Another business at Winnipesaukee is on the block!

Airwaves · 04-11-2010, 11:17 PM

Saw this listing with Tranzon Auctions in the Boston Globe today.

birchhaven · 04-12-2010, 08:24 AM

the owner is a hard working guy, too bad

Lakesrider · 04-12-2010, 09:02 AM

I noticed that the other day as well. I also noticed that the Video store in Wolfeboro closed too.
Times are still tough.....

jmen24 · 04-12-2010, 09:54 AM

Any insight on what this business was, just says boat storage and repair. Not familar with the appearance of the building to know for sure. Thanks

dpg · 04-12-2010, 11:12 AM

Isn't this the place across from the high school at the top of the hill in Meredith?

Irrigation Guy · 04-12-2010, 11:22 AM

Its halfway between Meredith and the Weirs(after Grouse Point and before the Tamarack), at one point years ago, there was a driving range next door.

Maybe this will refresh some memories----There are or were a bunch of classic wooden boats in racks on the property too(likely customers boats).

chipj29 · 04-12-2010, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lakesrider

I noticed that the other day as well. I also noticed that the Video store in Wolfeboro closed too.
Times are still tough.....

Times are def. still tough, but I think you will find that video rental stores are a dying breed. Even the larger chains (Blockbuster, Movie Gallery) are closing down stores across the state. With the cable companies "On-Demand" movies, plus the internet, there is almost no reason to rent a video from a store anymore. I can't remember the last time I was in a video store. Musta been at least 5 years ago.

mcdude · 04-12-2010, 11:50 AM

Back in '03 I snapped a photo of this boat parked at this business.

jmen24 · 04-12-2010, 12:05 PM

Ah, directly across from J.B. Scoops. Thank You

NoBozo · 04-12-2010, 02:43 PM

http://www.harperboats.com/ NB

ITD · 04-12-2010, 03:07 PM

Looks like he is still in business from the web site, I hope he pulls it off and keeps his property.

StephenB · 04-12-2010, 07:45 PM

The end of the Oil Age spells many changes for the Winnipesaukee area. Sorry to say that power boating will be one of the first to be hit and hard. Second homes will be harder to pay for and to travel to. Anybody who has read the likes of Matt. Simmons, James Kunstler, Richard Heinberg will understand.

http://www.amazon.com/Long-Emergency...1119390&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Partys-Over-Fa...1119422&sr=1-3

http://www.amazon.com/Twilight-Deser...1119448&sr=1-1

http://www.energybulletin.net/primer.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peak_oil

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Long_Emergency

We haven't seen anything yet in my opinion.

LIforrelaxin · 04-12-2010, 09:43 PM

It Harper Boat Yard. This is actually kind of sad as I know they at least used to do very good work. My uncle had an old wooden sail boat and they fixed it up years back and it looked beautiful. The thing that impressed me, was that they didn't do anything with talking to my uncle about it. So when the final bill was done there was no surprise.

However I have noticed that they having been moving mutch stuff as of late, but may that just me I don't know. I think the bigger problem might have been location and now a lack of boats to restore. As people have had to tighten their purse strings spending money on olden wooden boats has stopped or turned back into a DIY project.

Just Sold · 04-13-2010, 05:46 AM

I feel very sorry for Harper's. He has been posting his restored boats and others on Craigslist and at very reduced prices. I hope he survives as he is a great resource for wooden boat owners in the Lakes Region.

secondcurve · 04-13-2010, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StephenB

The end of the Oil Age spells many changes for the Winnipesaukee area. Sorry to say that power boating will be one of the first to be hit and hard. Second homes will be harder to pay for and to travel to. Anybody who has read the likes of Matt. Simmons, James Kunstler, Richard Heinberg will understand.

http://www.amazon.com/Long-Emergency...1119390&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Partys-Over-Fa...1119422&sr=1-3

http://www.amazon.com/Twilight-Deser...1119448&sr=1-1

http://www.energybulletin.net/primer.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peak_oil

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Long_Emergency

We haven't seen anything yet in my opinion.

