2 steamboats yesterday and get on one for the parade today. I shot 2 hours of HD video but it will take a few days to edit together the highlights. I'll post some still shots later.

webmaster · 09-20-2010, 06:01 AM

Here a few shots of the Steamboat Rally from PhotoPost. More to come.

webmaster · 09-20-2010, 06:29 AM

This is Dave Thorpe, owner and builder of the steamboat Wicwas. Dave was kind enough to give me a ride and allow me to record some great HD video of him talking about the boat and how his custom made steam engine works. Editing all the clips together may take several days but it should be worth the wait.

TomC · 09-20-2010, 06:32 AM

I went up to see the boats (and a couple of old cars) on Saturday. The parade was nice yesterday morning too.. my dock is a front row seat!

Really a very cool thing!

PC31 · 09-20-2010, 07:01 AM

I wish I had known I usually take my sons there to watch the parade. It's always fun .
________
LENDERS MORTGAGE INSURANCE ADVICE

webmaster · 09-21-2010, 10:55 AM

Here's the first of my videos from the Steamboat Rally. I have 3 more I'm working on.

Seeker · 09-21-2010, 11:10 AM

Very nice Don. Just like being there.

Sue Doe-Nym · 09-21-2010, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomC

I went up to see the boats (and a couple of old cars) on Saturday. The parade was nice yesterday morning too.. my dock is a front row seat!

Really a very cool thing!

What old cars were there?

TomC · 09-21-2010, 01:55 PM

a black Stanley steamer and something like a Reo from the early 1900's, in yellow, with wooden spoked wheels were there on Sat afternoon

webmaster · 09-21-2010, 08:28 PM

Here's the second video from my ride on the Wicwas. In this video builder Dave Thorpe describes how his steam engine works.

trfour · 09-21-2010, 08:58 PM

Thank you for sharing this with us!!!!

The videos and sound are fantastic!!!! The best I've seen on the net so far!

Terry
____________________________________

VitaBene · 09-22-2010, 04:13 AM

It sounds like you had a great time, Don. Thank you for the videos.

webmaster · 09-22-2010, 08:39 AM

Here's a video of my ride on the steamboat RAECAROL:

SIKSUKR · 09-22-2010, 09:10 AM

Wonderful stuff Don. Thats just a beautiful and majestic machine, isn't it?

Jonas Pilot · 09-22-2010, 10:12 AM

Thanks for sharing Don. Nice job with the video.

Rattlesnake Gal · 09-22-2010, 03:23 PM

Perhaps you missed your calling in filmography?

About the Annual Lee’s Mills Steamboat Rally:

From the Sunset Bob Gallery

Each September the town of Moultonborough sponsors the largest and longest meet in the world for steam launches. It lasts for about ten days.

On the first Sunday of the rally, a steamboat parade goes out into Moultonborough Bay.

From the Webmaster Gallery

On the second Sunday of the meet, the parade goes into Green's Basin.

Usually the rally showcases 55 to 60 operating steamboats with several steam models on display.

It truly is a very unique, interesting and educational event. I highly recommend it.
You can really tell that the owners are very proud of their vessels and seem to enjoy sharing their hobby with the spectators.

Mark your calendars for next years 39th Annual Lee’s Mills Steamboat Rally
The dates should be September 9th – 18th.

Thanks again for the excellent videos Don!

rick35 · 09-22-2010, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rattlesnake Gal

Perhaps you missed your calling in filmography?

Great videos! When I watched them I thought they were good enough to be a segment on Chronicle. Nice job!

webmaster · 09-23-2010, 06:43 AM

Take a ride in the Steamboat Parade:

Pepper · 09-23-2010, 11:30 AM

I am grinning from ear to ear! Absolutely fabulous videography! Thanks, Don, for taking us all along on your steamboat adventures. I've always wanted to go see the rally and parade, but just never seem to have the opportunity. Now that I've seen these videos, I know that somehow, some way, next year I'm going!

webmaster · 09-24-2010, 11:27 AM

Here is the final video from the Steamboat Rally (whew!). This video contains stills and a few video highlights. It also has musical background provided by a friend who wrote and performed it.

This year I've added 25 HD videos to our Youtube Channel and I have plans for lots more in the future. I've also added an identity to the Channel with the name TheLake.tv. Type that into your browser and you'll go directly to the videos.

