What do they check for when pulled over by the MP

DougNH · 09-08-2015, 03:15 PM

Long story short I was stopped by the MP this past Sunday about 11:00 am. It was at the no wake zone area across from the post office on Bear Island (I was heading northerly). The officer indicated I was going faster than headway within 150’ of another vessel. I may have been slightly faster but in doing so to keep control of my boat as I was in some large wakes due to some large boats approaching from the other direction. From the MP website ‘Headway speed is 6 mph or the slowest speed to travel and still maintain steerage.’ I was lucky to be going any faster than that and if I was maybe slightly over. My speedo does not register under 10 mph and it was sitting on zero, we have a 24’ boat, I was not putting out a wake.

Once stopped, they asked for my boat license, photo id and boat registration. While the first officer (younger) took my papers the other officer (older) did the safety inspection. I had six people on board including myself, two of which were young kids with life jackets on. Once the inspection was complete they said they were going to push off for a moment which lasted about 3-4 minutes and they were 20 feet or so away. They then came back handed back my papers, gave me a verbal warning for the headway speed, and also two plastic badges for the kids (nice touch).

So my question. When they requested a photo id I turned over my MA driver’s license. When they pushed off what were they checking? I see my boat license has a Certificate Number so did they look that up or maybe my name or possibly my MA driver’s license? The reason I ask as it seemed the younger officer was busy doing something while the other officer was piloting the boat and doing the safety inspection.

First time to be stopped in my 15 years on the lake, not a bad experience but not sure why they felt the need. There were many other boats around doing the same as it was reasonable busy with wakes all around. In fact when they first approached they indicated they were going to keep away until some large wakes passed then they pulled next to my boat.

8gv · 09-08-2015, 03:35 PM

I don't know the answer to your question but...

What does 150' look like, from my boat, from the MP boat?

I see guys threading the needle all the time, passing 50' or so away at speed or worse, plowing up a huge wake.

There are some rough seas that I encounter while closer than 150'. In those cases I sometimes pulse the throttle to lift the bow over the churning wakes.

Yes that exceeds what's legal but it makes more sense to me than taking one over the bow.

ishoot308 · 09-08-2015, 03:55 PM

DouNH;

They were checking that your registration and boating certificate were valid most likely.

Sounds to me like you did pretty good! OK, so the marine patrol stopped you for what they thought was an infraction...maybe you didn't think you did anything wrong but they did, no big deal...many of us have "rolled through the stop sign" in the past!

Anyway, they did their required safety check which you obviously passed with flying colors (congrats!), gave you a simple warning, the kids got a couple of trinkets which I am sure they enjoyed and you were off on your way with no out of pocket expense. Everything and everyone respectful of each other...

You did good!

Dan

dave603 · 09-08-2015, 04:20 PM

Last week there was one on Winnisquam, near the sandbar, telling people to slow down in the no wake zone. I was one of them and was only doing 4mph according to my gps. He wasn't pulling anyone over, he was stopped, but he was telling everyone of us, four or five boats, going through to slow down.
No one was making wakes, so I have no idea what that was all about.

As for them backing off, and maybe checking status, well they are now really Sate Police, maybe they have been told to also check for warrants.

DougNH · 09-08-2015, 04:29 PM

I was definitely within 150’ of other boats, I guess I was questioning the headway speed. As ishoot308 said not a big deal and yes passed all the safety checks, in fact I was pulling out the items before being asked… Kids were thrilled with the badges. Funny thing is when we get back to our house my in-laws were visiting and the kids run in saying what the nice officers gave them… So that required a bit of explaining

Winnisquamer · 09-08-2015, 07:07 PM

Is it mandatory to have another form of ID on you?

My licence stays in the car 95% of the time and since I boat daily I never take it with me. I'd push if it's mandatory to make it a combo licence like they do for motorcycle/car licence people.

Boat licence went in the boat day 1 of the season and has never left.

