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08-04-2020, 12:29 PM | #1 |
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First time visitor - advice/tips/best route?
Hi Everyone,
Just got into boating this year and have a 16ft mastercraft 90hp outboard. I've been using it on smaller local lakes down in northeast MA and Silver Lake in NH every so often. Looking to make the first of hopefully a few day trips up to Winnipesaukee this weekend or next. Not entirely sure where I will try and launch from as I'm still browsing these threads and options online. Initially thinking Alton Bay since its closest. Anyway, I'm looking for anyone who can give me some really good tips/advice even if it seems very basic. Browsing through some threads here the lake seems like it can be intimidating! I plan to cruise very slow and just enjoy the lake and maybe doc at a few spots to get some food with the wife etc. Give me your best pointers on navigation, easiest routes for a beginner with launching spots and avoiding any difficult rocky areas, timing for finding parking etc. Also I have a Simrad depth finder/GPS with the Navionics HotMaps card and plan to also use my phone with the iBoating iphone app for extra insight. I appreciate it and hope to enjoy the lake! |
08-04-2020, 01:02 PM | #2 |
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Unless you have nerves of steel or are a long very time highly experienced boater or you are the type that never gets their feathers ruffled and you adapt to everything thrown at you super easy, then do not make your first trip on a Saturday in a boat that small.
For too many people I think boating on a busy summer Saturday in a 16' boat will ruin the experience for you. Where as a trip out in that same boat on a Monday with no wind and clear sky could be the best day you ever had. Its just so busy on Saturdays and the average size boat on Winnipesaukee is probably 27' with many larger boats, and the water can get really churned up. Sorry, dont mean to be a wet blanket, I hope whatever day you choose you have a great time, and personally I find the the south end of the lake the easiest to navigate with far less hazzards. ATB Last edited by XCR-700; 08-04-2020 at 03:00 PM. |
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08-04-2020, 03:10 PM | #3 |
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First time visitor - advice/tips/best route?
That is exactly the info that I needed to know. Thank you! I was worried about traffic and my boat being smaller so maybe the weekend isn’t the best time for the first trip. I’ll aim to get up during the week and maybe head to Ossippee or back to Silver Lake if I need to go Saturday
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08-04-2020, 03:27 PM | #4 | |
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08-04-2020, 05:00 PM | #5 |
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Welcome
Welcome to the Forum.
I agree--especially on the south and west side of the lake, weekend waters can be very rough and chaotic due to wakes. Collect a few friends and rent a pontoon so you avoid the aggravation of overloaded launch ramps with not enough parking. The toons will handle rough water in comfort, as long as you maintain reasonable speeds. Bring a picnic lunch. Getting dock space at public docks can mean a long wait. Again, weekdays are better. |
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08-04-2020, 05:11 PM | #6 | |
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08-04-2020, 05:56 PM | #7 | |
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08-04-2020, 09:02 PM | #8 |
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How is Lake Winnisquam for this scenario on a Saturday? Better for a first timer?
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08-05-2020, 06:37 AM | #9 |
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Better as far a water conditions, you wont get beat up like on Winnipesaukee, but it is very busy. VERY busy,,,
Its a beautiful lake and the sandbar is really fun if you can got on it, it fills up fast and stays busy all day. Sunday on Winnisquam would be just a bit better. If you go on a Saturday, just go as early as you can. And dont give up on Winnipesaukee, just find a way to get a day off during the week. There is no where like it! ATB |
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08-05-2020, 09:50 AM | #10 |
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......... on golden pond
Big Squam Lake, NH's 2nd largest lake:
Rt 93-Exit 24 Ashland to Holderness, on Rt 3/25-west to Rt 113-north for 200-yards to free-to-use, NH Fish & Game boat launch with trailer parking and rest room, next to NH Science Center ..... about 15-minutes drive from Rt 93-Exit 24 going through small towns of Ashland and Holderness .... take a left on Rt 113 just beyond the Holderness Public Library. The State of NH twin boat launch ramps on Squam unload into the Squam channel which is a 300(?)-yard long river that connects Big and Little Squam Lakes. A 16-18' boat is like a good size for www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squam_Lake ..... or even a 14' aluminum side-steer boat with a 25-hp.
