Boating Hours

Phantom · 09-16-2009, 07:44 AM

Thought it would be interesting to try and establish this years "Average" engine hours.

We are closing in on 100 hours which we will easily make by Columbus Day (our last boating day). A lot of hours - yes- Yet this is down from years past where our average was closer to 125+ hrs. We find ourselves doing much more "destination" boating than "aimlessly cruising".

How about you ?

chipj29 · 09-16-2009, 11:07 AM

Less than 25 for me. I boated fewer hours for one reason-weather. The following are NOT reasons for me boating fewer hours:
-Safety
-Fear
-Economy
-Price of gas
-Cost of tea in China

Pineedles · 09-16-2009, 12:19 PM

I didn't even put the jetski in this summer. Too costly.

ossipeeboater · 09-16-2009, 02:15 PM

tough summer between my kids baseball and soccer, didn't get my first full weekend at the lake till July 18th and done the 23rd of August, rode my jet ski 2 or 3 times and got out on the pontoon maybe 8 times so I'm figuring right around 20 hours.

SteveA · 09-16-2009, 06:30 PM

We where way off our average this year.

Engine repair problems due to ethanol fuel issues The boat was out of service for 3 weeks.

Rain, Rain, Rain...

We did have a few real nice sunset trips in August, but all said, I'd give this year a 2 on a scale of 10. ( Or 1 on a scale of 5 )

The very best thing about this year was... the boat is 12 months closer to being paid off.

Phantom · 09-17-2009, 06:32 AM

Interesting Results thus far --

Way more people under 25 hours than I would have guessed -

Keep the votes coming people
.
,

Dave R · 09-17-2009, 06:54 AM

Average year for me. About 56 so far. Probably another 5 or 6 and it'll be over. We were very selective about our boating days and had an excellent season. Boat ran great too.

Lakewinn1 · 09-17-2009, 07:45 AM

About average for us 55-60 with a few weeks remaining. August weather allowed us to make up for rainy June and July. Taking the kids and grandkids wakeboarding and tubing helped get the hours back to the "normal" range.

Wolfeboro_Baja · 09-30-2009, 04:49 PM

I chose less than 25 hrs but in actuality, it will probably end up being right around 25-30 hrs this year which is similar to last year and is below average for my wife and I. Between the bad weather last year and this year, plus some other unforeseen problems the cropped up this year, we just haven't towed up to the lake that much these past 2 years.

WeirsBeachBoater · 09-30-2009, 05:29 PM

Edit, Misjudged the hours the first time I am def over 150 this year. 133.3 at work and then add in many more at play.

Weekend Pundit · 09-30-2009, 06:58 PM

We usually get between 100 to 200 hours in each year, but this year we haven't quite broken 50 hours on the Hobbes meter. Our boat went in over Memorial Day weekend and we got a few hours in then, but wet weather in June and July kept us off the lake during times we would normally have ventured out onto Winnipesaukee. Other obligations (work and school) didn't allow us to make up as much time as we would have liked during August and September. Last year our boating hours were down as well, with the regular afternoon thunderstorms preventing our usual after work jaunts onto the lake.

ApS · 10-01-2009, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chipj29

Less than 25 for me. I boated fewer hours for one reason-weather. The following are NOT reasons for me boating fewer hours:
-Safety
-Fear
-Economy
-Price of gas
-Cost of tea in China

1) Crowding is definitely down, but that's been a trend for some years now.

2)

I see Weekends are not listed.

NoBozo · 10-01-2009, 10:11 AM

First ride in the boat this year was August 14. 11.6 hours on the clock so far. Last year it was 17.9 hours total. We usually only use the boat for two weeks vacation the last few years. Besides that...Where to go.. What to do?? Been there done that. Other than go out to dinner by boat, all we seem to do any more is go for gas.

NB

OCDACTIVE · 10-22-2009, 09:13 AM

12 hours for me until engine blew. maybe another 5 on the party boat.. but seriously the weather kept me inside most of the summer, then after July I didn't head up to the lake too much for life just got very very busy... hopefully next year I can get it to 100...

fpartri497 · 10-22-2009, 10:12 AM

This year I got about 50 Hrs. between the rain In june,july and the high wind In august. And that was split between two boats. bought a new 4-Winns In july.

