Kayaking

[dmjr]

Where are the best places on the lake to Kayak?

[Lucky2Bhere]

Anyplace you can find to get in easily. The boat traffic is tough during high season weekends but weekday mornings you can go anywhere. We love going to various islands when traffic is light and hugging the shore during busy periods. There are so many bays to explore! After a lecture at the loon center I took this picture the next morning, I hope it uploads.

[dmjr]

Wow great Photo!! Was that taken in Lee's Mills?

[Lucky2Bhere]

Braun Bay not far from the Loon Sanctuary behind Glines Island.

[dmjr]

Neat! I have never been out there yet.

[Lucky2Bhere]

We'll see you in the water as soon as the darn ice melts! A good sign is that JoJo's opens this friday.

[dmjr]

Yes! I was by there yesterday. Hopoefully this cold weather goes away soon.

[wehatetoquitit]

Good news about JoJo's. Best steaks around plus they are the only place that carries "Old Rat Trap" cheese.

[mcdude]

...consider paddling some of the other lakes in the region. If you have an SUV don't even bother with the roof racks...just put the back seat down, the lift gate up and throw the kayak in. The following lakes/ponds have publicly accessible boat ramps (not an exhaustive list by any means); Lake Wentworth, Manning Lake and Crystal Lake (in Gilmanton), the Suncook Lakes, Halfmoon Lake and Merrymeeting Lake. Can anyone suggest some others?? Happy Paddling!

[Island Life]

dmjr,

I enjoy going from island to island and I'll ditto what Lucky2Behere said: the best time to go is early morning, preferably weekdays but early on the weekends is okay, too (not quite as peaceful as the weekdays but still empy enough if you go early). Sunday evenings are usually glorious; most of the boaters have gone home and the loons come back out. Winnipesaukee is a great place to kayak. Enjoy and I'll be watching for you.:)

[kayakn]

Merrymeeting Marsh is another very interesting site. It is just north of Johnson's Restaurant on Route 11 New Durham/Alton. We went there last fall. The water is spots was teeming with various fish. Bird life was abundunt. Once away from the road, very quiet and peaceful.

Ditto the big lake early in the morning, no traffic, fog lifting, loons nearby, quiet, peaceful...the life!:D

:idea: Then, if anyone wants to help with the triathlons, contact me. There is one at Newfound in June and the big one at Ellacoya in August. They are always looking for help in the water during the swim. It give me an excuse to see another area of our beautiful region by kayak.

[dmjr]

Thanks for all of the advice. In regards to moving the kayak around, I do have a Suburban (with barn doors), where my kayak is over 8 feet long, I wont be able to close the rear doors. Is there anyone who sells a trailer for a kayak? Thanks for all of the tips.

[Cow Man]

What is the law regarding kayaking after sundown or before sun rise? Can I get lights?

[codeman671]

Thanks for all of the advice. In regards to moving the kayak around, I do have a Suburban (with barn doors), where my kayak is over 8 feet long, I wont be able to close the rear doors. Is there anyone who sells a trailer for a kayak? Thanks for all of the tips.

With a suburban you are wide open for a variety of roof rack systems. I would go this route before the hassle of a trailer for just 1-2 kayaks.

[Mee-n-Mac]

What is the law regarding kayaking after sundown or before sun rise? Can I get lights?

Same as for an other human powered vessel ... You need a single white "all around" light visible for 360 deg. The problem I've seen on some night-time kayaks is that the light is so low, it's hidden by the paddler from some angles. They also tend not to be as bright as the normal all around lights.


FYI I found the below; didn't find the equivalent RSA.

Saf-C 403.16 Lights on Non-Power Boats.

(a) Boats propelled by oars, paddles or other human or natural device except sails, operated on any public water, shall, between sunset and sunrise, display one white light in a conspicuous position, so placed as to show all around the horizon.

[Mark]

What is the law regarding kayaking after sundown or before sun rise? Can I get lights?

Make sure that your light is very big and bright so that boaters speeding over 25 mph can see your kayak at night. Yours must not be a professional ocean going kayak that you want to enjoy on the lake. I hear that those can't handle a whip stick with a light weight flag so I imagine that those kayaks can not handle a pole with a light on it.

Be safe.

[kayakn]

They now have a roof rack system that lowers the kayak over the side of the vehicle called the Hullavator.(sweet!) They are not cheap. Here's the link for Thule racks. http://www.thuleracks.com/thule/default.asp The rack is called the . You could also just get foam blocks to attach to your existing roof rack if you have one. I have done it both ways. The foam blocks are ok. But, I would not want to take them too far. I now have a Yakima rack and can fit 2 kayaks on my car.

Good Luck and enjoy...:D