Aren't you cheery today? This is a vast exaggeration. However, the trend is clear and as a result we do need more nuclear plants and gas powered cars. If only the president could get with the program.

chipj29 · 04-13-2010, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StephenB

The end of the Oil Age spells many changes for the Winnipesaukee area. Sorry to say that power boating will be one of the first to be hit and hard. Second homes will be harder to pay for and to travel to. Anybody who has read the likes of Matt. Simmons, James Kunstler, Richard Heinberg will understand.

http://www.amazon.com/Long-Emergency...1119390&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Partys-Over-Fa...1119422&sr=1-3

http://www.amazon.com/Twilight-Deser...1119448&sr=1-1

http://www.energybulletin.net/primer.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peak_oil

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Long_Emergency

We haven't seen anything yet in my opinion.

Is the sky falling too?

LIforrelaxin · 04-13-2010, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StephenB

The end of the Oil Age spells many changes for the Winnipesaukee area. Sorry to say that power boating will be one of the first to be hit and hard. Second homes will be harder to pay for and to travel to. Anybody who has read the likes of Matt. Simmons, James Kunstler, Richard Heinberg will understand.

http://www.amazon.com/Long-Emergency...1119390&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Partys-Over-Fa...1119422&sr=1-3

http://www.amazon.com/Twilight-Deser...1119448&sr=1-1

http://www.energybulletin.net/primer.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peak_oil

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Long_Emergency

We haven't seen anything yet in my opinion.

Well I was going to leave this alone, but seeing that a few others have responded.... What are you an class A {removed}.... A man is at risk of loosing everything he has worked his entire life for. A business and reputation that he has put real blood sweat and tears into. This has nothing to do with the short coming of petroleum or the end of the age. This has to do with this country being in a bad economic depression. Unfortunately restoring old wooden boats, and keeping them in tip top shape is something that can get cut in anyone's budget that has one. Because normally they are a second boat.

As such Mr. Harper has seen a decline of business since this economic depression started over 2 years ago. Unfortunately this depression got so bad he apparently has not been able to just ride it out.

Many great small business have lost the same battle over the last year. And for some one like you to put BS, earthy crunchy, I want to save the world, but don't expect me to live by the rules I preach crap, out as a response for it all is an insult.

(Don please forgive me for the Tone of this rant. But people need to stop being selfish and thinking about agenda. They need to think about how things like loosing everything you own, really effect a person)

wifi · 04-13-2010, 08:44 AM

Correct me if I'm wrong, but IIRC, Harpers did the restoration on the boat in "On Golden Pond". They do great work!

jrc · 04-13-2010, 09:17 AM

I thought we ran out of oil when I was kid? Fool me once...

Because we are now running out of gas and oil, we must prepare quickly for a third change, to strict conservation and to the use of coal and permanent renewable energy sources, like solar power.

JIMMY CARTER, televised speech, Apr. 18, 1977

This business is the victim of a recession. less people buy luxury toys when they worry about making the mortgage or paying for their child's education. I feel soory for the people involved, I'm sure they poured their life into this.

Island Girl · 04-13-2010, 09:58 AM

www.rattlesnakecam.com/jwh/jwh.htm

Lakesrider · 04-13-2010, 11:08 AM

I worry about what things like this mean to the younger generations to come.
I have seen the complete lack of interest kids have today in regards to wanting to do these types of businesses. There may be still a few around, but I see this interest waning. I also worry about the fate of the older antique cars. Will we only see these nice wooden boats and old cars in museums, instead of working, drivable pieces of history? Yes, Harpers, and places like it, might be businesses in trouble, but to me the ramifications are so much more than that.

sa meredith · 04-13-2010, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LocalRealtor

Its halfway between Meredith and the Weirs(after Grouse Point and before the Tamarack), at one point years ago, there was a driving range next door.

Maybe this will refresh some memories----There are or were a bunch of classic wooden boats in racks on the property too(likely customers boats).

You brought back a memory with that post. I remember going to that driving range as a kid in the 70's with my dad. He was not a golfer, but would sit and watch me hit a bucket or two.
When you drive by now, if you look closely, you can still see the remains of a driving range. Almost like it was never renovated...just closed and abandoned.

LIforrelaxin · 04-13-2010, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lakesrider

I worry about what things like this mean to the younger generations to come.
I have seen the complete lack of interest kids have today in regards to wanting to do these types of businesses. There may be still a few around, but I see this interest waning. I also worry about the fate of the older antique cars. Will we only see these nice wooden boats and old cars in museums, instead of working, drivable pieces of history? Yes, Harpers, and places like it, might be businesses in trouble, but to me the ramifications are so much more than that.

Interesting point, very interesting point.....

