Waterskiing on Windermere?

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Just spent the day kayaking on Windermere. Still lots of motorboats around but chugging about. Reminded me of when I was a lad we had a skiboat at Low Wood with 2 stroke 150 engine.
Would like to do that again with my boys. Anyone know how strict the speed limit is? They advertise water skiing but can't imagine it being much good at 10mph if possible at all.

Is it still a case of go to middle of lake out of the way and then nail it?

Edit:- Just read water skiing allowed if 2 competent people in boat. So guessing there is no limit if towing somebody?
 

aquapower

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Just spent the day kayaking on Windermere. Still lots of motorboats around but chugging about. Reminded me of when I was a lad we had a skiboat at Low Wood with 2 stroke 150 engine.
Would like to do that again with my boys. Anyone know how strict the speed limit is? They advertise water skiing but can't imagine it being much good at 10mph if possible at all.

Is it still a case of go to middle of lake out of the way and then nail it?

Edit:- Just read water skiing allowed if 2 competent people in boat. So guessing there is no limit if towing somebody?

I have just returned from a week at Windermere, I hired a boat for the day from Low Wood and when I returned I asked the same question, he said you have to ski at 10mph which as most of their people are begginers is not a problem, although a lot of people also still break the speed limit when rangers not around and just take a chance, not something I would want to risk, its surprising how many do ignore the speed limit on there, I nearly got turned over by some t***** in an S37 who was on the plane only a few fet away, this kind of behaviour is not helping anyone, I did see two boats get stopped by rangers for speeding.
 

Lakesailor

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Edit:- Just read water skiing allowed if 2 competent people in boat. So guessing there is no limit if towing somebody?

You wish. The limit is 10 knots, so a little over 11.5mph.
The Rangers have a video recording speed gun which can operate at quite long distances.
They tend to skulk in the shadows below Claife Heights in the evening, sometimes.

The skiers at the south end of the lake became quite sophisticated, tailing the Ranger and phoning to their mates so that they knew where the threat was.

But as the fines have become pretty steep (£400 minimum, it would seem) it is not worth it.

The Wardens are no longer involved in prosecuting speeders.

Ranger - LDNPA
Warden - South lakes District Council
 

prv

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Im sure most boats make more wash at 10 than if going faster.

I hear they've invented some kind of alternative sport that does work at 10knots, but it requires a massive wake. So they ballast the stern with a few hundred litres of water and drive around with the nose in the air kicking up a tidal wave. Law of unintended consequences.

Pete
 

mlines

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It does sound that they did not think about this at all. 10knots is the speed where most planing boats are climbing the hump, so its the worst point for wake. They are pushing a huge wall of water forward at this speed and skiing is not easy either. A simple increase to 15knots would see the boats over the hump, wake minimised and the skiers happy.

They really ought to take a leaf out of Poole Harbours book. Here they cater for everyone with most of the harbour a quiet zone and with designated Ski areas, Jetski areas and Wind Surfing/Kiting areas. This ensures that what is essentially a public resource is available to the public!
 

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To be fair, Low Wood looks far busier now than it ever did back in the 80's so maybe they didn't lose much business. Dunno... But just seems a shame.....
 

landlockedpirate

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To be fair, Low Wood looks far busier now than it ever did back in the 80's so maybe they didn't lose much business. Dunno... But just seems a shame.....

I think Low Wood is about the only business that benefitted because they were allowed to build the marina. Every one else suffered, look at Shepherds, their building has been derilict for 6 or 7 years. Waterhead marine ( chandlery and boat sales) closed down, the dedicated ski/ wakeboard businesses went, lots of wardens lost their jobs etc etc
 

Beamishken

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That was never the issue. They wanted to get rid of planing boats, so ensuring they couldn't get on the plane was their way of pissing owners off, so they would leave.
They managed that alright we used to go over for several long weekends a year in a group of several couples stay in b&b's & waterski all weekend if the weather was good if it wasn't then just enjoy the area
We lived in Durham at the time so it wasn't far
never been back to the lakes since the speed limit was applied obviously the decision makers didn't care about the inevitable decline in the businesses of the area
 

aquapower

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I think Low Wood is about the only business that benefitted because they were allowed to build the marina. Every one else suffered, look at Shepherds, their building has been derilict for 6 or 7 years. Waterhead marine ( chandlery and boat sales) closed down, the dedicated ski/ wakeboard businesses went, lots of wardens lost their jobs etc etc

One thing I never saw was a travel hoist or crane anywhere, how/where do the boats get lifted annually or from transport?
 

landlockedpirate

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One thing I never saw was a travel hoist or crane anywhere, how/where do the boats get lifted annually or from transport?

They can be lifted by crane at either the Marina Village (Shepherds) or Windermere Aquatic, both have custom pads/slipways. For really big stuff (big by Lake standards, not by coastal standards) they usually bring a much bigger crane in.
 

aquapower

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They can be lifted by crane at either the Marina Village (Shepherds) or Windermere Aquatic, both have custom pads/slipways. For really big stuff (big by Lake standards, not by coastal standards) they usually bring a much bigger crane in.

Thanks, I liked the area so much I'm thinking of taking my boat next time, its on a trailer so I guess the marina village looks like best for me as they can store car and trailer.
 

landlockedpirate

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Thanks, I liked the area so much I'm thinking of taking my boat next time, its on a trailer so I guess the marina village looks like best for me as they can store car and trailer.

We occasionally take the cruiser back up there, and put it back in the marina village for the weekend, but its not cheap. Actually i'm being polite, its eye wateringly expensive. Last time it was about £45 per night (any length) but launch, recovery and trailer/car storage were free.

The other option is Ferry Nab, thats the public slipway with car and trailer parking. You can also rent moorings off them by the day or week.
 

aquapower

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We occasionally take the cruiser back up there, and put it back in the marina village for the weekend, but its not cheap. Actually i'm being polite, its eye wateringly expensive. Last time it was about £45 per night (any length) but launch, recovery and trailer/car storage were free.

The other option is Ferry Nab, thats the public slipway with car and trailer parking. You can also rent moorings off them by the day or week.

They advertise mooring for £25 per night to visitors, and £85 for first 2 nights to cover slipway and parking, my main worry is somewhere safe to leave car and trailer. I did look at ferry nab which I would quite happily use as an option.
It won't be until next year so will call round for prices then. Looking at these prices they are not far from south coast cost.
 

landlockedpirate

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They advertise mooring for £25 per night to visitors, and £85 for first 2 nights to cover slipway and parking, my main worry is somewhere safe to leave car and trailer. I did look at ferry nab which I would quite happily use as an option.
It won't be until next year so will call round for prices then. Looking at these prices they are not far from south coast cost.


I think the £25 offer is only if you hire a cottage/apartment at the same time.

Touch wood, I have never had any issues leaving car and trailer at Ferry nab for even extended periods, but Lakey will know if there are any current problems.
 

Bbroomlea

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Thanks, I liked the area so much I'm thinking of taking my boat next time, its on a trailer so I guess the marina village looks like best for me as they can store car and trailer.

Have a look at White Cross Bay as well - I think their night or weekly rates are better than WMV. Im not sure on their trailer storage facilities though or how good the slip way is at low water levels.

We are berthed at WMV - it really is the only place on the lake that offers a mix of most things you need. Its missing the shop IMO as its a fair walk to Bowness for a pint of milk or a paper on a Sunday morning!
 
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