Kamper · 09-09-2015, 04:56 AM

All cops... will normally 'run' the names of the people they deal with just in case. If you are a witness instead of a 'subject' they will probably do it later when they are writing up their formal report. I understand the success rate for this tactic is low but it helps find a few people every day and it's a low-cost tool.

If you are a passenger in a traffic-type of stop it is not normal for your ID to be requested.

Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer. I just watch too much TV and cruise the internet. Always check with your attorney before shooting your mouth off, to a cop.

BroadHopper · 09-09-2015, 06:14 AM

Headway speed and no wake should not be interchangeable. Trying to navigate at headway speed without creating a wake can be a problem for some boats yet MP is trying to enforce the no wake rule when a boat is trying to maintain headway speed!

Get the drift? A PWC creates a wake in a slower speed than a large boat. A large boat cannot maintain headway speed in front of a PWC going at no wake!

A pontoon can maintain a faster headway speed than a boat, thus a pontoon cannot maintain headway speed in back of a boat.

You can witness this in any of the no wake channels. At time create chaos, when you can't control your boat because you had to shift to neutral.

Worst case a couple of years ago when the lake was high and the flow through the Weirs channel was strong, Thurston was complaining the boat wakes were disrupting the gas dock! The marine patrol was present and the results was a line of boats clear to Lilukilanis and beyond! Boats had a difficult time steering and many complained to the MP HQ. Since then I have not seen a repeat, although I have heard Thurston was upset by a certain decision.

ITD · 09-09-2015, 07:49 AM

I have to put my boat into neutral all the time in the channel and have never had a problem maintaining control. A boat does not have to make a wake to maintain control.

Woodsy · 09-09-2015, 08:08 AM

Personally.... I think No Wake is crap! Mostly because everybody thinks its a different speed based on their boat. Some boats can creep along at 1 -2 MPH while others need 4-6 MPH. There is a BIG difference between No Wake speed as defined in the RSA's and DEAD SLOW as some people are want to do!

For my 26 Donzi single, without having to shift into neutral constantly, 4-5 MPH is a good NWZ speed. My 22 Classic Blackhawk NWZ speed (motor at idle) was 6-7 MPH.

I personally think the NWZ should be changed to 5-MPH. 95% of the boats can very easily maintain steerage, the MP can easily enforce it, keeps the boat traffic moving on busy weekends and keeps erosion too a minimum.

You could even mount one of those solar powered radar units on the bridge over the channel to keep everyone in check...

Woodsy

DougNH · 09-09-2015, 08:19 AM

Winnisquamer I found this old thread (2007) on this subject. The officer asked for a photo id so I turned over my MA drives license. Not sure the exact rule either or what would have happened if I did not have a photo id with me. For me I always carry my wallet when boating and it contains my boat and driver’s license.

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...hp/t-5168.html

Chimi · 09-09-2015, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodsy

Personally.... I think No Wake is crap! Mostly because everybody thinks its a different speed based on their boat. Some boats can creep along at 1 -2 MPH while others need 4-6 MPH. There is a BIG difference between No Wake speed as defined in the RSA's and DEAD SLOW as some people are want to do!

For my 26 Donzi single, without having to shift into neutral constantly, 4-5 MPH is a good NWZ speed. My 22 Classic Blackhawk NWZ speed (motor at idle) was 6-7 MPH.

I personally think the NWZ should be changed to 5-MPH. 95% of the boats can very easily maintain steerage, the MP can easily enforce it, keeps the boat traffic moving on busy weekends and keeps erosion too a minimum.

You could even mount one of those solar powered radar units on the bridge over the channel to keep everyone in check...

Woodsy

I agree with Woodsy. Here's what the law says. Headway speed is clearly defined, so there should be no ambiguity with the MP. In fact, I think this language can be interpreted in such a way that if the slowest speed your boat can go is 7mph, then that is legal. "Headway speed" is the defining language, then "No Wake" is tied to headway speed.