I think the thing is that it is all about generations.... What was restoring the memorable past for one generations say those born in the late 30's to 50's is different then what is restoring the memorable past for the generation from the 60s and 70s.

I do unfortunately believe that things like antique cars and wooden boats will get rarer and rarer, because of this. To be dedicated to keeping something like that up you have to be a true collector (minority of people) or someone that is interested in doing the work involved because it is restoring a piece a their memorable past.

Shore Driver · 04-13-2010, 11:30 AM

That area between the Meredith roundabout and Roller Coaster Rd is a strange deadzone commercially, it seems. Didn't the basket shop close too? Outside of Pirate's Cove, I don't see much hope for businesses in that little stretch.

Airwaves · 04-13-2010, 11:52 AM

I know the economy was no doubt the biggest factor in Harper's woes, but I also have to wonder if the SL didn't play a role.

Many of those beautiful old expensive boats are very capable of "high" speed and their owners, I would assume, want to put them thru the paces they were designed for. Something that can no longer be done on Winnipesaukee legally.

I would suspect that decisions whether or not to buy or have Harper's restore these old beautys was impacted somewhat by the legal restrictions of their use.

I agree with Lakesrider that most of the next generation does not appear to be interested in undertaking these kinds of projects, of course that could be good news for the tradesmen (and women) that can ride out the economy since they will be able to command a very decent wage catering to those that can play in that expensive field. Probably just not in the Lakes Region.

NoBozo · 04-13-2010, 02:00 PM

I have been interested in old mahogany boats for decades. First of all there are none ..or very few old boats left out there that have not been restored already. My observation over the years has been that the average person who owns these old boats is NOT average, and most do not restore their own boats. They are restored by people like Harpers, New England Boat and Motor etc. Restoring and maintaining old mahogany boats is very labor intensive and requires specialized knowledge (And Money) to get it done right.

For a Restoration Business such as mentioned above, to stay in business, they went to building Replicas well over a decade ago. Harper did this. New England Boat and Motor did this. Those replicas are not cheap. A Replica 1920s race boat can cost $250,000. And as mentioned above, who will be happy with a $250,000 Replica race boat that you can only drive for one weekend every other year (At Speed) at the Wolfeboro Antique Race Boat Regatta.

We have Sound Restrictions, and now Speed Restrictions.

Steam Boats on the other hand don't go fast and don't make any noise..

BUT they Pollute the air with all that dirty smoke while burning down the rain forrest to do it.

So I propose that everyone who wants to go boating should be RESTRICTED to a Solar Powered Kayak..??

NB

LIforrelaxin · 04-13-2010, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoBozo

Steam Boats on the other hand don't go fast and don't make any noise..

BUT they Pollute the air with all that dirty smoke while burning down the rain forrest to do it.

Man you for got about the whistle.... get one of those loud enough and your busted.... you will have to get a silencer just to put on when your in NH.....

VtSteve · 04-13-2010, 03:47 PM

I think a number of things have changed. Us baby boomers and older have way different priorities than we once did. I know some that really got into the car restoration buying, some did spend a great deal on old boats as well. It's an expensive hobby, and one that is generally more appreciated by older folks. Same as our older cars from years gone by.

Perhaps it's the point in time where most of those that could afford it, have Beenn There, Done that. Wealthier folks got into he expensive replicas, many that have fantastic and updated interiors and are fairly easy to maintain.

The economy probably just sped up the process.

I just wonder how many of today's "new" boats would be worth restoring in 20-50 years?

NoBozo · 04-13-2010, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

Man you for got about the whistle.... get one of those loud enough and your busted.... you will have to get a silencer just to put on when your in NH.....

YES: I remembered the whistle after I posted....but hoped no one would notice. The Whistle is indeed a problem with Steamboats. Those people seem to have a need to "Announce" their arrival. I have an easy solution to that problem. Annual inspections of whistles and appropriate Taxes according to how many DBs they emit. While we are at it, we need to consider the particulate matter emitted from the stack as well. This could also be part of an annual "Safety" Inspection.

NB

StephenB · 04-13-2010, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrc

I thought we ran out of oil when I was kid? Fool me once...

Because we are now running out of gas and oil, we must prepare quickly for a third change, to strict conservation and to the use of coal and permanent renewable energy sources, like solar power.

