Frequently Asked Questions About
Q: What is the minimum and maximum time length of a cruise?
A: Minimum cruise time is one hour and the maximum (full day) is 6 hours. Commercial charters may extend up to 12 hours.
Q: What other time segments are available?
A: You may customize your cruise in half hour segments from 1 to 3 hours.
Q: May we do stopovers in various ports?
A: Yes, stopovers are possible and count as part of your cruise time.
Q: Is Latitude 43° available for special events?
A: Yes, advance reservations are required.
Q: Where are guests picked up?
A: We will choose and confirm a location that makes sense to all. Many resorts around the lake and town docks are possible choices.
Q: Does Latitude 43° offer a "taxi service?"
A: Short run taxi services are only available if the guest chooses to pay a 1 hour minimum charge.
Q: Does the boat have a restroom?
A: Yes, the crew will instruct guests how it operates.
Q: How large is Latitude 43°?
A: Overall length including swim platform and bow pulpit is over 32 feet.
Q: How is the boat powered?
A: Latitude 43° has an inboard diesel powered 315HP Yanmar engine.
Q: What is the draft of the boat?
A: Approximately 32" but it changes according to load factor.
Q: When and where was the boat built?
A: The boat was custom built by Back Cove Yachts in Rockland Maine. Launch date for this new boat is Spring 2011.
Q: What is the design of the boat?
A: It is a Maine "Down East Cruiser" designed to off shore (ocean) specifications. In Maine, it's commonly called a lobster boat.
Q: Is the boat owner operated?
A: Yes the owners serve as skipper and first mate.
Q: What made you decide to share your boat with guests?
A: Our love of boating on Lake Winnipesaukee.
Q: What are your most favorite spots on the lake?
A: Deep Cove and some others we will tell you about on your charter cruise.
Q: How long have you been cruising on Lake Winnipesaukee?
A: Over 40 years.
Q: Do you offer tours on any of the other lakes in the area?
A: No.
Q: Do any famous people live on the lake?
A: Yes, we have many famous authors, artists, actors and sports people in the lakes area e.g. Bobby Carpenter (Bruins and Washington Capitals), Barbara Delinsky (author), The Marriotts of hotel fame and others.
Q: Are there any poisonous snakes in NH?
A: Supposedly not, but we could be wrong!
Q: Where do loons spend the winter?
A: On coastal waters.
Q: How many eggs does a loon lay?
A: Two.
Q: How fast can a loon fly?
A: They say up to a 100mph for a short period of time.
Q: What do loons eat?
A: Fish and crustaceans and the occasional duckling.
Q: Where do loon chicks rest when very young?
A: On their parents back.
Q: What type of fish are in the lake?
A: Salmon, perch, bass, rainbow lake trout, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, round whitefish, land locked salmon and eastern pickerel.
Q: What other wildlife can you find on or near the lake?
A: Snapper turtles, moose, deer, ducks, Canada geese, mink, otter and beaver.
Q: Can you scuba dive on the lake?
A: Yes, there are many wrecks, walls, fish population and great visibility.
Q: What other activities are on the lake?
A: Kayaking, tubing, boating, water skiing, ice and water fishing, swimming, jet skiing and snow mobiling to name just a few.
Q: Who patrols the lake?
A: The NH Marine Patrol. They are based in Smith's Cove, Gilford and offer boater education for all recreation and commercial boat operators. They are the law enforcement agency on the lake.
Q: Do you need a boating license?
A: By Jan 1st, 2008 all boat operators 16 years and older must be licensed.
Q: Do the lake levels fluctuate with the seasons?
A: Yes, in October 2005 the lake reached a record high of 11 inches above full lake level. The dam in Lakeport had to be opened to drop the lake levels. Ironically in April 2006 the lake was 7-8 inches below its normal level for that time of year, due to lack of snow and an extremely dry spring. Full lake level is 504.32' above sea level. The winter water ice level is about 2 feet less.
Q: How deep is Lake Winnipesaukee?
A: Max. depth is approximately 180 feet off Rattlesnake Island.
Q: How big is Lake Winnipesaukee?
A: 72 square miles, or 44,586 acres.
Q: What temperature is the lake?
A: Varies between 67-74 °, during a warm summer and in coves it can reach 80°.
Q: What does "Winnipesaukee" mean?
A: It is an Indian word meaning "Smile of the Great Spirit."
Q: How many miles is it to drive around the lake?
A: 63 miles. If you explore every side road, double this figure.
Q: How many islands are on the lake?
A: Folklore says that there are 365 islands on the lake, one for each day of the year, other sources say that there are only 274.
Q: How do the people who live on the islands receive mail?
A: Via the Sophie C mail boat.
Q: When is ice out declared?
A: When the Mount Washington cruise ship is able to travel to all of its ports of call in the spring.
Q: How thick does the ice need to be to support a small/medium car?
A: 10 – 16 inches!
Q: How thick does the ice get in the winter?
A: Up to 2-3 feet or more in some areas. A few areas' never freeze because of underwater springs.
Q: Did the Indians live here?
A: Yes, the Lakes Region area of New Hampshire was home to the Abenaki Indians for many years.
Q: Are there children's camps on the islands?
A: Yes, during the 1930s, there were as many as 72 established camps in the Lakes Region, some still remain.
Q: Are there any castles on the lake?
A: Yes, in 1869 Sleepers Island had a castle built supposedly to look like the Castles you see on the Rhine River in Germany! Located close to Alton Bay.
Q: Are there special events on the lake year round?
A: Yes, in the summer, there are boat races, steam boat rallies, fishing competitions, etc. In the winter, there are ice fishing derbies, iceboat races and dog sledding competitions to name just a few.
Q: Where is the best shopping around the lake?
A: There are many towns on the lake that offer a variety of tax free shopping; Wolfeboro has several shops, Weirs Beach contains the majority of gift shops, Meredith features the Mill Falls Marketplace and Center Harbor has specialty stores including Keepsake Quilting.
Q: Are there any theatres on the lake?
A: Weirs Beach has the Winnipesaukee Playhouse which is within walking distance from the public dock.
Q: Can you visit and walk around any islands?
A: All islands are private and permission is needed to go ashore.