Irwin Marine

Rentals from Irwin Marine include life jackets, safety equipment, fuel, cooler storage, a bimini top, a Bluetooth stereo and on-site parking. Amenities vary by boat and by season, so confirm what comes with the boat you book.

Under New Hampshire law, you must be 16 to operate a motorized vessel over 25 horsepower without the supervision required for younger operators. RSA 270:30 allows someone under 16 to operate that class only when accompanied by a person at least 18 who holds a valid safe boater education certificate; that adult is liable for resulting personal injury or property damage. RSA 270:74 separately requires ski craft operators to be at least 16. From age 16 onward, anyone operating a motorized vessel over 25 horsepower must hold the boating safety certificate required by RSA 270-D:10. The rental operator sets its own minimum age, so confirm it when booking.

Source: New Hampshire Department of Safety and New Hampshire General Court, nhsp.dos.nh.gov and gc.nh.gov (gc.nh.gov)

Yes. New Hampshire requires operators of motorized vessels over 25 horsepower on public waters to carry a safe boater education certificate; there is no birth date cutoff. Certificates are available at age 16. Anyone under 16 may operate such a boat only when accompanied by someone 18 or older with a valid certificate. The rule covers personal watercraft over 25 horsepower, and ski craft operators must be at least 16. Renters are not exempt, but someone 16 or older may pass an approved exam for a 14 Day Temporary Certificate, which can be used only once. Other accepted credentials are another state's NASBLA certificate, a US Power Squadron or Coast Guard Auxiliary card, and Coast Guard or New Hampshire commercial licenses. New Hampshire State Police Marine Patrol administers the program.

Source: New Hampshire State Police Marine Patrol (gc.nh.gov)

From Laconia, the main powerboat route is Paugus Bay through Weirs Channel into Meredith Bay and Lake Winnipesaukee; boaters can also put in at the state public access on Lake Winnisquam. Paugus Bay provides local cruising before the Weirs Channel, which is a designated no-wake area. Beyond Weirs Beach, Meredith Bay is exposed to Lake Winnipesaukee and leads into the lake’s broader water. Lake Winnisquam is the alternative for spending the day on a separate lake without taking the Winnipesaukee route.

Source: City of Laconia (laconianh.gov)

From Laconia, boaters on Lake Winnipesaukee go to Meredith’s public docks, Center Harbor Town Docks, and Stonedam Island. Meredith’s Route 3 docks put crews beside Hesky Park and the Mount Washington dock. Center Harbor’s docks sit beside the town beach and pavilion, making it a convenient shoreside pause with picnic tables. Stonedam Island offers a different outing: motorboats use the designated dock, then visitors can walk trails past lake views, a swamp, a vernal pool, and a historic log cabin during daylight hours.

Source: NH Lakes Region Tourism Association (lakesregion.org)