JIMMY CARTER, televised speech, Apr. 18, 1977

This business is the victim of a recession. less people buy luxury toys when they worry about making the mortgage or paying for their child's education. I feel soory for the people involved, I'm sure they poured their life into this.

We in the US *did* run out of easy, cheap, oil. At that time we were importing less than half of what we are now. It's just that the rest of the world had some big oil finds and we realized that we could trade pieces of paper, called US dollars for that new-found oil. Now that world oil is in decline as well.

Quote:

Well I was going to leave this alone, but seeing that a few others have responded.... What are you an class A {removed}.... A man is at risk of loosing everything he has worked his entire life for. A business and reputation that he has put real blood sweat and tears into. This has nothing to do with the short coming of petroleum or the end of the age. This has to do with this country being in a bad economic depression. Unfortunately restoring old wooden boats, and keeping them in tip top shape is something that can get cut in anyone's budget that has one. Because normally they are a second boat.

As such Mr. Harper has seen a decline of business since this economic depression started over 2 years ago. Unfortunately this depression got so bad he apparently has not been able to just ride it out.

Many great small business have lost the same battle over the last year. And for some one like you to put BS, earthy crunchy, I want to save the world, but don't expect me to live by the rules I preach crap, out as a response for it all is an insult.

(Don please forgive me for the Tone of this rant. But people need to stop being selfish and thinking about agenda. They need to think about how things like loosing everything you own, really effect a person)

You don't know me from Joe, so I can understand your misunderstanding me. I truly do care that people are going to lose their homes and businesses as they try to adapt to this change. That's why I called out on the subject. As for the business going under during the current recession/depression, well of course. But what's unsaid here is that the large run up in oil prices pretty much caused the current recession. In fact, just about *every* recession going back to 1974 has been preceded by a run up in oil prices, and this one was no different. (1974, 1979-81, 1991, 2008. Only 2001 - post 9/11, was the exception.) The current recession has EVERYTHING to do with oil. It was the run up in oil prices, combined with an economy choking on a high debt load (personal and governmental) that could no longer afford that debt service when energy prices took off.

I have no "agenda" as you say. I advocated no actions, nor did I attempt to sell anything, or preach anything. Oil Decline isn't "earthy, crunchy, save the earth BS." Matt Simmons, one of my quoted sources, is a well-known energy investment banker, based in Houston, and friend of the Bush family. He is no save the earth hippie. Rather, he is a highly successful business person that has worked his entire life in the energy business, especially the fossil energy business, and he has repeatedly argued since about 2003, that this crunch was coming. So far, he's been dead on with his calls. http://www.simmonsco-intl.com/resear...ype=msspeeches

All I did, is state that the Lakes Region, heavily dependent on powered recreation and second homes, is going to have a tough time dealing with this coming oil crunch.

Calling me names ("class A (removed)"), hardly seems useful under the circumstances.

LIforrelaxin · 04-13-2010, 10:27 PM

StephenB,

your right I don't know you from Joe, but I know the tatics. And like so many people you want to blame the situation in this country to Oil. It is indeed a good target. And it sure seems that it is one of the major culprits. But that is all a smoke screen.

The problem is not oil it never has been, even in the 70s. The oil embargo and issue back then where a result. The overall cause for the situation the country is in is good ole American Greed. The never ending need for more. Something bigger fancier etc. etc.

How many people that drive fullsize trucks and SUV really need them? Hell I can bearly justify mine, but I can. Especially now that it is paid for. The truth is big SUVs became status symbols.... Bigger vehicles need more gas....

Why do people need second homes on a lake that they don't use anymore then as summer homes. yet they build 3K-5K sq ft home and larger which they need to heat with oil.... once agian oil come into play, but it isn't the culprit.

Whats my point here... Oil lack or surplus of it is not the problem. For goodness sake Gas prices are already coming back down after jumping up a week ago. Greed for bigger and better things is what broke in the economy. People got so caught up in bigger and better that they remortgaged properties, put more money on credit cards then they could afford etc. etc.

All of a sudden things like ARM portions of mortgages came into play for people. There mortgage rates climbed they could cover the change.... Credit card rates went back up, and people could find there way out of debt.

As a result people stopped spending, business stopped earning money... especially business that served "luxury items". Why because the gravy train of borrowing money stopped out people where extended out as far as they could go. The business stopped being able to cover there expenses and ride out storm and start closing. Suddenly we where caught in a cyclone of financial disaster.