Airwaves · 10-22-2009, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by APS

Quote:

Originally Posted by chipj29
Less than 25 for me. I boated fewer hours for one reason-weather. The following are NOT reasons for me boating fewer hours:
-Safety
-Fear
-Economy
-Price of gas
-Cost of tea in China

1) Crowding is definitely down, but that's been a trend for some years now.

2) I see Weekends are not listed.

I did some research after labor day and according to the NWS during the first two months of the traditional boating season...June 1 to Aug 3, there were only 14 boating days! I describe a boating day as not raining and with a temperature of 70 or above!
I didn't bother to break it down into how many of those 14 days in that 64 day period fell on weekends. Yep, the new law is playing a major role heh?

VtSteve · 10-22-2009, 04:18 PM

APS had turned me on to this thread http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...ead.php?t=2357

It seems silly to talk about weather and gas prices given the level of discourse over this year's boating.

We had folks thinking the lack of boating activity was due to

1) Weather
2) gas prices
3) water quality?
4) Lake is too crowded

Mind you, this was in 2005. Now that was in a pretty good economy year.

This year, a wicked bad economy, high unemployment, probably the same or higher gas prices than in 2005 (?) and very, very bad weather.

Not too much of a perception issue.

chipj29 · 10-23-2009, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acres per Second

1) Crowding is definitely down, but that's been a trend for some years now.

2)

I see Weekends are not listed.

what do you mean weekends are not listed?

Jerry007 · 10-23-2009, 07:40 AM

We logged 63 hours this year, our 8th season on the lake. This was about average for us. Major factors influencing us this year were; new boat, Larson Cabrio Cruiser and most importantly new marina. The weather was a challenge.
Our usual docking spot in Alton Bay was not available and we ended up at the West Alton Marina. Wow! This was an awesome move for us. The staff were very friendly and our fellow boaters are extremely nice.
To me it's not how many hours you run your engines, but how much you enjoy the pleasure of hanging out with friends. Boating should be measured in quality of time spent above all other factors.

LIforrelaxin · 10-23-2009, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WeirsBeachBoater

Edit, Misjudged the hours the first time I am def over 150 this year. 133.3 at work and then add in many more at play.

WBB, now not that you don't throughly enjoy your time on the water at work.... but that just not fair for the rest of us!!!!!!!!!!! You have an unfair advantage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Foul Foul!!!!!!!!!!!

Cal · 10-27-2009, 05:57 PM

Worst season in years. Mostly weather, lost two weekends due to trans. in tow vehicle taking a dump and a few more weekends to rainy saturdays and family functions on sunday

.
Total 11 hours.
Norm 40 to 50

NoBozo · 10-27-2009, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoBozo

First ride in the boat this year was August 14. 11.6 hours on the clock so far. Last year it was 17.9 hours total. We usually only use the boat for two weeks vacation the last few years. Besides that...Where to go.. What to do?? Been there done that. Other than go out to dinner by boat, all we seem to do any more is go for gas.

NB

I forgot to mention...I had another minor problem during vacation this year which slowed things down a bit: Water in the cylinders on the port side causing rough idling. (Small block V8) Had to replace the exhaust manifold and riser. Elected NOT to do that during vacation so we sat on the dock the second week.

I replaced the manifold and riser after vacation. It runs fine now......but vacation was a wash.

BTW: Fay's got the new Mercruiser manifold and riser from Connecticut in about 16 hours from the time I ordered it. Door to Door. I like Fay's.

NB

Wolfeboro_Baja · 10-28-2009, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OCDACTIVE

........[snip].......hopefully next year I can get it to 100...

OCD, is that engine hours or MPH???? nudge, nudge, wink, wink.....

Heck, I'd be happy to get my usage up to 50 hrs!

OCDACTIVE · 10-28-2009, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolfeboro_Baja

OCD, is that engine hours or MPH???? nudge, nudge, wink, wink.....

Heck, I'd be happy to get my usage up to 50 hrs!

next year it will be hopefully will get my usage there as well.. Double it both ways.

ApS · 10-29-2009, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WeirsBeachBoater

Edit, Misjudged the hours the first time I am def over 150 this year. 133.3 at work and then add in many more at play.

In case anyone has been missing this—as I have been—WBB "drives" the lake's largest watercraft. Actually, he navigates it to perfection!

On several occasions, when a total collapse of wind brings my unpowered sailboat to a halt, I've seen WBB alter course to avoid me—from a mile away! "Many-thanks" are due from your passengers AND me for having such an attentive skipper!

Quote:

Originally Posted by chipj29

what do you mean weekends are not listed?

