Lake Navigability: WAM to North End of Rattlesnake

rgilfert · 04-16-2013, 04:19 PM

I just received the call notifying me that our boat has been launched and is ready for our usage at West Alton Marina. Given that I'm going to be up in Belmont on Thursday, I thought that take a quick side trip out to the place on Rattlesnake to see how it faired the winter. Does anyone happen to know whether there will be any issues with ice while making this trip? Also, I've never been on the lake this early in the season...are there issues from a boating perspective that I should be aware/concerned about? For instance, I was wondering whether the cold lake temps could cause oil viscosity issues in the lower unit?? I just spend a wallet full of clams getting my (old) boat in tip top condition for the summer and don't want to jeopardize anything out of ignorance. Input please!

Slickcraft · 04-16-2013, 04:27 PM

We were out to Welch Monday and today, not a sign of ice anywhere. Cold water should not be a problem with the outdrive. I would take it easy on speed and keep watch for floating debris. There are a few chunks of wood out there, not many this year but it only takes one to mess-up a prop. We had one prop killing incident around ice out a few years ago.

SC

MikeF-NH · 04-16-2013, 05:30 PM

I launched out of WAM yesterday (monday) and probably saw your boat going in as they were working on putting a few boats in the water as I eased by. While there was a thin coating of ice in the first "bay" next to the ramp, that was the only ice I saw all day. I went around Sleepers and to both ends of Rattlesnake on the west side and didn't see a single ice cube. While I didn't go down the east side, as far as I could see from the northern point, it was wide open.

It was so beautiful and calm that I also took a trip over to Long Island and through Hole in the Wall....not an ice cube spotted on the complete round trip. The water was still very cold around rattlesnake at 37 degrees but further north around LI, I was up to 44.

Phantom · 04-17-2013, 07:29 AM

rgilfert

If you are not familiar with "Early Season" boating -- Debris is your biggest concern.

It is amazing how large (sometimes HUGE) pieces of wood from a dock, or large tree limbs can hide just below the surface with only a portion showing. Keep a sharp eye in front of you !

Island Girl · 04-17-2013, 09:10 AM

It is also good to stop and pick up the debris, especially the big chunks. Some (not pressure treated) of this wood can be burned in the wood stove.

Once, the debris was a huge... 15 or more feet long, dock pole, like a telephone pole. It was floating just off Rattlesnake Island. We dragged it home and up onto the shore where it sat drying out for some years. It was finally cut up and burned.

Some of the debris gets a bit waterlogged and is just below the surface... so be careful about going fast... your outdrive\lower unit could get whacked.

Happy Gourmand · 04-17-2013, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Some of the debris gets a bit waterlogged and is just below the surface... so be careful about going fast... your outdrive\lower unit could get whacked.

Yup, been there, done that. Lucky for me, insurance paid!

MAXUM · 04-17-2013, 03:21 PM

One thing you want to be darn sure of is where there should be markers, do NOT think they did not get dragged around by the ice or worse yet be missing all together.

Debris is another big one.

Ride & Dive · 04-17-2013, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Island Girl

It is also good to stop and pick up the debris, especially the big chunks. Some (not pressure treated) of this wood can be burned in the wood stove.

Once, the debris was a huge... 15 or more feet long, dock pole, like a telephone pole. It was floating just off Rattlesnake Island. We dragged it home and up onto the shore where it sat drying out for some years. It was finally cut up and burned.

Some of the debris gets a bit waterlogged and is just below the surface... so be careful about going fast... your outdrive\lower unit could get whacked.

In addition you are doing a great service to your fellow boaters. Thank you!

Phantom · 04-18-2013, 08:18 AM

Excellent point Maxum !!

Relocated and missing markers is the other challenge !

Dog's Ear · 04-18-2013, 08:57 AM

This was a few years ago. And it was very heavy and water logged. Just the tip was sticking out of the water, but we didn't give up!

diz · 04-18-2013, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAXUM

One thing you want to be darn sure of is where there should be markers, do NOT think they did not get dragged around by the ice or worse yet be missing all together.

