Island living - Transportation for you and guests?

[RyanDe]

My wife and I our looking at the Winni area and we're both drawn to the islands for some reason but the logistics of getting us and family/friends there gives us pause. There isn't a lot of info on how people do this so hopefully someone can provide some insight into where you can park you cars, where you can leave your boat (on mainland) etc. Since it would be a weekend/vacation spot we'd be driving up weekly so we'd have to leave our cars somewhere close to where our boat is parked on the lake. I'm assuming we'd have to rent a slip (or buy?) what's a typical cost for this? Are there easy (maybe not cheap) ways to get cars or large items to the islands? What about if guests want to come, is there a normal spot they park to be picked up?

Also, what if we want guests to go without us. Are there easy ways to get to the islands without your own boat?

Thanks!

[Phantom]

Let's start with the easy one ......... what part of the Lake / What Islands are of greatest interest ??


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[RyanDe]

Originally Posted by Phantom

Let's start with the easy one ......... what part of the Lake / What Islands are of greatest interest ??


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Cow, Bear, Rattlesnake. The larger ones.

[camp guy]

I live on the mainland, so my comments are basically what I have read on this site, and learned from talking with others who actually live on an island.

I think that a very important concern is your Realtor. There are realtors around the Lakes Region who specialize in island real estate, and there may be some significant advantages to using one of them. Also, my guess is that they will know the answers to your questions.

In brief, yes, you will need a shore base for transportation purposes for you and for any guests. You will need a substantial boat, and probably others, too, for routine getting around.

Island living is hugely mental, and the rest physical. I think you might consider renting on an island to experience the conditions before you jump in and buy property.

Good luck.

[Slickcraft]

The answers will vary significantly depending on island and town.

Gilford islanders have use of the Glendale town docks and auto parking. The Rattlesnake Island Assoc had an auto parking area, someone from that island can speak to that. As already suggested. a realtor that knows about the islands can help a lot.

You will need an island boat, one than can carry passengers and lots of "stuff" in a variety of lake conditions. You will need to own or rent a slip, not easy as demand and prices are high. You should be able to park at least your auto at the slip site.

Island Support Service for one can get large items to the islands.
http://islandsupportservice.com/

You would be well served if you knew how to make basic repairs to plumbing and electrical systems as well as having basic carpentry skills and tools.

[KPW]

I have a place on Cow. You will need to either rent or purchase a slip. You can tow your boat every weekend. That gets old quickly. There are no roads on any island, except the bridged islands, so there is no need for a car. Tuftonboro has a town parking lot for guests. It does require a parking pass. Most slips come with one or two parking spots. There are barges for hire to get large items to the islands. Everything is carry in, carry out. It is a total different lifestyle compared to living on the mainland. As mentioned, it is best to start with an island realtor. They are the experts on island living.

[codeman671]

Having been an islander in the past and speaking from experience Gilford is the easiest town to be in for an islander, however that doesn't come without its costs. Property prices are a bit higher and so are taxes. Properties with $4k tax bills in Tuftonboro will be $9-10k in Gilford.

We are starting to shop for another island home, we sold 2 years ago and can't wait to get back out there. I am having a bit of an internal conflict myself over where to be. We love Gilford, but the taxes are stiff for seasonal use only and the inventory is low. I am thinking of doing something over near or on Cow, but commuting over from Gilford. We wont get the use of Glendale, but will keep a mainland slip in a marina.

We come up from the seacoast, so I would not want to have to drive out around the lake to Pier 19 or Harilla. Where are you coming from? That should play into your decision.

[Barney Bear]

One of the best suggestions above is the recommendation to rent a place on an island to see if you and yours like living on an island. It is not for everyone, but we have loved being on East Bear Island since 1967. 🐻

[Descant]

Guests are like groceries. You want them, you have to go get them. They can't just drop in the way people do on the mainland. Same for tradesmen who may not have their own boat, and want you to provide transportation. Slickcraft is right. A few handyman skills are a good thing, but if you don't have them, your neighbor on the island will teach you.