1) Sorry for the tardy reply. I overlooked not only your response, but missed the appearance of my own reply as well!

2) I also failed to respond to the poll as I was not finished boating and lost track of the poll's deadline. (And don't have an hour-meter on my sailboat, anyway).

However, after our epic rains of 40 days and 40 nights, I started to keep a log.

3) Among your reasons for NOT boating, were:

-Safety
-Fear
-Economy
-Price of gas
-Cost of tea in China

I regard weekends as a reason to not go boating! (And there are previous threads that show that others see it the same way).

If winds are right, I'll go out at 7:30AM, but retire from boating at about 10:30AM—on weekends only. Other boaters at that hour are usually attentive to smaller boats, but the boating "demographic" rapidly changes after about 10:30AM—on weekends in particular.

To your specified suggestions of "safety", "fear", "economy", and "price of gas", how many participants in this poll can give answers for a full season of weekdays-only boating?

(I can).

robmac · 10-29-2009, 09:40 AM

With 70s forecast for Sat. I'll be putting in again for another day of boating then winterize again. Can't let a great weather day go without going it was after all not a very long season with the weather in June & July.

VitaBene · 10-29-2009, 08:10 PM

We're still in- I think the only boat left in the Suissevale docks. I hope to get 3-4 more engine hours in. We will almost make 60 this year.

Wolfeboro_Baja · 10-30-2009, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acres per Second

I regard weekends as a reason to not go boating! (And there are previous threads that show that others see it the same way).

Your (and their) loss!! The only thing that keeps me from boating on a weekend is bad weather or a prior social commitment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acres per Second

To your specified suggestions of "safety", "fear", "economy", and "price of gas", how many participants in this poll can give answers for a full season of weekdays-only boating?

(I can).

Good for you! What was the point? How many people can say they live on the lake and are fully retired so they have nothing else to do except enjoy the lake, all day any day?? I don't live on the lake, I'm about 50 minutes drive time away so that eliminates the possibility of taking an evening cruise. Even if I did live there, I'm not retired yet so I'm working during the day when you're out sailing and/or boating.

Honestly, you make it sound like the only people that deserve to be on YOUR lake are retirees!!

If people are afraid to do something in life, perhaps they should not do that something. Afraid the jet might crash? Don't fly. Afraid the bungee cord might break? Don't bungee jump. Afraid someone might crash into you on the interstate? Stay off the interstate. There are risks involved in doing just about anything; either accept those risks or stay away but don't create useless "feel good" laws because you fear something might happen! Yes, crap happens.....buck up and deal with it!

VtSteve · 10-30-2009, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robmac

With 70s forecast for Sat. I'll be putting in again for another day of boating then winterize again. Can't let a great weather day go without going it was after all not a very long season with the weather in June & July.

I was wondering where good weather would be this weekend. When I checked, the forecast for Laconia for Saturday was a high of 62 and some rain. Sunday better, but a high of 53.

I brought some work home

NoRegrets · 10-31-2009, 07:59 AM

I am sitting in my galley right now and getting ready to take the kayak out for a quick spin around the islands in Pagus Bay. After that we will take a slow cruise to take in the ever changing foliage. Less leaves this week but still beautiful. We are fortunite to have a slip in the Irwin main building and they really cater to us.

We did not run the engine hours as much this year but we did plenty of anchoring and rafting.

APS - Congrats on having the luxury to only boat on weekdays! We are normal weekend warriors and do not let the crouds keep us away. We have found many places to explore and stop that seem to stay isolated. This year was definitely different than the past 9 years judged by us being able to get through the Weirs channel with virtually no queuing during peak hours.

View Poll Results: How many "Hours" have you put on the Boat this Season
Less than 25 hours	73	35.61%
25 - 49 hours	68	33.17%
50 - 74 hours	35	17.07%
75 - 99 hours	14	6.83%
100 - 149 hours	13	6.34%
150+ hours (a.k.a.- Extreme Boat Enthusiast)	2	0.98%
Voters: 205. You may not vote on this poll

09-16-2009, 07:44 AM	#1
Phantom Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Berlin, Ma / Gilford Posts: 1,931 Thanks: 445 Thanked 604 Times in 340 Posts	Boating Hours Thought it would be interesting to try and establish this years "Average" engine hours. We are closing in on 100 hours which we will easily make by Columbus Day (our last boating day). A lot of hours - yes- Yet this is down from years past where our average was closer to 125+ hrs. We find ourselves doing much more "destination" boating than "aimlessly cruising". How about you ? __________________ *A bad day on the Big Lake (although I've never had one) - Still beats a day at the office!!*

09-16-2009, 11:07 AM	#2
chipj29 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bow Posts: 1,874 Thanks: 521 Thanked 308 Times in 162 Posts	Less than 25 for me. I boated fewer hours for one reason-weather. The following are NOT reasons for me boating fewer hours: -Safety -Fear -Economy -Price of gas -Cost of tea in China __________________ Getting ready for winter!

