Seaplane Pilot
08-31-2011, 01:23 PM
An excellent letter to the editor of The Sun in today's issue:
http://www.laconiadailysun.com/story/dave-nix-8-28
Mr. Nix hits the nail on the head. No matter what the oppositions states, their primary motive for the speed limit was to eliminate so-called "performance boats" from the lake. They operated under the cloak of "safety", but time and time again it's been proven that there never was (nor is there now) a safety problem on Lake Winnipesaukee that's being caused by performance boats. Are there safety issues? Yes, without a doubt. There's the safety issue of the majority of boaters not paying attention to the Safe Passage Law. There's the issue of PWC operators changing direction at a moment's notice without looking around. There's the issue of Mr. Griswold's bow-rider loaded with people, pulling a tube with more than two people on it. There's the issue of a renter being able to pass a 10-question "quiz" (given by the renting marina) allowing the renter to operate a vessel with unlimited horsepower - all without a bonafide Boater Education Certificate. And the list goes on and on.
The attempt to make Barber's Pole a no-wake zone is a perfect example of the speed-limit lobby's further attempts to choke down free passage on the lake. One of Winnfabs' most vocal members, Mr. Bill Berthold, was quite vocal on the Barber Pole NWZ. Since the speed limit can't solve a problem that did not (and does not) exist, performance boats are still happily plying the great waters of the lake. Now the speed limit lobby must resort to new tactics and try to impose "speedbumps" (a/k/a No Wake Zones) as a way to impede free passage on the lake. Thankfully, the experts at the Department of Safety saw this attempt for what it really was and flushed it down the toilet where it belongs. Unfortunately, the legislature opted to take the path of least resistance and vote for this feel-good, nanny state legislation. It will take time but this ridiculous speed limit will sooner or later be repealed. Meanwhile, I'll take my GFBL boat to Winnisquam, Newfound, Sunapee or a dozen other (much smaller) lakes in the State where I can operate at 46 mph without breaking the law. Ironic, huh?
http://www.laconiadailysun.com/story/dave-nix-8-28
Mr. Nix hits the nail on the head. No matter what the oppositions states, their primary motive for the speed limit was to eliminate so-called "performance boats" from the lake. They operated under the cloak of "safety", but time and time again it's been proven that there never was (nor is there now) a safety problem on Lake Winnipesaukee that's being caused by performance boats. Are there safety issues? Yes, without a doubt. There's the safety issue of the majority of boaters not paying attention to the Safe Passage Law. There's the issue of PWC operators changing direction at a moment's notice without looking around. There's the issue of Mr. Griswold's bow-rider loaded with people, pulling a tube with more than two people on it. There's the issue of a renter being able to pass a 10-question "quiz" (given by the renting marina) allowing the renter to operate a vessel with unlimited horsepower - all without a bonafide Boater Education Certificate. And the list goes on and on.
The attempt to make Barber's Pole a no-wake zone is a perfect example of the speed-limit lobby's further attempts to choke down free passage on the lake. One of Winnfabs' most vocal members, Mr. Bill Berthold, was quite vocal on the Barber Pole NWZ. Since the speed limit can't solve a problem that did not (and does not) exist, performance boats are still happily plying the great waters of the lake. Now the speed limit lobby must resort to new tactics and try to impose "speedbumps" (a/k/a No Wake Zones) as a way to impede free passage on the lake. Thankfully, the experts at the Department of Safety saw this attempt for what it really was and flushed it down the toilet where it belongs. Unfortunately, the legislature opted to take the path of least resistance and vote for this feel-good, nanny state legislation. It will take time but this ridiculous speed limit will sooner or later be repealed. Meanwhile, I'll take my GFBL boat to Winnisquam, Newfound, Sunapee or a dozen other (much smaller) lakes in the State where I can operate at 46 mph without breaking the law. Ironic, huh?