Conference vicki::boats

    Rick - Is this 'first launch' going to be a 'get together' like last
    year too? (I hope so) I know MY BOAT will be there!
    
    				Kenny

re                <<< Note 791.0 by GOLF::WILSON "Go Patriots!" >>>
>                            -< 1991 Ice Out Topic >-

>    OK, here's the 1991 ice-out topic.  Use it to discuss ice-out
>    progress, contests (no wagering), first launch parties, etc...

	OK, here goes for my guesses.

	Littleton/Westford Forge pond/mattawannakkee   Mid March


	Merrimac river at North Chelmsford	Jan 20, Feb 10, Feb 27
	(with some closings between these dates)


	Lakes in Northern Vermont 		Mid April, but I won't 
		(Willoughby, Seymour, etc.)  	ski there until late May.


	VCRs & TVs				All winter long.


	All else				Don't care.


	R

    There's open water on Canobie Lake, of course you can't ski there.

    
    
    	I am mostly a silent reader in this file.  But I must share.
        From all the wind and rain the past couple days, the lake I
        live on is totally free of ice.  The docks are going in tomorrow
        and boats on Saturday.  As far as skiing, I won't allow my
        daughters to ski until it warms a little...even though they
        have dry suits.   Water is still a little low.  I live in
        Mass. on a private lake with not many year rounders..so we
        enjoy the time we have to ourselves until Memorial Day when
        folks open up for the summer.
    
        /vrf/
     
        

    
    re:                      <<< Note 791.4 by WMOIS::FAVREAU >>>
    
    	Well, if you have the urge to pull any skiers, just let us know!
    Is your boat equipped with a barefoot boom?.........
    
    That's only a subtle hint, isn't it?   :-)
    
    Rick

RE: .5  I'll add to your box score:  Mustangs 1, Engines 0  :-)  Soon, though,
very soon!

RE: .4  I assume you purposely did not mention what lake you live on?  In any
case, as Rick (.5) said, anytime you want some skiing company just drop a note
in here...there's at least a half-dozen of us nutsoid cold water skiers ready to
take to the water.

BTW, ice is out on Ft. Meadow (at leastwithin view of the causeway, though the
water is still low).  Quinsig looked iced-out last night.  I went over the Rt. 9
bridge about 7:00, and it looked pretty clear (it was dark).  As I headed up
North Lake Ave. I noticed a boat trolling passed the condos, complete with aft
pole light...maybe a Bayliner or something of that variety.  It looked like he
was just out for an evening cruise, just like it was July!

...Roger...

    I can confirm that the ice is long gone on Fort Meadow.
    BUT the water is still down 3-4 feet and I would not put my
    boat in yet even if it was warm.  There is a good amount of
    water that you can safely boat in but there are alot of hiden
    stuff that you normally just go over when the water is up.
    If you know the lake well go for it.
    
    One guy in my ski club put his boat in last weekend,
    he has it docked at his house and they have skied a few
    time so far.  I myself have not been so bold yet.  But I do think
    that April will be a great month for skiing.
    
    Mike
    
    
    

    Wolfeboro Bay was a quarter free of ice two weeks ago, FWIW.
    (That's on Winnipesaukee.)

	Matta_whats_it_ski  is open, there's just a little pack ice in 
the opening to the channel - but who goes in that way (-:

	Reg	{Laughing all the way to the HEATED car}

RE: .-1

That's "Man-I-Wanna-Ski" !!  :-)

Does that mean you were *on* the water?  And you didn't tell us?  Chump!  :-)

...Roger...

I can also confirm that as of March 4th... Quinsig is clear.. however, there's
lots of debris (especially up at the north end where 290 overpass is)

Down where I live (south east end) the water is really nice and clean and 
its also up about 1.5 ft above normal..  

gotto get to the barn and pull 'moody blues' out of the moth balls!

happy (and of course, safe) '91 season to all!

Roger

	Errr, somewhere in this (or a different) topic there was 
mention made of some sort of  

"First Launch of the Season (for the late first launchers) festivities"


i.e.       *_Party on the WATER !_*


	...and I thought it was to be this week-end, and that wimps in 
wet suits would be invited to play on/in the water.

	Reg	{never DID find the winterizing note}

Yeah, I thought that the magic date was March 23rd.  That's *THIS* Saturday.  Is
it still on?  Any decisions on where to do it?  I don't think ice is an issue at
most lakes/rivers around the Rt. 495 area.

