Age, lake, noise

[Tim]

Getting older, somedays wiser. Took in the boat show last month, enjoyed it very much. I couldn't help however feeling uneasy when I saw the latest stereo accessories. Large overhead bars with woofers and mega watt speakers... I look forward to hearing them coming..more so going...but I have to wonder how we continue to mess up a good thing. Another post today spoke of the sounds and smells on the lake. Loons, screen doors and barbecue...how relaxing. Lets throw in some Metallica for EVERYONE to enjoy. Is there a noise pollution law on the water? What ever happened to headphones anyway?...36 and grumpy...go figure.

[Rich L]

Different strokes for different strokes. I bet if you ask someone in their 60's and 70's they will say they liked the lake with fewer houses and almost no motor boats at all, and if you asked this question 20 years ago to someone who was in their 60's and 70's then they would have said no cars either. Love the sounds of loons and the smell of a barbecue just as much as the next guy but im not going to try and impose my likes and dislikes on anyone else. If its legal do it. and if its fun do it as often as possible

[Throttleman]

Nice post! I like your philosophy!
T-Man

[Orion]

Rich L,

But if you're blasting your heavy metal across the lake you ARE imposing your likes on others.

[Rich L]

What if your having a family cookout and I live near you and I dont like kids? What if at that cookout you are cooking sausages and I cant stand the smell of them and your 20 relitives come and park on the street we live on causing clutter and an eyesore and what if all the people swimming scare all the fish away that im trying to catch?

[Kevin Plante]

Yes, the loud stereos can be offensive. Guess what? You are on the busiest lake in NH. More people, more boat traffic, bigger boats amd idiot renters are all the byproducts of this growth. If you don't like it, move to a more quiet lake. Maybe Sunapee or Newfound.

[MAXUM]

Know why? People now a days have been made to think they have to be plugged into something to keep them amused, no matter where or when. These things are no longer there to serve a functional purpose, they have become an obsession. Video games, cable TV, the internet, cell phones, pagers, PDAs, CDs, DVDs... can't live without them. Hey now you can't even take a trip across town without plugging the kids into the in flight entertainment center in the minivan right? Of course none of that can be enjoyed till a few beers or coctails have been tipped.

Tell you what the last thing I want out on the boat with me is ANY of that stuff, and to that end I certainly don't want to put up with somebody else's, although it seems like that cannot be escaped these days. It amazes me how inconsiderate people can be, and it continues to get worse and worse as time passes on.

[JJingle]

There are many things in this world that are legal but still rude and obnoxious. Using legal as your rudder for behavior and courtesy does not make you sound like a very considerate person.

[madrasahs]

"Large overhead bars with woofers and mega watt speakers...noise pollution law on the water?"

Everyone knows that noise travels far better across water than land, but when was the last time you saw a noise pollution law enforced on land?

What do you want? The Lake Winnipesaukee of your father's day?

The "nice thing" about New Hampshire, is that when NH legislators make a law, they fully expect people to observe it.

How quaint, with Massachusetts just across the border.

[Steve Giuseppone]

It seems to me that people just want to enjoy the lake, So thats what people should do. stop worring what other people are doing and just have fun.

[Kevin]

"If you don't like it then move to a smaller lake"

Is that the way you were brought up?? Is that what you told your mother when she asked you to turn down the radio in your bedroom?

"Sorry mom, I'm all grown up now. If you want piece and quiet go down to the basement!"

I worry for us. I believe in many social liberties but please don't shove them in my face.

What ever happened to a good old walk-man radio. It sounded great and delivered the music directly to the individual who ordered it.

Yes, I do sound like an old man, but actually I play the drums, enjoy rock and roll very much, but I am still courteous enough to put up my windows at a stop light or turn down the radio.

Manners are something that you can still learn at an older age. I just hope that people can remember that they are not the only ones on the lake.

If your not part of the solution, your part of the problem.

[jar head]

I run a loud boat that also happens to have a loud stereo system,if i find its bothering someone i do my best to tone it down.Folks with loud equipment should tone it down and respect others ,while those who like it a little more tame should try to understand the other persons way of having fun.Like all things in life its a big give and take if you whant to remain sane.