Debris is another big one.

I went out for a short ride this morning from Paugus around Eagle Island and back. Unless I totally missed them, the black tipped spar on the west side of Paugus and one of the red tipped spars over at Pitchwood and Stonedam Islands were missing. Or maybe I need new glasses.

rgilfert · 04-18-2013, 04:14 PM

Thanks to all for your input. My trip to Rattlesnake today was awesome! I heeded everyone's advice by keeping a vigilant eye out for floating/semi-submerged debris and the round trip passed by uneventfully.

In the following picture, I ferried that beer all the way from Bedford to Rattlesnake today so that I could enjoy a brew while watching the lake this afternoon..... only to find out that last fall my wife had packed away the stuff in all the kitchen drawers (aka no opener). It didn't dawn on my cro magnon sized brain until I got home that Killian's has a twist off cap!!! Dooh!

Chaos · 04-19-2013, 07:21 AM

did you happen to notice if they were launching any of the larger boats or if any on skid row were in the water?

PS, you need to get one of those screw on bottle cap thingies for your deck so this unfortunate incident won't repeat itself

thanks,
Mike

fpartri497 · 04-19-2013, 07:38 AM

I was there most of the day yesterday as i was every day this week. they have chads boats in and about 15- or so others. only one or two on skid row. they uncovered mine yesterday while i was there so probably be at the dock today. I hope

see ya soon pal

ghfromaltonbay · 04-19-2013, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgilfert

In the following picture, I ferried that beer all the way from Bedford to Rattlesnake today so that I could enjoy a brew while watching the lake this afternoon..... only to find out that last fall my wife had packed away the stuff in all the kitchen drawers (aka no opener). Dooh!

That's why I never go anywhere without my trusty Swiss Army Knife from LLBean. You never know when you encounter an unopened beer or a good bottle of wine (yes it has a corkscrew as well). My Swiss Grandmother taught me to be practical.

Chaos · 04-19-2013, 10:54 AM

See you soon.

Merrymeeting · 04-19-2013, 07:38 PM

We have a friend who has perfected the art of opening a beer bottle with his wedding ring. Never without an opener when he is around.

Especially useful when floating on the lake on a hot, sunny afternoon.

fpartri497 · 04-19-2013, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaos

See you soon.

My mistake m. your boat Is in at your dock today.

Webbsatwinni · 04-22-2013, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgilfert

only to find out that last fall my wife had packed away the stuff in all the kitchen drawers (aka no opener). It didn't dawn on my cro magnon sized brain until I got home that Killian's has a twist off cap!!! Dooh!

There is one mounted to my deck, feel free to use it if you have another emergency (and its mounted as I had the same issue a few years back)

AC2717 · 04-22-2013, 01:09 PM

In the following picture, I ferried that beer all the way from Bedford to Rattlesnake today so that I could enjoy a brew while watching the lake this afternoon..... only to find out that last fall my wife had packed away the stuff in all the kitchen drawers (aka no opener). It didn't dawn on my cro magnon sized brain until I got home that Killian's has a twist off cap!!! Dooh!

that is an easy fixed with all that lumber sitting there, just POP the TOP!!!

Just Sold · 04-29-2013, 07:29 AM

The lake still has debris out there so be carefull. We found this 6' board on the broads side of Diamond Island yesterday. I also talked to another boater who had towed in a telephone pole sized log into Ellacoya Beach.

Happy Gourmand · 04-29-2013, 12:02 PM

From my slip in Meredith, I could see a lot of "stuff" floating around. Though I had wanted to put the new boat in the water last Saturday, I'm not too upset to wait another week with the hope that a lot of the debris will be gone.

Rich · 05-08-2013, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merrymeeting

We have a friend who has perfected the art of opening a beer bottle with his wedding ring. Never without an opener when he is around.

I used to do that too, then I got divorced! Beer opens easier and tastes a lot better now!