...Roger...

This Saturday is bad for me, you'll have to go it alone.  We're shooting
for next Saturday, 30th.  

I feel like the season is passing by without me...    :-(


Rick

    The weather is supposed to be lousy tomorrow anyway.
    (cold/rain/snow/wind/etc.)  I vote for a "nice" day.
    Doug

What's the weather supposed to be like on Sunday.  Looks like I will be
in Mass. with nothing else to do.  Should I pack my dry suit?  Oh please
someone say yes.  I'd love to ski with you crazies again.

Rob....who's freezing in N. Mex.

    
    Methinks it's supposed to be cold and rotten all weekend.
    
    Next Saturday for sure...
    
    Rick

    
    	Hey.... anyone on the tube this weekend? I might be
    "test" running "Corrective Action" on Sunday. Anyone 
    want a pull?
    
    Rick

    
    
    	NOW ?
    
    

    
    Anyone wanna try again this Saturday?
    
    Rick, did you go yesterday?
    
    
    Rick

    
    Nope, didn't make it out Saturday... I'll be ready this weekend
    although I'm not sure if my schedule will be....
    
    Mid-week is supposed to be in the 60s...
    
    Rick

    Anybody know if ice is out on Lake Winnipausikki?

    Rumor has it Sebago in Maine is clear, so it looks
    good for Winni P.
    
                                      Jeff (Captain)
                                      Team Starcraft

re: .21

Alton Bay on Winnipesaukee was partially melted this past weekend.  I wonder
how many sunken cars and/or ice fishing huts are at the bottom of the bay this
year.  ;-)

    
    re: .24
    
    	Unfortunately the fishing huts *float* so we can hit them with
    our newly rebuild, shiny props.....
    
    Rick

    
    Anyone have an update on Lake Winnipesaukee?  I'm gettin' itchy
    to get out there.  According to my Lake Winnie ice-out chart, 
    the earliest ice-out was on this day back in 1921, so anything's
    possible!
    
    Rick

    I called Waldrons Bait Shop in Merideth.  They said ice was not out
    yet.
     
    Their guess is that it will go out about April 10th.
    
    

    So what's the plan for Saturday?  It was so nice today, I almost 
    went by myself.
    
    Anne

    This topic is good as any. The SWEET DREAM II hit the salt
    yesterday. The gale winds and 4-6 sea inside salem sound made
    for a great shake down cruise but not to condusive to fishing.
    She is resting happily in the slip ready for a great season ahead
    (it can only get better from yesterday).
    
    Bruce  

	What does  "ice out"  mean ?   All ice is gone ?   Biggest
chunk is smaller than a person ?  smaller than a boat ?  smaller than
a LARGE boat ?  There's enough free water to launch ?   to exceed
headway speed ?   To ski ?   To foot ?  {perchance to dream,,,,,,  
..zzzz    ....where was I ?}

Oh, re Winni

	According to Bob at Forrest Marine in Tyngsboro he could see a 
little ice floating around from his place on Winni about 3 weeks ago.  

I don't know where his place is on Winni, I don't even know Winni - 
FWIW, etc.


	R

    The Falcon made her shake down cruise on Shadow Lake in Salem, N.H. last
    night.  It was windy but she shook down ok.  Winni is still not ice 
    free.  
    
    Ice out to us boaters means enough room to get the boat into the water
    and cruise some without playing Titanic.
    
    

    RE: Reg
    At Lake Winnipesaukee, it's considered ice-out when the route of 
    the Mount Washington cruise ship is clear.  That is; Center Harbor,
    Weirs Beach, Wolfeboro Bay, and probably Meredith Bay too.
    
    You mean you're NOT familiar with Lake Winnie!!!???  You don't know
    what you're missing!  I see lots of Nautiques out there, you should
    have no problem during the week, and just steer clear of the Weirs
    on weekends.  It can get rough, but a lot of the horror stories you
    hear are exaggerated.  I've covered almost the entire lake in a day
    in a 14' boat, and that included the Weirs and the "Broads".
    