[rocktheboat]

Steve, sounds simple enough. Of course we can just enjoy ourselves. But please do us a favor, turn down the decibles just a little bit so we can enjoy it a little more. It's not so much to ask (or expect) people to be polite is it? That's all this is about. Just be polite and respectful of others.

This is a great forum for us to talk about issues relative to us all enjoying the lake... From discussion comes understanding, comes team work, comes...well I hope you get the point. We need to talk about issues at times and not just ignore certain topics that obviously need to be discussed.

...by the way, I'm the guy that smiles and waves while passing by you on the lake... :))

[Fast Track]

I've noticed, that we have people that just stumble around on this planet looking for some thing to complain about. Small boats, big boats, fast boats, slow boats, boats without lights, PWC's, big houses, shacks, lawns, trees, progress, etc. etc. I think, some people have way too much time on their hands. Greed and envy seems to be the edge of the sword here with the: "If I can't do it, nor should anyone else be allowed to." I now make my residence in SW Florida but, still own and lived in my home in the Weirs and guess what? If I sat around I could smell BBQ's and hear the sound of loons but, if I wanted to dwell on just being miserable, I'm sure I could have come up with some disgruntled feelings.

[Bak'n'tyme]

"What do you want? The Lake Winnipesaukee of your father's day?"

No, my grandfathers day! I want him there too! I want him picking me up at 5AM in his Lyman on a cool July morning. I want to fish in the piece and quiet. I want to fall asleep at 9AM to the vibrations of the inboard idleing us up the broads. I want to be waken up by the sound of the deep sea rods real drag spinning away with a 6 lb. salmon at the other end...and yes...I want to throw it back...talking of throw back...

And I could get all this if I could just get this old Delorean over 88 mile per hour!

Is that asking too much? :)"

[Frdxplorer]

Just as a measure of full disclosure I am 23 years old so I probably take a different outlook on this than people both a few years older and a few years younger. I must admit, I love nothing more than a relaxing summer afternoon listening to some Arlo Guthrie, Jimmy Buffet, or Dave Matthews Band. I typically enjoy doing this while lounging on my raft off my dock from land speakers. I like to think that as the day winds down people are able to soften their activities a little. I love those mid summer afternoons where the lake quiets down from the days activities and you hear a loon call or a fish jump from beyond the dock. As the other post pointed out, the smell of the barbeques wafting across an open lake and the sun setting softly. I am not so concerned about the middle of the day but its these moments that I would like to see undistrubed. Just my thoughts.

[Tim]

you don't get it Fast Track...it's not about envy it's about respecting others. That is all. In time it will come to you...

[nightrider]

Are other larger lakes really quieter? I've never really been on another larger lake for any long period of time to know the difference.

[Rob J]

I can't believe you have this attitude at 36. I will be 36 in September and have one of those boats with one of those towers and may very well have those speakers on my tower soon so I can listen to music while I ride (wakeboard) and ski.
My music will be nothing offesive as my young kids will be in the boat and I doubt that you will be able to hear it as I will stay 150' feet from shore and other boats. The sound of a 375HP inboard carries a lot further than music from those speakers.
By the way our vacation home is on Winnisquam so you may want to cross that "smaller" lake off you list and I know first hand that Newfound and Sunapee are popular lakes for these "tower" boats. So pick you posion offshore boats and cabin cruisers or inboard towboats with big speakers. Either way I hope you find a way to enjoy the lake, it won't be long now........

[Nagigator]

I find if you want the peace and quiet of the old days, go out first thing in the morning. It seems a lot of the people with the big boats and big stereos are still sleeping. Just some fishermen and a lot of stillness. Sunrise can be just as nice as sunset.

[lake lover]

I think we should all choose a day when we all drive our boats, and when we slow to pass another boat, go through a no wake zone, going under the Long Island bridge etc, take just one second to acknowledge the other boater, just like it used to be. A simple wave, a tip of the baseball cap, a nod, anything. There are so many grumpy people out there that should forget about that life away from the lake and enjoy what they have and the friendliness that is associated with the lake.
So seriously, pick a weekend day in the Summer, and give this a shot and then we'll all talk about it the next week to see how good it made us all feel.