Now I will by the comment that Oil was a catalyst, one of many catalyst that has cause and will continue to cause economic downturns and depressions. However it has never and will never be the only cause. The Cause always comes back to greed and financially over extending. Whether it be the government, business, or people.

StephenB · 04-13-2010, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

StephenB,

your right I don't know you from Joe, but I know the tatics. And like so many people you want to blame the situation in this country to Oil. It is indeed a good target. And it sure seems that it is one of the major culprits. But that is all a smoke screen.

The problem is not oil it never has been, even in the 70s. The oil embargo and issue back then where a result. The overall cause for the situation the country is in is good ole American Greed. The never ending need for more. Something bigger fancier etc. etc.

How many people that drive fullsize trucks and SUV really need them? Hell I can bearly justify mine, but I can. Especially now that it is paid for. The truth is big SUVs became status symbols.... Bigger vehicles need more gas....

Why do people need second homes on a lake that they don't use anymore then as summer homes. yet they build 3K-5K sq ft home and larger which they need to heat with oil.... once agian oil come into play, but it isn't the culprit.

Whats my point here... Oil lack or surplus of it is not the problem. For goodness sake Gas prices are already coming back down after jumping up a week ago. Greed for bigger and better things is what broke in the economy. People got so caught up in bigger and better that they remortgaged properties, put more money on credit cards then they could afford etc. etc.

All of a sudden things like ARM portions of mortgages came into play for people. There mortgage rates climbed they could cover the change.... Credit card rates went back up, and people could find there way out of debt.

As a result people stopped spending, business stopped earning money... especially business that served "luxury items". Why because the gravy train of borrowing money stopped out people where extended out as far as they could go. The business stopped being able to cover there expenses and ride out storm and start closing. Suddenly we where caught in a cyclone of financial disaster.

Now I will by the comment that Oil was a catalyst, one of many catalyst that has cause and will continue to cause economic downturns and depressions. However it has never and will never be the only cause. The Cause always comes back to greed and financially over extending. Whether it be the government, business, or people.

You and I don't disagree as much as you think perhaps. I could have said myself much of what you just said here, but I would weigh declining world oil supplies more into the equation. Tight world oil markets are what allowed the Wall St. speculators to play radically with oil prices as they did 2 years ago and unfortunately, I think they'll get their chance to do so again.

I concurrently was reading the gas prices thread tonight: http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...080#post124080 and found myself agreeing quite a bit with what VTSteve had to say as well.

Lastly, I really do want to repeat.... I am sympathetic to folks that lose their businesses, especially craftsmen such as the gentleman that was restoring older boats. I did not mean to sound like a cold hearted hippie cheering on the struggles of those dealing with these bad economic times. It's just that I really think that the oil situation is a large part of what's wrong here (or if not now, will be in the future), aided and abetted by a US government that over regulates and over-interferes with it's citizenry and businesses. These latter two phenomenons will combine to severely challenge most all businesses and individuals in the next several years.

SIKSUKR · 04-14-2010, 08:48 AM

I find that both of you make points I agree with.No need for name calling here.

LIforrelaxin · 04-14-2010, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

I find that both of you make points I agree with.No need for name calling here.

SIKSUKR, you are correct.... and after the discord I must admittedly fall upon my sword. It is sharp and I yank it out often, because I am a reactionist. Stephen B. However has shown him self to be thought provoking person. Who is not at all the earthy crunchy type, his first post lead me to believe he was.

Stephen B., I would sit down and talk about things like this with you any time. Please forgive my early comment. I guess after dealing with to many people that don't really have really thought out reasoning behind their stances. Sometimes I jump to conclusions.

Lucky1 · 04-21-2010, 02:43 PM

PS I am very sad that this man is losing his business and hope he can find a way to save it if that is what he wishes. I do see a wooden boat now and then but not often. They do look elegant.

Shedwannabe · 04-21-2010, 03:00 PM

Apropos of the discussion of declining oil (which has an impact on businesses dependent on cheap oil such as boating, automobiles, travel, and much of the rest of the American (and world) economy)

There is a presentation on Friday at the Prescott Education Center near Weirs Beach on the Transition Movement, the network of people around the world who are actively planning for "energy descent" or the time when oil becomes so expensive we have to make major shifts in our economy due to lack of easy oil for our addictions. Friday 6 - 8:30pm

Next month LARELLA will be doing a presentation at their monthly meeting on Energy Descent and local planning on a post-cheap oil world. See http://www.larella.org/meetings.php for more info.