    BTW, My wife pointed out last summer that it's obvious the landmarks
    on the lake were named by men.  Names include the Broads, the Witches,
    Sally's Gut, and Nipple Rock.  These are official names that are on
    the map.  It'd be interesting if women were given a shot at renaming 
    a few landmarks.    8^)
    
    Rick

re 	<<< Note 791.32 by NRADM::WILSON "On the boat again..." >>>
    
>    You mean you're NOT familiar with Lake Winnie!!!???  You don't know

	Not with the lake - though in a former life I once got an 
award for the longest wheelie on the main drag at Weird Beach, would
have got the most expensive ticket of the season too if they'd caught
me. 

    
>    BTW, My wife pointed out last summer that it's obvious the landmarks
>    on the lake were named by men.  Names include the Broads, the Witches,
>    Sally's Gut, and Nipple Rock.  These are official names that are on
>    the map.  It'd be interesting if women were given a shot at renaming 
>    a few landmarks.    8^)

	Watch out, activist revisionist herstorians probably have it 
on their agendii 

	R	{keep Yer front wheel  Hiiiiii}

    Re: .29
    
    Bruce, I bet you had fun. The wind was gusting over 50 knots at
    my house. 
    
    Steve

    Official ice-out for Lake Winnipesaukee was April 8th, 3:16pm
    
    (heard on WMUR news this morning)
    
    -donmac 

    
    
    ALL RIGHT!  It went quick, we drove up last Thursday to check
    conditions and it was still pretty well iced over.  Must be those
    summer temps we've seen the last several days.
    
    The first trip is Saturday.  Anyone else?
    
    Rick

      		Count on my boat being there!!!
    
    				Kenny

Just a quick update from the first trip to Lake Winnie this past Saturday.

As mentioned in another note, the water is about 1-1�' below normal.  Gotta
watch for the usual low spots, but the good side is that there's little or
no current through the channel at the Weirs.

There is an amazing "lack" of junk floating in the lake.  We probably 
covered about 30 or 40 miles, and I only saw one piece of debris, (a 
two foot long 2"x4") worth worrying about.  

Several of the markers are off position or missing, things won't be "normal"
for several more weeks.

Water temp is between 46-48 degrees.

Land clearing has begun on the lots at Blueberry Cove.  The lake's best
swimmin' hole is about to go residential, enjoy it while ya' can.

And most noticeable is that the Marine Patrol is certainly making its
presence known, to put it mildly.  We didn't see any patrol boats out
repositioning markers, but they were pretty busy with the binnoculars
and checking registrations.  Don't make any mistakes...

Rick

    
    	Thanks for the guided tour of Winnipesaukee (did I spell it right?)
    on Saturday, Rick!
    
    	I hadn't seen that much of the lake before, as I'm not as familiar
    with it as you are. One of my main concerns was how rough the lake
    would be and how the Nautique would handle it. Almost the entire lake
    was smooth (even found some water to 'foot on in Blueberry Cove)!
    
    	We kept hoping the sun would break thru the clouds, but it managed
    to stay behind them until the drive home.
    
    	The lake cops were *UNBELIEVABLE*! Every bay we entered, they were
    on us with the binoculars. In the Wiers channel one of them pulled me
    over and said "I know it's not posted yet, but this is a no wake zone"
    as I idled thru in the Nautique, which does send out small ripples
    at idle speed. When I informed him that I was moving as slow as I
    could, he said "In and out of gear"... yeah right, does he wanna
    rebuild my reverse gear?
    
    	As we pulled back into Smith Cove to pull the boats out a very
    young occifer of the law pulls up to me (almost smashing into the
    Nautique) and says "Does that sticker say '92?" I inform him that
    it does indeed say '92, and he checks the paper registration anyway.
    Then says "I thought Mass stickers were green" I felt like telling
    him the only thing "green" was him!
    
    	A beautiful day on a beautiful lake.... although the temps
    could have been 30 degrees warmer....
    
    Thanks Rick W.
    
    Rick

    I also have spent a lot of time on "the big lake". I have never heard
    of "Blueberry Cove" either. I looked at the chart in my office for 20
    minutes with out finding it. Maybe this name is a local alias for the
    real name??  
    
    Just curious..
    
    Scott
    

    Near Blueberry Island?  Perhaps??
    
    DW

    It's on the west side Moultonboro Neck.  It's right near the Kona
    Mansion Inn.  It's pretty much directly across from the entrance
    to Center Harbor.
    
    On the 1990 charts it's marked as a "no rafting" zone.
    
    Rick

    Re: J H-C:
      The Other name for Blueberry Island is Minister Island, between Black
    Cat Island and Moultonborough.  Is Hermit Cove a posted No-Skiing Zone
    on the Winni Nav Chart?
    