09-16-2009, 12:19 PM	#3
Pineedles Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Moultonborough & CT Posts: 2,535 Thanks: 1,058 Thanked 652 Times in 363 Posts	Zero Hours I didn't even put the jetski in this summer. Too costly.

09-16-2009, 06:30 PM	#5
SteveA Deceased Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Gilford, NH Posts: 2,311 Thanks: 1,070 Thanked 2,053 Times in 496 Posts	Just a bad boating year all around We where way off our average this year. Engine repair problems due to ethanol fuel issues The boat was out of service for 3 weeks. Rain, Rain, Rain... We did have a few real nice sunset trips in August, but all said, I'd give this year a 2 on a scale of 10. ( Or 1 on a scale of 5 ) The very best thing about this year was... the boat is 12 months closer to being paid off. __________________ "Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, if he gets angry he'll be a mile away and barefoot!" unknown

09-16-2009, 02:15 PM	#4
ossipeeboater Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 157 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	tough summer between my kids baseball and soccer, didn't get my first full weekend at the lake till July 18th and done the 23rd of August, rode my jet ski 2 or 3 times and got out on the pontoon maybe 8 times so I'm figuring right around 20 hours.

09-17-2009, 06:32 AM	#6
Phantom Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Berlin, Ma / Gilford Posts: 1,931 Thanks: 445 Thanked 604 Times in 340 Posts	Interesting Results thus far -- Way more people under 25 hours than I would have guessed - Keep the votes coming people . , __________________ *A bad day on the Big Lake (although I've never had one) - Still beats a day at the office!!*

09-17-2009, 06:54 AM	#7
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,974 Thanks: 246 Thanked 736 Times in 438 Posts	Average year for me. About 56 so far. Probably another 5 or 6 and it'll be over. We were very selective about our boating days and had an excellent season. Boat ran great too.

09-17-2009, 07:45 AM	#8
Lakewinn1 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 93 Thanks: 78 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Boating Hours About average for us 55-60 with a few weeks remaining. August weather allowed us to make up for rainy June and July. Taking the kids and grandkids wakeboarding and tubing helped get the hours back to the "normal" range.

09-30-2009, 04:49 PM	#9
Wolfeboro_Baja Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Hopkinton NH Posts: 395 Thanks: 88 Thanked 80 Times in 46 Posts	I chose less than 25 hrs but in actuality, it will probably end up being right around 25-30 hrs this year which is similar to last year and is below average for my wife and I. Between the bad weather last year and this year, plus some other unforeseen problems the cropped up this year, we just haven't towed up to the lake that much these past 2 years. __________________ Cancer SUCKS!

09-30-2009, 05:29 PM	#10
WeirsBeachBoater Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 709 Blog Entries: 9 Thanks: 39 Thanked 148 Times in 65 Posts	Edit, Misjudged the hours the first time I am def over 150 this year. 133.3 at work and then add in many more at play. Last edited by WeirsBeachBoater; 09-30-2009 at 05:32 PM. Reason: Miscalculated

09-30-2009, 06:58 PM	#11
Weekend Pundit Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Gilford Posts: 291 Thanks: 19 Thanked 51 Times in 31 Posts	We Were Way Under Our Usual Hours We usually get between 100 to 200 hours in each year, but this year we haven't quite broken 50 hours on the Hobbes meter. Our boat went in over Memorial Day weekend and we got a few hours in then, but wet weather in June and July kept us off the lake during times we would normally have ventured out onto Winnipesaukee. Other obligations (work and school) didn't allow us to make up as much time as we would have liked during August and September. Last year our boating hours were down as well, with the regular afternoon thunderstorms preventing our usual after work jaunts onto the lake.