Please visit our Channel and subscribe. When I reach a certain level of subscriptions and views Youtube will consider me a "partner" and allow for more branding and other features.

09-19-2010, 02:48 PM	#1
camp guy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: formerly Winter Harbor, still Wolfeboro Posts: 1,135 Thanks: 284 Thanked 480 Times in 271 Posts	Steam boats at Lee's Mills This is a time when I wish I was more articulate and could accurately describe the gathering of the steam boats at Lee's Mills. Each of these basically hand-crafted vessels represents thousands of hours of labor, and, I'm sure, many dollars. The families involved are all so friendly and sociable, and just want to talk about their steamboats, and show off their efforts to the public. It just looks like a fun event, tucked away in Lee's Mills, with little or no publicity. The weather worked out well for them, and several times they went out on parade. I even saw three of them tied up at theTown docks in Wolfeboro - now that's a long way from Lee's Mills by steamboat. My granddaughter and I spent a wonderful few hours looking at each boat, all different, and, unfortunately due to time considerations, had to pass up on several offers to take a ride. This is a great gathering, and I thank all of them for coming to Lee's Mills, and I look forward to seeing them again next season.

09-20-2010, 06:32 AM	#5
TomC Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Lakes Region Posts: 547 Thanks: 9 Thanked 29 Times in 20 Posts	checked them out I went up to see the boats (and a couple of old cars) on Saturday. The parade was nice yesterday morning too.. my dock is a front row seat! Really a very cool thing!

09-20-2010, 07:01 AM	#6
PC31 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 47 Thanks: 12 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Missed it I wish I had known I usually take my sons there to watch the parade. It's always fun . ________ LENDERS MORTGAGE INSURANCE ADVICE Last edited by PC31; 03-12-2011 at 02:16 PM.

09-21-2010, 10:55 AM	#7
webmaster Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 2,434 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 441 Thanked 3,726 Times in 824 Posts	Steamboat Rally Video Here's the first of my videos from the Steamboat Rally. I have 3 more I'm working on.

09-21-2010, 01:55 PM	#10
TomC Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Lakes Region Posts: 547 Thanks: 9 Thanked 29 Times in 20 Posts	cars a black Stanley steamer and something like a Reo from the early 1900's, in yellow, with wooden spoked wheels were there on Sat afternoon

09-19-2010, 03:14 PM	#2
webmaster Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 2,434 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 441 Thanked 3,726 Times in 824 Posts	I was at the rally both yesterday and today taking pictures and video. It is an amazing display of craftsmanship and ingenuity. I was fortunate enough to get rides on 2 steamboats yesterday and get on one for the parade today. I shot 2 hours of HD video but it will take a few days to edit together the highlights. I'll post some still shots later.

09-20-2010, 06:01 AM	#3
webmaster Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 2,434 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 441 Thanked 3,726 Times in 824 Posts	Here a few shots of the Steamboat Rally from PhotoPost. More to come.

The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to webmaster For This Useful Post:
LIforrelaxin (09-21-2010), Rattlesnake Gal (09-21-2010), samosetguy (09-21-2010)

09-20-2010, 06:29 AM	#4
webmaster Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 2,434 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 441 Thanked 3,726 Times in 824 Posts	This is Dave Thorpe, owner and builder of the steamboat Wicwas. Dave was kind enough to give me a ride and allow me to record some great HD video of him talking about the boat and how his custom made steam engine works. Editing all the clips together may take several days but it should be worth the wait.

The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to webmaster For This Useful Post:
DRH (09-21-2010), Pepper (09-23-2010), Rattlesnake Gal (09-21-2010), Sunset Bob (09-23-2010), trfour (09-21-2010)

09-21-2010, 11:10 AM	#8
Seeker Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Effingham Posts: 408 Thanks: 37 Thanked 19 Times in 15 Posts	Very nice Don. Just like being there.

09-21-2010, 08:28 PM	#11
webmaster Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 2,434 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 441 Thanked 3,726 Times in 824 Posts	2nd Wicwas Video Here's the second video from my ride on the Wicwas. In this video builder Dave Thorpe describes how his steam engine works.

