Downings Landing - Ugh!!!!

Just Sold · 05-17-2015, 06:13 PM

I was Alton Bay briefly today and what I saw at the Downings Landing property was disgusting. All the docks are in horrible repair and even the one used where you launch looks ugly and dangerous and my observation is it has the potential to injure someone. The dock closer to the bridge has 2 collapsed areas. This is no way to introduce visitors to Lake Winnipesaukee and NH hospitality. Does anyone know if F&G has a plan in place for this area?

Lakeboater · 05-17-2015, 07:46 PM

I agree about the docks. The ramp is also tough from all the power loading that goes on there. We were in the parking lot the other day and saw where someone had left a case of empty beer bottles. I don't understand why people can't "pack it out".

wynndog · 05-18-2015, 04:30 AM

I guess Alton has more money than the State because Roberts Cove little beach was redone very nice. Guess the State will have to raise boat registration, fishing licenses & give out more fines. It was bad last year when I used it, it didn't happen because of the winter.
Wynn

polarisman14 · 05-18-2015, 04:35 AM

I was there yesterday and have to agree. I have a small boat (under 14') and have to get the trailer very close to the dock to retrieve the boat easily. The power loading pushed so much sand against the dock that it puts the trailer at a pretty heavy angle and makes that quite a task. The docks appear to be structurally sound, just don't look very good. It'd be nice if the launch was actually wide enough to put 2 boats in at the same time, too, rather than just having one tied up and alternating. I suppose you could attempt two smaller boat launches at the same time but the parking lot layout makes getting the trailer into position for 2 people at the same time difficult.

But, it's free.

fatlazyless · 05-18-2015, 07:54 AM

If you want to see a real nice state boat launch suggest you trailer it to the Squam River that connects Big and Little Squam lakes in Holderness .... about ten minutes from Rt 93-exit 24 in Ashland .... for a super-duper boating, fishing experience.... and the fishing world's greatest freebie state launch ever-ever-ever!

Sorry, no jetskis allowed on Squam Lake .....boo-hoo!

Drove past last Friday at 5:30-am and there's four bass boats in the water at the Squam state launch getting ready to head out.

BroadHopper · 05-18-2015, 09:07 AM

Check out the public ramp in back of Boulia-Gorrell lumber yard. First class boat ramp!

fatlazyless · 05-18-2015, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

Check out the public ramp in back of Boulia-Gorrell lumber yard. First class boat ramp!

.... and Lake Winnisquam is the state's largest lake with no speed limits .... weeeooooooo......hubba!

Greene's Basin Girl · 05-18-2015, 10:30 PM

It is extremely easy to put a boat in at Lee's Mill's in Moultonborough. It is free and there is plenty of parking.

Dave M · 05-19-2015, 11:22 AM

Unless they have changed the law within the last year, jetskis can be used on Squam. They just have to be 13' long(considered a boat). Usually the
jetskis will have seating for three. Speed limit 40mph.

Dave M

fatlazyless · 05-19-2015, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave M

Unless they have changed the law within the last year, jetskis can be used on Squam. They just have to be 13' long(considered a boat). Usually the
jetskis will have seating for three. Speed limit 40mph.

Dave M

So, one can only wonder why a jetski or pwc, as described above, is legally considered to be a boat on a state-wide basis, as opposed to a personal watercraft ..... and it definitely has a lot to do with the NH Marine Trades Assoc, a political lobby group, and the very Republican controlled legislature at the time ... way back when the law was created and passed ...

Greene's Basin Girl · 05-19-2015, 11:43 PM

Other boats that are 13' and under can be on Squam so why not a PWC. I think PWC owner's get a bad rap because of a few bad apples. Many of us drive PWC's as responsibly as we drive our larger boats. I may be out in my PWC or out in my 24' pontoon boat.

SIKSUKR · 05-20-2015, 08:14 AM

New Hampshire law defines a “ski craft” as any motorized vessel that is less than 13 feet in length, is capable of exceeding 20 miles per hour, and has the capacity to carry no more than an operator and one other person.

Ski craft can and are banned on many lakes. A 3 person or more PWC is not a ski craft and is considered a boat in NH. These cannot be banned on any lake over 75 acres.

fatlazyless · 05-20-2015, 08:38 AM

When the state legislature voted to redefine 3-seater pwc's as boats, pwc's all had two-stroke engines and were very noisy and probably smelly too, which is what helped to get them banned from some different lakes and ponds around the state. Now, with 4-stroke engines, they are a lot quieter and no more very smelly burnt 2-stroke oil.