[Steve giuseppone]

Hello again, please don't get me wrong I too wave to just about everyone that I make eye contact with, also my post was misleading I have never had a radio in my boat, I just go the the lake and enjoy my self and let others to the same, That includes big boats, small boats, sail boats, fishing boats, pwc's, 100mph boats, water planes, and everyone else that I may have forgotten. have a great Summer. PS I do not live on the lake I live about 2 1/2 hours away.

[Mee'n'Mac]

"Is there a noise pollution law on the water? What ever happened to headphones anyway?...36 and grumpy...go figure. "

Don't know about noise laws on the lake but they would be local ordinances as each town regulates their portion of the lake.

I think RTB (and others) have it right. There's reasonable compromises to be made here. I doubt most would think they have to be mouse-quiet at all times so as not to disturb the neighbors but I also believe most don't think it's OK to blast Led Zeppelin 24/7. Mutual respect and tolerance are the watchwords IMHO. Lost arts ... perhaps.

W/regards to on the water music (re:wakeboard towers w/speakers), I may have to revisit my old idea of an audio equipped ski-vest. Headphones won't work for me (too many falls ripping them off ... aaak ) and earbuds may not be much better. But speakers in the vest with a bass thumper ala the old "bone phone" might just be the ticket. Hmmmm ..... I see a McMansion and 38' Fountain in my future

ps - 36 is too young to be grumpy. 'fraid you have to wait until your 40's for that ....

[Fast Track]

Excuse me but, did I say: "Not respecting others?"
NO! I do get it. It's the ones that want to roll back time that don't get it. It's the age of the computer, not the chalk board and guess what? Twenty years from now, it'll be different still and sad to say, in time, you still won't get it.
Try it and maybe, just maybe, dare I say, you might enjoy it?

[Fast Track]

I was told: "I don't get it but in time I would."
Well, it didn't take much time before I started to get it and I think you, should also try to grasp it. You see, your suggestion is not what they want to hear. THEY WANT IT ALL! Now, are you starting to get it? Keep fighting, it's your right.

[madrasahs]

Here's a sentence out of every post in this thread, "Age, lake, noise" in an effort to concentrate -- and contrast -- attitudes

1) "If its legal do it. and if its fun do it as often as possible."
2) "You are on the busiest lake in NH."
3) "Greed and envy seems to be the edge of the sword here..."
4) "I run a loud boat that also happens to have a loud stereo system."
5) "The sound of a 375HP inboard carries a lot further than music from my speakers. "
6) "Stop worrying what other people are doing and just have fun."
7) "If you don't like it then move to a smaller lake"

...And...

1) "I look forward to hearing them coming..more so going...but I have to wonder how we continue to mess up a good thing."
2) "...just like it used to be."
3) "People nowadays have been made to think they have to be plugged into something to keep them amused, no matter where or when."
4) "But please do us a favor, turn down the decibels just a little bit so we can enjoy it a little more."
5) "...it's not about envy it's about respecting others."
6) "I want to fish in the piece and quiet."
7) "Everyone knows that noise travels far better across water than land."
8) "But if you're blasting your heavy metal across the lake you ARE imposing your likes on others."
9) "Using 'legal' as your rudder for behavior and courtesy does not make you sound like a very considerate person. "
10) "Sunrise can be just as nice as sunset."

My favorite is the last sentence. Sunrise is great.

It is one of the few times during the day that you can hear the hiss of the wind through the feathers of a soaring osprey.

(That's a bird).

[M.Wydra]

I am one of those renters you refer to and we are not loud, we are not idiots and we do, like many other renters, pump a lot of money into the area business up there. Notice that Sawyers is only open when the idiot renters are there. What's the matter, can't keep it open year round because the idiot lake folk don't spend their money?

[John]

I don't think it is so, the alleged idiot lake owners or residents spend their money, just not as foolishly sometimes as us part time lake users do!

[Kevin Plante]

I said idiot renters. I did not say that all renters are idiots. This goes for boats, snowmobiles, PWCs, etc... People that rent generally do so because they don't boat enough for it to be a good financial move to buy one. Often, this means less experienced people are the ones renting. Obviously there are exceptions. If you have been renting boats since the '80s, you probably have quite a bit of experience.

