Go Back   Winnipesaukee Forum > Winnipesaukee Forums > Boating
Home Forums Gallery Webcams Blogs YouTube Channel Classifieds Calendar Register FAQDonate Members List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 05-06-2009, 07:22 AM   #1
jcv
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 2
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default A good swimming spot?

Hello everyone!

I just found this place - great forum you have here!

I bought a new boat last year (20' CC) which will mostly see salt water use. I have a seasonal camp in Warren and I thought it would be great to bring the boat some weekends and make the drive to Winnipesaukee for some family fun - tubing, swimming and cruising.

I'll be getting a chart of course but I wanted to start by asking about a good swimming spot. I know there's a popular sandbar but I'd like a less popular area . When visiting boating forums, I'm always seeing pics of boats pulled right up to a beach. Is there any place where that is allowed? (I'm pretty sure that is a no-no but I wanted to ask). Anyway, I don't think my mother in-law really wants to get out of the boat in deep water so I was hoping to find a swimming spot that suits our needs.

Thanks in advance.

See you on the lake!

PS - everyone usually likes pics so I'll share a couple. Here's the new boat:



At Salisbury res:



my fishing partner and first mate:



his first fish in the new boat:



dogfish are a pain but he was happy LOL.

I hope to have some lake boating pics to show in the near future!
jcv is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-06-2009, 10:48 AM   #2
Coolbreeze
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 332
Thanks: 0
Thanked 51 Times in 26 Posts
Default

First of all I hope that fish didn't come out of the lake! Yikes i avoid the ocean because of fish that look like that. Anyway, great pics. There are many places to anchor and swim off the boat in the beautiful lake. Take your pick. There are many coves and calm areas to go. Most have clear water over 6' deep. I don't really suggest pulling up on beaches or within 20' of shore unless you are knowledgeable of the waters. Your lower unit and hull will become the victim of that. I suggest flying a diver down flag if you do swim off the boat anywhere on the lake, it alerts others that you have people in the water. I'm sure other readers will give their suggestions. I would also read up on the rules and regulations for the lake before you go. Be respectful of others ( loud noise etc.) Keep your distance from the loon sanctuaries and take your trash with you and you will have a great time. Enjoy the experience and more importantly don't forget the camera.
Coolbreeze is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-06-2009, 11:19 AM   #3
jrc
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: NH
Posts: 2,689
Thanks: 33
Thanked 439 Times in 249 Posts
Default

I don't know of any public spots where you can actually beach the boat. There may be one or two spots that are conservation land and are a gray area.

There are several spots where you can anchor in shallow water with a nice sandy bottom. These spots are very popular and crowded, plus some have special rafting and spacing rules. So if you want to try them out, get there early or go on a weekday. And make sure you know the rafting rules (search this forum)

To find the good spots search for sand bars on this forum.
jrc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-06-2009, 12:16 PM   #4
AltonGuy
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 54
Thanks: 1
Thanked 11 Times in 6 Posts
Default

To swim around in shallow water, and also have nice sand to step in, I anchor near Ellacoya State Beach in Gilford. This area isn't obviously too secluded and does get busy on the shore, but you can anchor a long ways past the swim line/boundary and still be in really shallow water (less than 6 feet). Has a nice backdrop with the mountains and like I mentioned above, the ground is sand covered not weedy. Was a bit unsure of anchoring there at first but I have seen plenty of other boats doing it!
AltonGuy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-06-2009, 12:49 PM   #5
fatlazyless
Senior Member
 
fatlazyless's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 8,525
Blog Entries: 1
Thanks: 295
Thanked 957 Times in 698 Posts
Default

Timber Island is an uninhabited primeval, 130 acre forested island, thats a popular spot for anchoring offshore along one of its' desolate sandy bays.

I still say the state missed the boat a few years back when it was up for sale, on the cheap. Now, its some type of conservation island forest that gets studied by forestry students as it hasn't been cut in a hundred years or more .

Every once in a while the long distant, native-resident shows up and get a little antsy about boaters using his Timber Isl secluded beaches, but not too often.

Timber Island - leave nothing but footprints - take nothing except photographs !
__________________
... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!
fatlazyless is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
Old 05-06-2009, 07:29 PM   #6
The Big Kahuna
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Gilford
Posts: 148
Thanks: 0
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Default Patrician Shores

You can back up to the beach as close as your outdrive allows, the water is only a few feet deep at the shore. Nice sandy bottom, no rafting zone (which is a good thing, believe it or not). Welcome to the lake!
The Big Kahuna is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-06-2009, 08:22 PM   #7
Bear Island South
Senior Member
 
Bear Island South's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Southboro, MA
Posts: 579
Thanks: 75
Thanked 384 Times in 170 Posts
Default

Before we became islanders, we liked the north end of the lake, look for Blueberry Island and Blackey's Cove. Blueberry is a private uninhabited small island with a sandy bottom on the north side, there is a small beach you can wade in, don't venture on the island, it is private. It fills in fast so get there early.
Blackey's is a nice spot if it is a windy day and a good place to ski or tube.
Have fun, enjoy the summer!
Bear Island South is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-07-2009, 06:25 AM   #8
jcv
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 2
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

Thank you all so much for the replies!