Probably, the legislature via political contributions from the Marine Trades Assoc to state senators and state reps wanted to motivate pwc sales by over-ruling the banning of 3-seater pwc's by classifying them to be a boat and not a pwc.

Similarly, for some small campaign contributions, the republican state legislators will be happy to pass a law declaring that a mallard duck is legally a canada goose ...... understand that!

ursa minor · 05-20-2015, 12:17 PM

How did a thread on the conditions at Downing's Landing become a discussion on the definition of a PWC and where they're allowed?

When the subject of Downing's Landing being purchased by the state was first brought up a year or so ago, I remember the common concern going forward was whether the facility could be kept in good condition. There's a need for good launch access all around the lake, it's a shame that a way can't be found to maintain these facilities.

fatlazyless · 05-21-2015, 11:04 AM

One method for both local towns, and the State of NH to collect launch fees at boat launch ramps without having a collection person present is to use honor system, collection boxes similar to what the U S Forest Service uses at hiking trails, and camp grounds throughout the White Mountain National Forest. They are very sturdy steel deposit boxes that are set in concrete into the ground.

To park your car at a hiking trail parking area, it costs either $3/day at the collection box, or $20/year with a wind shield sticker. Similarly, the launch ramps could be kept in good use repair, and maintained, and paying a small amount would help the users to appreciate the launch facility for what it is, and make everybody pay, with no exceptions.

NH_boater · 05-21-2015, 09:32 PM

This was utterly predictable. It will get a lot worse. What a shame on what was a nice launch run by great people.

05-17-2015, 06:13 PM	#1
Just Sold Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Suncook, NH, but at The Lake at Heart Posts: 2,612 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 433 Times in 209 Posts	Downings Landing - Ugh!!!! I was Alton Bay briefly today and what I saw at the Downings Landing property was disgusting. All the docks are in horrible repair and even the one used where you launch looks ugly and dangerous and my observation is it has the potential to injure someone. The dock closer to the bridge has 2 collapsed areas. This is no way to introduce visitors to Lake Winnipesaukee and NH hospitality. Does anyone know if F&G has a plan in place for this area? __________________ Just Sold At the lake the stress of daily life just melts away. Pro Re Nata

05-17-2015, 07:46 PM	#2
Lakeboater Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 391 Thanks: 20 Thanked 130 Times in 93 Posts	Ramp I agree about the docks. The ramp is also tough from all the power loading that goes on there. We were in the parking lot the other day and saw where someone had left a case of empty beer bottles. I don't understand why people can't "pack it out".

05-18-2015, 04:30 AM	#3
wynndog Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Alton Posts: 98 Thanks: 170 Thanked 10 Times in 7 Posts	pitty I guess Alton has more money than the State because Roberts Cove little beach was redone very nice. Guess the State will have to raise boat registration, fishing licenses & give out more fines. It was bad last year when I used it, it didn't happen because of the winter. Wynn

05-18-2015, 04:35 AM	#4
polarisman14 Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Gilmanton, NH Posts: 139 Thanks: 37 Thanked 23 Times in 20 Posts	I was there yesterday and have to agree. I have a small boat (under 14') and have to get the trailer very close to the dock to retrieve the boat easily. The power loading pushed so much sand against the dock that it puts the trailer at a pretty heavy angle and makes that quite a task. The docks appear to be structurally sound, just don't look very good. It'd be nice if the launch was actually wide enough to put 2 boats in at the same time, too, rather than just having one tied up and alternating. I suppose you could attempt two smaller boat launches at the same time but the parking lot layout makes getting the trailer into position for 2 people at the same time difficult. But, it's free. __________________ >>>Matt<<< To Tow: 2007 Honda Ridgeline RTL To Float: 1977 MFG Gypsy Star 17 O/B

05-18-2015, 07:54 AM	#5
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,528 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 296 Thanked 957 Times in 698 Posts	If you want to see a real nice state boat launch suggest you trailer it to the Squam River that connects Big and Little Squam lakes in Holderness .... about ten minutes from Rt 93-exit 24 in Ashland .... for a super-duper boating, fishing experience.... and the fishing world's greatest freebie state launch ever-ever-ever! Sorry, no jetskis allowed on Squam Lake .....boo-hoo! Drove past last Friday at 5:30-am and there's four bass boats in the water at the Squam state launch getting ready to head out. __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!