270-D:1 Definitions. – In this chapter:
I. "Boat'' means every description of watercraft other than seaplanes, capable of being used or used as a means of transportation on the water and which is primarily used for noncommercial purposes, or leased, rented, loaned or chartered to another for such use.
II. "Commercial vessel'' means any vessel carrying passengers for hire as a common carrier of passengers or property.
III. "Commissioner'' means the commissioner of the department of safety.
IV. "Director'' means the director of the division of state police, department of safety.
V. "Division'' means the division of state police, department of safety.
VI. "Headway speed'' means 6 miles per hour or the slowest speed that a boat can be operated and maintain steerage way.
VI-a. "Inflatable tube'' means an inflatable device manufactured and designed for the specific purpose of towing persons behind a motorboat. Such device shall be manufactured with a point of attachment for a tow line in addition to any safety handles, ropes, or lines, for each person being towed.
VII. "Motorboat'' means any vessel being propelled by machinery, whether or not such machinery is the principal source of propulsion.
VIII. "No wake area'' means an area where a boat is to be operated only at headway speed.
IX. "PFD'' means a personal flotation device of a type approved by the United States Coast Guard.
X. "Person'' means person as defined in RSA 21:9.
XI. "Vessel'' means any type of watercraft used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water, except a seaplane.
XII. "Wake'' means any disturbance created on the surface of the water as a result of combined vessel motion and hull displacement.
XIII. "Water skiing'' means a person being towed behind a moving motorboat on skis or on aquatic equipment designed for towing an aquaplane or any other device, including bare feet of a person, but excluding a person being towed on an inflatable tube or in another boat or motorboat.
Source. 1990, 171:1. 1995, 273:2, eff. July 1, 1995. 2011, 224:268, eff. July 1, 2011. 2012, 168:2, 3, eff. June 7, 2012.

Merrymeeting · 09-09-2015, 09:33 AM

You are supposed to have some type of photo id with you. I make copies of our NH licenses (both car and boat) and keep them in all our water craft. I keep the originals in the house. While I have not been pulled over, my understanding is that copies are ok for the marine patrol. If you have a bigger issue, you may be asked to produce the originals.

fatlazyless · 09-09-2015, 10:27 AM

And, if I am out in my 15' aluminum rowing-canoe, rowing around Fl-3, and get stopped by the MP for being out after sunset without a white navigation light.....what happens if I have no identification, no registration, no boating license, no cell phone, and no money ..... because none are required.....am just wondering ..... once, about three summers ago, I actually got stopped for this violation without any ID and he let me slide with a friendly 'have a safe row home' ....maybe because I was actually wearing a 1965-style swimmers belt that doesn't get in the way for rowing, plus a whistle?

HomeWood · 09-09-2015, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

And, if I am out in my 15' aluminum rowing-canoe, rowing around Fl-3, and get stopped by the MP for being out after sunset without a white navigation light.....what happens if I have no identification, no registration, no boating license, no cell phone, and no money ..... because none are required.....am just wondering ..... once, about three summers ago, I actually got stopped for this violation without any ID and he let me slide with a friendly 'have a safe row home' ....maybe because I was actually wearing a 1965-style swimmers belt that doesn't get in the way for rowing, plus a whistle?

They could attempt to pull up a drivers license photo but that's assuming they have computers on their boats with that capability. I've never seen computers on MP boats and always assumed they called things in for checks. They could also request that they follow you home to get said ID but realistically......have a safe row home and see ya later!

SIKSUKR · 09-09-2015, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HomeWood

They could attempt to pull up a drivers license photo but that's assuming they have computers on their boats with that capability. !

Pretty much all people have a computer known as a smart phone in their pocket today. I'm sure they carry phones. We all can pull up a drivers photo if that data base was accessible to us.

