I don't like the new law for sure. But to not understand how it happened, is a pretty good indication of Why it happened. BTW, the original sponsor of the speed law legislation was a Republican.

I've read the posts since the beginning. The real problem is that not everyone has the maturity to know what they are doing, so in the end, people step in and curb them. Your recent posts there speak for themselves.

I think you'd be surprised at those that are against the speed limit. Broke my heart to see that happen on my old lake. My biggest beef was that the existing laws are never/rarely enforced. There are obvious problems over there on Winni, and there have been for over twenty years. Many on that site disagreed with what the prime problems were. So be it. It was debated for two years. Not much room for further discussion I'm afraid.

That site is a regional site for a variety of topics. The speed limit debate not only got heated, but a bit nasty both online and off. That never accomplishes anything. The guy in charge was just making sure his site didn't get overwhelmed and nasty, which it did at times. It's his site, no free speech laws apply. The site owner also does not support the limits, but like many, knows that some groups engage in activities on the lake that made the case for the other side so much easier.

If you want to look at how someone deals with these issues properly and professionally, I'd suggest following the lead of DaveP here. A very professional job for common sense he did. The best way to avoid speed limits is to make sure all involved know you're part of the solution. Reports the drunks and so on. As it is, they include all in one group, guilty or not. Maine is doing likewise I hear.

The argument needed to get away from the boats themselves, and instead, target the offensive people and their actions.

great point. i'm bringing the fountain up for the 4th of july.

out here in NY lake geoge has a 45mph speed limit...but the marine patrol are very reserved about giving people a hard time. run what you want in the open lake and your fine. slow it down in the village and the narrow and your fine. they just want you to use common sence.
come out of the weirs or wolfboro bay at 80+ you are asking for trouble.

I boat on the Great Sacandaga lake in upstate NY (close to lake george) no speed limit, no dba test, no BS. a true party lake.

U ALL SHOULD COME OUT HERE FOR THE POKER RUN IN JUNE.

Winni Boaters . ..

All the negative discussions about speed limits, commentrary about the Marine Patrol and those who worked to create the speed limit, combined with statements of how fast I'll run regardless of the law does not work to create a positive atmosphere towards resolving this in a mutual peace at the end of the two year trial period.

I've lived on Winni, sailed, windsurfed, canoed, water skied and run fast boats there since I was child in the late 50's. I recall windsurfing in Weirs Bay at light bouy #1 on the 4th of July in my teens . . and couldn't even imagine this now on any summer weekend.

The problem on Winni is not those of us with fast boats, we know that! The irresposible boaters are those with Sea Ray Sundancer type of boats that create 5' waves, cruise below planning speed and turn the lake into a mess of unnavigable waves for the shore front owner, destroying the shoreline in the process.
Many shorefront residents own only the day boat, or a small runabout that can't be used on weekends because of the rough waters. This to frustrates me, as I own an 18' Donzi, that consequently will not be used on weekends.
I believe it is our responsibilty as the noisiest group of boaters to operate with the greatest level of respect . . as we are noticed solely because of the noise we make. We can set an example, and push to have the laws enforced that need to be enforced.

We have two years where this is a trial period, during a time when the NH Marine Patrol and the state budget is in dire straits. This can work to our advantage, and return NH waters to a free place to enjoy!

Yup, their trying and the Rep that penned the bill is also a republican.
IMO most republicans are now democrat lite.
New Hampshire's current legislature is VERY liberal.

At the Maine hearing we had a large group of boat owners, business owners that supply the industry, and the Commandant of the fish and game on our side. Most all spoke of education not more laws. Their were very few for the bill. One of the women that spoke at the hearing wanted ALL performance boats off the inland waters. These people are nuts but, if you don't keep on it they get things passed. Evidently 9 voted 7 no's 2 yes and its still not dead.

As for offensive actions that is exactly what needs to be enforced theirs already plenty of laws on the books. And fellow boaters need to step up when someones being an idiot.

OCDACTIVE

Yes it's an uphill battle . . .and I to have been fighting this for several years with letters , meetings in Concord and many direct phone calls with the elected folks in Concord.

As I see it, a major part of the problem was the voices at the top of the podium opposed to the speed limit . . in many cases these were the dealers of the performance boats, those that stand to gain monetarily from the sales of fast boats.

Because of accidents on Winni with fatalities involving fast boats, owned by these dealers, and the Donzi accident many years ago . . again a dealer boat, these people should have NEVER become the voice of the opposition. IMO, this alone ruined any chance of defeating the speed limit.

What was needed was the opposition to have been based around shore front owners, pleasure boat owners, sailboaters, and folks with a rational approach. Which needed to be backed up by loads of data and information as to where NH's present MP is failing.

I attended several public hearings in Concord, I do not recall that it was ever stated by anyone of authority where the issues really are. The MP took a stand in opposition, but never acknowledged their own failures to control many situations, like safe passage, 150' rule, no wake, etc.. They took a stand on education . .

From your ID your a NH resident and tax payer, and as such your NH taxes support Winni in some fashion.