04-11-2010, 11:17 PM	#1
Airwaves Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: I'm right here! Posts: 1,153 Thanks: 9 Thanked 102 Times in 37 Posts	Another business at Winnipesaukee is on the block! Saw this listing with Tranzon Auctions in the Boston Globe today.

04-12-2010, 08:24 AM	#2
birchhaven Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 132 Thanks: 14 Thanked 54 Times in 30 Posts	too bad the owner is a hard working guy, too bad

04-12-2010, 11:50 AM	#8
mcdude Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Rock Haven Lake - West Newfield, ME Posts: 5,367 Thanks: 374 Thanked 1,057 Times in 495 Posts	Back in '03 I snapped a photo of this boat parked at this business. __________________

04-12-2010, 02:43 PM	#10
NoBozo Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Portsmouth. RI Posts: 2,231 Thanks: 400 Thanked 460 Times in 308 Posts	Harpers http://www.harperboats.com/ NB

04-12-2010, 09:43 PM	#13
LIforrelaxin Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Texas, Lake Ray Hubbard and NH, Long Island Winnipesaukee Posts: 2,871 Thanks: 1,037 Thanked 892 Times in 524 Posts	It Harper Boat Yard. This is actually kind of sad as I know they at least used to do very good work. My uncle had an old wooden sail boat and they fixed it up years back and it looked beautiful. The thing that impressed me, was that they didn't do anything with talking to my uncle about it. So when the final bill was done there was no surprise. However I have noticed that they having been moving mutch stuff as of late, but may that just me I don't know. I think the bigger problem might have been location and now a lack of boats to restore. As people have had to tighten their purse strings spending money on olden wooden boats has stopped or turned back into a DIY project. __________________ Life is about how much time you can spend relaxing... I do it on an island that isn't really an island.....

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04-12-2010, 09:02 AM	#3
Lakesrider Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,129 Thanks: 380 Thanked 1,016 Times in 345 Posts	I noticed that the other day as well. I also noticed that the Video store in Wolfeboro closed too. Times are still tough.....

04-12-2010, 09:54 AM	#4
jmen24 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 1,139 Thanks: 223 Thanked 319 Times in 181 Posts	Any insight on what this business was, just says boat storage and repair. Not familar with the appearance of the building to know for sure. Thanks

04-12-2010, 11:12 AM	#5
dpg Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 2,595 Thanks: 153 Thanked 229 Times in 166 Posts	Isn't this the place across from the high school at the top of the hill in Meredith?

04-12-2010, 11:22 AM	#6
Irrigation Guy Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Moultonborough, NH Posts: 484 Thanks: 89 Thanked 138 Times in 72 Posts	Its halfway between Meredith and the Weirs(after Grouse Point and before the Tamarack), at one point years ago, there was a driving range next door. Maybe this will refresh some memories----There are or were a bunch of classic wooden boats in racks on the property too(likely customers boats).

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04-12-2010, 12:05 PM	#9
jmen24 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 1,139 Thanks: 223 Thanked 319 Times in 181 Posts	Ah, directly across from J.B. Scoops. Thank You

04-12-2010, 03:07 PM	#11
ITD Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonboro, NH Posts: 2,927 Thanks: 476 Thanked 691 Times in 387 Posts	Looks like he is still in business from the web site, I hope he pulls it off and keeps his property.

04-12-2010, 07:45 PM	#12
StephenB Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 33 Thanks: 9 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	The end of the Oil Age spells many changes for the Winnipesaukee area. Sorry to say that power boating will be one of the first to be hit and hard. Second homes will be harder to pay for and to travel to. Anybody who has read the likes of Matt. Simmons, James Kunstler, Richard Heinberg will understand. http://www.amazon.com/Long-Emergency...1119390&sr=8-1 http://www.amazon.com/Partys-Over-Fa...1119422&sr=1-3 http://www.amazon.com/Twilight-Deser...1119448&sr=1-1 http://www.energybulletin.net/primer.php http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peak_oil http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Long_Emergency We haven't seen anything yet in my opinion.