04-16-2013, 04:19 PM	#1
rgilfert Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Bedford, NH / Rattlesnake Island Posts: 299 Thanks: 152 Thanked 227 Times in 57 Posts	Lake Navigability: WAM to North End of Rattlesnake I just received the call notifying me that our boat has been launched and is ready for our usage at West Alton Marina. Given that I'm going to be up in Belmont on Thursday, I thought that take a quick side trip out to the place on Rattlesnake to see how it faired the winter. Does anyone happen to know whether there will be any issues with ice while making this trip? Also, I've never been on the lake this early in the season...are there issues from a boating perspective that I should be aware/concerned about? For instance, I was wondering whether the cold lake temps could cause oil viscosity issues in the lower unit?? I just spend a wallet full of clams getting my (old) boat in tip top condition for the summer and don't want to jeopardize anything out of ignorance. Input please!

04-17-2013, 07:29 AM	#4
Phantom Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Berlin, Ma / Gilford Posts: 1,931 Thanks: 445 Thanked 604 Times in 340 Posts	rgilfert If you are not familiar with "Early Season" boating -- Debris is your biggest concern. It is amazing how large (sometimes HUGE) pieces of wood from a dock, or large tree limbs can hide just below the surface with only a portion showing. Keep a sharp eye in front of you ! __________________ *A bad day on the Big Lake (although I've never had one) - Still beats a day at the office!!*

04-17-2013, 09:10 AM	#5
Island Girl Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Central MA Posts: 2,352 Thanks: 18 Thanked 535 Times in 179 Posts	Picking up debris It is also good to stop and pick up the debris, especially the big chunks. Some (not pressure treated) of this wood can be burned in the wood stove. Once, the debris was a huge... 15 or more feet long, dock pole, like a telephone pole. It was floating just off Rattlesnake Island. We dragged it home and up onto the shore where it sat drying out for some years. It was finally cut up and burned. Some of the debris gets a bit waterlogged and is just below the surface... so be careful about going fast... your outdrive\lower unit could get whacked. __________________ Island Girl ....... Make Lemonade

04-18-2013, 08:18 AM	#9
Phantom Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Berlin, Ma / Gilford Posts: 1,931 Thanks: 445 Thanked 604 Times in 340 Posts	Excellent point Maxum !! Relocated and missing markers is the other challenge ! __________________ *A bad day on the Big Lake (although I've never had one) - Still beats a day at the office!!*

04-18-2013, 08:57 AM	#10
Dog's Ear Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Whortleberry Island Posts: 81 Thanks: 130 Thanked 20 Times in 10 Posts	This was a few years ago. And it was very heavy and water logged. Just the tip was sticking out of the water, but we didn't give up! Attached Images

04-16-2013, 04:27 PM	#2
Slickcraft Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Welch Island and West Alton Posts: 3,219 Thanks: 1,175 Thanked 2,002 Times in 915 Posts	We were out to Welch Monday and today, not a sign of ice anywhere. Cold water should not be a problem with the outdrive. I would take it easy on speed and keep watch for floating debris. There are a few chunks of wood out there, not many this year but it only takes one to mess-up a prop. We had one prop killing incident around ice out a few years ago. SC

The Following User Says Thank You to Slickcraft For This Useful Post:
rgilfert (04-16-2013)

04-16-2013, 05:30 PM	#3
MikeF-NH Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 317 Thanks: 2 Thanked 120 Times in 80 Posts	I launched out of WAM yesterday (monday) and probably saw your boat going in as they were working on putting a few boats in the water as I eased by. While there was a thin coating of ice in the first "bay" next to the ramp, that was the only ice I saw all day. I went around Sleepers and to both ends of Rattlesnake on the west side and didn't see a single ice cube. While I didn't go down the east side, as far as I could see from the northern point, it was wide open. It was so beautiful and calm that I also took a trip over to Long Island and through Hole in the Wall....not an ice cube spotted on the complete round trip. The water was still very cold around rattlesnake at 37 degrees but further north around LI, I was up to 44.

The Following User Says Thank You to MikeF-NH For This Useful Post:
rgilfert (04-16-2013)

The Following User Says Thank You to Island Girl For This Useful Post:
Ride & Dive (04-17-2013)

04-17-2013, 03:21 PM	#7
MAXUM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kuna ID Posts: 2,755 Thanks: 246 Thanked 1,942 Times in 802 Posts	One thing you want to be darn sure of is where there should be markers, do NOT think they did not get dragged around by the ice or worse yet be missing all together. Debris is another big one.