Part of the problem is control of lake use . . there are many boats trailered to Winni that do not contribute to the local or state economy, we have marinas that track fuel usage for all their customers, so they can get a tax refund, because most boat owners are too lazy to do it themselves. These same folks drive their SUV to NH from out of state, loaded with their own supplies, get on board their sleep aboard barge, go make waves, and drive home . .maybe they buy a bit of road fuel, but other than that their contribution to NH is very little. You and I pay for it, and the shorefront owner gets nailed harder. These boats are kept at the same marinas that fought the speed limit.
I will say that boat owners do contribute to the restaurants and bars in the ports, but the portion of boat owners that do do this is a small minority of those that use the lake.

If you take a close look at who owns marinas and boat dealerships on Winni, or even in NH, likely you can count the owners on your finger tips! A very select few folks are getting rich, and the shorefront owners who fought so hard to oppose this law are well aware of the dynamics.

Opposition needs to be based differently, some of the politicians that voted for this have never been on a boat, most never on Winnipesaukee! Maybe we need to invite them for a cruise on our boats, and show them the problem!

At the same point, imagine if the owners of the fast loud boats aligned them selves with the Marine Patrol . .

OCDACTIVE, my original reply was to stir the waters, to open a dialog in different direction, as only through discussion and cooperation can we find a solution.

Mario,

You seem to have a significant amount of time invested in this problem and quite knowledgable about the details.

to OCDACTIVE's point, How do we proceed? Does it have to do with strength in numbers, do we need to start a petition, Maybe a rally? Correct me if I am wrong but the law is in place for 2 years and nothing will change that.

How do we make an impression over the next two years so when it is up for discussion again our concerns can be heard and respected rather then coming across as a bunch of azzhole go fast boat owners!

I just think this we should start planning now as 2 year window will be gone in no time!

502ss,

Yes it's in place for the next two years . . so during this time we need to not get caught . . the more tickets they write, the less the chance of getting it revoked . .

No one here drives 65 mph on the highway when traffic is moving 80 and no one calls the cops on you as you wizz by. . .but for us the big difference as I see it is the spectators we have, the shore front residents that hear us, the kayaker who is enjoying solitude . . to that end I believe we know that running through in between the islands at speed will piss people off, so some level of respect for those that we share the lake with will need to be part of the common ground. Lead by example . . .and this will build respect for us.

here's my thoughts . . fwiw
This will take a huge effort and some strong individuals to lead, people that do not have connections to the marine industry here in NH.

I believe we'll need a massive group of involved people that are NH taxpayers, shorefront owners, etc. These folks need to directly contact their representatives, through letter writing, phone calls, emails, and possibly even courtesy boat trips as a beginning.

We as a group need to recruite other boaters on the lake. And those recruited need to be a select bunch . .

I believe there is a way for the group to work with Marine Patrol to gain support.

The hardest part is controlling the boat operator who is irresponsible, dangerous and also operates a fast loud boat.
They will do more harm to us with a few bad actions.

One last item, to whom it may apply . . .
. . . spell WINNIPESAUKEE correctly

Mario,

I would have to agree with OCDACTIVE on this one. but I guess either way you look at it it's a double edged sword. damned if you do damned if you don't!

This is a long shot but what if a group of us took a few weekends this summer and drove around the lake and stopped at the houses that have high performance boats parked at them. We would explain our cause and try to get their support to fight this law. This would be step one, then you target other properties, even properties that don't have boats and collect as much support as possible. This would have to be very organized and peaceful so as not to piss off any true speed limit belivers but let them hear what we have to say, of course you just can't say "These laws won't work, 45MPH is too slow, blah blah blah" We all need to show our willingness to particiapte in the enforcement of the real problems like DWI's or excessive speeding in tight areas, etc. This may even include having to turn in fellow boaters that break these rules but I feel that if you show the people that even high performance boaters have common sense then maybe just maybe that will deter the knee jerk reactions like imposing the speed limit.

Just my 2 cents!

All good ideas . . my point on not getting a speeding ticket . . should possibly have been more clarified, long posts when I'm tired I tend to skip details . .

If I get one in my Donzi on the Broads on a Tuesday afternoon going 65 . . I'll fight it, but If I got one going 70 between Eagle and Governors . . I deserve it . .

That said, my boat will have a Valentine 1 on board . . just like my cars . . . I won't get a ticket!

It is very easy to buy a mailing list of every NH registered boat, and also every registered high performance boat in New England . . and to do a mass mailing . . it will take some money . .

To start an active forum discussion is great, but I'm concerned about how much information becomes public for the consumption of the moderator at that other forum and his group of friends .
Drafting folks to a forum sight specifically for this topic . . where and how. . . .I'm happy to kick in some $$ for website .. .like boatsafeNH.com . . . or boatingin-NH.com
set up a forum, easy stuff ..

write up a charter / mission statement that clearly defines the reason for the site:
to promote safe boating, while also eliminating the speed limit.
Can't hide the mission!

All the direct mailings and information I rec'd during the first round had specific talking points, I felt this loaded the deck towards the lobby, which was sponsored by the marine industry . . read my earlier thoughts on them.

We could certainly get some pointers from the anti helmet lobby and motorcyclists in NH. We loose 10+ bikers every year, and on bike weekend I know we loose alot . . yet they continue to win their case . . . granted NH has the highest density of registered motorcycles in the USA . . Certainly if any on of us were to hit a biker and they were to die, regardless of who's fault the accident was, we would certainly be scarred for life . .