HomeWood · 09-09-2015, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

Pretty much all people have a computer known as a smart phone in their pocket today. I'm sure they carry phones. We all can pull up a drivers photo if that data base was accessible to us.

Yes, many people do these days and I'm sure they carry phones. (no need for snark, if you intended it)

Maybe NH has something like this https://cjleads.nc.gov/. It's a great tool. It's checks just about everything except NCIC stolen records.

fatlazyless · 09-10-2015, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

Pretty much all people have a computer known as a smart phone in their pocket today. I'm sure they carry phones. We all can pull up a drivers photo if that data base was accessible to us.

Some of us still rely on payphones ..... u-know, if you ask around for a payphone....there's always, always, always....someone who will volunteer the use of their cell phone ..... so's at least the ten-cent payphone is still here in spirit form?

George Des · 09-09-2015, 10:19 AM

Was stopped a few weeks ago for the very same thing. MP boat was sitting well outside the Weirs Beach NWZ. I was heading back to Alton Bay following two very large vessels well outside the 150' limit. They were making large wakes! I was third in line behind them an traveling about the same speed. I get stopped. Cursory check of safety equipment--I had it all. Turn over paperwork and 10 minutes later he comes back with a $68 ticket for going to fast within 150 ft of another boat--I assume his! No sense arguing. I had my boaters safety card but unfortunately left the boat registration in the car at Alton Bay. But that was not what the citation was for--so go figure!

SAMIAM · 09-10-2015, 09:06 AM

Some times the wave action from the wind is way bigger than a boat wake at headway speed.....guess that leaves minimum wake to the beholder.
We had one older guy at the mouth of our bay who would spend every weekend day sitting by his dock with binoculars yelling at boats and making multiple calls to MP. Anything beyond a ripple would set him off. It was actually pretty funny to watch him because a south wind would produce 1'-2' swells and he'd still be yelling.
Last year he sold out and a much nicer family is there now so I guess the fun is over.

Knomad · 09-11-2015, 08:26 AM

When a MP officer stops you on the water, they will ask for your drivers license in addition to your registration and boating certificate. Because your boating certificate does not have your picture on it, they are just verifying that the certificate belongs to you.

Unsafe passage, not maintaining a proper speed or distance while operating a vessel, is the most common violation boaters are stopped for on inland waters in NH.

It is not an easy task to determine when operating within 150' of other vessels, docks, swim areas, etc. and need to maintain headway speed.

150' is half the length of a football field
150' is twice the length of a standard tow rope.
If you can read the bow numbers clearly on the other vessel, you are within 150' of that vessel.

It is also difficult to determine if you are doing headway speed. Most speedometers on boats do not accurately read slower speeds.

On I/O and outboard powered vessels and under normal conditions headway speed can be accomplished with the gearshift one notch out of neutral and no additional throttle applied.
Your vessel should maintain itself in the displacement mode (no bow lift).
You should not see any wake behind your vessel.
It is impossible to pass another vessel going in the same direction if you are both doing headway speed.

For many, headway speed is agonizingly slow and have a tendency to give it a “little” more throttle. Though you may still be doing 6 MPH, the bow rises up causing a bigger wake. This is a flag to the MP officer that you are exceeding headway speed.

Remember if you are towing someone behind your vessel, the person being towed is considered part of your vessel and must follow the same rules.

The key phrase in the definition of headway speed is “the slowest speed at which it is still possible to maintain steering”. You may have to adjust the throttle to compensate for current, wind, or the wake of other boats. Try to avoid crossing the wake of another vessel unless you are at least 150' from that vessel.

