Lee's Mill Steamboat Rally

[TomC]

Still on for 2021? Usually begins on the Friday after Labor day, which would make it this coming weekend...

[winni83]

I had the same question since we have company coming. I did not find anything definitive on line, so I called the Moultonborough Town Clerk and was told that the usual permits for the rally were issued for this year, so hopefully it will occur.

[Sue Doe-Nym]

We took a spin over to Lee’s Mills, and they are installing the temporary docks right now. It “stahts” this Saturday and runs for a week, as usual, as explained by a worker in his best NE accent.

[Phantom]

Are there enough boats in to make the trip worthwhile today (Sun 9/12)??

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by Phantom

Are there enough boats in to make the trip worthwhile today (Sun 9/12)??

Yes. There were a bunch coming through Hanson Cove yesterday—we could hear the steam whistles throughout the day.

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[tis]

We rode up to watch the parade today but there apparently wasn't one. When we finally got up to Lee's Mills there was a parade of boats coming out with one steamboat. Does anyone know what happened? We had a nice ride anyway but when we came back the broads were very rough!!

[CL 240 LS]

There was about a dozen or more steamboats in the Suissevale area around 2 this afternoon.

[tis]

Originally Posted by CL 240 LS

There was about a dozen or more steamboats in the Suissevale area around 2 this afternoon.

Is that where they went? We thought they were going to 19 Mile Bay so we didn't go out that early because we thought it would take a while to get there. We ended up going up to the entrance to Lee's and Green's Basin and only saw the one. So darn, I guess we missed it. Or they didn't even have the parade, but just rode around?

Thanks for the info.

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by tis

Is that where they went? We thought they were going to 19 Mile Bay so we didn't go out that early because we thought it would take a while to get there. We ended up going up to the entrance to Lee's and Green's Basin and only saw the one. So darn, I guess we missed it. Or they didn't even have the parade, but just rode around?

Thanks for the info.

I believe the parade is next Sunday at 10.

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[LoveLakeLife]

I was at Lee’s Mills this afternoon and about thirty boats came back between 3:00 and 4:00.


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[tis]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

I believe the parade is next Sunday at 10.

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They usually have a parade at 2 the first Sunday and 10 the second Sunday. But maybe the second Sunday is the one that goes to 19 M B.

[Sue Doe-Nym]

Steamboat parade has been changed from Sunday to Saturday at 10:00. Just received email blast.

[tis]

Originally Posted by Sue Doe-Nym

Steamboat parade has been changed from Sunday to Saturday at 10:00. Just received email blast.

Where is it going?

[Sue Doe-Nym]

No additional information was given. Maybe another member will chime in…

[chachee52]

Originally Posted by tis

Where is it going?

I know in past years that I used to go by boat, the parade usually went into the Basin, but due to wind and weather the last few time I could get over there, I don't know where they have gone.
I know they used to do a race to 19 mile bay mid week, but usually the parades stayed closer.
That stinks that they are doing this Sunday's parade on Saturday. I'm heading to the boat races and was going to head to the steamboat parade on Sunday with my kid. I'll still cruise over Sunday and hope that they are still steaming around.

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by chachee52

I know in past years that I used to go by boat, the parade usually went into the Basin, but due to wind and weather the last few time I could get over there, I don't know where they have gone.
I know they used to do a race to 19 mile bay mid week, but usually the parades stayed closer.
That stinks that they are doing this Sunday's parade on Saturday. I'm heading to the boat races and was going to head to the steamboat parade on Sunday with my kid. I'll still cruise over Sunday and hope that they are still steaming around.

I'm pretty sure the "long" ride (parade, race, whatever you call it) was during the week, in calmer waters, and the shorter rides were during the weekend.

Either way, the group's "finish" is Sunday, so barring nasty/dangerous weather, there still should be plenty of them around Sunday, especially in the first half of the day.

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[tis]

I would love to know where to go to see it on Saturday at 10.

