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Originally Posted by Evenstar
The number of canoes and kayaks have decreased on Winni over the last decade of two, during a time when the numbers of paddlers has increase faster than any other type of recreational boat.
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Considering the modern rotomolded kayak has only been around for 22 years and that the sales of such have exploded only since then, I'm rather skeptical of your claim that kayak usage has decreased on the lake. I do see fewer canoes than ever but I suspect many ex-canoeists now use kayaks instead due to the near inability to swamp a kayak and the reduced sail area; something quite handy I'd suspect on such a windy lake. I have been boating on the lake since 1974 or 1975 and don't recall ever seeing a kayak on the lake in the 70s. Kind of makes sense though, they weren't popular back then. We see scads of kayaks out there when we venture out these days.
I find it hysterical to learn that you have never actually been on the lake, yet you feel compelled to compare it to other lakes as though you are some sort of expert. Do you realize how silly that is?
You should try kayaking there sometime, it's a really nice lake for kayaking, especially up in and beyond Moultonboro Bay where vast boulder strewn bays and tight little inlets keep the majority of motor boaters (not me though, I live to gunkhole) away. Take a car ride up to Lee's Mills and launch your kayak there. I can assure you that you'll find it tranquil and interesting. Bring a mask,fins and snorkel too, it's a fun area to view below the surface as well. Everyone I bring up that way is amazed at how empty it is, even on a holiday weekend.
I think obvious overcrowding in the popular areas is the reason Winnipesaukee is considered too dangerous to paddle by the uninformed. Folks take one look at Weirs Beach, Meredith Bay or Wolfeboro bay and figure it's a scary place to paddle. Funny though, the speed in these places is typically a lot slower than 45 due to the huge wakes and confused seas, which, of course, only adds to the huge wakes and confused seas. A speed limit will not change this problem one iota. The general lack of power boats makes Squam a far more attractive place to paddle than Winnipesaukee. Squam has fewer power boats because it's right next to Winnipesaukee which is far more attractive to power boaters due to the amenites it offers and it's size. I suspect the speed limit on Sqaum has nothing to do with it.