09-08-2015, 03:15 PM	#1
DougNH Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Meredith Bay/MA Posts: 74 Thanks: 117 Thanked 47 Times in 17 Posts	What do they check for when pulled over by the MP Long story short I was stopped by the MP this past Sunday about 11:00 am. It was at the no wake zone area across from the post office on Bear Island (I was heading northerly). The officer indicated I was going faster than headway within 150’ of another vessel. I may have been slightly faster but in doing so to keep control of my boat as I was in some large wakes due to some large boats approaching from the other direction. From the MP website ‘Headway speed is 6 mph or the slowest speed to travel and still maintain steerage.’ I was lucky to be going any faster than that and if I was maybe slightly over. My speedo does not register under 10 mph and it was sitting on zero, we have a 24’ boat, I was not putting out a wake. Once stopped, they asked for my boat license, photo id and boat registration. While the first officer (younger) took my papers the other officer (older) did the safety inspection. I had six people on board including myself, two of which were young kids with life jackets on. Once the inspection was complete they said they were going to push off for a moment which lasted about 3-4 minutes and they were 20 feet or so away. They then came back handed back my papers, gave me a verbal warning for the headway speed, and also two plastic badges for the kids (nice touch). So my question. When they requested a photo id I turned over my MA driver’s license. When they pushed off what were they checking? I see my boat license has a Certificate Number so did they look that up or maybe my name or possibly my MA driver’s license? The reason I ask as it seemed the younger officer was busy doing something while the other officer was piloting the boat and doing the safety inspection. First time to be stopped in my 15 years on the lake, not a bad experience but not sure why they felt the need. There were many other boats around doing the same as it was reasonable busy with wakes all around. In fact when they first approached they indicated they were going to keep away until some large wakes passed then they pulled next to my boat.

09-08-2015, 03:55 PM	#3
ishoot308 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gilford, NH / Welch Island Posts: 5,931 Thanks: 2,289 Thanked 4,941 Times in 1,917 Posts	DouNH; They were checking that your registration and boating certificate were valid most likely. Sounds to me like you did pretty good! OK, so the marine patrol stopped you for what they thought was an infraction...maybe you didn't think you did anything wrong but they did, no big deal...many of us have "rolled through the stop sign" in the past! Anyway, they did their required safety check which you obviously passed with flying colors (congrats!), gave you a simple warning, the kids got a couple of trinkets which I am sure they enjoyed and you were off on your way with no out of pocket expense. Everything and everyone respectful of each other... You did good! Dan __________________ It's Always Sunny On Welch Island!!

09-09-2015, 06:14 AM	#8
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,512 Thanks: 3,118 Thanked 1,090 Times in 784 Posts	Always been a problem. Headway speed and no wake should not be interchangeable. Trying to navigate at headway speed without creating a wake can be a problem for some boats yet MP is trying to enforce the no wake rule when a boat is trying to maintain headway speed! Get the drift? A PWC creates a wake in a slower speed than a large boat. A large boat cannot maintain headway speed in front of a PWC going at no wake! A pontoon can maintain a faster headway speed than a boat, thus a pontoon cannot maintain headway speed in back of a boat. You can witness this in any of the no wake channels. At time create chaos, when you can't control your boat because you had to shift to neutral. Worst case a couple of years ago when the lake was high and the flow through the Weirs channel was strong, Thurston was complaining the boat wakes were disrupting the gas dock! The marine patrol was present and the results was a line of boats clear to Lilukilanis and beyond! Boats had a difficult time steering and many complained to the MP HQ. Since then I have not seen a repeat, although I have heard Thurston was upset by a certain decision. __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

09-09-2015, 08:08 AM	#10
Woodsy Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Weirs Beach Posts: 1,949 Thanks: 80 Thanked 969 Times in 432 Posts	Personally.... I think No Wake is crap! Mostly because everybody thinks its a different speed based on their boat. Some boats can creep along at 1 -2 MPH while others need 4-6 MPH. There is a BIG difference between No Wake speed as defined in the RSA's and DEAD SLOW as some people are want to do! For my 26 Donzi single, without having to shift into neutral constantly, 4-5 MPH is a good NWZ speed. My 22 Classic Blackhawk NWZ speed (motor at idle) was 6-7 MPH. I personally think the NWZ should be changed to 5-MPH. 95% of the boats can very easily maintain steerage, the MP can easily enforce it, keeps the boat traffic moving on busy weekends and keeps erosion too a minimum. You could even mount one of those solar powered radar units on the bridge over the channel to keep everyone in check... Woodsy __________________ The only way to eliminate ignorant behavior is through education. You can't fix stupid.