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by tis

I would love to know where to go to see it on Saturday at 10.

Two good places to be are the outer basin by Blanchard's Island or in the area between FL52 and FL50. The former is usually on the path they take, the latter is absolutely on it.

These boats are pretty small, so I prefer being in a small, quiet area where they float by closely.

If anyone's up in that area, keep an eye out for Boatie Two or a rotund suburban dad on a blue Sea-Doo and say hello!

Enjoy!

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[winni83]

I have not seen anything official, but last Sunday they steamed out of Lee's Mills and headed off towards Balmoral. In years past the second parade, now scheduled for this coming Saturday at 10 AM would include the area beyond marker 52 such as Hanson Cove, Greene's Basin, Raoul's Cove.

[thinkxingu]

One more note: these vessels are constantly in and out, so even if someone isn't able to make it for the "parade" or "race," just head to the above areas or Lee's Mills, and you'll see them tootin' around.

Carry on.

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[tis]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

One more note: these vessels are constantly in and out, so even if someone isn't able to make it for the "parade" or "race," just head to the above areas or Lee's Mills, and you'll see them tootin' around.

Carry on.

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Except when we went up last Sunday we only saw one going from Lee's into Green's. We left late because we thought the parade was coming down and leaving Lee's Mills at 2 so probably they were done for the day by 3:30. The funny thing is, we wanted to go earlier but thought it would be too soon. Oh well, it's not like we have never seen them, but they are still fun to see.

[chasedawg]

Originally Posted by tis

Except when we went up last Sunday we only saw one going from Lee's into Green's. We left late because we thought the parade was coming down and leaving Lee's Mills at 2 so probably they were done for the day by 3:30. The funny thing is, we wanted to go earlier but thought it would be too soon. Oh well, it's not like we have never seen them, but they are still fun to see.

My neighbor saw a bunch of steamboats at 19 Mile Bay Tuftonboro town docks this past Tuesday for their annual lunch trip. As i recall in past years they like to travel to 19 MB during midweek. Tuesday the weather was perfect for them!

[webmaster]

For anyone who can't attend, here's a series of videos I made in 2010:

[camp guy]

I have visited the Steamboat Rally for several years, and enjoy the boats and people. My take-away from visiting the Rally is that "Steamboaters" seem to have a Plan, but they don't necessarily have a Schedule". (More power to 'em.)

[TomC]

thanks for the info in this thread. I checked out the boats in Lee's Mill on Thursday. Seems to me that every year there are a few less. I am afraid its a dwindling sport as the enthusiasts seem to be getting up in age...

[marinewife]

We got there this morning and it was so much fun, took a left after Buckey's Tavern, drove past The Woodshed and parked, there were a lot of boats and people enjoying the morning-

next year will be the 50th year if you miss it this weekend~

[camp guy]

If a boating (in general) enthusiast wanted to have an interesting day, you could stop in at Lee's Mills and see the steamboats, see the piles of wood for fuel, and listen to the steam whistles; and, then, drive to Wolfeboro town docks to see the classic race boats, see the containers of hi (extra hi) octane fuel, and listen to the scream of the super-powered engines. This day would provide you with a year's worth of pictures and stories.

[chachee52]

Originally Posted by camp guy

If a boating (in general) enthusiast wanted to have an interesting day, you could stop in at Lee's Mills and see the steamboats, see the piles of wood for fuel, and listen to the steam whistles; and, then, drive to Wolfeboro town docks to see the classic race boats, see the containers of hi (extra hi) octane fuel, and listen to the scream of the super-powered engines. This day would provide you with a year's worth of pictures and stories.

There were years when the antique boat races were Saturday and Sunday and I remember there were a group of the steam boats made a voyage to Wolfeboro. That was a sight to see and hear!! I'd have to look back in my picture collect to see if I have pic of this, I don't think that I do. I think that it was before I had a camera that could handle taking pics of the boats going fast.