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Dog's Ear For This Useful Post:
ApS (04-18-2013), Diver Vince (04-18-2013)

04-18-2013, 04:14 PM	#12
rgilfert Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Bedford, NH / Rattlesnake Island Posts: 299 Thanks: 152 Thanked 227 Times in 57 Posts	Thank you!! Thanks to all for your input. My trip to Rattlesnake today was awesome! I heeded everyone's advice by keeping a vigilant eye out for floating/semi-submerged debris and the round trip passed by uneventfully. In the following picture, I ferried that beer all the way from Bedford to Rattlesnake today so that I could enjoy a brew while watching the lake this afternoon..... only to find out that last fall my wife had packed away the stuff in all the kitchen drawers (aka no opener). It didn't dawn on my cro magnon sized brain until I got home that Killian's has a twist off cap!!! Dooh! Attached Images

The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to rgilfert For This Useful Post:
Chaos (04-19-2013), Dog's Ear (04-19-2013), Just Sold (04-19-2013), Slickcraft (04-18-2013)

04-19-2013, 07:21 AM	#13
Chaos Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Danville, NH and West Alton Marina Posts: 134 Thanks: 111 Thanked 32 Times in 20 Posts	rgilfert did you happen to notice if they were launching any of the larger boats or if any on skid row were in the water? PS, you need to get one of those screw on bottle cap thingies for your deck so this unfortunate incident won't repeat itself thanks, Mike

04-19-2013, 07:38 AM	#14
fpartri497 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Concord NH Posts: 681 Thanks: 97 Thanked 48 Times in 39 Posts	Chaos I was there most of the day yesterday as i was every day this week. they have chads boats in and about 15- or so others. only one or two on skid row. they uncovered mine yesterday while i was there so probably be at the dock today. I hope see ya soon pal __________________ dont worry be happy

04-19-2013, 10:54 AM	#16
Chaos Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Danville, NH and West Alton Marina Posts: 134 Thanks: 111 Thanked 32 Times in 20 Posts	Thanks Frank See you soon.

04-19-2013, 07:38 PM	#17
Merrymeeting Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Merrymeeting Lake, New Durham Posts: 2,217 Thanks: 299 Thanked 795 Times in 365 Posts	We have a friend who has perfected the art of opening a beer bottle with his wedding ring. Never without an opener when he is around. Especially useful when floating on the lake on a hot, sunny afternoon.

The Following User Says Thank You to Webbsatwinni For This Useful Post:
rgilfert (04-24-2013)

04-22-2013, 01:09 PM	#20
AC2717 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Maynard, MA & Paugus Bay Posts: 2,522 Thanks: 747 Thanked 344 Times in 257 Posts	In the following picture, I ferried that beer all the way from Bedford to Rattlesnake today so that I could enjoy a brew while watching the lake this afternoon..... only to find out that last fall my wife had packed away the stuff in all the kitchen drawers (aka no opener). It didn't dawn on my cro magnon sized brain until I got home that Killian's has a twist off cap!!! Dooh! that is an easy fixed with all that lumber sitting there, just POP the TOP!!! __________________ Capt. of the "No Worries"

04-29-2013, 07:29 AM	#21
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	The lake still has debris out there so be carefull. We found this 6' board on the broads side of Diamond Island yesterday. I also talked to another boater who had towed in a telephone pole sized log into Ellacoya Beach. Attached Images __________________ Just Sold At the lake the stress of daily life just melts away. Pro Re Nata

04-29-2013, 12:02 PM	#22
Happy Gourmand Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ruskin FL Posts: 1,025 Thanks: 187 Thanked 322 Times in 179 Posts	From my slip in Meredith, I could see a lot of "stuff" floating around. Though I had wanted to put the new boat in the water last Saturday, I'm not too upset to wait another week with the hope that a lot of the debris will be gone.