    Doug

    
    	Gee, I wonder if anyone had their "binoculars" out on
    Saturday!?! 
    
    	Oh, I'll put my whining in another note!
    
    Rick

    re: .44
    
    John, lighten up.  I know you don't think much of water skiers,
    but the area Rick skied is perfectly acceptable for skiing.  It
    was not at Glines Island, wherever that is.  The area is from
    Blueberry Cove (not Island) up toward Camp Iroquois.
    
    You can report it to the Marine Patrol if you'd like, but if
    all the rules regarding no wake zones and minimum distances are
    followed, there's not much you can do about it.  You don't want
    people skiing on the river, you don't want them skiing near *you*
    on the lake.  Skiing is an acceptable form of recreation, where 
    do you propose it take place?
    
    Rick

    Hi John,
    
    Keep in mind as well, that a boat pulling a skier creates a much
    smaller wake than the boat crusing at half speed or so.  My bassboat
    used to have a 20 H.P. motor on it and it threw a MUCH bigger wake
    than now, with the 75.  My experiece with the high powered ski boats
    (somewhat limited) seems to indicate that a ski boat generally 
    creates a much smaller wake than other boats in it's size range.
    
    I agree with you 100% about the closeness to shore issue.  Boats 
    should always remain an adequate distance from shore when up on
    plane.
    
    FWIW
    
    Walter
    

    I've re-read the last several notes and I'm not sure of all the
    names being used.  Hermit Cove is in back of Braun Bay.  I'm
    not sure if it is posted as a no-skiing zone or not, buy you
    definitely can not ski into the cove without getting closer than
    allowed to the shore or marker bouys.
    
    That's about the only part of the lake I'm real familiar with since
    we have a house towards the  end of Moultonboro neck.
    
    Mark,
    

    		Ice is out from the Gulf of Finland, has been a couple of
    		weeks now. Still too cold for skiing.
    
    		Competition: who is the first person to find out where *is*
    		Gulf of Finland?
    
    		- Jyri -

	Following the wind and rain last week-end the Merrimac River
is quite high and now has much more floating Debris than it did a
couple of months ago. I picked out significant chunks of 4 x 4
(lumber, not truck) last night, a couple of fireplace sized logs and
some branches.  The refrigerator has made it past MP&M, the deer was
in mid river just behind Sears at the Peasant Brain Mall. 

	Watch out.

	Reg

    
    re: .52
    
    > Too cold to ski? Whats that?
    
    Yeah Reg,
    
    	The junk in the merrimuck is incredible right now! But, some
    people still foot in it!
    
    Rick

Well, if there's that much crap floating in the river I'll pass on skiing there
for a bit.  After last year's 2-week layup because I 'footed over a 2x4, I'll
stay with the lakes, thank you.

...Roger...

P.S.  A refrigerator?  A deer?  Really?  Unbelieveable!

    Too cold to ski ==> water +1 Celsius degrees, air -5 to +5 Celsius...
    
    OK, real skiiers do it anyway, but I'd like to enjoy the skiing...(so,
    am I not real man???).
    
    - Jyri -

    Hey Jyri-  You probably are a real man; It's us that must be reptiles.
    :^)
    DW

    
    Anyone know the status of "ice out" at Lake Winnie?
    
    Rick

    I was told (second hand) that one of the natives around Winnipesaukee
    claims that the ice goes off the lake 10 days after Lilly Pond
    (West of the Laconia Airport, where Metz antennas are made),
    and Lilly Pond cleared last Friday. That would make ice out on 
    Monday the 13th.
    
    Bill
    

    It was still tight to the shores on 4/4 and not out to the bandstand
    in Alton Bay. This week should open up the shorelines but I think the
    13th is at least a week early for ice out. Will be up there this Sat.
    and check it out.
    
    Wayne

    There as at least 8 inches of ice on Braun Bay and Hermit Cove (up
    around Long Point near 5-Mile Island) last weekend.

Was up at Winnie for a while yesterday.  There's some open water in front
of the Gilford town docks at Smith Cove, and there are other open areas
that extend a few hundred feet from shore.

But for the most part, the lake is still frozen, say 90%.  That combined
with about 3" of fresh snow Friday night and Saturday made the place a
regular winter wonderland.

I would guess it'll be another week or so.

Rick