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08-05-2020, 10:34 AM | #11 | |
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08-05-2020, 10:49 AM | #12 | |
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08-05-2020, 11:25 AM | #13 | |
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08-05-2020, 12:05 PM | #14 |
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I like both of you guys but have to go with Flying on this one. I live close to Moultonborough Bay Area and have been on Winni for 17 years. We just got a new smaller boat and even with a chart in hand the trip from Long Island to Greens Basin is a difficult trip. I have only ever used the paper Bizer; but the trip is not for the inexperienced casual boater.
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08-05-2020, 01:12 PM | #15 |
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I'm jumping on the south end of the lake bandwagon, or did I start it,,,
Either way, for someone new to boating AND new to Winnipesaukeee in 16' boat, launching in Alton or West Alton, exploring Alton Bay and maybe making the trip to Wolfeboro or the West Alton sandbar is a good and pretty safe weekday trip and more than enough for a first run. After that leaving from Alton or West Alton and making your way back and forth to Weirs and them Meredith is a good next few steps. Or flip flop it and launch in Meredith and make the trip to Weirs, and then maybe the Paugas Bay sandbar and around Governors Island. Then in future trips work your way down to Wolfeboro and Alton Bay. Navigating the north end of the lake is MUCH harder and there are so many more areas you can get in trouble. After well over 50 years boating on Winnipesaukee and I still spend most of my time between Meredith and Wolfeboro via the southern shoreline. |
08-05-2020, 02:20 PM | #16 |
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C'mon now, fellas. I'd NEVER captained a watercraft and, in 2014, I got on our new-to-us 20' pontoon with full bimini (read: kite) and took it from Trexler's to Hanson Cove and back. It's not rocket surgery. I mean, there's a "safe passage" line to follow on the chart!
That being said, West Alton early and lunch at Pop's is pretty good, too. Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app |
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08-05-2020, 02:40 PM | #17 | |
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08-05-2020, 02:50 PM | #18 | |
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08-05-2020, 03:32 PM | #19 |
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What you’re describing is a very real psychological condition and is a form of confirmation bias. Despite what you are seeing, you do everything to dismiss information that is contrary to what you believe. Eg: I know I’m on the correct side of that marker because it’s the afternoon and the sun surely sets in the East! In aviation this is frequently the cause of even well trained pilots making deadly mistakes as they don’t trust the information they are receiving as being accurate as it must not be because they know they are right! To be human is to be imperfect. Be safe!
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08-05-2020, 05:04 PM | #20 |
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Oh, and the OP has, like, GPS and stuff!
Come to the north! Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app |
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08-05-2020, 05:40 PM | #21 | |
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08-05-2020, 06:42 PM | #22 |
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I have a chart of the lake that shows all the places the Mt Washington travels.
Staying on those dotted green lines tells me that my boat, which draws about 39", should be safe. |
08-05-2020, 06:59 PM | #23 | |
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08-05-2020, 09:05 PM | #24 |
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Exploring Winnie in a (very) small boat...
Hey Jondx52...
Welcome to Winnie! A fabulously beautiful lake... but one that needs to be respected in a small boat. I've been a visitor to the lake for more than twenty years... a bass fisherman that spent MANY years exploring in a 16 foot Grumman Aluminum semi-Vee bassboat with a 75hp motor. I've pretty much been to most places on the lake, but you have to choose wisely when you're in a small boat. For sure .. weekdays are better than weekends... but even then, weather can change conditions in a moment. If I were day tripping and wanted to explore a bit in a16 ft boat, ... I would never launch from Alton Bay, Wolfboro Bay, or Merideth Bay. Beautiful areas .. nice restaurants.. but the busiest and roughest water on the lake. As others have said, the northeast side of the lake is much quieter. launch from Center Harbor, Harilla Landing, or even Lee's Mills. Get a paper chart (along with your electronics) and take your time. Yes, the markers can be confusing (study the map!!) and when in doubt stop and reassess. And as has been said before... NEVER! assume that other boats know where they are going...Those big boats could very well be more clueless than you! Have fun exploring… Be (more than) careful and enjoy. Oh...and BTW.. the scariest weather/water conditions I ever experienced was on Winnisquam! Bad weather.. huge waves... scary stuff indeed. Gusman |
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08-05-2020, 09:14 PM | #25 | |
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08-06-2020, 05:52 AM | #26 | |
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08-06-2020, 06:14 AM | #27 | |
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It is equally large but not as busy |
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08-06-2020, 08:25 AM | #28 |
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The reason it’s not as busy, being told second hand, leaches
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08-06-2020, 09:53 AM | #29 |
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I stopped at the “2nd” sandbar years ago when I had a trailerable boat and what I saw was debris and beer cans strewn about the sandy bottom...not sure if it’s the same now though.