I have some really nice places to check out now.

I only have one trip on my boat so far and I still need to break in the motor. I'm going to Winnipesaukee on Saturday! A good friend is going with me and he knows the lake so I'm pretty psyched to start learning my way around.
jcv is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-07-2009, 09:33 PM   #9
Irrigation Guy
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Moultonborough, NH
Posts: 484
Thanks: 89
Thanked 138 Times in 72 Posts
Thumbs up Rocks at Blueberry Island

If you try and venture into Blueberry Island. Watch the rocks to the west side as you enter toward the sandy area.
Irrigation Guy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-08-2009, 03:33 AM   #10
DENNISJ
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 11
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Thumbs up

that ,s one sweet looking boat you have there
DENNISJ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-08-2009, 10:20 PM   #11
Bear Island South
Senior Member
 
Bear Island South's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Southboro, MA
Posts: 579
Thanks: 75
Thanked 384 Times in 170 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by LocalRealtor View Post
If you try and venture into Blueberry Island. Watch the rocks to the west side as you enter toward the sandy area.
oops, sorry I didn't mention that, there is a lot of live and learn around the lake, keep the chart handy
Bear Island South is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-09-2009, 07:33 AM   #12
Kamper
Senior Member
 
Kamper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Thornton's Ferry
Posts: 1,296
Thanks: 67
Thanked 166 Times in 126 Posts
Default Feet wet.

Around the lake, you'll see various areas that are roped off with float lines. Owners of water front property are allowed to establish "swimmer safety zones." The water inside these areas is still part of the lake and is still in the public domain. As long as you do not trespass on the land, you may swim in these areas as much as you like.

In other words... Keep your feet wet. If you are wading along the shore line and come to a dock you may get out to the extant neccessary to walk around it or step up and cross the dock. I'd prefer getting out because docks are not always in as good a condition as they look and your wet fet could slip.

Motor boats are excluded from these areas unless they have the owners permission to launch or dock there. The no-wake rules are extended from the shore line to begin at the safety line.
Kamper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-09-2009, 08:47 AM   #13
KonaChick
Senior Member
 
KonaChick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 518
Thanks: 19
Thanked 62 Times in 15 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kamper View Post
Around the lake, you'll see various areas that are roped off with float lines. Owners of water front property are allowed to establish "swimmer safety zones." The water inside these areas is still part of the lake and is still in the public domain. As long as you do not trespass on the land, you may swim in these areas as much as you like.

In other words... Keep your feet wet. If you are wading along the shore line and come to a dock you may get out to the extant neccessary to walk around it or step up and cross the dock. I'd prefer getting out because docks are not always in as good a condition as they look and your wet fet could slip.

Motor boats are excluded from these areas unless they have the owners permission to launch or dock there. The no-wake rules are extended from the shore line to begin at the safety line.
Why are you encouraging someone to get themselves into a possible explosive situation with a waterfront property owner? There are plenty of places to drop anchor and swim and there are also public beaches on the lake. Not cool....

Last edited by KonaChick; 05-09-2009 at 08:48 AM. Reason: adding more text
KonaChick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-09-2009, 09:33 AM   #14
Rose
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 498
Thanks: 62
Thanked 71 Times in 32 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by KonaChick View Post
Why are you encouraging someone to get themselves into a possible explosive situation with a waterfront property owner? There are plenty of places to drop anchor and swim and there are also public beaches on the lake. Not cool....
Sometimes just dropping anchor and swimming anywhere within sight of some property owners is enough to be an explosive situation. Try to remain polite while you invite them to jump in the lake with you.
Rose is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-09-2009, 10:35 AM   #15
loony
Senior Member
 
loony's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 101
Thanks: 0
Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts
Default Patrician Shores

Quote:
Originally Posted by The Big Kahuna View Post
You can back up to the beach as close as your outdrive allows, the water is only a few feet deep at the shore. Nice sandy bottom, no rafting zone (which is a good thing, believe it or not). Welcome to the lake!
Be careful! There is a very poorly marked rock field in front of patrician shores. To get there- If you're traveling north towards center harbor, stay in the channel and turn west (port/left) just to the south of Farrar point. That will take you north of the rock field.