09-09-2015, 10:27 AM	#14
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,526 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 295 Thanked 957 Times in 698 Posts	And, if I am out in my 15' aluminum rowing-canoe, rowing around Fl-3, and get stopped by the MP for being out after sunset without a white navigation light.....what happens if I have no identification, no registration, no boating license, no cell phone, and no money ..... because none are required.....am just wondering ..... once, about three summers ago, I actually got stopped for this violation without any ID and he let me slide with a friendly 'have a safe row home' ....maybe because I was actually wearing a 1965-style swimmers belt that doesn't get in the way for rowing, plus a whistle? __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!

09-08-2015, 03:35 PM	#2
8gv Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,009 Thanks: 61 Thanked 701 Times in 455 Posts	I don't know the answer to your question but... What does 150' look like, from my boat, from the MP boat? I see guys threading the needle all the time, passing 50' or so away at speed or worse, plowing up a huge wake. There are some rough seas that I encounter while closer than 150'. In those cases I sometimes pulse the throttle to lift the bow over the churning wakes. Yes that exceeds what's legal but it makes more sense to me than taking one over the bow.

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09-08-2015, 04:20 PM	#4
dave603 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Nashua/Winnisquam Posts: 282 Thanks: 106 Thanked 96 Times in 49 Posts	Last week there was one on Winnisquam, near the sandbar, telling people to slow down in the no wake zone. I was one of them and was only doing 4mph according to my gps. He wasn't pulling anyone over, he was stopped, but he was telling everyone of us, four or five boats, going through to slow down. No one was making wakes, so I have no idea what that was all about. As for them backing off, and maybe checking status, well they are now really Sate Police, maybe they have been told to also check for warrants.

09-08-2015, 04:29 PM	#5
DougNH Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Meredith Bay/MA Posts: 74 Thanks: 117 Thanked 47 Times in 17 Posts	I was definitely within 150’ of other boats, I guess I was questioning the headway speed. As ishoot308 said not a big deal and yes passed all the safety checks, in fact I was pulling out the items before being asked… Kids were thrilled with the badges. Funny thing is when we get back to our house my in-laws were visiting and the kids run in saying what the nice officers gave them… So that required a bit of explaining

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09-08-2015, 07:07 PM	#6
Winnisquamer Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Winnisquam Posts: 408 Thanks: 72 Thanked 115 Times in 73 Posts	Is it mandatory to have another form of ID on you? My licence stays in the car 95% of the time and since I boat daily I never take it with me. I'd push if it's mandatory to make it a combo licence like they do for motorcycle/car licence people. Boat licence went in the boat day 1 of the season and has never left.

09-09-2015, 04:56 AM	#7
Kamper Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Thornton's Ferry Posts: 1,296 Thanks: 67 Thanked 166 Times in 126 Posts	All cops... will normally 'run' the names of the people they deal with just in case. If you are a witness instead of a 'subject' they will probably do it later when they are writing up their formal report. I understand the success rate for this tactic is low but it helps find a few people every day and it's a low-cost tool. If you are a passenger in a traffic-type of stop it is not normal for your ID to be requested. Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer. I just watch too much TV and cruise the internet. Always check with your attorney before shooting your mouth off, to a cop.

09-09-2015, 07:49 AM	#9
ITD Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonboro, NH Posts: 2,860 Thanks: 461 Thanked 666 Times in 366 Posts	I have to put my boat into neutral all the time in the channel and have never had a problem maintaining control. A boat does not have to make a wake to maintain control.