10-01-2009, 10:11 AM	#13
NoBozo Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Portsmouth. RI Posts: 2,231 Thanks: 400 Thanked 460 Times in 308 Posts	First ride in the boat this year was August 14. 11.6 hours on the clock so far. Last year it was 17.9 hours total. We usually only use the boat for two weeks vacation the last few years. Besides that...Where to go.. What to do?? Been there done that. Other than go out to dinner by boat, all we seem to do any more is go for gas. NB

10-22-2009, 09:13 AM	#14
OCDACTIVE Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fort Myers FL / Moultonboro Posts: 1,045 Thanks: 444 Thanked 574 Times in 178 Posts	12 hours for me until engine blew. maybe another 5 on the party boat.. but seriously the weather kept me inside most of the summer, then after July I didn't head up to the lake too much for life just got very very busy... hopefully next year I can get it to 100... __________________ Have you had your Vessel Inspected Yet?

10-22-2009, 10:12 AM	#15
fpartri497 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Concord NH Posts: 681 Thanks: 97 Thanked 48 Times in 39 Posts	Hrs. on boat This year I got about 50 Hrs. between the rain In june,july and the high wind In august. And that was split between two boats. bought a new 4-Winns In july. __________________ dont worry be happy

10-22-2009, 04:18 PM	#17
VtSteve Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,320 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 230 Thanked 361 Times in 169 Posts	Interesting to look at 2005 APS had turned me on to this thread http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...ead.php?t=2357 It seems silly to talk about weather and gas prices given the level of discourse over this year's boating. We had folks thinking the lack of boating activity was due to 1) Weather 2) gas prices 3) water quality? 4) Lake is too crowded Mind you, this was in 2005. Now that was in a pretty good economy year. This year, a wicked bad economy, high unemployment, probably the same or higher gas prices than in 2005 (?) and very, very bad weather. Not too much of a perception issue.

10-23-2009, 07:40 AM	#19
Jerry007 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Boating Hours We logged 63 hours this year, our 8th season on the lake. This was about average for us. Major factors influencing us this year were; new boat, Larson Cabrio Cruiser and most importantly new marina. The weather was a challenge. Our usual docking spot in Alton Bay was not available and we ended up at the West Alton Marina. Wow! This was an awesome move for us. The staff were very friendly and our fellow boaters are extremely nice. To me it's not how many hours you run your engines, but how much you enjoy the pleasure of hanging out with friends. Boating should be measured in quality of time spent above all other factors.

The Following User Says Thank You to Jerry007 For This Useful Post:
VtSteve (10-23-2009)

10-27-2009, 05:57 PM	#21
Cal Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Pitman , NJ Posts: 627 Thanks: 40 Thanked 21 Times in 12 Posts	Worst season in years. Mostly weather, lost two weekends due to trans. in tow vehicle taking a dump and a few more weekends to rainy saturdays and family functions on sunday. Total 11 hours. Norm 40 to 50 __________________ Paddle faster , I think I here banjos

The Following User Says Thank You to Wolfeboro_Baja For This Useful Post:
OCDACTIVE (10-28-2009)

10-29-2009, 09:40 AM	#26
robmac Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Nashua,Meredith Posts: 951 Thanks: 213 Thanked 106 Times in 81 Posts	With 70s forecast for Sat. I'll be putting in again for another day of boating then winterize again. Can't let a great weather day go without going it was after all not a very long season with the weather in June & July.

10-29-2009, 08:10 PM	#27
VitaBene Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 3,530 Thanks: 1,570 Thanked 1,601 Times in 821 Posts	Good year We're still in- I think the only boat left in the Suissevale docks. I hope to get 3-4 more engine hours in. We will almost make 60 this year.

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Wolfeboro_Baja For This Useful Post:
gtagrip (10-30-2009), VitaBene (10-31-2009)

10-31-2009, 07:59 AM	#30
NoRegrets Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Hudson - NH Posts: 408 Thanks: 233 Thanked 212 Times in 88 Posts	I am sitting in my galley right now and getting ready to take the kayak out for a quick spin around the islands in Pagus Bay. After that we will take a slow cruise to take in the ever changing foliage. Less leaves this week but still beautiful. We are fortunite to have a slip in the Irwin main building and they really cater to us. We did not run the engine hours as much this year but we did plenty of anchoring and rafting. APS - Congrats on having the luxury to only boat on weekdays! We are normal weekend warriors and do not let the crouds keep us away. We have found many places to explore and stop that seem to stay isolated. This year was definitely different than the past 9 years judged by us being able to get through the Weirs channel with virtually no queuing during peak hours.