By the same token, most people would say that there are a lot of idiot drivers on the road. I don't know anyone who would say that about themselves, though.

[WTB]

Why should he have to move?? Why doesn't the obnoxious offender stop being so ignorant and turn down his loud music? Isn't that a better solution than having to pull up stakes and move?

[Kevin Plante]

I don't think anyone should have to move because of a few obnoxious jerks. I do think that you should consider a different location if the normal growth and associated traffic and noise bothers you.

[charlie]

Why in the devil should we have to move when we've been here for 100 years?

[Jersey Girl]

Ah, yet again, another pleasant, friendly set of posts somewhat similar to the Bike Week posts. Ha, just kidding. I am having trouble with the shear number of you (on both sides of this issue) who feel it is okay to be nasty and unfriendly simply because someone voiced an opinion on a particular subject. You may agree or disagree, but I wish we could all just be a little nicer about it. We all love the lake in our own ways so should band together, not tear each other apart.

I remember the days when the lake was almost always quiet and I am (only) 43. I mourn the loss of those simpler and quieter times. There are many times when the music, boats, etc. that exist drive me completely nuts, usually between 12 midnight through 7 am when loud music and/or loud boats/cars/motorcycles wake me up, wake my chidren up and even wake up my nearly deaf dog. I don't begrudge people their fun, but their fun should not be at my expense. I have the right to enjoy my property and vacation just as much as you do and, I'm sorry to tell you this, but the law is on my side, not yours. If your noise makes its way to my property, you are trespassing even if you don't step a foot on to my property. I certainly don't mind the occasional party, etc., but it is a question of reasonableness and fairness.

I think the peace and quiet was at the lake way before any of us human beings first showed up.
Gotta wonder how everyone would feel if the lake were like North Jersey. I wonder what those of you who don't mind and/or make all the noise would say if the increasing population at the lake lead to so much light pollution that you could no longer see the stars? If that day ever comes, I'm staying in Jersey.

Sorry for going on so long, but fair is fair and some of you are not.

Jersey Girl

PS. We have a boat with a radio. I don't even know if it works.

[sal]

Let's hear a round of applause for Jersey Girl.If you like your loud boats and loud music on the water, wire yourself up some headphones to your music and your exaust pipes and blast away,but please respect the rights of the rest of us who don't appreciate it.Why did most of us come here,was it not for the peace and QUIET?To leave the rat race behind.Now some of us want to bring their rat race with them,why not stay where you are.I'm all for progress,just don't force it down my throat,or trespass on my on my little bit of HEAVEN. 52 and grumpy,but some of you made me this way.

[Bell K Nap'r]

Wow, what a great ride. A forum that prompted so much passion, so much attitude. Man, this is what life is all about! I did learn from your ideas. And I did in fact buy a bass boat that most certainly will need to be enjoyed 1st thing in the morning. Skiers however, I love you, but it should go without saying when you get up at the crack of dawn to enjoy the still water (best skiing time as well as fishing) leave the tower speakers off until after breakfast...please? I do so love to see everyone having a great time on the water...

As far as Led Zep goes? I'll take all the Tangerine and The Ocean you want, just not after 6PM. Because, everyone knows skinny dipping is not allowed until after 7pm... And while I am on the topic of Skinny dipping, please remember some advice from a long, long time ago...NEVER skinny dip in an area inhabited by snapping turtles~~ 'snip, snip'

[Tim]

I may be wrong, but I would venture to guess that most all of us in this thread treat others with tremendous respect. It's just the "KY Generation" that ruins it for all of us.

In the immortal words of Rodney King "Can't we all j-j-just get along?"

I look forward to seeing all of you on the 4th of July in Wolfeboro Bay. Come on over and introduce yourself. I will be in the boat with the funky green and red light on the front. And just for safe measure, so you know it's me, I will honk the boat horn as follows; 2 short blasts followed by 1 long blast. I will do this throughout the night after the brightest pyrotechnics explosions.

See you soon!