Last edited by loony; 05-09-2009 at 08:53 PM.
loony is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-09-2009, 10:57 AM   #16
KonaChick
Senior Member
 
KonaChick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 518
Thanks: 19
Thanked 62 Times in 15 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rose View Post
Sometimes just dropping anchor and swimming anywhere within sight of some property owners is enough to be an explosive situation. Try to remain polite while you invite them to jump in the lake with you.
Agreed, however that's not what Kamper was talking about in his post. This subject like the speed limit has been debated ad nauseam. Let's not flame this fire anymore....
KonaChick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-09-2009, 01:42 PM   #17
Kamper
Senior Member
 
Kamper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Thornton's Ferry
Posts: 1,296
Thanks: 67
Thanked 166 Times in 126 Posts
Default

The purpose for the safety zone is to create a safe area for swimming. I'm not encouraging anyone to be rude. I think awareness of what these float lines mean will result in less hostility than more.

I've experienced this on both sides of the water line. When I'm in the water, I smile, mind my own business and keep moving. When I'm on the beach I smile and mind my own business. It's the same as somebody walking down the street. No more, no less.

I used to maintain a good-sized private beach for some friends in Laconia. I found there was less movement and vandalism of the floats after I told nearby boaters it was acceptable for them to 'cross the line.' Some hang-outs get pretty packed and I think it's useful info for folks to know they don't have to restrict themselves to the "anchorages."

Have fun. Be safe. SHARE !!
Kamper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-09-2009, 02:29 PM   #18
Rose
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 498
Thanks: 62
Thanked 71 Times in 32 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by KonaChick View Post
Agreed, however that's not what Kamper was talking about in his post. This subject like the speed limit has been debated ad nauseam. Let's not flame this fire anymore....
jcv is new here. He/She may not have seen the other thread(s) and needs to know of all possible explosive situations. Sorry if it touched a nerve.
Rose is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-09-2009, 08:33 PM   #19
KonaChick
Senior Member
 
KonaChick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 518
Thanks: 19
Thanked 62 Times in 15 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kamper View Post
Around the lake, you'll see various areas that are roped off with float lines. Owners of water front property are allowed to establish "swimmer safety zones." The water inside these areas is still part of the lake and is still in the public domain. As long as you do not trespass on the land, you may swim in these areas as much as you like.

In other words... Keep your feet wet. If you are wading along the shore line and come to a dock you may get out to the extant neccessary to walk around it or step up and cross the dock. I'd prefer getting out because docks are not always in as good a condition as they look and your wet fet could slip.

Motor boats are excluded from these areas unless they have the owners permission to launch or dock there. The no-wake rules are extended from the shore line to begin at the safety line.

I don't have swim lines near my beach however if someone is walking across my beach with their feet still "wet" and climbing up onto my dock I'm going to have a problem with that legal or not. This is my last post.
KonaChick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-09-2009, 09:03 PM   #20
Kamper
Senior Member
 
Kamper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Thornton's Ferry
Posts: 1,296
Thanks: 67
Thanked 166 Times in 126 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by KonaChick View Post
... I'm going to have a problem with that legal or not. ...
So you see JVC, the lake is a great place but it's not without its controversies and people who have strong emotional issues with a variety of factors. It's a big place though, so if you feel unwelcome in one area, there's plenty of opportunity to find a spot you like and will fit in.
Kamper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2009, 06:54 AM   #21
tis
Senior Member
 
tis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,399
Thanks: 718
Thanked 1,378 Times in 954 Posts
Default

I must say, though I don't like to get involved in too much controvery, I have to agree with Kona, I would not be too happy if suddenly a little parade of boaters started walking along the edge of my propery and walking across my dock. I think it would be very inconsiderate of them. It would certainly make me uncomfortable and I would think it would make them uncomfortable. After all, we do pay a LOT in taxes, we should get some privacy for it.
tis is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2009, 08:07 AM   #22
Lakegeezer
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Moultonboro, NH
Posts: 1,657
Blog Entries: 1
Thanks: 342
Thanked 616 Times in 278 Posts
Default protect what is left

In another thread, there is discussion about how the new shoreline protection act has diminished building. Here, we see the positive side of it. There are many formerly sweet swimming spots that have been wrecked by development over the last 20 years. There are a few spots left. Any pressure to not build there is welcome.
__________________
-lg
Lakegeezer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2009, 06:34 AM   #23
Gatto Nero
Senior Member
 
Gatto Nero's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Isola Gatto Nero
Posts: 696
Thanks: 162
Thanked 263 Times in 81 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by KonaChick View Post
I don't have swim lines near my beach however if someone is walking across my beach with their feet still "wet" and climbing up onto my dock I'm going to have a problem with that legal or not.
Seriously? Why would that be an issue for you? Is it the wet feet on your dock that is the problem? It's not like they'd be tramping through your living room with wet, muddy feet. We're talking about a dock here. What's the big deal?
__________________
La vita è buona su Isola Gatto Nero
Gatto Nero is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2009, 11:09 AM   #24
jrc
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: NH
Posts: 2,689
Thanks: 33
Thanked 439 Times in 249 Posts
Default

While I'm sure it's technically legal to wade along a beach, even inside someones swim lines, I wouldn't do it if people were around. I would feel very rude invading their privacy.