Big rule: Don't be the only one in the family who can drive the boat solo.
Little rule: Many islanders have a second smaller boat ("for the kids"). LOL. Little boats are fun for big people too.

[Pricestavern]

If you buy on Rattlesnake Island you'll join the Rattlesnake Island Assoc (req'd) which gives you access to their private parking area, boat ramp (quite steep), and enclosed compound (for storing boat/trailer).

In lieu of renting or buying a slip somewhere, alot of marinas offer 'valet' service as an alternative. If you are only up for weekends, this may suit your needs (at least to start).

As posted above, the best idea would probably be to rent a place on an island to see how you like it. It is not for everyone. Talk with a realtor.

Happy hunting!

[jeffk]

I've never lived on an island but have friends that don't show up to gatherings because the weather was stormy (heavy rain and/or/wind and/or thunder). I would also think that the timing of getting on or off the island could be affected i.e. you might need to wait until a storm blows through and if you had a time sensitive appointment you could be late?

I'm not saying this is a disqualifier, just something to be aware of. I live here and during the summer I always have to remind myself to add 10 minutes to travel times to allow for traffic, especially going anywhere around Meredith and other high traffic areas.

[MAXUM]

Originally Posted by jeffk

I've never lived on an island but have friends that don't show up to gatherings because the weather was stormy (heavy rain and/or/wind and/or thunder).

Um ever wonder if that was just an excuse not to leave their island paradise? I use that excuse all the time, yeah sorry but on island time... I mean it's stormy as hell out here just can't make it. All the while you are sitting on the porch feet up adult beverage in hand with a killer 2 MPH summer breeze creating a 1MM chop on the water. Simply to dangerous to face those conditions I mean somebody could get killed out there!

[Barney Bear]

In the forty-nine years that we have been on East Bear Island, there have been times when we decided to remain at our cottage until we thought that lake conditions would allow a safe trip back to the mainland. We would leave the island frequently before dawn io order to get to work on time. Island living is worth it!!! 🐻

[Barney Bear]

There have been times when we came to the lake, only to arrive at the same time a storm was moving through. On several occasions, we slept in our car until dawn before going out to East Bear Island. 🐻

[Pricestavern]

In 8 years on Rattlesnake I had to call in to work only once due to lake conditions (we're on the Broads). I could have made it but what the hey, I was planning on quiting that job anyways!

Heading out to the island we have been delayed a couple times due to TStorms moving through. A temporary delay but hey, Patrick's has cold beer!

[lfm]

I would think being an islander would require one to be very organized. We considered buying an island property but ended up with a fixer upper on the mainland. I think the first season, multiple trips to the hardware store or lumber yard were a staple of every weekend. I quickly and gratefully realized that I would need to be much more organized had we bought on an island. The upside I guess would be that every trip means a boat ride.

Good luck on your search for a place on this beautiful lake.

[Descant]

On an island, you learn to say "Put that on the list for next week".

[Kamper]

Bad Weather blues...

Remember, that only works on folks who don't know about all the web cams on the lake.

[Orion]

Originally Posted by Descant

On an island, you learn to say "Put that on the list for next week".

Oh, there are lists.......

To bring to island
To bring home
Groceries
Hardware store
Closing
Opening

......and they get much more useful as you get older.

[rick35]

This was the first year in memory where we didn't have to take a quick boat ride to Heaths Hardware in Center Harbor to get a replacement plumbing fitting when we put the water in. And for all those other trips we always got two of whatever it was that was being replaced.

[rick35]

Parking is our biggest problem. We use the lot next to Shep Browns and it can be impossible to park on weekends. And for that reason we don't go out by car on weekends. We arrived last Friday night around 9-9:30 and had to park in the upper dirt lot as all the spots in the paved lot were taken. Arrive on Saturday afternoon and you may not even be able to park in the dirt lot. Then you just have to wait until a spot opens up. We trailer a boat so we need to park the trailer too. The solution to both is getting a slip with parking.