Boat Rental, two part question

[tjr]

Hi - Looking to rent a boat this w/e .. what are some good spots on the lake to hit... swimming w/ kids .. views, overall hot spots to hit... 2nd question and more importantly.. I do not have the safety course. Is there quick and dirty way to get this... temporary license or otherwise ?.. thanks..
-tj

[VitaBene]

Hi - Looking to rent a boat this w/e .. what are some good spots on the lake to hit... swimming w/ kids .. views, overall hot spots to hit... 2nd question and more importantly.. I do not have the safety course. Is there quick and dirty way to get this... temporary license or otherwise ?.. thanks..
-tj


You can get a temporary certificate at the rental shops.

Get a good chart and if you are in doubt, stop and figure out where you are or ask. Most of all, enjoy your weekend!!

[robmac]

I would recommend calling Shep Browns boat basin #603-279-4573,they have a variety of rental boats available. You can also get a temporary certificate,they will show you on a chart some of the hotspots and assist with directions. Not far from the Weirs, Braun Bay and many other great locations the big lake has to offer. Good luck and enjoy your time on the lake.

[Rattlesnake Guy]

I remember our first time on the lake. One thing you might find helpful if you get turned around and are not quite sure where you are. Some of the markers have a second lighted buoy next to them which is white / orange. These lighted buoy's have a number on them which matches the number on your chart. It's not a bad idea to make sure you know where you are so you interpret the markers correctly. It is amazing how 250 islands with trees and camps can start to resemble each other in 72 square miles of beautiful lake.

[NHBUOY]

...Anchor Marine...Bob's got all your questions covered, and some nice boats to rent...located at the Weirs...advertises on this site too...

[lawn psycho]

Braun Bay and/or the West Alton sandbars are probably the two of the easiest places to anchor.

Of all the things I see from rental boats, it's very common for them to only have one anchor. On a busy day at the sand bars you need one for both ends of the boat to keep it from swinging.

Also, do not just follow the guy in front of you around markers. He/she could be clueless or have detailed local knowledge of the area (you won't know). Sometimes being on the wrong side of a marker will be costly.
Get a map....

[MikeF-NH]

be REALLY careful on the lake. If you don't have a current safety cert, it's probably a good sign that you should be reading up on ATON markers and how to read them. Also note that there are several areas a LONG way from shore where boulder fields pop up just under the surface (The Witches, The Graveyard and Middle Ground Shoals to name a few). Coming out of Sheps between Pine and Bear can be very confusing if you don't understand how to read the markers. I assume rentals come with charts...if not, I would spend the $20 for a Bizer map, spend some time reading it and pick your areas ahead of time so you know your route....the Big Lake can be quite dangerous.

Braun Bay and West Alton sand bars are probably the most popular swimming destinations for boaters. If you rent out of Sheps, Braun is closest for you (watch the markers north of 5 Mile Island).

Make sure you can identify No Wake Zone markers also...you will be passing these zones often.

Watch the weather. The lake can turn from flat calm to 2-3 footer rollers in minutes it seems and the Broads is where you should be most concerned with that. SmartPhones all have access to free weather apps that include radar maps. Check them hourly so you don't get caught in a storm.

Stops in Weirs, Wolfboro, Alton, Merideth and Center Harbor can all provide a nice break off the boat for lunch. Wolfboro and Alton are perhaps the most straight forward for navigation (less hazard). Getting to/from Weirs (which is on the way to Merideth) can test your navigation skills and offers LOADS of hazards. Center Harbor has one spot to pinch between two hazard as you enter the bay. My kids love to go to 19 Mile Bay to grab and ice cream just across the street from the docks. Be sure to slow for the no wake zone at Long Island bridge, be careful going through the 6 Pack and watch the hazards around Melvin Island and stay west and north of Chase Island when going there. Be aware of the Graveyard. You can get lunch at 18 Mile but it won't be as good as the other locations. The docking there should be much less crazy than the other places on a weekend. There is a Tuftonboro town beach right there in 19 Mile but I don't know what you can legally do to leave your boat. There is also the Moultonboro Town beach right next to the Long Island bridge but again, I don't know what you can legally do with your boat.

Beware the dreaded duck itch.

[CrownRay]

If you get lost out there, just remember one trick my younger Brother came up with....

If you want to get back to Weirs Beach from anywhere on the lake, just point the bow in the direction of BOOB MOUNTAIN (Gunstock) and you can't go wrong!

Oh yeah, and PLEASE don't make a wake past my dock!
(there's a marker there too)

[AC2717]

If you get lost out there, just remember one trick my younger Brother came up with....

If you want to get back to Weirs Beach from anywhere on the lake, just point the bow in the direction of BOOB MOUNTAIN (Gunstock) and you can't go wrong!

Oh yeah, and PLEASE don't make a wake past my dock!
(there's a marker there too)

HAha I use the Boob mountains as well at times

[NoRegrets]

Irwin Marine in laconia has started to rent boats this year. I believe they have a couple of bow riders (18.5 and 20.5 ft). I am not sure if they offer a process to get the temporary license.

Hope you have a great time out on the water....

[Barney Bear]

Coming in from East Bear Island, we called Belknap and Gunstock the Lady of the Lake

[webmaster]

I am not sure if they offer a process to get the temporary license.http://www.nh.gov/safety/divisions/ss/boatinged/agentloc.html

[tjr]

Lots of great info... Thanks all.. Got my temp cert today, hitting the lake tmrw.. happy 4th