04-13-2010, 05:46 AM	#14
Just Sold Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Suncook, NH, but at The Lake at Heart Posts: 2,615 Thanks: 1,083 Thanked 434 Times in 210 Posts	I feel very sorry for Harper's. He has been posting his restored boats and others on Craigslist and at very reduced prices. I hope he survives as he is a great resource for wooden boat owners in the Lakes Region. __________________ Just Sold At the lake the stress of daily life just melts away. Pro Re Nata

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brk-lnt (04-13-2010), BroadHopper (04-13-2010), chipj29 (04-13-2010), ILoveWinnipesaukee (04-13-2010), NoBozo (04-13-2010), robmac (04-13-2010), Ropetow (04-16-2010), Waterbaby (04-17-2010)

04-13-2010, 08:44 AM	#18
wifi Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lakes Region Posts: 1,321 Thanks: 282 Thanked 287 Times in 169 Posts	Correct me if I'm wrong, but IIRC, Harpers did the restoration on the boat in "On Golden Pond". They do great work!

04-13-2010, 09:17 AM	#19
jrc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NH Posts: 2,689 Thanks: 33 Thanked 439 Times in 249 Posts	I thought we ran out of oil when I was kid? Fool me once... Because we are now running out of gas and oil, we must prepare quickly for a third change, to strict conservation and to the use of coal and permanent renewable energy sources, like solar power. JIMMY CARTER, televised speech, Apr. 18, 1977 This business is the victim of a recession. less people buy luxury toys when they worry about making the mortgage or paying for their child's education. I feel soory for the people involved, I'm sure they poured their life into this.

04-13-2010, 09:58 AM	#20
Island Girl Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Central MA Posts: 2,352 Thanks: 18 Thanked 535 Times in 179 Posts	Jerry Harper www.rattlesnakecam.com/jwh/jwh.htm __________________ Island Girl ....... Make Lemonade

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samosetguy (04-16-2010)

04-13-2010, 11:08 AM	#21
Lakesrider Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,129 Thanks: 380 Thanked 1,016 Times in 345 Posts	I worry about what things like this mean to the younger generations to come. I have seen the complete lack of interest kids have today in regards to wanting to do these types of businesses. There may be still a few around, but I see this interest waning. I also worry about the fate of the older antique cars. Will we only see these nice wooden boats and old cars in museums, instead of working, drivable pieces of history? Yes, Harpers, and places like it, might be businesses in trouble, but to me the ramifications are so much more than that.

04-13-2010, 11:30 AM	#24
Shore Driver Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tolland CT Posts: 194 Thanks: 20 Thanked 31 Times in 25 Posts	That area between the Meredith roundabout and Roller Coaster Rd is a strange deadzone commercially, it seems. Didn't the basket shop close too? Outside of Pirate's Cove, I don't see much hope for businesses in that little stretch.

04-13-2010, 11:52 AM	#25
Airwaves Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: I'm right here! Posts: 1,153 Thanks: 9 Thanked 102 Times in 37 Posts	Another factor I know the economy was no doubt the biggest factor in Harper's woes, but I also have to wonder if the SL didn't play a role. Many of those beautiful old expensive boats are very capable of "high" speed and their owners, I would assume, want to put them thru the paces they were designed for. Something that can no longer be done on Winnipesaukee legally. I would suspect that decisions whether or not to buy or have Harper's restore these old beautys was impacted somewhat by the legal restrictions of their use. I agree with Lakesrider that most of the next generation does not appear to be interested in undertaking these kinds of projects, of course that could be good news for the tradesmen (and women) that can ride out the economy since they will be able to command a very decent wage catering to those that can play in that expensive field. Probably just not in the Lakes Region.

04-13-2010, 02:00 PM	#26
NoBozo Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Portsmouth. RI Posts: 2,231 Thanks: 400 Thanked 460 Times in 308 Posts	I have been interested in old mahogany boats for decades. First of all there are none ..or very few old boats left out there that have not been restored already. My observation over the years has been that the average person who owns these old boats is NOT average, and most do not restore their own boats. They are restored by people like Harpers, New England Boat and Motor etc. Restoring and maintaining old mahogany boats is very labor intensive and requires specialized knowledge (And Money) to get it done right. For a Restoration Business such as mentioned above, to stay in business, they went to building Replicas well over a decade ago. Harper did this. New England Boat and Motor did this. Those replicas are not cheap. A Replica 1920s race boat can cost $250,000. And as mentioned above, who will be happy with a $250,000 Replica race boat that you can only drive for one weekend every other year (At Speed) at the Wolfeboro Antique Race Boat Regatta. We have Sound Restrictions, and now Speed Restrictions. Steam Boats on the other hand don't go fast and don't make any noise.. BUT they Pollute the air with all that dirty smoke while burning down the rain forrest to do it. So I propose that everyone who wants to go boating should be RESTRICTED to a Solar Powered Kayak..?? NB