The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to webmaster For This Useful Post:
DRH (09-21-2010), Rattlesnake Gal (09-22-2010), Sunset Bob (09-23-2010), trfour (09-21-2010)

09-21-2010, 08:58 PM	#12
trfour Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Lakes, Central NH. and Dallas/Fort Worth TX. Posts: 3,694 Blog Entries: 3 Thanks: 3,069 Thanked 472 Times in 236 Posts	Absolutely Awesome Don... Thank you for sharing this with us!!!! The videos and sound are fantastic!!!! The best I've seen on the net so far! Terry ____________________________________ __________________ *trfour* Always Remember, The Best Safety Device In The Boat, or on a PWC Snowmobile etc., Is YOU! Safe sledding tips and much more; http://www.snowmobile.org/snowmobiling-safety.html

09-22-2010, 04:13 AM	#13
VitaBene Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 3,531 Thanks: 1,570 Thanked 1,607 Times in 822 Posts	It sounds like you had a great time, Don. Thank you for the videos.

09-22-2010, 08:39 AM	#14
webmaster Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 2,434 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 441 Thanked 3,726 Times in 824 Posts	3rd Steamboat Video Here's a video of my ride on the steamboat RAECAROL:

The Following User Says Thank You to webmaster For This Useful Post:
Sunset Bob (09-23-2010)

09-22-2010, 09:10 AM	#15
SIKSUKR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,075 Thanks: 215 Thanked 903 Times in 509 Posts	Wonderful stuff Don. Thats just a beautiful and majestic machine, isn't it? __________________ SIKSUKR

09-22-2010, 10:12 AM	#16
Jonas Pilot Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Wolfeboro, New Hampshire is my home, 24-7-365 Posts: 1,686 Thanks: 1,047 Thanked 336 Times in 189 Posts	Thanks for sharing Don. Nice job with the video.

09-22-2010, 03:23 PM	#17
Rattlesnake Gal Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Central NH Posts: 5,252 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 1,447 Thanked 1,349 Times in 475 Posts	Wonderful Videos Don! Thanks!!! Perhaps you missed your calling in filmography? About the Annual Lee’s Mills Steamboat Rally: From the Sunset Bob Gallery Each September the town of Moultonborough sponsors the largest and longest meet in the world for steam launches. It lasts for about ten days. On the first Sunday of the rally, a steamboat parade goes out into Moultonborough Bay. From the Webmaster Gallery On the second Sunday of the meet, the parade goes into Green's Basin. Usually the rally showcases 55 to 60 operating steamboats with several steam models on display. It truly is a very unique, interesting and educational event. I highly recommend it. You can really tell that the owners are very proud of their vessels and seem to enjoy sharing their hobby with the spectators. Mark your calendars for next years 39th Annual Lee’s Mills Steamboat Rally The dates should be September 9th – 18th. Thanks again for the excellent videos Don!

The Following User Says Thank You to rick35 For This Useful Post:
VitaBene (09-24-2010)

09-23-2010, 06:43 AM	#19
webmaster Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 2,434 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 441 Thanked 3,726 Times in 824 Posts	4th Steamboat Video Take a ride in the Steamboat Parade:

The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to webmaster For This Useful Post:
Jonas Pilot (09-23-2010), Redwing (09-23-2010), Sunset Bob (09-23-2010)

09-23-2010, 11:30 AM	#20
Pepper Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Laconia, NH Posts: 1,284 Thanks: 409 Thanked 155 Times in 40 Posts	Fabulous videography! I am grinning from ear to ear! Absolutely fabulous videography! Thanks, Don, for taking us all along on your steamboat adventures. I've always wanted to go see the rally and parade, but just never seem to have the opportunity. Now that I've seen these videos, I know that somehow, some way, next year I'm going! __________________ Never waste time lamenting what was. Simply celebrate what is!

09-24-2010, 11:27 AM	#21
webmaster Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 2,434 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 441 Thanked 3,726 Times in 824 Posts	5th Steamboat Video Here is the final video from the Steamboat Rally (whew!). This video contains stills and a few video highlights. It also has musical background provided by a friend who wrote and performed it. This year I've added 25 HD videos to our Youtube Channel and I have plans for lots more in the future. I've also added an identity to the Channel with the name TheLake.tv. Type that into your browser and you'll go directly to the videos. Please visit our Channel and subscribe. When I reach a certain level of subscriptions and views Youtube will consider me a "partner" and allow for more branding and other features.

The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to webmaster For This Useful Post:
Jonas Pilot (09-24-2010), Pepper (09-30-2010), trfour (09-24-2010)