A good time for a Day Trip to the Lake With a Boat?

JasonG · 05-31-2006, 11:57 AM

With all this fuss over the headway speed, is this a good time to visit the lake? The lake is big enough to be 600 + feet from any shore line to open up full throttle on my 18' boat. We usually launch in Meredith at the Town Docks. I dont recall any point in the bay that isnt 1200 ft across or less at any point.

I see people saying they are cancelling their plans, etc. With minimal traffic on the lake, it may be a good time for my "smaller" boat to head out with minimal bumping around. Especially mid-week. it is certaintly no comparions, but along the same lines as canoe's/kayaks. Enjoy the lake now that you can.

Are the Weirs Arcades open for the kids?

Any input if a day trip is right?

Thanks!
Jason

Water Camper · 05-31-2006, 01:32 PM

Jason,

If you have the opportunity to be out on the lake today, I would go for it. I envy you as I am stuck at work.

From Meredith down to the Weirs you should have no problem staying 600' from shore.

I'll be thinking of you !!

Bill

Island Life · 05-31-2006, 02:59 PM

Jason,

The issue of boating at full throttle (even 600+ feet from shore) when the lake is this full has been discussed ad infinitum in other threads and is worth a look.

Notwithstanding the damage your wake might do to the shoreline, there is a risk that you might hit floating debris and do some serious damage to your boat. There's a lot floating around right now because the high water and waves have washed away sections of docks and anything that was left near the water but not tied down. I found 4 large sections of docks (all from different docks), several 2" x 4"s, a huge log and many other large pieces of wood washed up on my beach. New stuff floated in every day last weekend.

One problem is that some of this stuff floats just a little below the surface so you won't see it as you approach it. But you certainly will hear it as it chews up your prop.

My boat isn't much bigger than ours and I feel the same way about wanting to be out there when there isn't much traffic. I suggest choosing mid-week a little later in the season, though.

ApS · 05-31-2006, 07:39 PM

I think I saw just three boats today. For weeks I haven't seen an outboard that produced a wake worth watching, and yours is an outboard.

Today was a flat calm, so any debris would have shown up readily—today. (And you have to maintain a proper watch, anyway.) I say boat during daylight hours, pick your weather—and go for it.

jkjoshuatree · 05-31-2006, 07:53 PM

I was up there Sunday and Monday and had to go back and forth from Bear Island to the main land several times.

There was debris every ten feet or so, spread out all over the place. I stayed at headway speed so I was able to avoid most of it, but even some of it popped up almost out of nowhere. It hit the bow but I was able to turn to avoid it hitting my prop, but it was close.

If you "open your boat up" you'll have a very hard time seeing and avoiding it. Of course there are plenty of spots on the lake to go fast while obeying the 600 foot NWZ, but I wouldn't recommend it.

Like someone said in a previous post, if you stick your finger in a bowl, no matter what the size, the ripple effect will eventually make its way to the sides of the bowl.

Same thing goes for a wake caused by a boat, no matter how far away from shore you are.

The Weirs arcades are open, as are almost all the restaurants around the lake, Funspot, and the go-carts across from Surfcoaster.

If its a nice day, your family can still have fun without being on the lake. I know it's not the same as being out there, but it's just a suggestion.

Jk

05-31-2006, 11:57 AM	#1
JasonG Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 310 Thanks: 48 Thanked 45 Times in 33 Posts	A good time for a Day Trip to the Lake With a Boat? With all this fuss over the headway speed, is this a good time to visit the lake? The lake is big enough to be 600 + feet from any shore line to open up full throttle on my 18' boat. We usually launch in Meredith at the Town Docks. I dont recall any point in the bay that isnt 1200 ft across or less at any point. I see people saying they are cancelling their plans, etc. With minimal traffic on the lake, it may be a good time for my "smaller" boat to head out with minimal bumping around. Especially mid-week. it is certaintly no comparions, but along the same lines as canoe's/kayaks. Enjoy the lake now that you can. Are the Weirs Arcades open for the kids? Any input if a day trip is right? Thanks! Jason

05-31-2006, 01:32 PM	#2
Water Camper Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Pembroke, NH / Laconia, NH Posts: 450 Thanks: 10 Thanked 206 Times in 88 Posts	It's a Good Time Jason, If you have the opportunity to be out on the lake today, I would go for it. I envy you as I am stuck at work. From Meredith down to the Weirs you should have no problem staying 600' from shore. I'll be thinking of you !! Bill

05-31-2006, 02:59 PM	#3
Island Life Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 273 Thanks: 12 Thanked 6 Times in 2 Posts	I wouldn't recommend it Jason, The issue of boating at full throttle (even 600+ feet from shore) when the lake is this full has been discussed ad infinitum in other threads and is worth a look. Notwithstanding the damage your wake might do to the shoreline, there is a risk that you might hit floating debris and do some serious damage to your boat. There's a lot floating around right now because the high water and waves have washed away sections of docks and anything that was left near the water but not tied down. I found 4 large sections of docks (all from different docks), several 2" x 4"s, a huge log and many other large pieces of wood washed up on my beach. New stuff floated in every day last weekend. One problem is that some of this stuff floats just a little below the surface so you won't see it as you approach it. But you certainly will hear it as it chews up your prop. My boat isn't much bigger than ours and I feel the same way about wanting to be out there when there isn't much traffic. I suggest choosing mid-week a little later in the season, though. __________________ Island Life the way my grandparents' grandparents enjoyed it - but with a faster boat!!!

05-31-2006, 07:39 PM	#4
ApS Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Florida (Sebring & Keys), Wolfeboro Posts: 5,938 Thanks: 2,205 Thanked 776 Times in 553 Posts	Debris...Schmebris... I think I saw just three boats today. For weeks I haven't seen an outboard that produced a wake worth watching, and yours is an outboard. Today was a flat calm, so any debris would have shown up readily—today. (And you have to maintain a proper watch, anyway.) I say boat during daylight hours, pick your weather—and go for it.

05-31-2006, 07:53 PM	#5
jkjoshuatree Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bear Island Posts: 642 Thanks: 349 Thanked 145 Times in 77 Posts	There Is A Ton Of Debris. I was up there Sunday and Monday and had to go back and forth from Bear Island to the main land several times. There was debris every ten feet or so, spread out all over the place. I stayed at headway speed so I was able to avoid most of it, but even some of it popped up almost out of nowhere. It hit the bow but I was able to turn to avoid it hitting my prop, but it was close. If you "open your boat up" you'll have a very hard time seeing and avoiding it. Of course there are plenty of spots on the lake to go fast while obeying the 600 foot NWZ, but I wouldn't recommend it. Like someone said in a previous post, if you stick your finger in a bowl, no matter what the size, the ripple effect will eventually make its way to the sides of the bowl. Same thing goes for a wake caused by a boat, no matter how far away from shore you are. The Weirs arcades are open, as are almost all the restaurants around the lake, Funspot, and the go-carts across from Surfcoaster. If its a nice day, your family can still have fun without being on the lake. I know it's not the same as being out there, but it's just a suggestion. Jk __________________ Dream out loud.