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09-09-2015, 08:19 AM	#11
DougNH Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Meredith Bay/MA Posts: 74 Thanks: 117 Thanked 47 Times in 17 Posts	Winnisquamer I found this old thread (2007) on this subject. The officer asked for a photo id so I turned over my MA drives license. Not sure the exact rule either or what would have happened if I did not have a photo id with me. For me I always carry my wallet when boating and it contains my boat and driver’s license. http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...hp/t-5168.html

09-09-2015, 09:33 AM	#13
Merrymeeting Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Merrymeeting Lake, New Durham Posts: 2,217 Thanks: 299 Thanked 795 Times in 365 Posts	You are supposed to have some type of photo id with you. I make copies of our NH licenses (both car and boat) and keep them in all our water craft. I keep the originals in the house. While I have not been pulled over, my understanding is that copies are ok for the marine patrol. If you have a bigger issue, you may be asked to produce the originals.

09-09-2015, 10:19 AM	#19
George Des Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Same thing off Weirs Was stopped a few weeks ago for the very same thing. MP boat was sitting well outside the Weirs Beach NWZ. I was heading back to Alton Bay following two very large vessels well outside the 150' limit. They were making large wakes! I was third in line behind them an traveling about the same speed. I get stopped. Cursory check of safety equipment--I had it all. Turn over paperwork and 10 minutes later he comes back with a $68 ticket for going to fast within 150 ft of another boat--I assume his! No sense arguing. I had my boaters safety card but unfortunately left the boat registration in the car at Alton Bay. But that was not what the citation was for--so go figure!

09-10-2015, 09:06 AM	#20
SAMIAM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 2,836 Thanks: 326 Thanked 1,626 Times in 562 Posts	Some times the wave action from the wind is way bigger than a boat wake at headway speed.....guess that leaves minimum wake to the beholder. We had one older guy at the mouth of our bay who would spend every weekend day sitting by his dock with binoculars yelling at boats and making multiple calls to MP. Anything beyond a ripple would set him off. It was actually pretty funny to watch him because a south wind would produce 1'-2' swells and he'd still be yelling. Last year he sold out and a much nicer family is there now so I guess the fun is over.

09-11-2015, 08:26 AM	#21
Knomad Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Center Tuftonboro Posts: 173 Thanks: 0 Thanked 33 Times in 19 Posts	When a MP officer stops you on the water, they will ask for your drivers license in addition to your registration and boating certificate. Because your boating certificate does not have your picture on it, they are just verifying that the certificate belongs to you. Unsafe passage, not maintaining a proper speed or distance while operating a vessel, is the most common violation boaters are stopped for on inland waters in NH. It is not an easy task to determine when operating within 150' of other vessels, docks, swim areas, etc. and need to maintain headway speed. 150' is half the length of a football field 150' is twice the length of a standard tow rope. If you can read the bow numbers clearly on the other vessel, you are within 150' of that vessel. It is also difficult to determine if you are doing headway speed. Most speedometers on boats do not accurately read slower speeds. On I/O and outboard powered vessels and under normal conditions headway speed can be accomplished with the gearshift one notch out of neutral and no additional throttle applied. Your vessel should maintain itself in the displacement mode (no bow lift). You should not see any wake behind your vessel. It is impossible to pass another vessel going in the same direction if you are both doing headway speed. For many, headway speed is agonizingly slow and have a tendency to give it a “little” more throttle. Though you may still be doing 6 MPH, the bow rises up causing a bigger wake. This is a flag to the MP officer that you are exceeding headway speed. Remember if you are towing someone behind your vessel, the person being towed is considered part of your vessel and must follow the same rules. The key phrase in the definition of headway speed is “the slowest speed at which it is still possible to maintain steering”. You may have to adjust the throttle to compensate for current, wind, or the wake of other boats. Try to avoid crossing the wake of another vessel unless you are at least 150' from that vessel.