Canoe & Kayak Access to
Dog Cove from NH 25-B at the Squam Lakes Association’s
Belknap Woods property. Very limited parking and carry
in is 200 feet.
Marinas: Launching
and overnight parking at the west end of Little Squam at
Squam Bridge Landing. Contact local marinas for launching
information.
Safe Passage: You must operate your boat
at headway speed (less than 6 mph) when you are within
150 feet of any person, place, or thing. Within most of
the narrow channels and next to or between islands, it
is not legal to pass or overtake another boat except at
headway speed. Unfortunately, distances over water are
hard to estimate, but to help emphasize the importance
of this rule, SLA has placed markers at the entrance to
the Squam River at the west end of Big Squam and at the
west end of Little Squam. Use them to help sharpen your
sense of distance. Observing this safe passage rule is
more than a matter of safety; it is also a courtesy much
appreciated by operators of small boats.
Right-of-Way: Boats approaching head-on
should veer to the right. When two boats approach each
other at an angle, the boat on the right has the right-of-way.
However, powerboats must yield to all non-powered boats,
including sailboats, windsurfers, rowboats, kayaks and
canoes.
Lifejackets: Every boat must carry a wearable
personal floatation device (Type I, II, or III) for each
person on board, and children under 12 must wear theirs
at all times. Boats 16 feet or longer must also carry one
throwable Type IV PFD.
Speed: The maximum speed allowed for boats
on the Squam Lakes is 40 mph in the daytime and 20 mph
at night. Bean and Nichols coves are posted for 10 mph,
and certain channels are posted as 'no-wake' areas.
Lights: From sundown to sunrise, every
boat must display a white light visible in all directions.
Powerboats must also display red and green running lights.
Water-skiing: A water-skier is considered
to be 'part of the boat.' Thus, the skier must abide by
the 150-foot safe passage rule described above. An observer
(13 or older) is required in the tow boat, in addition
to the driver, to monitor the skier. If you are towing
two water-skiers, two observers are required. Skiers must
wear approved life preservers. Anything towed by a boat
(a tube or other inflatable, for example) is subject to
all water-skiing rules. Water-skiing is prohibited in Rattlesnake
and Squaw coves.
Personal Watercraft with a capacity of
two persons or less are prohibited on the Squam
Lakes.
Age: In New Hampshire, the operator of
a boat over 25 horsepower must be at least 16 years old
unless accompanied by an adult with a safe boating certificate.
Boating While Intoxicated: To operate
a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is
a serious offense with equally serious consequences, including
a fine or imprisonment, as well as loss of operating privileges
for up to a year. There is also a fine for refusing to
submit to a blood alcohol test.
Other Requirements: Powerboats must carry
a horn and a fire extinguisher, and gasoline must be carried
in a Coast Guard-approved container. Boats with motors
and sailboats or windsurfers 12 feet or longer must be
registered in New Hampshire or another state.
Houseboats: Boats which have both sleeping
and toilet facilities are prohibited on the Squam Lakes.
New Hampshire Boating Regulations: For
the boating regulations from the State of New Hampshire,
please click on:
http://boat-ed.com/nh/handbook/
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