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08-06-2020, 09:56 AM | #30 | |
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08-06-2020, 09:59 AM | #31 |
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08-06-2020, 12:52 PM | #32 |
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In a 16' boat with an OB, I would agree that driving further north and launching around the Lee's Mill area would be a great trip, very scenic and much more like being on a small lake especially on a weekend. The big down side is that there is not really any place to go dock and get out and walk and get food and stuff like that. With a chart plotter and paper chart you should be able to keep yourself out of trouble, especially in a boat that doesn't draw much.
My second choice would be Roberts Cove and making the run from there to Wolfeboro. You'd have the ability to dock and get out walk around get food, check out the small shops and then could cruise along the shore down towards Alton Bay. There is a bunch to explore in that area and it tends to be not as rough on the weekends. The north west portions of the lake, north of West Alton, Rattlesnake, Meredith, Wiers, Paugus Bay are extremely busy and rough on the weekends. We cruised over to the Weirs/Paugus on my 24' boat from Moultonboro on a Saturday afternoon and it was a rough ride once we got close to those areas. We also took a pretty good wave right over the bow entering the Paugus Bay channel because every yahoo in their 30'+ boat feels the need to hammer the throttle as soon as they clear the no wake buoys even if there is a line of boats waiting to enter the channel If you enjoy boating Winni is one of the best places in the area to do it. There is no shortage of things to do/places to see. My family will be up at our cottage on Upper Suncook the week of the 17th and were going to make a day trip up to cruise around Winni for the day during the week, probably launching at Shibley's in Alton or Robert's Cove. Would love to show you around if you can make it up during the week! Have fun and be safe out there! Anthony |
08-06-2020, 09:47 PM | #33 | |
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Thank you! All of this info has been great. I am going to hold off for this coming Saturday I think just because its probably going to be a zoo. I likely will get to Winnisquam early just to get to a sizeable lake up in that area and then maybe during a coming week I will make a trip up to Winnipesaukee. Thank you for the offer too, might have to take you up on that |
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08-07-2020, 05:40 AM | #34 |
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One more note: weekend visits late August on are usually significantly different than throughout the summer because people get ready for school, sports, etc.
That may not be entirely the case this year, but if you can't find a midweek day, an early Saturday in the second half might work. Or you could head to the North most anytime...bwahahahaha!!! Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app |
08-07-2020, 06:34 PM | #35 | |
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08-07-2020, 07:34 PM | #36 |
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Just wondering what year(s) you are talking about when you refer to the "old water ski races"? I had a cousin that competed on Winnisquam in the mid to late 70's. I never had the privilege of watching her compete, but I know she was very competitive, and was an incredible water skier! I was always amazed at her level of ability when I had the opportunity to watch her practice on the lake her family had a camp on nearby.
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08-08-2020, 06:36 AM | #37 | |
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08-08-2020, 07:09 AM | #38 | |
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Most of the beer cans, and glasses were picked up by responsible people. There are leftovers as the sand is stirred, so you may want to wear water mocs. I think you can motor up the Winnipesakee River to the Avery Dam in a 16ft OB. I've seen many Tracker boats up there. So yes, Winnisquam is great for small boats. Just be mindful of the buoys, there are hazards. Winnisquam Marine has charts.
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08-09-2020, 06:53 AM | #39 |
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I stumbled upon this older article. I think it does a nice job of capturing the essence of a boating visit to the lake! https://www.nationalgeographic.com/t...mpshire/#close
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08-09-2020, 06:11 PM | #40 |
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Get a Chart!
Buy a chart of the lake and spend an hour or two looking over it. If you don’t have a chart, don’t venture onto the lake. Navigation can be very confusing even for the old timers out there. Large rocks lurk just below the surface in areas well away from shore. Don’t mean to scare you but you see it all the time on the lake with new and even experienced boaters.
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