04-13-2010, 03:47 PM	#28
VtSteve Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,320 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 230 Thanked 361 Times in 169 Posts	I think a number of things have changed. Us baby boomers and older have way different priorities than we once did. I know some that really got into the car restoration buying, some did spend a great deal on old boats as well. It's an expensive hobby, and one that is generally more appreciated by older folks. Same as our older cars from years gone by. Perhaps it's the point in time where most of those that could afford it, have Beenn There, Done that. Wealthier folks got into he expensive replicas, many that have fantastic and updated interiors and are fairly easy to maintain. The economy probably just sped up the process. I just wonder how many of today's "new" boats would be worth restoring in 20-50 years?

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LIforrelaxin (04-13-2010)

04-13-2010, 10:27 PM	#31
LIforrelaxin Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Texas, Lake Ray Hubbard and NH, Long Island Winnipesaukee Posts: 2,871 Thanks: 1,037 Thanked 892 Times in 524 Posts	StephenB, your right I don't know you from Joe, but I know the tatics. And like so many people you want to blame the situation in this country to Oil. It is indeed a good target. And it sure seems that it is one of the major culprits. But that is all a smoke screen. The problem is not oil it never has been, even in the 70s. The oil embargo and issue back then where a result. The overall cause for the situation the country is in is good ole American Greed. The never ending need for more. Something bigger fancier etc. etc. How many people that drive fullsize trucks and SUV really need them? Hell I can bearly justify mine, but I can. Especially now that it is paid for. The truth is big SUVs became status symbols.... Bigger vehicles need more gas.... Why do people need second homes on a lake that they don't use anymore then as summer homes. yet they build 3K-5K sq ft home and larger which they need to heat with oil.... once agian oil come into play, but it isn't the culprit. Whats my point here... Oil lack or surplus of it is not the problem. For goodness sake Gas prices are already coming back down after jumping up a week ago. Greed for bigger and better things is what broke in the economy. People got so caught up in bigger and better that they remortgaged properties, put more money on credit cards then they could afford etc. etc. All of a sudden things like ARM portions of mortgages came into play for people. There mortgage rates climbed they could cover the change.... Credit card rates went back up, and people could find there way out of debt. As a result people stopped spending, business stopped earning money... especially business that served "luxury items". Why because the gravy train of borrowing money stopped out people where extended out as far as they could go. The business stopped being able to cover there expenses and ride out storm and start closing. Suddenly we where caught in a cyclone of financial disaster. Now I will by the comment that Oil was a catalyst, one of many catalyst that has cause and will continue to cause economic downturns and depressions. However it has never and will never be the only cause. The Cause always comes back to greed and financially over extending. Whether it be the government, business, or people. __________________ Life is about how much time you can spend relaxing... I do it on an island that isn't really an island.....

04-14-2010, 08:48 AM	#33
SIKSUKR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,075 Thanks: 215 Thanked 903 Times in 509 Posts	I find that both of you make points I agree with.No need for name calling here. __________________ SIKSUKR

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04-21-2010, 02:43 PM	#35
Lucky1 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Moultonborough and FL Posts: 459 Thanks: 318 Thanked 123 Times in 53 Posts	PS I am very sad that this man is losing his business and hope he can find a way to save it if that is what he wishes. I do see a wooden boat now and then but not often. They do look elegant.

04-21-2010, 03:00 PM	#36
Shedwannabe Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Laconia Posts: 133 Thanks: 3 Thanked 22 Times in 15 Posts	Apropos of the discussion of declining oil (which has an impact on businesses dependent on cheap oil such as boating, automobiles, travel, and much of the rest of the American (and world) economy) There is a presentation on Friday at the Prescott Education Center near Weirs Beach on the Transition Movement, the network of people around the world who are actively planning for "energy descent" or the time when oil becomes so expensive we have to make major shifts in our economy due to lack of easy oil for our addictions. Friday 6 - 8:30pm Next month LARELLA will be doing a presentation at their monthly meeting on Energy Descent and local planning on a post-cheap oil world. See http://www.larella.org/meetings.php for more info.