Even if the beach was unoccupied but obviously well used, I would stay away.

Now it may seem inconsistent, but I would have no problem wading along private beaches on undeveloped land. Places like Timber Island, the open stretches of Bear, Blueberry, Ragged and many other open shoreline.

I would never cross someones dock unless it was a real hardship to go around. I can't think of a time when the need to cross came up or would ever come up. I'm not sure how people believe this is OK to do.

I own undeveloped waterfront property (not Winni) and this is how I would expect to be treated.
jrc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2009, 11:41 AM   #25
Gatto Nero
Senior Member
 
Gatto Nero's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Isola Gatto Nero
Posts: 696
Thanks: 162
Thanked 263 Times in 81 Posts
Default Why did the chicken cross the dock?

To get to the other side.

Sorry that I don't have a better picture to help illustrate this but this satellite shot might help explain my point. The are separate two community docks in this photo. Both communities have expansive beaches and it would be quite easy to walk from one to the other by the shoreline. What you can't see in this photo is one private residence with a smaller dock right on the beach between the two communities. The only other way to get from one community to the other would be via route 25. Are you telling me that you would go around, way out of the way and on a heavily traveled road, in order to go see a friend on the opposite beach?

As long as you are below the high water line it is not only legal but, IMO, reasonable to cross the beach and the dock to get from one place to the other. I wouldn't stop and go for a swim but I wouldn't consider it rude to cross, even if they had a party going on.
__________________
La vita è buona su Isola Gatto Nero
Gatto Nero is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2009, 12:34 PM   #26
VtSteve
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,320
Blog Entries: 1
Thanks: 230
Thanked 361 Times in 169 Posts
Default

I know I wouldn't be comfortable getting on someone's dock anymore than I would appreciate them on mine. The other issues are different, and everyone seems to have issues one way or the other. I'm guessing it depends on either perception, or personal experiences (and I'm guessing neither one is positive?)


While I rarely if ever raft up, I'd do my level best not to do it in front of someone's camp. That's just me maybe, but it seems rude. On the other hand, some seem to think it's just bad, anywhere. Personally, I can keep track of what I consider courteous and responsible behavior more than I can keep track of the official do's and don'ts, or the unofficial ones.
VtSteve is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2009, 01:33 PM   #27
jrc
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: NH
Posts: 2,689
Thanks: 33
Thanked 439 Times in 249 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gatto Nero View Post
To get to the other side.

... Are you telling me that you would go around, way out of the way and on a heavily traveled road, in order to go see a friend on the opposite beach?

As long as you are below the high water line it is not only legal but, IMO, reasonable to cross the beach and the dock to get from one place to the other. I wouldn't stop and go for a swim but I wouldn't consider it rude to cross, even if they had a party going on.
I have no doubt that crossing the beach below the water line is legal, I don't know if crossing a dock is legal or not.

I don't know the area well enough to know if I would cross the beach or dock. I guess it all depends on the situation and the people. My general rule would be to give the landowners the respect that I would expect. I'm sure you use the same judgement.
jrc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2009, 02:00 PM   #28
Gatto Nero
Senior Member
 
Gatto Nero's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Isola Gatto Nero
Posts: 696
Thanks: 162
Thanked 263 Times in 81 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by jrc View Post
My general rule would be to give the landowners the respect that I would expect. I'm sure you use the same judgement.
I do indeed. I just don't consider crossing the beach in front of their property to be disrespectful. To me it would be the equivalent of walking in the street in front of their house. Neither is illegal or disrespectful.
__________________
La vita è buona su Isola Gatto Nero
Gatto Nero is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-03-2009, 01:20 PM   #29
caloway
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: exeter, nh
Posts: 73
Thanks: 4
Thanked 10 Times in 8 Posts
Default Just ran across this thread

Sorry for the late resurrection of the thread, but reading it reminded me of a NYTimes story I read a while back:

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/05/fa...s/05beach.html

Appears to be a common theme with owners laying claim to rights they don't have and visitors behaving like boors.

Would be nice if everybody treated Winni like what it is--a shared public resource.
caloway is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:58 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.

This page was generated in 0.21310 seconds