05-18-2015, 09:07 AM	#6
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,512 Thanks: 3,118 Thanked 1,090 Times in 784 Posts	Winnisquam boat launch Check out the public ramp in back of Boulia-Gorrell lumber yard. First class boat ramp! __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to BroadHopper For This Useful Post:
Airedale1 (05-22-2015), polarisman14 (05-19-2015)

05-18-2015, 10:30 PM	#8
Greene's Basin Girl Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Moultonborough, NH Posts: 1,515 Thanks: 394 Thanked 527 Times in 269 Posts	It is extremely easy to put a boat in at Lee's Mill's in Moultonborough. It is free and there is plenty of parking.

05-19-2015, 11:22 AM	#9
Dave M Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 395 Thanks: 4 Thanked 26 Times in 24 Posts	Jetskis on Squam Unless they have changed the law within the last year, jetskis can be used on Squam. They just have to be 13' long(considered a boat). Usually the jetskis will have seating for three. Speed limit 40mph. Dave M

05-19-2015, 11:43 PM	#11
Greene's Basin Girl Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Moultonborough, NH Posts: 1,515 Thanks: 394 Thanked 527 Times in 269 Posts	Other boats that are 13' and under can be on Squam so why not a PWC. I think PWC owner's get a bad rap because of a few bad apples. Many of us drive PWC's as responsibly as we drive our larger boats. I may be out in my PWC or out in my 24' pontoon boat.

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Greene's Basin Girl For This Useful Post:
chipj29 (05-20-2015), wynndog (05-20-2015)

05-20-2015, 08:14 AM	#12
SIKSUKR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,075 Thanks: 215 Thanked 903 Times in 509 Posts	New Hampshire law defines a “ski craft” as any motorized vessel that is less than 13 feet in length, is capable of exceeding 20 miles per hour, and has the capacity to carry no more than an operator and one other person. Ski craft can and are banned on many lakes. A 3 person or more PWC is not a ski craft and is considered a boat in NH. These cannot be banned on any lake over 75 acres. __________________ SIKSUKR

05-20-2015, 08:38 AM	#13
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,528 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 296 Thanked 957 Times in 698 Posts	When the state legislature voted to redefine 3-seater pwc's as boats, pwc's all had two-stroke engines and were very noisy and probably smelly too, which is what helped to get them banned from some different lakes and ponds around the state. Now, with 4-stroke engines, they are a lot quieter and no more very smelly burnt 2-stroke oil. Probably, the legislature via political contributions from the Marine Trades Assoc to state senators and state reps wanted to motivate pwc sales by over-ruling the banning of 3-seater pwc's by classifying them to be a boat and not a pwc. Similarly, for some small campaign contributions, the republican state legislators will be happy to pass a law declaring that a mallard duck is legally a canada goose ...... understand that! __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!

05-20-2015, 12:17 PM	#14
ursa minor Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Tuftonborough & Franklin MA Posts: 265 Thanks: 99 Thanked 143 Times in 64 Posts	How did a thread on the conditions at Downing's Landing become a discussion on the definition of a PWC and where they're allowed? When the subject of Downing's Landing being purchased by the state was first brought up a year or so ago, I remember the common concern going forward was whether the facility could be kept in good condition. There's a need for good launch access all around the lake, it's a shame that a way can't be found to maintain these facilities. __________________ " Any day with a boat ride in it is a good day"

The Following User Says Thank You to ursa minor For This Useful Post:
wynndog (05-20-2015)

05-21-2015, 11:04 AM	#15
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,528 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 296 Thanked 957 Times in 698 Posts	One method for both local towns, and the State of NH to collect launch fees at boat launch ramps without having a collection person present is to use honor system, collection boxes similar to what the U S Forest Service uses at hiking trails, and camp grounds throughout the White Mountain National Forest. They are very sturdy steel deposit boxes that are set in concrete into the ground. To park your car at a hiking trail parking area, it costs either $3/day at the collection box, or $20/year with a wind shield sticker. Similarly, the launch ramps could be kept in good use repair, and maintained, and paying a small amount would help the users to appreciate the launch facility for what it is, and make everybody pay, with no exceptions. __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!

05-21-2015, 09:32 PM	#16
NH_boater Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 298 Thanks: 14 Thanked 147 Times in 62 Posts	This was utterly predictable. It will get a lot worse. What a shame on what was a nice launch run by great people.